A New "Sister"

Well, we did it. What we thought we'd never do. We researched, we read, we searched websites and talked to people. We agonized for a while, then saw a little face online and fell in love. So last Friday, we went to PetSmart and spent way more money than I ever thought would be necessary, then drove on a Sunday morning through the beginnings of an ice storm to a gas station 1 1/2 hrs east of KC on I-70 to get our new baby (paying even more money!). Yes, it's true.

We got a dog.

Her name is Ellie and she is a Morkie (Maltese + Yorkshire Terrier). For the longest time, I couldn't imagine taking care of one more living thing beyond the three little ones I had. And now my little ones are not so little anymore, but happy elementary aged kids, ones who could really use the lessons learned when caring for a pet. And a Morkie, with that sweet little Ewok face, is much more interactive than Mr. Crabs, whom I came to resent because he was surly and pinchy. So we took the plunge.

She's been great so far. She slept all night and didn't even cry until 6:15 this morning. She still hasn't quite figured out what "Do your business!" means when I take her to the papers. But she'll get there. One day in, she's starting to feel like part of the family. And the kids are besotted. Blane loves to stay by her crate and pet her, which she loves.

I'm sure we'll have our share of chewed socks, accidents and other mishaps. But for now, I'm excited to have a new little girl in our house!

Love in the Time of Preschool

Blane is very popular with the ladies. Long time readers of my blog (I know there are SO many!) know that "Laurenmasters" was once the queen of Blane's heart. She has since been deposed by a petite blonde firecracker named Audrey.

Audrey is the third daughter of some good friends of ours, Steve and Michelle. She's feisty and fearless, which serves her well. When Michelle was pregnant with Audrey, she found through testing that Audrey had Turner's syndrome, a chromosomal disorder similar in nature to the way Down's syndrome comes about. It does not result in retardation, but causes growth issues and other problems. Doctors told Michelle to abort Audrey, but she refused. Steve and Michelle never regretted their decision. God must have known Audrey needed to be tough to face her difficulties, and so far, she's a beautiful testament to life lived with gusto.

And Blane loves her. The two are inseparable in class and at Life Group. Blane will do whatever she wants him to just to play with her. In fact, Michelle told me that last August, when shopping for Blane's birthday present, Audrey wanted to buy him a baby doll. Michelle steered her towards the cars, but Audrey was puzzled, because that was the ONLY thing she ever played with him. Must be true love if he'll give up cars for a girl.

Anyway, Blane wanted to get her a Valentine today. We were at Walmart and Blane ran over to the Valentine aisle and found a little heart box of chocolate for Audrey. It was a buck, so I thought, "Why not?" Five years old, and he's already buying presents for girls.

What really cracked me up was that later, he found a pack of heart stickers. "Mom," he said with all seriousness, "Can I buy this for my other girlfriend, Lauren Masters?"

Oh boy...