Amish Circle Quilt Project - "Laundry"

Block #6 - "Laundry"

Started on 6/23/11
Completed on 6/23/11

Technique: Applique'

One of my favorite blocks! I thought this one was so cute and it made me very happy to create something I like so much.

Now, about laundry. It is one of those tasks that is never complete. Does that bother anyone else or is it just me? My personal preference is to wash all the dirty laundry and fold and hang it up all in one day. I rarely have an entire day to devote to laundry but when I do I feel like I really accomplish something.

I am quite thankful for my washer and dryer. I don't think I would enjoy hanging laundry out to dry on a line. I certainly wouldn't like the feel of line dried clothes. I remember Granny used to hang clothes up outside even after she had an automatic dryer. You won't find me doing that. As tired as I am after a day of laundry I can't imagine how much more work it would be if I had to plunge and scrub and wring out and hang up.

Father, help me complete my tasks for my family that are a labor of love with a cheerful heart. Thank You for giving me loved ones to take care of.

Blessings!

Amish Circle Quilt Project - "Raspberry Bushes"

Block #5 - "Raspberry Bushes"

Started on 6/22/11
Completed on 6/25/11

Technique: Templates

This block slowed me down a little bit. I wasn't sure how to do it. I knew I couldn't simply piece it together normally. I knew I couldn't paper piece it. Finally, I emailed the book's author and she advised me on how to tackle it. I used templates! I had never played with this method before so it was fun to try something new.

I'm not a fan of raspberries. I'm not a fan of walking through weeds and plants and the bugs that come along with that. So it is highly unlikely you'd ever find me picking raspberries.

I do remember picking some kind of berries behind Granny and Poppa's house, back behind their garden, when I was younger. I remember having to check for (and often finding) chiggers and ticks after we were done. I'm thinking it was blackberries but I really am not sure. Anyway, bugs that hitch hike on my person are enough to keep me away from such activities as an adult.

Oh the good old days of childhood ... before I developed my slightly OCD qualities and prejudices!

Father, I'm not sure why you made such ookie pests. It is one of those things I suppose I just have to trust you on. But know, Lord, that I don't get it.

Blessings!

Amish Circle Quilt Project - "Canning"

Block #4 - "Canning"
Started on 6/23/11
Completed on 6/23/11

I've been AWOL for a few days because we took a family trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Great weather, God's beauty abounded .. 'twas a great time. I did miss my quilting some though!

So block 4 was quite easy and very fun to make. I sure am enjoying small sections of applique' at a time. Bigger blocks that are highly detailed feel insurmountable sometimes.

I was able to match the coloring on this one pretty well. I like the way it looks although I'm not sure there is a light pink jar of anything.

I have never tried to can anything or make jelly. I know my Granny used to make jelly. I loved her homemade grape jelly. It seems like Grandma always had homemade jellies too but I didn't get to see her make them; at least not that I remember.

Anyone out there big into canning? I don't actually have the desire to try it myself but I would love to hear of others' attempts.

Father, I am thankful today for Del Monte and the Jolly Green Giant. For reals, I'm thankful.

Blessings!

Amish Circle Quilt Project - "Collecting Eggs"

Block #3 - "Collecting Eggs"

Started on 6-21-11
Completed on 6-23-11

This writer and pattern contributor told her sons collecting eggs from their chickens and only breaking one out of 3 baskets full. I must confess that I sometimes wish we had a couple of chickens to collect fresh eggs from each day. I love eggs. Cooked just about any possible way to boot!

I think it would be good for the kids to have chores like egg collecting or coop clean-up. I don't know that I would want the daily responsibility for forever but I must admit it sounds like a wonderful life.

What do you know about chickens? Are they pretty easy to care for? Do they let you take their eggs? What farm animal would you most like to have? I think I'd have to say a goat or two. Or an Alpaca if it was a contemporary type farm!

Father, may our lives have the peacefulness and earthiness of a farm and may we appreciate your creativeness in the world you've made for us.

Yee haw ... three days in a row!

Amish Circle Quilt Project - "Fruit Trees"

Block #2: "Fruit Trees"

Started on 6-20-11
Completedon 6-21-11

I had a lot of fun with this block. I enjoy doing applique' but I get bogged down with big projects taking a long time. This was nice because it was fun and DONE!

I read a book recently of people who owned an orchard. I loved the descriptions of them walking through and under the shade of the massive rows of fruit trees. I don't know if I've ever visited an orchard. Hmmm ... Sounds like a fun fall field trip for me and the kiddos.

Some of my fabric colors are probably going to be too bright to reflect ones the Amish might use. But it will reflect me and my color choices so I guess an homage to the Amish in my own way is acceptable.

Blogged two days in a row. Will wonders never cease?

Father, help me see the small miracles of your design for this world in the simplicity of a fruit tree!

Amish Circle Quilt Project - "The Picnic"

Block # 1 - The Picnic

Started on 6-20-11
Completed on 6-20-11

I used reds rather than blues for two reasons. One, red said picnic to me more than blue did. Two, I didn't have blue fabrics I liked for this block!

