Dog Fine.

And for $167.00 you TOO can find out that your dog doesn't have cataracts! Well, that's not entirely true. He doesn't have cataracts, and it did cost $167, but they did some other unmentionable things to the dog while were there and gave us some heartworm pills all for the low, low price of $167.00.

Going to the vet with 4 children closely rivals one of Dante's circles of hell. Our vet has a rather haphazard parking lot; lots of grass for dogs to pee/poop/create bazillions of "interesting" smells in, and a waiting room. When I pulled up this time, a lady was bringing her GIGANTIC German Shepherd (whom she clearly couldn't control) into the vet. We were a few minutes early anyway, so I said we'd sit in the parking lot and wait to see if she went to the back exam rooms prior to us going in. Well, the minutes ticked slowly by, and the lady was still in the waiting room and Silas has now figured out where we are. He began huffing and puffing and whining in the back. The kids were getting hot in their coats and hats, still buckled in their carseats. So, I ordered all the kids to enter the building and sit quietly and inform me through the window when Diesel (as we later found out was the German's name) was taken back.

Silas is 10, yet spry (see previous post). He pulled and twisted and tied me in knot, after knot in the parking lot. I felt like a whirling dervish as I tried to counteract his perpetual motion. Lydia, the spy, kept widening the blades of the blinds to give me this panicked look of "stay outside!!!"

I warned the next customer that she might want to carry her ball-of-fluffiness-dog in as there was a dog in there who might eat him. She had 3 to bring in, so she assumed her "protective dog-owner" face and went on it. She came out and told me that I should take Silas straight through the door in the waiting room and through the door to the back exam rooms, but right now it was locked. She'd get it fixed up for me. (A little Southern for y'all). So, the temperature dropping in the waning afternoon sun, I begin to enjoy the warmth of my own adrenaline as I prepared to enter.

After the all clear from Mrs. 3-Dog and Silas dragged me into the building and using my gentle mommy voice say, "C'mon guys, get up and follow me." Silas, happy to see his family and terrified at being at the vet, nearly knocks down Simeon, who begins to cry. I herd the dog and family back into the waiting room which is approximately 4x8 feet with two doors. I shut both doors, take the dog off the leash and pick up Simeon. I should mention that in this very small room, is a doggy-exam table which is 2x4 feet. Oh, and there's a counter for their notes/dog treats/shots (that's another 1.5x4 feet). Not much room for people.

Now begins the shedding. When Silas gets nervous his fur literally flies out of him at an alarming rate. It is the craziest thing, but it's true. The room is warm. It is getting hotter. There is no vet coming. We are breathing dog fur.

I try to use more calming words and talk about the feline chemotherapy poster on the wall, or the chart with appropriate weights for different breeds of dogs. My dog is drooling everywhere.

The vet AND assistant enter. We are 7 people, and a dog, in a very small space. "What, didn't you bring any more kids with you?" asks the vet. "Nope, these were all I could find in the parking lot" hahahaha!!! Oh, buddy, you'd better start your vet thing as I'm getting a wee bit claustrophobic, and don't make any more criticisms about my family size!

So, the poor dog got a shot, blood drawn, something to check his stool, his eyes examined, his belly poked, and all while up in the air on the exam table. He was very good. And the kids were most impressed that he didn't cry when he got his shots.

The kindly assistant asked if I'd like to check out IN the exam room rather than walk back out into the waiting room and do it there. YES, please.

She then said, "Do you need some help getting to your car." As always, in my pride I said, "Oh no, I got it." Simeon is still whimpering, so I'm carrying him and the dog is SO eager to get out of there that I get spun around, the dog leaves the room by going around the corner and I am literally dragged into the wall and my face is sideways. I feel the cool of wood paneling. "Um, you know what, yes, I'll be glad to let you take him." She gently takes the leash and leads the merry band out to the van. The door to the trunk isn't even fully open and the dog has already leapt in. Kids follow. Ah, serenity now ;0)

Heard Around Here

We regularly get funny conversations, but these struck me as particularly funny today:

1. Philip: Mom, we're just looking for something to make into party-poopers.

*This is because he knows that "poop" is a bathroom word, forbidden from normal conversation, but I heard him asking Abigail the other day if "party-pooper" was potty-talk.

2. Simeon: Mom, I need some pooh-taste.

*Toothpaste, for all other English-speakers.

