A shoulder to lean on

This little picture made me laugh because I do have SO many pictures of my dogs. So I'm going to post some here because I think they are cute and I have yet to hear about how posting their pictures as puppies could have a negative effect on them in the future.

Here is my little Cosmo and his shoulder/pillow loving little self. He is such a mess, but I love this cuddly puppy.

**2012**

I saw a teacher friend of mine who posted that we are all mistaken because the year ends after May. Ha! I feel like I do keep track of years as school years, but I also like to reflect on the calendar year and make goals for the new year. So here are just some of my highlights from 2012

* Seeing God's hand in the possibility of both Alex and me loosing our jobs at the start of the year. Praise the Lord for peace, direction, and supplying all we need and blessing us beyond that.

* Alex keeping his job and deciding to start his masters degree (so proud of how hard he is working and such nice grades! The teacher rejoices!)

* Me not starting my masters and taking a new job with the same school and new branch. Loving teaching music and being a librarian

*Going to Disney World! We are still talking about all of our favorite moments, lunch spots, rides, and the never ending debate of what is really the best park.

* Getting our second puppy Cosmo. I call him Dorsey's puppy many days because Dorsey loves having his little buddy to play with. He has been a lot of trouble but is the best snuggler and we love having him as part of the family.

*Hard decisions that bring family closer together.

*Adding a sister-in-law and her lovely girls to the family officially.

*Directing my first big program at school and it not failing

*New opportunities and hopes for the coming year!

Happy New Year everyone!

John 10:10 "I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance, until it overflows."

Wishing and missing

Wishing one of my artistic siblings were here or my artistic husband. I need to turn this sheet into a mayflower. So far it just looks like a fun time to the puppies. Oh the life of an elementary music teacher.

I love camping

I love camping in the fall! We have not been able to find a weekend that we can go so far this year, so I am pretending today. Yes, like a little kid in the backyard I'm just short of setting the tent up. I have already enjoyed a fire and s'mores last night and today I had hot chocolate sitting outside. I may spend the whole day outside. :) The puppies seem to be just as happy as me to be outside today and enjoy the beautiful leaves falling and nice weather. I love this time of year!!! Now to think of a campfire dinner, go on a hike/ walk on the trail with the puppies, and not be on the Internet. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Oh little Cosmo

Alex and I have joked many times about how much our calm, blond, picky eater puppy is like Alex. The crazy, dark haired, eats everything, loud, super cute one is like me. (I added that last past because my list was looking sad but Dorsey and Alex are super cute too) Well, I discovered another way our little one is like me yesterday. I came home and got right to work on all I had to do and just said hello to puppies briefly. Our loud little Cosmo would not shut up! I knew it wasn't his hungry bark because he makes the same sound every time for that and I did feed them. He was driving me crazy so I just picked him up and held him close cuddling a little while and he went on his merry little way. Not another peep! Can dogs have love languages? If so then this little one is a physical touch just like me. Do you ever just need a hug? I love Psalm 91 because it says we are protected under the Almighty's wing. you will not find comfort like that anywhere else no matter how good of a hugger they are! Anyway, love the ones you are with today and hold them close. You never know who may be needing a hug.

Oh Walmart

Oh Walmart...
Why do I think I can run in there on the way home? Why do I think that people will act like humans in that place? Why do I continue to return to that place? Tonight I fell into the trap of stopping by on the way home again. I looked for a few things and ended up getting the one thing that I really needed. Of course out of 1000000 check out lines there are 4 open. This is a relatively high number compared to some times that I have gone in so I was optimistic. I go to the 20 items or less line. You know how there are two rows and one is closer to the doors and you stand in the middle until one of the two opens up? Oh no I forgot, that is not how it works. You are to sneak around the line and squeeze in between the lines to the front checkout and skip the people waiting. WHAT! I can't stand that! So the line ends up talking about this lady eventually and I end up behind her because she only had 5 items. Her excuse was that she thought we must have thought the line was closed so she would just go ahead. Well, if you know me at all you know that I did open my mouth and told her that we in fact were just waiting in the line. The check out lady must have also thought I was crazy for coming into that place tonight when she said, "You waited in this line for 1 item?" Yes, I did wait in line and yes I only wanted one item. So here is your task. If you ever hear me say that I will just run by on the way home or just save a little money there or whatever my next lame excuse may be.... SAY NO! I should not be allowed to go back in that place or I may yell at someone. Or I may return as I always do and vow again to never return. Why oh why do I never learn.......

Ch ch ch changes

I am making some changes and going to take care of a few things that have been on my to do list for some time. 1. I need new shoes for working out. I have been making an effort and being more active and need some shoes to go with that. I usually would buy any other kind of shoe before a running shoe because they are pricy and I would rather have boots. :) 2. We finally wrote down what days are what chores around the house and I know not everyone needs that, but it is good for me to look at it in writing. 3. I think I may have come up with a flooring solution to rid our stairs of gross carpet and our loft area! Alex actually liked my idea and it looks like it may be my after Christmas project or spring break project. I know that seems far off, but it feels good to have a time frame for when it is gone. Someday I'll show you those old yuck stairs. Just take my word for it now. 4. We are going on a mission trip together! We are saving and I am working extra hours to get ready for this great opportunity.

Have a great week everyone!

I'll leave you with a photo from our fun weekend a little while back when we had three handsome nephews over.