Meet Breezy...

Last Saturday, we welcomed a new addition to our family: Breezy, a two-year old Boxer.

Sadly, crime is up in our area of town. Joel wasn't excited about me running by myself (and neither was I really), so we started the search for the best answer to both. After much reading and a crash-course in dog breeds, we figured this would be the best bet for us.

And through Lone Star Boxer Rescue, our best bet was waiting.

I'll keep it short, but we have been so pleased with her. I know we're still in the 'honeymoon' phase, but you'd think Breezy (we kept her given name) had been with us for years. She's a sweetheart for sure. She is great with the kids - dishing out lots of kisses! Very gentle with them. She gets along great with Buddy and Scooter. Actually, she and Scooter are becoming big buds. At almost 14, Buddy has earned the right to a little peace and quiet! Scooter - not so much! She even gets under the bed with Scooter and shares "pilly" (Scooter's pillow).

Breezy has passed her watch dog test with flying colors - and then some. She's extremely alert and follows me around like a shadow.

I'm sure we'll have many "entertaining" to share as the months and years go by. Until then... here are a few more pictures of our big girl.

My "Chesed..."

This week has been crazy. Not crazy in the sense of 'look how busy we are with all the fun things we're doing,' but crazy in the sense of 'sick toddler, teething baby, husband gone, filthy house, etc.' It never fails though, that each Tuesday I get a dose of relief. A hit-the-nail-on-the-head type of relief. In fact, that is what our lesson was about: 'Relief in the Midst.'

I have been fortunate enough to attend a Tuesday Bible Study at church with Pam Thompson - Becoming a Woman of Influence. Let me tell you... this was an answered prayer. A TAILOR-MADE study for my struggles right now.

This week's lesson dealt with finding God's mercy, kindness, goodness, RELIEF in the midst of adversity and the obstacles of tricky circumstances. It's such music to my ears to hear, but it's so hard to realize this 'chesed' in the midst of chaos. As I looked through pictures while writing previous posts, I had to laugh. It's there. God provides it. It's in the smiles, the giggles, my baby girl's face covered with veggies, the crayon-colored ears of my sweet little boy, the diaper piles, the sticky floors, the snuggles, the cries... it's there. I have certainly been 'Janie Yells-a-lot' (as nicknames go in our house) the last few days, and it's nothing I'm proud of. And to keep up my social calendar, I have thrown myself quite a few pity parties lately, too. But I am so thankful when God helps me (sometimes with a gentle nudge and sometimes a whack across the back of my head) shut my mouth and open my eyes to find my relief in the midst.

Wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China. It's a lesson that easier some days than others, but it's well worth the reward in the end.

Headless Horseman - Meet Faceless Pumpkin

Our pumpkin has taken on a new level of creepy now that Carter gnawed the face off.

(and no, the wall isn't leaning. I was!)

Adventures with Aunt Amy...

Aunt Amy came in town to visit while Daddy was away on business. Poor thing... she quickly became accustomed to 'a day in the life of the Hills!.'

After a not-so-restful first evening, we got a late start to our Monday. Amy was going to finish feeding Laney while I took the dog for a quick jog. However, Laney, who has mastered the stiff arm and arm swat, had a different plan:


If you were to follow the trail of prunes and apricots, you would find the bowl upside down on the floor.

Not 10 minutes after this happened, Carter (who had been awfully quiet for the last couple of minutes) decided to change his own diaper and bring her the... well... contents.

After all that, we decided to postpone our trip to the zoo and headed to the pet store to return some things and check out the pets. I'm pretty sure every time someone asked if he or she could help us, it really was to help us find the door.

Fast forward past lunch and naps (for everyone).

We had a super-fast tour of the zoo after a walk through the neighborhood. Our last stop was 'Duck Lake' where Carter B proceeded to get bit by a duck (do ducks bite? did he get 'billed?'). He was fine, of course, but it scared the dickens out of him.

Anyway, we enjoyed her visit and hope we didn't scare her off forever!!

Old Frog, New Frog...

This is Carter's OLD favorite frog who lives under the patio...

This is Carter's NEW favorite frog who now lives on top of the patio...

Ok, so it looks more like a frog when the lid is on and you can see the big eyes.

GranJan even took a whirl in it.

