One word

“Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” —Ann Landers (1918-2002); advice columnist

We are not here to be rich or beautiful or cool or right. We are here simply to love and care for one another. As more and more people discover this, the world will change in ways we have not even imagined.

Ron Atchison

The Mayor of Inspiration Peak

Instead of having a whole bunch of New Years Resolutions that I won't follow I have a word for the year. A word that I try to live out, to think about all year long. In the past I have had Enjoy, Gratitude, and Simplify. This year I chose Love.

For me it started with a Bible Study that I was in in the Fall. It was titled "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. It was a 12 week study and in weeks 5 and 6 we learned how to trade a critical attitude for one of Love. There were two concepts that came out of those weeks that hit me over the head and stuck with me.

1. The concept of "You before Me" James MacDonald says this:

"Agape is selfless love, giving love. In can be summarized as "you before me." It describes love as an act of the will. It's a choice you make to put someone else's best interests above your own. Too often when people use the word "love," what they're really saying is, "I feel something." Tragically, what people often mean when they say, "I love you," is not "I've made a commitment to place your needs above my own," but instead, "I love what you do for me. You make me feel good. You are working right now for the person I love most--me." That isn't love; that's selfishness. If you build a relationship on that, you're going to have difficult days ahead."

For moms we often love our children with selfless love, but what about our husbands? Sure we love them but do we love them with a selfless love. I noticed when I started to show Chris a selfless love we fought less and gave more to each other. I wasn't the one always giving or the one always taking. I still fall into old patterns of selfishness but I am trying to do better.

2. The concept of Love is Kind. James MacDonald says this:

"Love is Kind. Have you ever noticed how much of Christ's life was spent in doing kind things? He spent a huge proportion of His time simple doing good. Love cares more for others than for itself. Kindness is often made obvious by what you say. keep your words free of petty criticism and focus on words that will build others up.

Make it personal...It's easy to be kind to some people. Others are more difficult. Let someone in this second group test God's Spirit's power in you. anyone can love a lovely person. Are you kind to those who make you crazy? If yes, then rejoice that the Spirit is in control."

Now, I consider myself a kind person but it's hard to be kind to the people who drive me crazy. Especially those that I feel don't do what they are supposed to do but even when I really, really, REALLY, want to criticize I am trying to speak with kindness and love. It's a very hard thing for me to put into practice which is part of the reason that I need to work on it this year.

Look what I made!

No, not the baby. The blanket. This is the blanket I lovingly knit for 7 straight weeks for my beautiful niece Quinn (the baby). There were a couple mistakes and it's not perfectly square but I'm very proud of myself anyway. (This picture was taken the end of November/beginning of December when she just about 4 weeks old)

Here she is again at Christmas (aprox 7 weeks old). Isn't she just perfect?

And here she is with her beautiful momma and daddy.

I miss cuddling this sweet baby. We'll see her again in July, I can't wait!

Bye-Bye sweet Sam

Our sweet foster dog Sam was adopted on Saturday. Our whole family is going through a bit of withdrawal. You see we have had him since the end of September and he was such a good fit for our family.

He loved to be outside, especially if Buster was out there with him. He would roll around in the snow like he was making doggy angels. We have bells on our back door that the dogs learn to ring so they can be let out, Sam would ring them if one of his friends was stranded outside and we didn't notice. He loved to chew and would destroy stuffed animals from the dollar store in 2 minutes flat.
He loved to run, chase, and wrestle with Buster. Allie and Sam were best buddies despite the 30lb size difference. Izzy just barely tolerated him, but now that he is gone I think she truly misses him. Every evening he would dance with happiness when it was time to go for a walk. He was my helper in the morning to wake up the boys, he would kiss them until they woke up giggling.

And he was the best cuddler in all the world. He loved trying to prove that a 40lb+ dog could indeed be a lap dog. On hikes he would follow Buster around and always come back to us when we called. We are all missing him now that his energy is gone from the house. He was one of the special ones.

We love you sweet Sam-a-la and we know you will have a wonderful life with your new forever family.

Conversation with Aiden

Chris and I were thinking about giving up Izzy to a family that was looking for their first dog. She just seems to not be so happy here...she doesn't like all the foster dogs we bring in and she would prefer that we treat her like a princess, hand feeding her chicken and giving her bottled water to drink. And we thought that she would adore being the only dog in the house like she was before we adopted her. But we knew we had to get the boys ok before we ever did that so I talked to Aiden first......

Aiden I want to talk to you about Izzy

Ok.

You know how she doesn't really like our house?

Yea

Well I think I found another home for her.

She's gone?

No, she's not gone but I'm asking what you think about giving her to a
new family.

If she's gone who will give me the best kisses? (said in that "I'm about to cry" voice)

Ok. Bud, she can stay.

BTW when I tried to have the same conversation with Zach he immediately put his head on the table and started to cry. So even if she hates it here she's stuck with us.