When was the last time you got together with other families for a picnic down by the pond (or anywhere else for that matter)? That's what this block represented. A little family picnic that turned into 64 people and an all day affair.

We had a church picnic last month and it was so nice to get together with such a diverse group of people who shared a common faith and love for God. How nice to visit with people you simply don't get to know during a worship service.

I think perhaps such gatherings should happen more often. Getting together to picnic, play games, toss a ball around, or as my family often did sing together.

Father, help us all take time to spend time with people we love and whose relationships we value.

May you all picnic in your own way this week!

A Stitch in Time?

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an interest, shall we say, in the Amish culture and way of life. I read fiction and non-fiction books about them. I follow blogs and websites that are devoted to honoring and learning more about their way of life.

I'm also a quilter. Maybe still a baby quilter, since I've only been quilting for a year and a half, but a quilter none-the-less. I love it muchly.

So, it stands to reason that when I happened upon a book entitled "The Amish Circle Quilt" by Rosemary Youngs, I found my own little soul mate of a project to work on!

The book focuses on a group of women who keep a circle letter circulating throughout their small group. At one point they decide to begin enclosing a pattern for a quilt block with each letter based on what is happening in their life at the time of their writing.

There are 121 blocks. No, that's not a typo. 121.

So, back on June 20, I got started. Some blocks I work straight through to complete. Others I have to think about and prepare for. Still others require applique' stitching which I try to save up two or three of before completing.

I plan to blog about each block and include a picture of it as I complete it. I know myself well enough to know that I won't blog every day. Most especially because this time of year we are travelling and camping a lot and I rarely have internet service then.

I might even include my take on the block in a "what it means to me" kind of way. Hope this will be of interest to someone. If not, I will have beautiful, talented grandbabies someday that will find it fascinating. tee hee

Blessings to all!

Sometimes He Screams

I'm old enough to know that sometimes God whispers things to us. In quiet moments of the day He'll inject His take on things; implant a thought with that "little voice" in my head. (Admit it, you have one too.)

But ya know what, even He will sometimes scream! Maybe not in the I saw a snake way. But He can literally beat us over the head with His intention for us.

We left a church almost two years ago. We were unimpressed with the level of importance we viewed them having on children. If I'm being honest I felt a tug on my heart, a whisper perhaps, that my abilities would allow me to jump in and help in the effort to change that level of importance there. I said, "Say what?" and I've been arguing ever since as we searched for a more ideal church home.

A minister at that old church had really upset me. He thought it was more my responsibility for my children's spiritual education that middle aged or older folks in the church. That was absurd to me. We are all called to teach and mentor and raise up our children. I mean, it takes a village, right?

So, after two years away, we went back to that old church this past weekend. As much anxiety as we had, to an extent it felt like going home. And even though that went well, I still found myself feeling the Lord's urging to be the change I want to see. Well, arguing with God rarely goes well. Okay, it never does. So today, He screamed.

First thing this morning I opened one of my e-devotionals. It read:

Proverbs 12:24 - Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.

"Argh!" He can't want me to get involved. I'm a control freak. People in charge catch the brunt. Lead something and you're a target for criticism and complaints. He can't mean this.

So I opened a second e-devotional. Maybe this one will say to do whatever I'm comfortable with or that the first one didn't mean me. It read:

"... Talk to God about everything, even your doubts and arguments."

Are you kidding me? Really? Really? No, I'm reading number 3. Something is going on here and it isn't funny. At all. Argh again. I mean, I can't go back and try to work with that person I so disagree with. Number 3 read:

"Father, it isn't them. Help me remember the fault lies with me."

SCREAMING! Unless I'm being Punk'd, He screamed. I'm flabbergasted. I'm humbled. I'm listening.

Things That Bug Me Part 1

1. People who wrap the bottom 4th of a tree in their yard with Christmas lights because they aren't committed enough to drag out a ladder and cover the whole thing. People, sometimes less is more. Or rather none is more.

2. The name Daphne. It's weird.

3. People who send Christmas cards to "The Brassette's". If you have to ask why you are part of the problem. More than one Brassette is shown by adding only an "s". No apostrophe needed.

4. Being sick on my birthday or major holiday, such as Thanksgiving. It just isn't right.

"People who matter don't mind. And, people who mind don't matter." - Author Unknown

From Will

So the kids and I were discussing the concept of divorce today while I fixed lunch. A family we know is going through it and my kids were asking about the kids in the other family. Specifically, I was explaining how sad kids would be to not live with both of their parents at the same time.

Will looked perplexed. To explain I gave him the example of how if Daddy and I divorced we wouldn't live together in the same house any more.

I barely finished the sentence before he piped up and said, "I'd want to live with Dad!"

To my credit, Trinity's mouth dropped open, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. However, the damage was done and my ego was still bruised. I guess it is what it is. Thanks Will!

There, Kara, I posted.

Meems

..... Oh Mia ... affectionately called Meems by most of us ... Mia, our sweet guinea pig, properly called a Cavy. Mia passed away Wednesday morning between 3 am and 7 am.

