Bear - he's quite a bear :)

Meet our new dog!  His name is Bear, and appropriately so.  (Well, with the exception of the name having anything to do with Alabama's Bear Bryant :)  Which, ironically, was the very first thing Jason said when he arrived home on Monday to find our new dog already here.  No big deal, I knew Jason would love him and agree he was the perfect dog for us ;)  But back to my point, Jason remarked, "Bear?  We've got to change that name."  To which I replied that the implication of that name, in that specific regard, had not even occurred to me, and that I thought it was likely a perfect name in many other ways.  And I was right...Bear is a "bear.")

The name is fitting as in:

the noun form- this dog is huge (already 106 lbs. and predicted to gain another 15 lbs.)  And think of a black bear; they're similar ;)

the verb form "to hold or support" - the kids lie on him frequently, and although we've yet to put a saddle on him and let Connor go for a ride, I don't doubt that would be successful.  And also in the sense of bearing as "bringing forth something."  Our family has experienced the kind of joy a family pet brings that we haven't had in a while since Toby passed.  Bear has bore that kind of contentment and happiness that comes with a good family dog.  Jack expressed it best the other day, when he burst into smiles, and shouted - in the sincere, sweet way Jack has about him, "I love my dog!"

So, where did Bear come from?  Our friends the Carney's had adopted a dog not too long ago from an organization here in Huntsville, called FOR (Friends of Rescue).  They had a great, smooth experience, and so since then, I've "liked" the organization on Facebook and watched all the animals pop up on their feed.  Through perusing that site, we visited with a few foster parents who brought dogs over for us to meet.  I particularly liked being able to talk with a foster parent who had experience with the pet, since getting a dog that had experience and was good with young children was an obvious requirement for us.  FOR takes care of all vet visits, shots, etc, and when you adopt the dog, you receive the vet records and such.

Bear's (appx 18 months old now) originally family had to turn him in because he wasn't fond of their family cat.  And also because Bear could clear a four-foot fence, which he was doing there.  Neither was an issue for us, and since we have a heart for big - like, really big dogs - I thought it was worth a visit to see him in his foster home.  Of course it didn't hurt that he looked like Toby, either.  (I could almost be convinced of reincarnation, considering what we've learned about Bear the past few days.  Looks so similar and acts just like Toby used to.) 

Oh, and don't let me forget to tell you the most ironic detail of this whole thing.  Know what Bear's foster's mom name was?  Tobie.  I kid you not :)  I told Tobie we'd love to take Bear, and home he came with Jack, Connor, and me in the van.  Lucy flipped out when she got off the bus, running down the hill, yelling, "I have a new puppy!  I have a new puppy!"

FOR suggested that he's a mastiff/lab mix, and here's what the internet says about this mutt breed, labeled "mastidor":  http://www.designermixes.org/breed_info/272/mastador.aspx  Seems a correct suggestion from what we've experienced with him so far.

Bear is a big teddy bear; he's been nothing but gentle, calm, lazy, affectionate, and eager to please.  He hasn't been without his hazards...that tail is something of a weapon, whacking kids in their legs (only Lucy seemed to mind :)

So, onto the cute pictures, and you'll have to forgive me for how many there are.  I'm not a "dogs-are-people" person, but hey, I'm not having any more children, so indulge me.  :) 



First day home:

Headed out for a family walk that evening.  He needs a little training not to pull, but he seems a very quick learner.  Jason had him walking side by side with him by the end of the walk. 

Super snuggly Connor:

Bedtime!  (His foster home allowed him up on beds, and while that won't allow that, it was fine for the first night here.  Although, Lord knows Lucy argued with us to allow it :)

 

 

 

Connor likes to have his snacks while lying against Bear.

 Morning snuggles; these two wake up and head to wherever Bear is.

Pinterest Fails

Pinterest, it's popular.  Even my dad has pinned and completed projects. 

I totally enjoy spending time pinning all the adorable ideas, and most of the things I've actually made have turned out okay.  That said, I don't attempt the really fancy pins.  I'm talking simple wreaths, paint chip projects, those have gone well.   

A negative aspect of it, I've heard someone (or maybe it was a blog) remark, is that Pinterest has the potential to really stress out some people and makes some moms feel even more pressure to be "super mom."  Like you have to be proficient in Pinterest to be be a good mom.  I think that's a bit of an extreme, and, personally, I don't feel that pressure, but I can certainly agree with the point.

