To my New 4 year old

To my new 4 year old who had the best pinkalicious birthday ever. I cannot believe how much you've grown. Finally there is enough hair for pigtails and hairbows. You are as 'Fancy as Nancy' and can sing like no other! I love hearing your voice in the background of my busy life. Your high-pitched shrilly voice complete with giggles reminds me to laugh and to love completly. You put your whole heart into your dollies and babies. I don't mind that they go wherever I go. I respect the determination and stubborness you've acquired from me. You keep me on my toes!! I know that you will learn how to ride your bike "all on your own without any help from us!" And that you will "ask for help when you want it!" I love you with all my heart. Thank you for the great joy you are in my life! Happy Birthday!

Those Moments

Very rarely do I find my house quiet. It is nearly 11:00 at night and I can't sleep. Unusual for me. I'm at the computer, of course, and loving the silence that fills the house. It's calming effect reminds me why I love the craziness. Everyone, including Jeremy, are sound asleep. Even Toby is quiet. And is it in these moments that I am so grateful to be where I am, doing whatever it is I do, being the mom I hope to be. This is what life is all about. There really is no greater journey than motherhood. Thank you Jeremy!

You wanted What???

After the mayhem of our children trying to open all the presents at once, we asked Myles if he enjoyed his Christmas presents from Santa. We are nestled in between the wrapping paper, ribbons, toy boxes and clothes everywhere. He looks over at Jeremy and announces that Santa forgot one thing. And he is real serious. "Dad, he forgot my remote control airplane." "What?! Did you ask him?" Jeremy looks over at me with those eyes of 'Did you know about this?' 'What do you think? I would have told you if I knew myself?',was the reply of my eye. "Myles, did you ask Santa for one?"
"Yeah Dad!," rolling his eyes at him, " I asked himand he didn't bring it." Jeremy's eyes look at me again with,'what do i say?' 'You're dealing with this one,'was the reply of my eye.

A Vet's Waiting Room

A vet's room waiting is nothing short of an amusement park of smells, scents and other dog's privates for Toby. I had to take him back in. Nothing can be simple with him. He's having serious issues with infection and swelling from his neutering. Due to the fact he won't stop licking and frolicking. Here I am in the vet's waiting room using all my 115 lbs to hold back a 75lb dog. Oh the smells and scents for my dog to investigate. Somehow I am managing the car seat, my rambunctious Sammie, and the reincarnated "Marly"...my dog Toby. I'm thinking,"Okay..I think I can handle this. It's not so bad"...UNTIL..the German Shephard, the Pit Bull, a really big curly dog, and 3 other dogs that walk in all at once. Oh My Gosh! I am sitting in the chair, bracing myself, the car seat is in my lap, Sammie is climbing on top of me, and Toby takes off. He is literally dragging us across the floor. He feels it is God given right to greet every doggie that comes through the door. It is obvious to everyone that I can't control my dog. This battle between me and Toby goes on for 20 minutes. I'm praying the aids will call our name. "Hurry! Hurry! Please call us back!"
Once in the exam room, the vet asks me,"This hematoma is really bad. And it's starting to get infected. You were suppose to keep him from running and licking himself. Didn't you do that?" "I did all I could ma'am. You see..my dog is one of kind..." Interupting me, she says,"Well, you definetly need antibiotics and an e-collar." "You mean one of this big white round things?" "Yea. THat will stop him from licking." I'm looking at her sideways,"Um..I don't know if that will work. You see..Toby can demolish anything. I mean everything and anything in sight.." and the vet is out the door. I ask the aid if there is something better. "No Ms. Jessop. This works really well. You'll see." I'm thinking, You don't know my dog. This isn't going to work. "Well, can I get two of those. Just in case he gets out of it. " "Well, Ms. Jessop, you can buy another if you think it is neccesary." At $20.00 a collar, I decided that I will make only one work-unless it is absolutely not repairable.
Exhausted, I drive everyone home. I leave Toby in his corner while I attended to my darling Evelyn. She's crying and upset. She finally had her first blow out. Poop is everywhere!!!! We've been home maybe 5 minutes. As I was running to get more wipes, I see Toby out of the corner of my eye:


So much for the $20.00 collar!!

A Few Good Laughs!

AS of yesterday, Toby was neutered. We finally did it!! As we were driving to get Toby, Myles, my curious one who needs to know everything, asked what kind of surgery Toby had. "Well, he was getting too hyper, so we had to take his boy parts out." The questions came fast. "How? Why? They cut him open? Did it hurt? How did he get to sleep? Can he pee?" As I lead my doped up dog to the van, Myles looks down between his legs. A look of horror washes over him!
"Mom, they took his balls out!!! Is Toby a girl now??!!"



We recently rented a cabin at ChickaSaw state park. We had arrived late in the evening and was unable to check-in and speak with anyone. As we approached our cabin, a big red signed greeted us, "NO PETS ALLOWED!!!" Oh Crap! My heart sank. We are in big trouble! Yes, we had brought the infamous Toby Wan Kanobe! Jeremy and I were discussing back and forth about what to do and the big trouble we could be in. We had planned on eating at the local buffet that features fine southern cusine. Once we Toby was settled in his kennel, we locked the door with the big red sign and walked away. Instantly Toby announced his displeasure at being locked up. His barking was loud and impatient. Jeremy and I had one thought,"lets get out of here before we are discovered."
At the restaurant, which was within walking distance, Myles announced to the waitress and the only other table that we had broken the rules. I was at the buffet helping myself to some fine southern fried catfish and black-eyed peas. My heart sank as I heard from my sweet, honest little boy:
"Do you know what? We have a dog. His name is Toby and he's in the cabin. And do you know what? The sign says no pets allowed. And do you know what? We are in BIG trouble!"
Jeremy's head hung low and his shoulders shook with laughter. I had to pick my jaw up from the floor and wonder,"Does this old lady without any front teeth have any connection to the caretakers?"



Samantha hs been very resourceful lately. She has figured out a way to get a facial for only 0.99 cents! No joke! On the way home from school the other day, she found a tube of lipstick that did the job. Even her baby doll was lucky enough to get the same deal. Too bad I missed out! A 0.99 cent facial is pretty cheap!

We were so blessed to have my parents come visit us. We blessed Evelyn and my Dad came to be a part of it. AND...he didn't even get airsick!! My mother came prepared with several "barf bags"! We had so much fun just hanging out and enjoying one anothers company. We spent an afternoon at Herb Parsons Lake and ended up with some darling pictures. ENJOY!

In ONE Week

In one week, only 7 days, Toby destroyed the roof of our playcenter (the heavy,thick,vinyl kind), shredded Jeremy's grill cover ($40.00-and this is the second one), dug another hole to the neighbors yard, tore a window screen to pieces, and figured out a way to get out of his kennel!!!! I'm not joking, this dog is out of control and I am so ready to get rid of him. I am in AWE that he can climb ladders and unlock his kennel. Toby is too smart for his own good. What do I do?