For Alice's Sake

We have alot of love going on around here in this house. Sometimes a little more than wanted...Maybe a little like this....

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Or maybe alot like this....

Angel Sighting...

Making A Dent

Spring Cleaning has taken full force over here. I have been clearing out, cleaning up, and redoing/fixing/making do everything! When you live in a state that has 4 very different seasons, and you have 4 ever changing sized children, the wardrobe switch over is always a BIG job. Pass down, goodwill, needs new, still fits, needs for upcoming season. Once I got thru with that I just kept going. Here is just a sample of all I have been up too lately.

Up above I switched out Summer's butterfly mobile for this one I found on etsy. For a ridiculous amount. But I love it. And I never would of had the patience to make something like this. She also is the sweetest to buy for, because she is SO grateful! She ohs and ahs and says really excited "oh THANK YOU, Mama! :)"

Mike got to work on our outside gate. The metal handle had completely come undone and was hanging by one hinge. Neighbor kids were banging it open and shut (well of course our kids too!) and it was sure to be ruined soon. Now it is back to working order...

Our silly couch that slit open in the back that continues to slit. Yes the cat's have a field day hopping in and out, and there is junk galore inside, but Mike picked up some black screws and now it is secured. Not beautiful...but secured.

Ugh..Our bathroom and kitchen sink handles had started growing this green moss inside! I know! It smelled like a creek. I thought for sure we would have to replace them. Mike took them apart and bleach and scrubbed. They are as good as new!

We have this lamp in the kitchen that I LOVE. The lantern's were splattered and getting kind of gross, so one day I popped one in the dishwasher. Like 2 minutes later I checked on it, and the paint was PEELING OFF in CHUNKS! I about cried. Luckily I found new glass globes at Home Depot that I actually like better and are new and fresh!

The dreaded linen closet. Man this took me hours. This thing was one of those doors that you would shove stuff in really quick and then slam the door really fast! I just never dealt with it. I had a whole garbage bag of stuff I cleared out! Now the door actually shuts!....slowly:)

New Summer Master Bedroom Bedding....

And a surprise in the mail! From Germany, no less! From Sarah! How sweet :) She EVEN sent a little book for Summer who was THRILLED to be getting mail! Thank you Sarah!!!

I am now attempting to gut each and every kitchen cabinet. And then put down liner. And then Old English the wood.

It ain't a pretty job....

So how's YOUR spring cleaning going????

Update on Matthew

Since the accident, so much has happened, and so much has not.

There are details that change little nuggets at a time. The same with feelings, if that makes sense.

Still...we have not been approached in any way shape or form by the people who own the dog. To check on Matthew or make amends. We have taken steps in an awkward dance of day to day not knowing how to handle things and finding our way...

We did call our insurance agent who was kind enough to get in touch with their homeowners and get a claim going. It ends up that this 100% should be covered by their HO insurance and that there is no doubt at all that they are liable. Why we were the ones to have to make the calls for their claim is just another one of those awkward dance steps I was talking about. But at least it is now filed and being processed. Matthew's medical bills and etc. should be taken care.

Wednesday the insurance adjuster is coming to get our's and their testimony. He is going to take pictures of the the scene and I sent pictures of Matthew's arm. We will not settle until we feel things are being taken care of...

Today, we went back to the Dr. to get Matty's stitches out. Again, not what we planned. Poor guy has infection and is being put on another bout of antibiotics. Some of the stitches were not ready to come out. The wounds were too bad.

When the nurse was working on some of the ones that the Dr. DID approve to get taken out the wound started to gap. She had to stop! They put sterile strips to butterfly it together and left the rest in. The poor little mans legs were wiggling and he was whimpering. The Doc was concerned about the infection and wants us back in 2 days. Mike was so upset, he left right then and there. I knew in my heart where he was going.

He called later to say that he knocked on their door, and this time wasn't as friendly. (They have still kept the dog till this time). He told her where he had come from and what he had seen and wanted to know when she was getting rid of the dog.

She told him that they were trying to find it a home, and if not they were going to be sending it to a no kill shelter.

I know to some of you...many who have emphasized how you would have killed the dog dead, or knocked the neighbors block off....that this is not satisfying to you. But since we are the ones in ours shoes and actually LIVING this nightmare...to know that the children on our street will be safe...OUR children will be safe now...that is what we want.

It was not good enough for them to keep the dog, or get dog obedience. We wanted it gone. We wanted to live here not in fear. And at the time of the accident our first concern was not revenge or anger, but to rush Matthew to the hospital. To take care of him.

Now our concern was to take care of this threat, and to continue living amongst our neighbors as peaceful as possible...

