Dogs

"Maybe that's why we love them. Their lives are not lengthy, logical, or deliberate 

but an 

Explosive Paradox 

composed of 

fur, teeth, and enthusiasm." 

                                      -Matthew Inman

-Love-

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The Life Changer

Many things have contributed to how my life has unfolded.  We all have those moments that make us go one way or another on our journey.  I have lots of those moments, but just a handful of people that have changed my life just by showing up.  Candace is one of them.

Thirty years ago today Candi was born.  Little did we know how it would change us.  My parents didn't know that she had Down Syndrome before she was born, so it was a surprise.  My mom said carrying Candi felt different, but she had no idea.  After they ran all the tests, my family was told she may never walk, be able to speak, or take care of herself.  I remember my Dad sitting me down and telling me all this.  Alison was only two so it didn't make any sense to her, but it did for me.  He told me that I would have to be a big help to the both of them and when the time came, that I would have to be responsible for Candace.  In an eight year old's mind, it didn't mean much.  I just remember thinking, "OK. No big deal.  So she'll be different and need more attention."  I had no idea how much she would change my life.

As Candi grew up, she did learn how to walk-then she was running!! She was the fastest little thing we ever saw.  She would run everywhere.  At church the congregation knew that if they saw Candi without one of us with her to stop her and come find one of us, otherwise she would escape. There were many times when she was little she did crazy things.  She would get up early Saturday mornings and turn on the TV to watch cartoons.  That usually wouldn't be a big deal, except she'd turn the volume up full blast.  Then she'd get a block of Velveeta cheese and eat it like a banana.  At least she was trying to be self sufficient.

Ali and I played with Candi a lot.  We helped her learn to talk, taught her colors, shapes, letters, and all that comes with it.  We taught her to sing.  She sings loud and completely off key, but she doesn't care, and neither do we.  She sings because she can and she's happy.  All of those years of helping Candi grow and learn taught me something--that I was meant to teach.  Helping others learn comes easy for me, and Candi taught me that.

Now that Candi is an adult and I am completely responsible for her, she still is teaching me.  Candi leads a very simple and happy life.  She has a set schedule, goes to work, watches movies, and hangs out with her friends and family.  I think we all could learn something from Candi.  Happy Birthday Baby Sister!

 

Very true indeed.

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On the way to contentment

It has been almost a month since we moved back to Oklahoma City. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. It's been fun exploring and finding new things that weren't here before, and seeing how the old has changed (or stayed the same). I think we are on our way to being content--something we haven't seen in quite some time. Well, actually, never.

When we lived here before, we wanted to see what it was like to live somewhere else. After we did that, all we wanted was to be back to what we knew first. Now, we are on the third chapter of our journey...learning how to enjoy where we are, who we are with, and find contentment.

I think it will come easier. Allen and I both have jobs, his being what looks like the one he will invest himself in, and mine will be a challenge. I am excited to have my own class again and hope that I can rise up and bring success to these little ones. I have a plan!! Now all we have to do is get the girls settled in school and activities, find our home church, and we will be on our way.

This time around we are coming in with eyes open, without expectations of the same things happening again. We know it is three years since we left, and things change. We have changed. We've learned more about what we want and need, and what we can handle. I know that God can throw us a curve ball at any moment, but I also know that He will make sure we can stand up under it.

For fun, here are some things we've missed: the Princess Posse, friends, family, Braum's, the wind (weird, I know), big skies, four lane roads, city water and no septic tanks, seeing OU/OSU stuff everywhere, and carpet.

So here's to being content!! Oh wait! Penny already is...



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A Sad Day

It is with heavy heart that I sit down to the computer today.  Yesterday, my sweet Charlie went on from this world.  He was a wonderful dog.  He was docile, quiet and very good natured.  He loved the snow, to lick people, and to play with Hagrid.  He was delightful.  We got him about two weeks before Anna was born.  We saved him through Pets and People.  He was our baby before our babies!  He was such a skiddish thing.  He was apprehensive of lots of things but loved to be with his family.  He started to slow down, as we expected since he was twelve years old.  We just gave him more love and hugs.  This past week he stopped eating the way he normally did, and we tried to help him.  Yesterday morning he came to say hi like he always did, and I loved and hugged on him, like usual.  Then he laid down on the rug like normal.  A little later I heard a whine and he was all the way under the couch and he couldn't get up.  We went to the vet and they ran some tests and realized he had tumors that ruptured in his abdomen.  It was time to say goodbye.  He had a good life and made our lives even better, just with a nuzzle, a lick to the elbow and a tail wag. So long my sweet Bubba!