I've been to birthday parties where the moms have spend hours - often into the wee hours of the morning - hand-making every decoration, accessory, and party favor for the party.  (I enjoy baking my kid's cake myself, but I enjoy baking, and I think it's a nice tradition.  Beyond that, only if I find myself with large periods of free time can I tackle these projects.)  It all looks beyond adorable, don't get me wrong, but what's the ultimate goal I wonder.  If the mom is gaining sincere enjoyment and fulfillment slaving away wrapping packaging tape around personalized logos with their child's name on it, then more power to you, but it never seems that people who go to those lengths actually enjoy the process, and they're too exhausted and sleep deprived to enjoy the end product.  Anyhow, I digress...

I came upon this list of "20 Hilarious Pinterest Fails,"  and I had to share.  If it's not staged - some I wonder about -  then it really is hilarious.  Check it out, and if you've ever had a Pinterest fail,  you'll totally relate.


http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-pinterest-fails/

A boy and his cars...

When I'm unloading the dishwasher, this is what Connor likes to do. 

Not sure which shot I like better.  :) 

You shouldn't be missing...

Here's my 2 cents :)

You shouldn't be missing (in random order, because that's how I think :) :

1.  Soma bras and underwear.  Especially the vanishing edge series - amazing!

2.  The song, "Beautiful Things" by Gungor

3.  Breaking Bad, tv show on AMC.  Be sure you've caught up with all 5 seasons by this summer when the final 8 episodes of the series airs.  (Molly Back - you totally have to have that party with all those awesome ideas you had for it!  I'll help!  Let's get a screen up in the cul-de-sac, for real :)

4.  Also tv show, Downton Abbey.  But be careful, you'll find yourself taking on a British accent and saying things like posh and alerting your family of dinner with a dressing gong.

5.  The outdoors!  Huntsville is so beautiful in spring.  I loved how Jason remarked about the Huntsvile stamp of colors with the beautiful lavender red buds, exciting bright green foliage, and soft white sparks on the Bradford Pears.  Well, he didn't use those adjectives, per say.  He just said it was really pretty driving over Cecil Ashburn.  :)

6.  Crock pot cooking:  my fav new recipe, Honey Sesame Chicken.  Easy and everyone will want seconds, so make double :)

7.  A chance to tell your spouse how much you love them!

8.  A comfy pair of flip flops.

9.  Dining al fresco somewhere at Bridgestreet.  I recommend the Scene's sweet potato fries, or Cantina's guacamole dip.

10.  A quick email to your child's teacher thanking them for the hard work and love they pour into your little one.

11.  If you have boys, watching them throw rocks in a creek :)

12.  Smoked Salmon.  (I served this over the weekend and forgot how darn yummy it was!)

Another week ahead...hope it's a wonderful one for ya!

Hello Blog World again!

Well, it's so good to be back; I've missed this.  And to my family scattered all about from Florida to South Carolina, all the way to Brendan kickin' in down in Mexico, I'm sorry for the lack of cuteness in pics and crazy stories that you haven't been able to read about for a few months.

I didn't want to stop blogging; like so many things, it just happened, as the free time I did have kept dwindling.  I'm going to blame it on my two-year-old who never, ever stops eating.  Yes, it's his fault - I never have time to blog because I'm always making food for Connor  :)

Or I could blame it on Lucy and the many, many talks and "dishing-out-punishment" discussions we've had every time she's earned an "X" in kindergarten this year (lots of discussions, in case you didn't know) :).    I can't blog because I have to spend all my time disciplining her and working hard to "train her up in the way she should go." 

Or perhaps Jack, sweet Jack.  Maybe it's his fault because I have to keep refereeing the ludicrous tattle-telling he has been doing lately.  Yep, that's it, I can't blog because I spend too much time listening to his whining about how a friend just "called him a muffin!"  (Yep, that one happened a few days ago.  A little boy called him a "muffin" and I had to hear about it.  My eyes were simply not big enough for the eye-rolling that could have no way been prevented in the face of such a stupid statement!  I suggested just calling the other kid a croissant :)

