My heart is heavy

I miss him already.

I got Boomer in 2001. He was a Christmas present from my Aunt Laura. Such a gentle soul! When we first got him, I got him certified as a therapy dog. We visited John Knox nursing home for several years, in fact until the kids came along.

When it got too hard to visit with kids, he was retired to our home.

He loved being inside! Boo was a big boy - 70 pounds at his best. But, if hair had weight, it would have been more! And, he was a true Collie. A baby to the core. Gentle as a flea, but sensitive to everything.

I sure did love this dog. I have cried to the point I will be Chinese in the morning, I'm sure. I wish I had some Preparation H...

Yes, I miss him already.

Maybe I was a bit hasty...

Well, this afternoon Brooks put potty in the little toilet 3 times! Maybe he is going to catch onto this quicker than Kate after all.

I must admit that the complaining came after cleaning up a HUGE poop from the underwear. He hadn't gone in 2 days, and well, you know what that meant. But, the potty is fab and I am so proud of him!

On a side note, Reed is feeling much better. He had an abscess form under his thigh after an injury of some sort. After lancing it last Friday, he continues to improve every day. I even rode him up from the pasture this morning, and it felt good! The feeling to being on your horse of 22 years just makes you feel 13 again. The kids have enjoyed the barn so much the last 2 weeks, and I'm glad that this "hiccup" in his health has turned out so well.

Going to a conference in B'ham tomorrow just for the day. I can't wait to hear Alice Wolf speak. She is one of the feline authorities in the country. She is one smart lady! What a treat!

I.Hate.Potty.Training

That about sums it up for me.

I remember when I first found out I was pregnant with Kate. First, I was scared to death of labor. Secondly, I was scared to death of potty training.

I am not scared of either any more. But, at least labor lasts a day (at least for me). Potty training... it seems to go on and on and on!

Yes, I am thankful to have a child to train. Yes, I am thankful that he is healthy and we have made it to this point. Yes, I love him dearly.

But I will be glad when this is over.

More funnies

The kids have said some of the funniest things the past few weeks. I have taken to writing them down, because I tend to forget them as quickly as they are said!

* During vacation, Kate was doing something that got a response from Scott, "Kate, if you do that again I'm going to spank that little hiney", to which she replied, "Daddy, I don't have a little hiney! I have a BIG hiney!"

* Have you ever heard the phrase, "We're going home, James!"? I said that a few weeks ago and Brooks replied, "We're going home, Thomas!" (you know - James, Thomas, Henry from Thomas the Train)

* The kids continually ask me what I am doing. No matter what I am doing. Like driving the car, for example. My reply when they ask me the obvious: I am eating pasketti. Usually Brooks will say, "No ma'am you're not! You are driving the car!". Well, last week, after my reply, Brooks said, "No ma'am you're not! You are eating PIZZA!"

* Kate prayed for Reed (our horse) last week, and it was so sweet. Here is part of it: "Dear God, thank you for Mama, Daddy, Me and Brooks. And we hope that everyone feels better real soon. And, we hope that Reed's leg feels better real soon, because we love him more than we'll ever know. In Jesus' name, Amen."

* At the hotel, Kate was looking out of the window. She suddenly exclaimed, "Look, that man is nekid!" (Only shirtless. We are obviously not from Florida)

* Another at the hotel: We are all sleeping in the same room. Scott and I were talking (I thought quietly) when Kate abruptly sits up and says, "Mama. Daddy. I don't want to hear any more talking. It's time to go to bed. Now, get some sleep."

Here come my favorites!

More beach pics

I love both - Kate's jump and Brooks with Scott

40 something family pics... and this was the best!

I love my kids!

Science Museum and Playground

This day, we took the kids to a Science Museum in Ft. Walton Beach. They were able to do so much hands on - which they had NOT been able to do at all those flea markets the past few days! There was a beautiful park next door which we chose to visit afterwards. Needless to say, the kids enjoyed this.



Look at the concentration on Brooks' face!

Probably the best picture I have of Scott and Kate