Awwww

I love my life.

I thank God for everything He's given me.

I love my goofball kids.

... even if they make Walmart trips longer than they should be.

My dog is goofy too.

But I love him just the same.

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Saturday Catch Up

Wow, I've been really sucking at blogging lately.  I do have a couple of other blogs I work on.  I guess I hit a little block so I write in another blog, then I'll hit another block in that one, so I'll write in this one.  Writing is a lot of fun for me, so when I do get up the nerve to type something up, it's a really nice feeling.  Lately, I've been all about the dog though.

In Just Keep The Dog (aka JKTD), I write about... dogs.  That's a given, right?  It's pretty hard to write competitively, though.  I mean, there are TONS of dog blogs on the internet.  There are so many fun things to read about our four legged furballs.  So, like in this blog, I don't write to gain followers or sell things.  Not that those are bad... I'm just not one to compete.  I guess I'm a lazy writer.  Anyway, JKTD is a way for me to highlight Bruce.  For someone who can't speak to us humans, I believe he has a voice--and lots of really important things to say.  So I write for him.  And I have a lot of fun doing that. 

Then there's Seeking Dog Lover, my book blog.  I'm working on spreading awareness on dog abuse and neglect.  In Seeking Dog Lover, I tell Bruce's story about the life he knew before he joined my crazy family.  It's a fiction story based on only what I knew from his Owner Surrender paperwork.  I tell it in first person point of view so that readers are able to relate to a character that actually has thoughts.  I use no names, other than his and other animals.  And I describe the things that are happening the way I believe a dog experiences it.  My goal is to grow empathy in readers, change the mindset of those who don't see what's wrong with neglecting their pet.  I love writing it.

As for my real life, so much has been happening!!  I find myself so busy and filled with thoughts that I simply am too darn lazy to write about them.  So hopefully this will not only let you know what's going on with the Mama in Combat Boots, but give you something that will make you smile. 

Here it goes...

Yesterday, the boys had a fight on the way in to their daycare/youth center:

 

Sean:

I'm tired of you saying that!

 

Caden:

Well I'm tired of YOU!

 

Sean:

I'm tired of your ENTIRE body!

 

Caden:

I'm tired of your entire body AAANNNDDD your butt cheeks.

 

*Pause*

 

Sean:

You said butt cheeks.

 

Caden:

Yeah.

 

Both:

HAHAHAHAHAHA

 

Bruce was... his usual self.

 

He has succeeded in being his usual super sweet self, posing for belly rubs and begging strangers for love as well.

His hips have been really bad lately, so he's also been getting some heat compress sessions and massages.  I tell him every day that I love him.

 

 

My best friend rescued a humming bird in our office.  The poor thing flew in and couldn't find its way back out.

So my little rescuer caught it gently in his hands and allowed me a chance to take a pic before he released it. 

I got to witness yet another miracle of God.  Something so small and fragile, yet so beautiful and powerful in its flight.  I love our Lord.

 

 

I am reminded every day that God is good.  My drive to work greets me with beauty every day.

And I do have to mention that I got scolded by my own troop that I am not being safe taking pictures while driving.  I have learned to control myself when I see a beautiful sky.

Obviously not for this pic, but....

 

 

Stride made my day when I opened the wrapper of this pack of gum only to be faced with an adorable face of a Boston's gigantic puppy eyes. 

Love!

 

 

I finally found out why my travel mug cover has been ending up under the sink.

My crazy trio has been stealing it and hiding it there... along with:

My kids' crocks, arch supports, rubber gloves, and kid toys.

Thieves!

 

We celebrated Fourth of July with my sister-in-law and friends.

Hot dogs and Chamorro barbeque-- OH YEAH BABY.

 

Not a day goes by without my beautiful boys giving me a hug that almost strangles me.

I love it every time.

 







I was visited by leadership who congratulated me on being selected for promotion to E-6.

It's about friggin time!!  I've only been eligible for SEVEN YEARS.

Woo hoo!!!!  I pin on the new rank August first.

MAMA'S GONNA MAKE SOME MONEY!

 

Basic Cadet Training. 

This keeps us busy every summer.  Yay for working on weekends.

 

  



BCT can tire us...

If you follow my Facebook page, you get to stay up to date on my latest gripes and whines about them.  Hehehe

 

I've been bringing in Folgers Vanilla Biscotti coffee and Kona Vanilla Macadamia Nut coffee beans.  It makes work BETTER.

 

 

Despite the extra hours, I still get to enjoy the beauty in the job I do.

I'm pretty blessed, I think.

 

 

So that about sums it up.  Well, the big stuff I can think of off the top of my head right now, anyway.  There's always the usual stuff everyone deals with like reluctantly waking up every morning because I'm soooo sleepy, trying to keep updated on watching Lost (I know the show ended ages ago.. .I'm slow), dealing with weird neighbor kids who just HAVE to come to the porch to pet Bruce--which isn't so fun when I just want to relax, watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall and laughing my ass off, and many many many more common day-to-day stuff.

 

Have a GREAT Saturday!!  I'll try to write more.  Promise.

 

Peace!



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How To Have A Good Day

You can make the day good by doing a headstand in the Chic-Fil-A tunnel.

