Drorings

Last night something amazing occurred in our home. An opportunity to be a part of something so beautiful I was overwhelmed with joy! It was so simple and yet so beautiful that I am still beaming just thinking about it. Some of you know there are some difficulties with Soph, some areas that are still a work in progress, although she is turning corners in incredible ways. She is still home with me and while we read, color, draw (or as she says dror), she knows her shapes and so much more, she has never made an attempt or the effort to draw her own picture. She will happily color one in, but has been limited on designing her work of art.

Well, while Mart and I were preparing bowls of cake and ice cream in the kitchen, sweet Sophie Grace came running in asking us to look at her "drorings". What we expected to be the perfect, but typical squiggles of art ended up being two beautiful masterpieces. Completely accomplished on her own with no input or help from anyone. They are faces, with hair and eyes, ears and on one, legs. What a milestone to reach. Thank you God for another speechless moment!!

So like any mother, I have to share what my little Van Gogh created. I am so proud!

Candles on the cake!

So today is my birthday, yep, 37! Simply put, this is by far one of the best birthdays. Today has been filled with so much, and the amazing thing about them, is that even if it wasn't my birthday, they would still be incredible moments.

The best gift I have ever been gifted is faith in God. It truly is a gift, I am more and more aware daily as I age, that it is something not everyone has. I wouldn't trade it for anything and no amount of money, material item or hugs and kisses could compare. Faith is something that is so indescribable, so incredibly beautiful.

I knew when I made the decision to see my marriage through that God would provide and that I would see reason behind ALL things, but the blessings that he has bestowed in me and for me and my family just bring me to tears near daily. God has given me a testimony that truly proves he exchanges ashes for beauty. Words can not express all I have in my soul and yet my soul can not contain the love and gratitude I feel.

So today I want to say thank you to God. Thank you for all that is and has been my life. For my husband, who truly is amazing. Wow, that feels so good to say and mean, you have no idea. There are changes in this man that are there only because God placed them. Changes that I couldn't have conceived of, emotions that are relentless in their reminders of mercy, a life I have always dreamed of. And it is only because God saw fit that we have it. So for any of you enduring anything in life, know, know with great passion that with God anything is possible. Anything!!!

I know that I am precious! And I know today, on my birthday that God is as near to me as the day of my birth. I know that he smiles at my peace and rejoices with me daily. There is a daily dance in my heart and my Lord and Savior provides the remarkable tune!

~Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; … 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. … 9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. …
~62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." Isa 61:1 - 62:3 (KJV)

Grace

Just gotta say today I continue to be amazed by the grace God gives me on a daily basis! Life is good and God is better!!!

I finally found who I've been looking for!!

Okay for starters refer to the "Cat-tastophe" story should you need more info and to know how we got here. That said, most of you know that I had a dog named Laddie. He was my wedding gift from Martin and truly the best dog I have ever had. When he died due to bone cancer on December 26, 2003 I felt like I lost a baby. And I have missed him every day since. I wasn't ready to even think about looking for another dog until some time last year. I would peruse the ads and online sites looking for just the right one. The girls picked out their dog Zeke last November and have been happy with him since, but I was still aching for my Laddie.

After not being able to find out about the cat the other day the girls and I went to Animal Control to try to find it and see for ourselves. The first thing that stunned me was the number of animals. I was overwhelmed. I will say the facilities were clean and the people so nice, they truly seemed to care about these creatures, but I saw animals that were so pitiful my heart broke. We walked into the main area and my head turned to cage 24. A black and brown fuzzy dog just laying. He lifted his head when I came by, but other than that was not reactive. I inquired about him and the woman there told me that she thought he was going to be adopted. So I smiled and put my hand to the cage and moved on. We found the cats, but could not find the black and white kitty from the night before. We played with many of the cats. In fact there was one that kept grabbing my shoulder...he was beautiful. We decided it was time to go and on our way out stopped back by number 24, the name on his cage was Dorian. He put his head to the door so that I could feel it, beautiful....just beautiful. I couldn't help it, the tears just started coming. So I pulled myself together and walked back through. We passed through the runs and there were full bred dogs there.....3 full grown "Turner and Hootch" dogs. All 3 with eye problems...two of them couldn't even see, they were at their gates sniffing us like crazy. More tears.

We decided it was truly time to leave, but as we walked past reception I asked about "24". Their information reflected that he was available, but I chose to walk out and head home. The last thing we needed was another dog. When I got the girls in the car there was a huge tug on my heart. I called Marty and he told me "if he is what you want, get him." I couldn't believe he was so open about the idea. I took the girls back in and asked to walk him. We spent about ten minutes with him and I fell in love. I filled out the application and agreed to wait until the following day for approval. After alot of waiting, I got the call. He was ours, Dorian was ours.

Soph and I went to get him about 4pm. He is very calm and uncertain. He had been in that cage for 4 months and appears to have been mistreated prior, so we have our work cut out for us. BUT his eyes tell such a story that it speaks to my heart in a way I can not explain. I feel like he was waiting for us this whole time to bring him home. We know nothing about him, he could be between 3 and 4 years old and he has a slight limp, and is terribly underweight with matted fur. He is a little "escape artist" but he is trying so hard to trust it is nothing short of beautiful. I hope to get him into the vet in the next few days. But they won't tell me anything I need to know. What I know is, he is who I have been looking for, he is supposed to be with us and he is finally HOME!!