We haven't seen the first guy peep out from under the patio in a while. He probably thinks it's World War III with the way the acorns have been falling on top of his house.

Anyway, not a bad purchase for $20! Balls included!

Two...

**Disclaimer: First, this post will pretty much cure you of any insomnia. Sorry, I could write about The Bop forever... and kinda' did. Second, I didn't realize until AFTER his party (of course) that one of my lighting settings was WAY high on my camera. Just wasn't paying attention. The lighting on some of the pics is fine, but on some it's horrible! Third, you can click on the link if you want to skip the babble and just see some pictures. The first set is from Friday; the second set is from his birthday party. Tried to get everyone, but...

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbOW7Vm3ZN2LCkg

Happy Birthday, Carter! Well... belated at this point, but... our Lil' Bop turned 2 on 9/25. Not sure where the last couple of years have gone! These pictures don't seem all that long ago.

We had a great weekend celebrating. Friday morning Carter, Laney, and I started the morning with breakfast at Cue's - yum. Daddy was in Dallas, so it was just the three of us. Next up was playgroup at a park in West U with birthday buddy - Cason - and friends. (random weird fact - his mom and I have birthdays one day apart, and our boys have birthdays one day apart, too!) Jeri brought lots of goodies for the kiddos, and all had a good time. Carter almost fell asleep in the swing before we left. They were both asleep in the car on the way home. We had a great surprise from Daddy Dave and Sheryl and put together his birthday present from mommy and daddy when he woke up from his nap.

Saturday morning was his birthday party at the neighborhood park. We had lots of breakfast goodies and cake and had a wonderful time with friends and family. Carter was in a GREAT mood and handing out hugs and high-fives to everyone. I think he got a little anxious though when we all started singing to him. He didn't quite know what to do!

Carter is such a funny, sweet little boy, and he continues to entertain us daily! He has SO much energy that I usually get worn out just from watching him. He loves to play in water. LOVES it. Dog bowl, bathtub, water bottle - doesn't matter. It's so funny to watch the things he imitates us doing. Of course he knows how to use all of our phones - even when they're locked. His tools are some of his favorite toys right now. He pulls tools from all different sets of toys and uses them together. He got a tool puzzle last year and uses the hammer on everything. Our house has no shortage of blocks either, and 'tow-tows' (aka 'towers') are a big hit.

Carter is really doing well in school. His behavior has changed SO much - for the better! We are certainly not out of the rough phase totally (though I don't know that you ever are with a little boy), but he really is doing so much better now. He loves his school art projects and is dancing and singing more and more.

Carter and Laney just give us more joy than we could have imagined. Laney thinks Carter is just too funny. It doesn't take much for him to have her belly-laughing. Joel and I love to watch it! He is so sweet to her and really tries to "help" me with her. He knows when to bring her clothes and shoes, he tries to bring me her car seat, he tries to CARRY her car seat, he tries to carry HER, he brings her blanket, and on and on. They are so entertaining in the bathtub; she doesn't mind him stealing toys, and he doesn't mind her splashing and kicking him. I have to keep a close on Carter (though that goes without saying) since he tries to bathe her and rinse her off, too!

Seems like a lot has happened in two short years. This little boy has grown up quite a bit! Hard to believe he's been in a queen-sized bed for 9 months and has an 8 month old little sister! Carter still thinks his daddy is the best thing ever (well, Laney and I too, but... I digress), but he saves lots of hugs and kisses and snuggle time for mommy.

We are so thankful for the little friends Carter has through Sunday school and our neighborhood group. It's been so fun to watch so many of them growing up together! I am also thankful for their mommies! Playgroups aren't just for the little ones!!

I have probably already lost anyone who is reading this, but... one quick story Joel just reminded me of. Carter loves to give five! To anything and anyone! He carries around his Mr. Potato Head hand and gives himself five throughout the day (though Mr. PH is actually four). Today, he picked up the stuffed pumpkin I just put out and gave him five as well. It's pretty funny to watch.

So love that little boy "bunches like bananas" (to quote my old history teacher, ironically, Coach Carter).

Happy Birthday, sweetheart. And bunches more.

A Little Friday Fun in the Sun...

I'll get Carter's birthday pictures up eventually! Meanwhile... here are some of the Bug.