I jest; there's certainly no blame.  Truth is, it really was just free time slipping away.  It's a wonderful, wonderful blessing, as I LOVE all my little students who come for tutoring, but I currently tutor every day - including Saturdays - for 2 to 3 hours each day after school.  So, free time during the day is quickly spent up with lesson planning and all the other responsibilities I have just keeping things movin' along :)  And I'm still teaching aerobics classes many mornings a week; love it!  And I love Tuesday mornings volunteering at Owens Cross Roads Elementary.  Connor thinks he's a movie star, for when we go visit and read with the kids (who use Ipads), they excitedly shout out his name from all directions of the classroom, as they push icons snapping his photo, most of the time catching him just sucking on and drooling from his large lollipop that he's been given as that's how we make it through our time together.  Connor is quiet because the giant Blow Pop takes up the entirety of his tiny mouth.  :)  And in the evenings, when Jason's home, I like to listen to all the intellectual and strategic issues he has going on with his two jobs.   Jason and I lead a Cgroup through which we've met some awesome new friends, and  I love my weekly bible study; precious, precious rejuvenating time with the Lord and some really amazing women .  Then it's a True Blood episode before bed, and the day is done!  :)  It can feel a busy life at times, but it's one I cherish and find so much joy in. 

But, I miss this, and like all things we consider important or fun... we make time for it.

I have this story/question for y'all.  Has anyone ever had their child french kiss their cheek?  This happened to me last night.  It was bedtime, and as I went to embrace Lucy she just went all ape on my cheek. Startled, I broke away, looked at her and asked her just what the heck was she doing to me.  And she answered, giggling - I really should not be surprised - "That's how grown-ups kiss! (hehe)"  Good gracious!  I am beginning to seriously wonder if my friends with boys her age will at some point stop being friends with me because they fear Lucy's influence on their precious, innocent little boys.  I just hope she saw it on tv somewhere and does not know this first-hand!  :)  I mean, I was fourteen before I had my first kiss, so this is just a bit much for me!  :)

And this as we were coming up with her list of kids she'd like to invite to her 6th birthday party happening in a few weeks...Four of the first five names she gave me were all boys.  If you receive an invitation, I promise it's not a "spin the bottle" party.  Very G rated...and there will be supervision at all times!  :)

I'll post a few pics, favorite ones from the past few month to give you a jist, and coming up in blogs later this week, I'll cover other stuff going on to get you caught up...let's see, so a recap of all my heart and knee drama from that's taken four months to be resolved, our super fun ski trip that we'll not soon forget, news with Jason's Arch Patent company, lots more pics, and just the regular stuff from our regular life!  Hopefully, there will be a new member of our family soon (No, I'm not pregnant :), but we're looking forward to having a dog once again.  Keep coming back!



Jack turned 4 in Dec:

Christmas home in Huntsville was wonderful!

My fun Bunco group at our Ugly Sweater Holiday gathering:

Right before the end of the year, Jack announced he wanted his training wheels taken off.  He seriously loves riding his bike!

Jason built some awesome, awesome, beautiful furniture for our home.  This farmhouse table for the kitchen.

 

and this beautiful sideboard to go with

we've enjoyed family visits

 Lucy and Grandpa


This one is still as spirited as ever; love her!

She loves school, everything about it.  She's learning to read and making steady progress.  Super independent and self-reliable.  Wakes up to her own alarm clock, comes downstairs ready for the day, and is a huge help watching out for her little brothers.  Loves to help!  She even changes Connor's diapers by herself.  She can get him up on the diaper changing table (they climb up on chairs) and then she stands on the chair to take care of business.  I'm very proud of her!  I don't advocate this as a regular thing, but hey sometimes on Sunday morning, when trying to get out the door to church, it sure comes in handy!

 Connor turned 2 in Feb.

He's emotional, fierce, talkative, and super snuggly!  Precious!

And he can sleep anywhere!

Love hanging out with friends...

 

Lucy still loves dolls.  Thanks, Baba, for the matching pj's and doll clothes :)

 

 Jack's best friend, Sam.  Sweet kids :)

We throw rocks in the creek a lot:

Easter!

Jack had a hard time with the whole egg hunt thing.  While he's definitely the heart and soul of the family, he tends to be a little overly sensitive at times.  :(

And more eating...this is how Connor tackles soup :)

 Happy, happy kiddo!

From Christmas:  we loved having Brendan visit!

 and Uncle Ryan!

   Grammy T came to see us from Buffalo

Ice skating!!!

happy-go-lucky

 Papa 'n Lady

Lucy's main squeeze at school.  Her teacher's son :)

Taking time to enjoy life!

jack and Jason went to the monster truck show!

Just last weekend for Easter