We have had some wonderful neighbors step up and support us, and that has meant the world. I have felt the prayers from all of you and I thank you so much. I know everything that comes in our path has come for a reason and is a lesson and a chance to learn.

Dancing in the Cherry Blossoms

And when you get the choice...to sit it out, or dance.....I hope you dance!

Happy Birthday Baby

Tell Me How You Really Feel

I haven't been able to do a post. The range of emotion here has changed drastically from high to low. I felt it was unfair, until I calmed down and things settled more for me to.

There has been pride. Pride in how well my son has handled this. His non complaining, bearing his burden has almost been worse at times for me I think.

No...you can't ride a bike. No...you can't skate. No you can't jump on the trampoline.

"That's okay Mom, I'll just watch..."


There has been anger. Why? is no one acknowledging this? Why? do I feel sheepish when we didn't do anything wrong? Why aren't they doing anything? Why? aren't I doing more...


There has been apprehension. We want to keep the peace. We have to all live on the same street. Will this make more trouble by my decisions?


There has been resentment. He is the father. DO SOMETHING. Why is it left up to me. Or so it feels....


Last night I tucked Matty in bed and got his arm medicated and settled. He begged for a story from when I was a little girl, like always. The one I thought of, I thought at the time would comfort him...let him know that others have been in scary dog situations too. I think that that story popped into my mind for another reason...

As it goes, My brother and I had to ride our bikes past this pack of dogs that would run out into the street and nip at you and bark every time you passed. We only would go that way if we were riding our bikes up to UDF or something. My big brother was my protector and would divert the dogs attention and I would zoom past to safety when we went. Well one time after we passed them, my brother and I got into a fight. I, in a huff, said that I was turning around and going home! When it came time for me to pass them solo they came running and nipped and I flew past home crying and a mess.
My dad was so mad, he called the police. I don't really remember all that happened, but I do remember the police came, and I never had trouble with those dogs again...

When I told this to Matthew, he looked at me wide eyed, and asked if I had to get stitches too.

Well no...they didn't really hurt me like him.

"But your Dad called the police??"

Well, yeah. He did.

That's what my Dad did. He didn't care that we had to live next to the Beamans. I wasn't even severely hurt. But he stepped in and took care of things. He didn't wait for THEM to take care of things....

Yes, at the hospital we reported it. But we have just kind of waited since. Waited for what, I don't know. An apology? A pie? I don't think that is going to happen.

No....we are not pressing charges or anything to that extreme. But I did call our insurance agent, and the ball is rolling now. Things are going to be taken care. It should all be covered by their Home Owners. That is why you have it. I know now how they are feeling (all I really wanted to know from the beginning). A weight has been lifted from my shoulders...

Dog Attack

I don't really know how to write this post.

There is so much I want to say, and won't. And there is so much I feel that contradicts itself.

But what I will say, is that I am so very lucky that my son is okay. I am so very lucky that our sweet neighbor man dropped everything and came running, scooped Matthew up, and ran with his 90 lb body straight to our door. I'm so lucky that our other neighbor is a nurse and calmly told me what to do, applied pressure and took Summer while we were at the hospital.

Matthew is eight. He was running with the neighborhood kids on our street like always. This dog was in an electric fence. Matthew ran in the grass of that yard not knowing the dog was there. Our street has 10 houses on it. Our street has 28 kids on it.

Wrap it Up

Fish Tacos. Green Chili's on a Hamburger. Playing Drunken UTube. Case Closed. Sea Level/Baking difference/oxygen level equals five margarita's doesn't make Becky drunk??. New way to taxidermy shop. Lots of detours. 3 Hour Time Difference. Dirt Road for next 22 miles. Cactus....cactus... Valerie...Call on me. Taking picture of possible poisonous lizard. Peeing in public saloon girl stall. Lacey gets excited EVERY time she gets a prize on farmville. The dog lets me hold her :) Standing in the middle of the road looking for the moon. Pictures. Bold Adventure for little Girl from Ohio. Best Time Ever.

Renewed

When I went on this recent trip, I knew that it was something I needed. I knew that my soul, my inner me had not had time to be out, or to be alone, or to be expressed in this way in such a long time that it was not just needed, it was almost mandatory. My husband gave me this gift, and I don't know if he will ever know how much it will affect him, and help him, be appreciated.

For some this can be hard to understand, but as I have said before I have never been away alone in the 18 years of my marriage. From the beginning it has started with babies and busyness and I have craved and loved it ALL, but along the way I lost a bit of what it was like to be alone in my head. To have a moment to only worry about me. For days. To have fun JUST with Becky and my main concern in my day was only for me. To eat and drink and laugh and sleep and take care of Becky. This gift that was given was so monumental and uplifting I am crying right now typing this...