Right now

(Picture taken in August by Chris, Aiden's first day of school)

Right now: (Warning: Lots of random.)

*I am thinking of all my "to-dos." Knowing I need to make a list.

*Researching Migraines, trying to figure out why I can't seems to shake them. Having 1-3 a week instead of 1-3 a month.

*Wishing my Doctor was still practicing and not staying at home with her kids.

*Enjoying my last 10 minutes of quiet before Aiden comes home.

*Listening to Sam and Allie wrestle (she's 10lbs, he's 40lbs). She's winning :)

*Wishing I had the money for a maid

*Glad I finished organizing the laundry room (pictures to come later)

*Missing apple season in NY

*Wish Chris was home

*Just remembered I'm 3 days behind on my bible study...oops

*Zach forgot to put his breakfast away.....do I save it and make him do it when he gets home, or just do it myself?

*Buster just shoved his nose under my arm. He's such a sweet, sweet dog.

*Izzy isn't herself lately, wondering if there is something medical going on.

*If I had a smaller house there would be less to clean....right?

*I think I'll have tuna fish for lunch

*Have to put the bike lock on the fridge in the garage.....Aiden broke the other one. Don't ask why we have to lock the fridge, it's a long story.

*Almost called the police to look for Zach yesterday, he was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be-we had a long talk.

Off to pick Aiden up from the bus. Hope he had a good day today.

99.9

It's been a long time since I have had a fever, even a low grade one but it seems the kids are bringing home more than homework this year.

Boys and I sat at the table tonight and crafted presents for Dave's (their Papa)birthday. It was fun watching them work. I let them use some of my supplies and Aiden was over the moon :) I didn't take pictures but I wish I had.

Thinking about going to bed now.......

Calm

My kitchen is far from calm today. We live in this room and it tends to get the messiest-besides the boys bathroom (they still need to work on aim....) Zach's homework is on the corner of the table, all of my coupon stuff is spread out while I make my lists for the week, the island is full of the boys' work, the newspaper, my bag of knitting, my bible study supplies, etc. I am most calm when it is clean but that will have to wait as the boys and I are going out to dinner since Chris is eating with his work team. I will however have it clean by Friday when my in-laws come (I promise, Dave and Linda :)

Still here

I am still here, just busy. With what, you ask? Here's an example:

Dear Mr. Palmer,

I have noticed that one of your duties as Vice President is going undone and I wish to address this issue.

Supervising children in the bath/shower, this includes:

*giving appropriate amount of shampoo to each child and making sure that suds are produced and whole head is cleaned
*handing over soap and making sure it is used in appropriate places in an appropriate manner and returned to you promptly
*making sure towels are returned to their proper place
*supervising youngest especially well so that he does not "explore" inappropriate items

Supervising the children during bath/shower time does not include:

*playing the DS on the bed
*surfing the web downstairs
*falling asleep on the job

It came to my attention this morning that during shower time last night our youngest broke the hour hand on the bathroom clock and took scissors, he used said scissors to cut soap into itty bitty pieces and possibly used said scissors on his hair.

If you can not perform these duties as described I will be forced to dock your pay.

Please be advised that I require a response to this memo within 1 business day.

Sincerely,
Kristin Palmer
President of Palmer, inc

Ms. President,

I acknowledge my failure in the bathroom/bathing space with said children. My action plan is as follows:

1. Actively participate in the bathing of the youngest child with greater rigor than playing DS
2. Addressing mis-use of cleansing materials to ensure proper storage and long term value
3. Review drying-off materials to ensure proper disposition in the appropriate location
4. Additionally, continuing a previous initiative, pushing the proper use of tooth brushing as a great long-term approach to proper oral care
5. Finally, I will continue to thank you for your sincere efforts in the business and express my undying love for you, respectfully.

As a member of this organization, you understand the great strains we suffer managing a dynamic facility, and I hope you appreciate my humble apology for the aforementioned transgressions against proper bathing practices. Be assured that my full will and intent is behind delivering a level of service acceptable to the Board of Directors, over which you preside.


Regards,
Christian Palmer
VP of Operations
Palmer, inc

Mr Palmer,

Thank you for your prompt response. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kristin Palmer

President of Palmer, inc

The thing(s) about fostering

I can not imagine my life without fostering dogs. I love it. I love the furry bellies, the kisses, the doggy hugs. Truly I love giving these, often neglected, dogs love and attention. I love the other people in HART who volunteer their time and talents to help so many of these animals. I love finding deserving people to adopt the animals and seeing how happy they are when they welcome in a new member of their family. Fostering makes me happy.