Or by hanging upside down on things you're not supposed to.

By playing nicely with your brother.

By being cool in the dentist's office.

By sleeping as if the world doesn't exist.

And cuddling in blankets.

And appreciating the sky.

Most times all it takes is a smile.

Or a funny face.

 

 

A kiss!

 

A good day is easy to have.

If you choose to have it.

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If you're happy and you know it

Clap your hands!

Of the three ferrets, Squish is Caden's favorite.  She was neglected when I got her.  Skinny (you could see hip bones even) and with a bald tail (sign of stress), she was never really outgoing.  While my male, Sammy, was always the happy-go-lucky crazy ferret, Squish has always been more mellow and happy to just cuddle. 

Last night Caden and Squish were just too cute.  They were both in my tiny kitchen as I was cooking.  They sat together just hanging out.  Then, Caden thought it was just easier to lay down so Squish could lay on him.  Later Caden came back into the kitchen eating his Teddy Grahams.  Squish wanted to check it out, so he let her sniff it.  She wasn't interested in eating it- she was just being nosy lol.

 

Then, to ensure all cuteness was recorded, I caught him singing If You're Happy And You Know It, using Squish as a prop.  You've gotta see the YouTube video.

 



 

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You are my sunshine

I woke up this morning to Sean's smiling face. "I love you Mommy!" It's the best way to wake up.
He started singing the song You Are My Sunshine but he always says "shunshine" instead of sunshine. :)
I love it.
Then Caden had a smile on his face. "You make me happy when skies are gray." He still had his eyes closed.
I love my kids.
I love being a mother.

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Hugs make me fly

Today was a great day. I spent all morning on a project with my coworkers. Then, we had to evacuate the building because the fire alarm went off! Lol it turns out there was a couch on fire. Don't ask. The crew and I all went to lunch at this really awesome pizza joint. You know the kind of pizza that could give you a heart attack? Yes that kind. The pizza was delicious.

After work I went to the daycare to pick up Sean. He ran to me squealing, "Mommy I had a great day!!" And then he hugged my leg and told me I was the best mom ever.

That would make any mom melt.

Then we went home to take care of the pets and pack up for a sleepover with my brother Jerome and his awesome wife and baby. We're babysitting tomorrow morning. :)

I am so in love with my family. I have two wonderful little boys who are growing so fast! I have my brother and his beautiful family nearby. I have great pets that make our little family even more entertaining! My coworkers are great people. I look forward to work every day. And most of all, I have God. My beautiful maker. I am forever taken back by His grace.

I hope your day is wonderful. I hope that you make every day worth living. And I hope you hug your kids and show them love!

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Wise Big Brother

Caden: Sean I'm holding your feet. You gotta do situps ok?

Sean: Ok. You'll hold my feet good?

Caden: Yep.

Sean: Ok!

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You Can Make it Turn

We moved to Colorado in the middle of August. We drove for about 23 hours and when we arrived I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. But I was too nervous about the new job, new home and being away from Patrick to allow myself to fall in love with the place.

The kids started daycare almost immediately after the first weekend. The first day I brought Caden and Sean to their daycare classes, an indoor potted plant with a cardboard pinwheel sticking out of its soil greeted us. It was huge, brightly colored and boy did it just call Caden's name. He went straight for it and started blowing.

"Caden, it's too big to spin when you blow it. It's not a toy pinwheel. It's just a decoration." I was too much in a hurry to meet their teachers that watching him blow at this thing over and over was making my head hurt.

Finally he stopped and grinned at me. "Well," he answered, "I can make it turn." With his little index finger he lightly pushed at the yellow cardboard wing and watched as the whole pinwheel slowly turned clockwise. With wide eyes he squealed in laughter and pushed it again, this time a little harder.

Sean, who was busy looking through the glass doors as this was taking place, whirled around at the sound of Caden's laughter. Instantly, he laughed and jumped up and down, squealing, "It's turning!"

I couldn't help but smile at them right then. Alone in my car while they were settled into their classrooms, I marveled at the simplicity of Caden's answer. I can make it turn. There I was, in this gorgeous state, spending so much energy being nervous and feeling heartsick that I didn't even think that maybe all I had to do was make things turn. Change is never really easy. And of course I was going to miss Patrick. He's three states away! But it didn't mean I was stuck with a decorative pinwheel. I could make this a beautiful adventure. I wanted this pinwheel in the first place and now that I have it, dang it I'm gonna make it turn.

Now, almost 3 months have gone by and not once have I hated being here. Sure there are days when I get lonely. There are times when I hate the parking lot in my apartment complex. And twice I almost slipped on a sheet of ice. But I don't forget to make an effort to enjoy this assignment. It doesn't mean I will love it every day. It means that I'm going to be excited about life, whether it's snuggling up with my kids in front of the fire place or simply reading a book. My life is not a decorative pinwheel. It can turn and be a glorious whirl of colors. If I just choose to make it turn.

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Brothers

Caden: See I'm making a McDonald's, Sean.
Sean: That's a really Really big McDonald's.
Caden: Yeah and you can't go in because you're too big.
Sean: I'm too big for that McDonald's?
Caden: Yeah and you can't bring your toys in.
Sean: That's a cool McDonald's.

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