Welcome home Dorian!!

Cat - tastrophe!!

We had a church event last night and were running late. We hopped in the car and about 1 block from the house noticed a little boy, I would say between 5 & 7 looking as if he was "up to no good". We drove by slowly when we noticed that he was holding a cat. I continued to watch and became so upset when I saw that he was trying to force the cat's head in between the rod iron rales of a fence. I told Marty what it looked like to me and he slowed further as I watched closer. I was stunned with the boy walked out into the road and threw the cat into the curbside sewer. Marty u-turned in the road and before he could come to a complete stop I hopped out and asked this boy knowing full well what had happened, "what did you do with the cat son?" - he shook his head and told me, "It just fell in". I told him that I saw what he had done, that it was horrible. He continued to yell that it had fallen in. And I continued to say "Honey, I know exactly what happened. I saw the whole thing." By this point, Mart had gotten out of the car and began to address him also while I leaned into the sewer to look for the cat. I couldn't see it, but as I called out to it it would meow loudly, as if crying. It broke my heart. A couple of adults walked over to see what was going on just as the boy ran into his home crying.

We explained and one of them called 911 and informed us someone would arrive shortly. I knew it wouldn't be a priority. Unfortunately, with the storm that passed through and the outages crews were busy. The last thing they had time for was a cat, but we stayed and hoped we would see them come. Within 10 minutes we flagged down a passing police officer who came over and was so tiny it blew me away that she was a St. Louis cop. She was so sweet and reiterated that the day hadn't been the best across the board. After explaining the whole thing she agreed to stay until animal control came and took care of the cat. We all agreed that we needed to head to church.

All night all we could think about was that poor cat. We had been told that the cat was following the boy all day. They didn't think it belonged to anyone and it broke my heart further to think that this stray who had been so trusting was so mistreated. It is my hope that when the boy's parents arrived home that they addressed the whole thing with him. I know it is a fine line between animal abuse and abuse to people. Several times we admitted that we had the thought of adopting this cat, but agreed that we have never had a cat and don't know the first thing about them so also agreed that it wasn't feasable.

That said, I have called animal control and the humane society to try to find out how the cat is and neither place can tell me anything. I think I might just have to take a look for myself!!! Poor kitty!

Day 2 in pictures - The Bella Perspective

A little late, but this is the next day in pictures. Almost entirely taken from a 10 year old's perspective!

On our way downtown for an unexpected trip to the dentist. This is Purina's headquarters.

The Arch and the St. Louis Cardinals stadium!

Back to the hotel for the "drop off". Leaving Soph with Dad so that Bella and I can go.

Red and a movie - what more could a girl want?

Pink Jellies!

Red waits too!

Gotta plot the walk!

The arch is always peaking!

Bella loved that the sidewalk was "sparkly".

Not just any pigeon...the mother of ALL pigeons!

A statue on olive street!

I love love love that Bella appreciates the old architecture!!!

Floor 18 - Dr. Bartles!

Bella's upside down portrait!
The kid's got character, what can I say!!

Mom's purse! Don't ask, I don't know!

An after school trip to the grocery!

(BTW, Why there are so many different grocery stores in this country is beyond me!)

Nanners!

She wouldn't be Bella if she didn't find something sweet!

Ready for check out!

Brrrrrr!

So not happy with me!

Sharing mint "choca" chip ice "Keem"

Bath time for Gracies!

Plum worn out! Although she'd never admit it!;)

The war zone...uh, play room!

They DO breed!!!!!!!!!!


So do these!!!!!

And today's line up by Sophie is.........

Getting ready for bed!

The things we mothers have to do are like pulling teeth! Literally! ;)

Oh the sweet sound of slumber!!!

How does she breathe???

A couple days in the life....

Just thought a portion of the week in pictures would be a good place to start this week....Here's the start of all things done and seen!!!

Day 1, Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A sample of Sophie's work...we find this sort of thing everywhere....you can see how each item is spaced almost the same distance apart and seperated by type!:)

The Shoe line up at the door! Notice the miss matched princess shoes!

Hanging out in the playroom before the day starts!

The Giant Sunflowers we pass everyday in the community garden!

"Welcome!"

Zeke is happy to see us home from taking Bella to school!

A quick trip to see Dad at the hotel!

A side trip to the Mod cafe for a Mocha - this is the ceiling in the building!

Soph has been waiting for this movie to come out! We ran to rent it right away! It's been on ALL day! OKay, so maybe not ALL day!

Part of the building at Bella's school! Time for pickup!

Trip to the park to feed the swans and ducks!

"Aaaaah! The Playground!"





Static city!

Part of the Garden Bridge at Lafayette Park!

Some of the row houses on the square!

Our "neigborhood"

"Home Sweet Home"

A Sophie size hook!

A Special snack time!

The infamous Cinderella dress! Soph wears this everywhere!

Home in time for dinner!

Yummy St. Louis Root Beer!

Part of dinner - an italian loaf with basil spread, fresh green tomatoes, romas, sweet yellow peppers, goat cheese and topped with honey roasted ham! Mmmmmm!

Looking up the Dentist's info for an emergency run in the am for Bella!

Oh yeah! She puts the shoes on to go outside, but they immediately come off when she hits the ground!

The rehabbers that work on the roof every night at the house behind us!

Spelling review!

Wind down cuddle time with Soph after bath!

Time with Dad before bed!