Perceptions

It's amazing how perceptions change. This year has been filled with learning experiences, hard truths, soul searching, praying, and questioning if perceptions are as they seem. All year long I have asked myself, "Is this really how things are or is my perception skewed?" After awhile I realized that when the way you see the world hasn't changed, it isn't your perception. It is what it is.
A year ago, we were frantically packing and so very excited to start a new life in a new place. We were leaving everything that was familiar and normal and beginning a new adventure. We were tired of seeing the same things all the time, at least that was our perception.
Once we got here, the excitement continued for us for a little while, but reality set in. Our perception changed. The job was not as we hoped. Teaching was out of reach. Church was nonexistent. The constant was great times visiting and being with family. That has never changed.
When we got married, we dreamed of moving somewhere out of state just to see what it was like, and to be on our own. To get out. To do something new. All of our friends from college had moved on, and we felt a little left behind. We were bound by responsibility. This went on until we finally moved. We got out.
Now we want back in. Our perception has changed once again. We realized that being in the place that you know first--home--is where we want to be. Where we need to be. There is nothing wrong with staying close to home. We missed the responsibilities we had and we want them back. But more importantly, we want our girls to grow up where we did--a place with big skies and a wind that takes your breath away. It's funny how perception changes.

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Fabric pine cones

Many years ago, I received an ornament from a family that I taught three of their children. To this day it is my favorite ornament that I've been given.  It was home made and looked difficult to do.  This past Christmas I wanted to make gifts for our family instead of purchasing them, since I was on a budget but had a surplus of time.  I remembered my ornament and found how to make them online.  I absolutely loved how they turned out, and how easy it was to make them.  Now I'm obsessed!  I found a pretty iron bowl at Hobby Lobby and knew that it was just what I needed--to put pine cones in all year round.  Now each month I am making three seasonal ones to put on my coffee table.  Here's how to make them:

Supplies

1/4 to 1/2 yard of fabric (I found small prints work better than big ones)

Straight pins with the flat head

Styrofoam ball (I like the 3 inch size)

Scissors or rotary cutter and mat

Ruler

First, you need to cut your fabric into 2 inch squares.  I used a rotary cutter and self-healing mat, which makes it crazy fast and easy.  I cut four layers of fabric at once.

 

 Once you have the squares cut, you are ready to put it together.  First, take one square of fabric and pin it flat to the ball.  This will be your starting point. Then, take a square and fold it in half then in half again.  When you attach it to the ball, make sure the folded ends are facing upward with the double-folded side on the left, like this.

Attach the square to the ball on the left corner (right where my thumb is), overlapping a corner of the flat square you've already attached.  Fold another square and overlap it's left corner with the right corner of the already pinned square, securing the first square down on both ends.  Do this all the way around until you meet back up with your first square.  You will pin both corners of the square when you finish each row.

When beginning a new row, stagger your square so it covers up the pin you just put in.  The trick is to keep all the pins covered so you don't see them.  Sometimes that is really hard to do.  Keep pinning and adding rows until you get to the top and you can't put any more on.  Finish the top with one final folded square.  I like to take that last one and fold all four unfinished edges inward and pin it so there are no fray-able edges showing.  Then, if you want, you can add a ribbon to make it an ornament.  For Christmas I did, but for the seasonal ones I didn't.  This one is my favorite.  I think we will use it like mistletoe. I just love how they turn out!

And here is my February bowl:

All Hail Princess Penny on Her Throne

Crockpot Lasagna

I am always trying to find recipes for the crockpot that my whole family will like, which is difficult with a picky eater. I found one yesterday! I wanted to try something that wasn't in the soup variety, so I thought I'd try lasagna. I found this recipe, or more like the directions (I knew what went in it) on Stephanie O'Dea's website

1 pound ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
Lasagna noodles (doesn't matter if they are oven ready or not)
1 large container cottage cheese
2 cup bag shredded cheese (I used the Italian blend)
1/4-1/2 cup water

I used my 6-quart crockpot. Brown the beef on the stove. Once it is browned, dump the entire jar of sauce in the pan to simmer for a couple of minutes. Keep the sauce container and put the water in it for later-don't let all the extra sauce goodness go to waste!

After that is done, spoon a layer of the sauce mixture, then a layer of noodles (you'll have to break them to fit), cottage cheese, and a handful of shredded cheese. Repeat until you either run out or you get it as high as you want. Make sure you end with shredded cheese on the top. Then take your sauce container with the water, swirl it around to pick up the extra sauce, and pour it on top of your lasagna.

Set it on low for about 8 hours, on high for four. If the noodles peek out, try and keep them inside the mixture so they don't get rubbery or crunchy (unless you like that sort of thing). This is how it turned out--

 YUM!!