3. At dinner tonight I told Kevin that today my dad noticed that our 10-year old dog, Silas, appears to have cataracts. I noted how that while he's an older dog, he is very spry and perhaps we should look into what the cost would be to give him good vision as he ages. Kevin was more resigned and just attributed it to an elderly dog, for whom we will not be springing for cataract surgery! Abigail (listening to the whole conversation) said, "Well, maybe it was Taid's eyes that saw something. He's kind of old, so maybe it was just his eyes!" At the time, it was very funny. Not so funny in writing I guess. It was just humorous to hear her perspective.

little birds

I often find this scene..."I lookin' for a snack in da pa-treee" (pantry).This particular morning this week, he was (book in hand) standing there scratching himself on his tummy like an old man, looking for a snack. Note that he is still in pajamas which means that breakfast isn't long past. Yet, mealtimes seem inconsequential to my boys and snacktime is nearly always around the corner.
Speaking of snacks...we put bird seed out on the window sill in our kitchen. This little fellow was quite undaunted by our presence and let us snap lots of close-up photos of him while he enjoyed his snack. He's just a common sparrow, but when you see the intricacy of the design of his feathers (without even considering the complexities of his insides!), we are reminded most visibly what an awesome Creator God we serve!

Oarsmen Theology

I just listened to a sermon my brother, Owen, preached. He's a seminarian and so he's having the opportunities to preach at his home church. He preached on Hebrews 1:1-2 and in the sermon he referenced having called our dad to discuss his sermon outline. My dad described Heb. 1 to him as "Oarsmen Theology." You've seen skullers rowing purposefully across a lake or in a canal I'm sure. Ever notice how they are facing backwards, but going forwards? Same with our theology. We are moving forwards, but we are looking back at all of biblical history (Heb 1:1); looking back at all of God's promises which He has made to our ancestors and which apply to us (Heb. 1:2). Ever notice that little person perched on the skulling boat: the coxswain? They shout out the rhythm, they shout out the direction. There is someone who can see ahead, who is watching for the rocks, for the turns, for the pitfalls and they shout out the instructions to the crew. Christ is our guide, Christ our Redeemer, Christ our elder brother.

I just read Joshua 1 as part of my reading through the Bible plan for 2011 (Reading through the Bible for Shirkers and Slackers is the name of it--I thought it was appropriate for me!) and there you see God Himself pointing out to Joshua all of His promises--promises of a promised land, and all the Ebenezers along the way of their Wilderness Journey. God was faithful in the past and then He promised to be faithful in the future. He also required obedience from the Israelites: purposeful rowing in one direction. There was promised blessing from obedience. He knew that they couldn't fully obey and so the sacrificial system stayed in place to cover for their sins. But, He told them to try with their whole heart.

I haven't fully explored this analogy, but so far I've been chewing it over and found it so helpful. The Oarsmen Theology. Good stuff.

Upward Cheerleading!

Our first venture into extra-curricular events happened this fall when the girls signed up for Upward Cheerleading. Upward is a Christian organization which offers several different sports in different seasons, including cheerleading. The girls have practice once a week which includes a short devotional by their coach, and they have memory work to do each week. So far, it has been very enjoyable. They are on different teams, which means a little extra work for mom and dad. This past Saturday were their first times to cheer for different basketball teams. They had a great time.

Stolen Artwork

So, this is a shameless idea-steal from my college friend, and fellow homeschool mom, Amy. I don't think the idea was original to her, but I stole it from her blog.

Heated cookie sheets for melted wax drawings! These were a hit, although the trays cooled rather quickly so I had to do a rotation of trays in the oven at 200 degrees. It was most enjoyable for everyone!

New Year

My resolution to blog more diligently hasn't amounted to much! We've had some very cold weather this winter, along with frozen precipitation which has meant much more time around the house, and garage. Philip is enjoying learning to roller-blade. He just has to learn in the garage, with wiffle bats as ski poles (and a dog)!And you can also wear inflatable boxing gloves as bouncing shoes. Not sure how long those will last with that kind of wear!

Simeon mastered a new life skill last week: gum chewing. Perhaps we can wean him from his pacifier because he can't chew and suck at the same time. I've had other kids who could, but I'd prefer he not master both skills--gives me a bit of leverage. I have to admit, it's kind of cute to see him try to control all the chewing and additional saliva he generates. He's very intent when he's chewing; good focusing skills!

New Year's Eve day, we drove to Stem, NC to visit a family from church. The weather warmed up enough for us to have some fun at a playground.

Everyone had a turn at jumping rope--even the moms! Here's the teenage daughter, coaxed out of shyness, to take a turn ;0)