So many people say they could never foster because they wouldn't be able to give the dogs up. But I'm okay with that part. I know there will always be another needy dog that needs me. For example:

Meet Buffy. She is a 4 year old Cocker Spaniel that was owned by a puppy mill. As soon as she was able to have puppies they bred her, and bred her, and bred her, until she couldn't have anymore. Then the owner was taking her, and others, to the back of the property to shoot them-after all they were no longer useful. Luckily a local woman heard about it and took all the dogs that were about to be shot and begged rescues to take some of them in. HART took in 9. Buffy was the most energetic and happy one out of the bunch. A few are so afraid of human contact you can't pet them. When she was taken in her fur was infested with fleas and crusted in feces, the vet had to shave her and she had bald spots from scratching so much. But she was a loving dog and you should have seen her roll around in grass-that puppy LOVED grass :) She was adopted by a couple with a 5 year old boy and they were so happy to have her. She will live a good long life with them.

Then there are the dogs we fall in love with, the ones that aren't easy to let go of but we do it because the adopters are perfect for the dog. For example:

Petey: Petey's name was Sunshine but we changed it to Petey because he would pee when he was excited. Petey was a 6 month old German Shepherd mix that was found wandering on the GE plant. We took him in and loved him, he loved us too. He also loved to chew on electrical cords. And as mentioned before he had bladder control issues. Chris loved him though and REALLY wanted to adopt him. Petey was so full of life and fun, he was also a good walker. I vetoed it though and Petey was adopted after we had him for just 2 weeks to a family with kids and a pool. Chris still thinks about Petey. .....I don't though :)

This is Maxie. Both of us wanted to keep this sweet 3 year old Puggle. We had even e-mailed the rescue about adopting her when a neighbor asked to adopt her. To us it was the best of both worlds-we could still see her and love on her but we didn't have to add another dog to the mix of our house.

Then there are those dogs that you don't mind seeing leave, you might even do a bit of a happy dance. Like....

Cooter. His real name was Mr. Stubbs but after trying many other names Cooter was the one that stuck. While taking care of Cooter I discovered that I do not enjoy Beagles. I do not like their deep, howly bark. I do not like how they chew on inappropriate items. I do not like all the sniffing and tracking. I do not like them. I do not like them. Kristin I am. Added to that Cooter also peed in my house. All the time. Everywhere. We had him for over a month when I told our Foster Leader that I needed time off during the summer and I gave him to another foster family. He was adopted soon after that.

And then there are those dogs you truly can't imagine parting with. For example....

Meet Allie. She is a six year old Yorkie/Chihuahua mix that was owned by a breeder who was in it for the money not the love of the breed. After she could no longer be bred the owner dropped her off at a kill shelter. HART took her in. I became her foster after her spay surgery. At first she hid under our table and wouldn't come out. Then she got a little more brave and would occasionally come out to be loved on. Then one day I came home and she greeted me with a wagging tail-that was the day I knew I could never give her up. So we aren't. We are adopting this 12lb ball of sweetness and love. She will be ours forever and never know another day without lots of love.

We will still foster dogs. As I said I can't imagine not fostering. Hopefully, though I can remain strong against big brown eyes, doggie kisses and unconditional doggie love. Surely 3 dogs is enough :)

Busy

So busy today.

Here's a peek.

Woke up at 7:10

Took a shower got dressed

Made Zach's lunch

Helped Aiden get ready

Collected Coupons for my shopping trips

Grabbed a granola bar for breakfast

Made sure that Zach had everything he needed for school

Made sure that the dogs were fed, dishwasher emptied and breakfast stuff put away

Loved on our foster dog Allie for a bit

Out the door at 8:30

Got Aiden on the bus 8:40

Got Zach on the bus 8:47

Left for Meijer to grocery shop

Called Aiden's psychiatrist to get an appointment to up his meds while in the car, got appointment for 11am

Shopped at Meijer

Stopped at Target

Stopped by home to put away freezer and fridge things

10:45 Drove to Aiden's Doctor

Saw Doctor, he prescribed a piggyback med for Aiden

Left at 11:30

Called Chris to give him update

Ran into Wal-Mart quickly, bought nothing

Drove home

Put rest of groceries away

12:00 left house to get Aiden from the bus stop

12:15 Made Aiden lunch, ate my lunch, cleaned a bit

12:45 Left for the Blue Park to meet friends

3:00 Came home from park

Cut coupons, cleaned up kitchen

3:30 Aiden went outside to play with the neighbors

I started the laundry and cleaned up a bit more

3:45 I went outside to meet Zach's bus and play with Aiden

stayed outside, helped Zach with some homework, chatted with a neighbor

4:30 came home, let boys play XBox for a bit

more cleaning, and cutting of coupons

5:00 Helped Zach with his last homework sheet while filing my coupons in my binder

5:30 Chris home

5:40 Drywall guy came to talk to us about an estimate for popcorn removal and repair of some ceiling spots damaged by water

6:00 Helped Zach with homework while Chris talked with Drywall guy

6:15 Began dinner (Shrimp Scampi)

6:20 Drywall guy left

6:30 Dinner served

6:55 Helped Chris clean up

7:00 Boys went up to shower

7:15 family game time

7:40 came downstairs, boys in bed

So very tired.

Who says stay-at-home moms don't work