I'm A Puppy Grandma, With Hearing Loss And Everything!

First off, I want to give an update on my friend that several of you have prayed for and asked about. Thank you so very much for your sincere concern. Unfortunately, I have not heard from her all week. I am going to assume it is just because she is in the middle of moving into their new home (very near where the suspect was first seen, unfortunately) and because they are very busy with their many family issues. I think she WOULD have called if she felt like things were too out of control, so I guess I would just ask that anyone who thinks of them please continue to pray. My friend did tell me that the suspect was taken into custody later in the evening of the incident, but every web report I can find says that he was never caught. So many questions I have for her when the time is right. I'm assuming the boys are back in school, but that is only an assumption. No update on the family members either. :( I'm sure I'll try to call her again this weekend.

On a nicer note, here is what I wrote on a list of events happening earlier this summer:

"The neighbor dog coming over (and over and over) to "call upon" our lady yellow lab (through a hole he dug under our fence.) Explaining some things to our kids as a result."

Well, the little products of our paramour stray made their debut last night while we slept. Actually, the rest of the household slept. I was up much of the night stifling some unflattering language while my STUPID DUMB ear infection of three weeks raged on. I haven't had one since I was like, maybe seven, and I was already ON antibiotic for the staph infection when I got it, but I digress. Anyway, I am nearly fully temporarily deaf and wasn't able to hear the little buggers being born. I wanted so badly to let the kiddos stay home from school for the day, but wouldn't you know it - they had their first major tests of the year today. We studied for over three hours last night, which I would never normally tolerate for an appropriate amount of homework on family time, except that most of it was for Bible class and to me, that's the most important and most undertaught subject. It's probably for the best that it's working out this way. It gives Momma a little bit of time alone with her brood before the kiddos get their curiosity all up in her face. They are SO EXCITED to get home for the day. My oldest reminded me to "PLEASE run all of your errands BEFORE school is out........we want to go STRAIGHT HOME after school!" It is so fun watching them admire new life. Ten pups, all black, the color of their long lost Dad. (Our dog is yellow, but both are labs, so the pups are full blood - at least to our *nake*d eyes.) I was so proud of my little girl, who was willing to hold the afterbirth covered in dirt so it didn't pull on the belly of the little runt while we coaxed Momma to carry it over to the warmth of the doghouse with the others. (Sorry for all the bad grammar on that sentence.) She birthed them in a hole dug under my husband's tractor. So far we have named two of the puppies - Mudball and Ranger. The kids came up with them and I think they did an outstanding job. I'd love to hear your suggestions as well! We don't know yet how many boys or girls. I've never been so anxious for school to end though. God answered our prayer for the event to take place on the weekend! Seriously, the kids asked this of the Lord so they would have a lot of time to enjoy it when it took place. How grateful I am to be able to point out to them that God hears them and cares about the desires of their hearts, not just on our behalf, but personally.

And in total randomness, because I regret how much of life I am failing to record in recent weeks (my new prayer group, the bird in the garage, jealousy and happiness for my friend invited as a delegate to the GOP convention!) this last night from my little boy in response to his poor unwitting dad:

Hubby: Hey, J, I need to ask you something and I need you to be completely honest with me when you answer me.

J: Oh brother, I don't like where this is going!

Ha ha ha ha ha! At age six!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Little did Dad know the kids had been grilling each other earlier on "if you HAD to pick a girl in your class that is the coolest, NOT for a girlfriend, O.K., but just the coolest, who would it be?" That kind of stuff. Oh, but his answer just ki*lled me!

Last week he asked me when I met a particular friend that I have become reaquainted with after many years of lost contact. I told him she had attended our church before he or his brother or sister were ever born. His response?

"Was that in the NINETEEN'S?!"

Me: What do you mean?

J: Like in the year NINETEEN something?

Me: Yes, it was about 1996 or 97.

J: (Giggling) Oh, wow! You knew her a LONG time ago! I can't believe you knew her WAY BACK in the NINETEENS!!!!"

Oh. Boy.

And lastly, if you've made it this far -

Wow.

Thanks.

You probably need to get out more.

No, really. I miss the back and forth of blogging that I simply haven't been able to tend to responsibly the past couple of months. Please know that I certainly don't wish to ignore anyone and I still pray for you as I read your blogs. Toni, for your hubby's job sector instability and your baby cousin, Denise for Fletcher and your whole family, Sniz for your son in school for the first time, Sky, Michelle, Tirzah (LOVE your new blog look!) for your beautiful new babies, Gwen, Susie, Sunshine, Susan, Calissa, Ashleigh and others - you are on my mind and in my prayers as often as I am able to read, even if my comments have become so rare.

I hope you each have a restful and wonderful weekend! I suspect we'll be spending a giant chunk of ours in the back yard.