But something I WAS NOT expecting on this trip, was to learn a lesson. An insight.

Mike and I have a pretty good marriage. One I am proud of and trust completely. Spending a few days though with Lacey and Mike was an eye opener.

They showed a level of respect to each other that I have over the years lacked. Maybe through exasperation, or tiredness, or frustration, but I have. I sat back and watched over and over examples of patience in them showing honest interest in each other and dropping what they were doing to show they supported one another. Times where I would have huffed or blown him off or acted put out.

I don't want to be that person. I have renewed optimism in who and how I want to behave.

I asked them if I could photograph them and they were sweet enough to agree. All I can say is the pictures show their love. Thank you Lacey and Mike for the wonderful weekend you gave me AND for showing me a lesson I didn't know I needed to relearn...

Arizona

I'm Still Here...But I will be home late Monday night. I'm using Lacey's computer just to put up some pictures and get word out to my family and friends that I'm doing great and having the time of my life.
Things I have learned in Arizona....Coyotes are not stray dogs.

...........Jumping Cactus DOES NOT really jump.

...........Jumping Cactus DOES however really hurt.

............Arizona doesn't have lightning bugs:( (who knew??)
............OR mosquito's (God Bless Arizona!)

.............Arizona is HOT in the sun, but if your in the shade...it's really okay. There is NO HUMIDITY!

.............Arizona has tarantulas!

..............Cactus are called saguaro's

.............You could easily hide a body in the desert. There is miles and miles and miles of it. (you think of these things when you drive on dirt, cliff edged, no cell reception, windy, roads for 4 hours without a building in site.




.............Arizona is simply breathtaking and beautiful

3 Days!

I think this will be my last post till I get back from Arizona. Face it people. I have failed you in the blog world. I am NOT keeping up lately. I am going to get back on the blogging wagon when I get back and start fresh then!!!

I have been SO excited about my upcoming trip to Arizona it really is ridiculous. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I think it is one of those "living on the edge" (LOL really safely) things. I have never...NEVER gone away from Mike in the 17 years we have been together. HE has gone on business trips and I've stayed home and taken care of the children. I have gone on weekends places with my mom and friends, and even He and I together have left the children and flown far away for days at a time...but NEVER have I left BY MYSELF somewhere. (It's almost liberating.)

On top of that...the place I am going is half across the country. A place I have never seen. A place I know nothing about.

And then...On top of that...it is to MEET someone, I have never met. Never touched. Never seen. Never been in the same room with.

Accckkk!!! I'm SO EXCITED!!!!

I'm not scared at all. I already KNOW Lacey. I mean I feel like I KNOW her. We have talked on phones, and texted, and Face booked. We have sent gifts, and seen each other's handwriting, and heard each other's voice. We have made each other laugh, and found things in each other that we bond on.

It's going to be great.

I actually had someone ask me if I wasn't afraid "that she would kill me?" Lol. In reference to me flying across the country to met someone for the first time alone.

So I asked Lacey not to. (she said she wouldn't :)

3 days....3days...3days....Hikes, and cactus, and Mexican food! Laughter, and margaritas, and photography. I can't wait to meet her boyfriend and her animals, and see her new house. We are going to sob over the finale of 6 Feet Under and kick butt on her punching bag.

It's very weird what paths cross and how. Some you never see coming....

Clean Slate

In Christ Alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength,my song

This Cornerstone,this solid ground

firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

when fears are stilled,when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All and All,

here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone! Who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied-

For every sin on him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stand in victory

Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me,

For I am His, and He is mine-

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry, to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can every pluck, me from his hand;

Till He returns, or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

by: Stuart Townend

Big Sister Looking Up to Little Brother

Tatum found it hilarious the other day when we came home from shopping with Jake's new clothes, that her little brother's shoes were waaay too big for her feet. Her 16 year, 5'1 body put on some of his 12 year old duds and flopped down stairs like she was wearing clown shoes.

And these pictures I share with you for no other reason than to share with you how stinkin cute my cat Abby is. She carries this toy around everywhere, and is in full blown hunter mode with it...

And these two...could just melt your heart their relationship. Matthew is SO good with Summer. And she absolutely adores him...

And GUESS WHAT! I WON THIS !!!! A $25 gift certificate here from my friend Trish! I am so excited. I have wanted one of these so bad! (I actually asked Mike for one for Christmas...and went to the point of having an example torn out of a magazine and pinned to his bulletin board for the whole month of December!)

Since I didn't get one, I am SO thrilled that I get the chance to get one now :) Thanks Trish!!!