..... We'd only had her about nine months. Officially, I suppose, she was Trinity's pet. However, I was the driving force behind getting her and I loved her and shared in her care.

..... We knew something was wrong Tuesday afternoon. She didn't look right and was sluggish and when we realized she wasn't really eating, that sealed it. We got her in at the vet at the last minute that afternoon. I had a hard time falling asleep; kept going in to check on her.

..... Before Mark left for work I asked him to go check on her. When he came back and said she didn't make it, I bawled. He stayed home from work. I broke the news to Trinity. She cried and cried and I cried right along with her.

..... Will was concerned that perhaps we were wrong. Part of his processing it was to actually look and touch her. He wanted to make her move.

..... We let Trinity take the lead on how she wanted to deal with things. A shoebox with a pink lid was appropriate she thought. Her daddy dug a nice hole in the back yard. The kids helped fill it back in.

..... All day we were subject to tearing up. We decided we would wait a couple of weeks before entertaining the possibility of a new small pet. I mean, Mia was so cool! For real ... a cool rodent. She had personality. She oinked ... when she heard one of us in the kitchen. She came to the door of her cage when we opened it and stood up if she wanted to be held. She also, and most adorably so, would hold her chin up high in the air and let you scratch and rub under her chin. (See picture at left.) Her nostrils were two different colors; one dark, one pink. And the whiskers on each side were corresponding colors; light and dark. She was no ordinary rodent.

..... Thursday the kids and I were so sad. Her cage was still there with her tiny carrot and spinach left. It stood empty and frankly, it was hard to bare. So, we went to look at rats. Yes, rats. My thinking was that if Trinity wanted one that might just work. I would in no way get attached, so I wouldn't have to worry about letting go of another pet. Well, as it turns out, doggone rats have a much shorter life expectancy that guinea pigs. Argh!

..... Petsmart let Trinity hold a rat. She just didn't seem comfortable. Then we got the lifespan data. That idea was a dud. We decided to go to the pet store we'd gotten Mia at. We thought surely they would have a baby we could hold and love on ... ya know, tangible therapy of sorts.

..... They had babies. One 8 week old little angel with crazy hair. Another 5 week old little angel who was white with pink eyes. Oh, we loved on them and loved on them and it was so good for us. So, we left.

..... Then, we pulled over and called Daddy. Most of this information was exchanged. Yes, we found one. Is is too soon, is it okay? By the way, we didn't just find one. We found two. We can't choose between them. And, oh yeah, one is a girl and one is a boy.

..... By the time the call was over we could go back and get one. And Daddy was apparently in shock. (Two? They want two? And a pair no less?) So anyway, a crazy haired little fellow came home with us that afternoon. He is an Abyssinian piggie. His name is Jasper. He is so soft and pretty mellow. He is primarily Trinity's pet.

..... After much conversation and having a night to sleep on it, Mark decided if we really wanted a second one, well, we could indeed have her!!! I was floored. So, we went on Friday and picked up Joy. She was destined to be Alice (Alice and Jasper from Twilight) but it just didn't fit her. Joy worked. She is a Teddy Bear piggie with funny hair. She is very gentle but still pretty scared of us. She's so tiny and just as precious as can be. An added twist with Joy is that she is primarily William's pet. Hmmm .... After we got her home and started looking at her, we realized she had one dark ear and one pink ear. And even more cool, one dark nostril and one pink nostril ... just like our Mia. At left is a picture of Bella checking out Joy. She licks them ... and wags her tail. I think she is hoping we'll put one down so she can chase them.

..... And what do you do with two guinea pigs?? Well, let's just say that come July or August, our family may grow just little. That's right. We are actually planning on having wittle cavies (piglets) at our house!

..... Here's the pair of new members of our family. They are so cool and we're enjoying them already. They really have eased the pain of losing Mia. She was special. They won't replace her. But they sure have made their own places in our hearts!

25 Random Things About Me

So this is a repeat of a Note I posted on my facebook page. If you read that one, don't waste your time, as this is exactly the same!

1. I detest potluck meals. All those weird things that people probably licked their fingers making with kids helping themselves and sneezing in dishes. Uck. I'll pass, thanks.

2. Don't touch my pillow. Don't put my pillow on the floor, by penalty of death. Don't lay on my pillow, by penalty of painful death. Thank you.

3. I do not like for my food to touch other food on my plate. I avoid juicy things so the juice doesn't touch the non-juicy things.

4. I love Christian romance fiction with an Amish element. Reading novels such as these has encouraged my next random thing.

5. I am in the process of learning to quilt. At 35 I thought I would be the youngest student but I'm actually not. I love it. It is an expensive hobby. I'm enjoying although the kids haven't eaten in a month and have no college in their future.

6. I am a Girl Scout troop leader. I love it so much that sometimes I think I would want to keep being a leader even if my daughter no longer wanted to be in scouts.

7. I have more friends in Grand Junction, CO, in two years than I had in Deer Park, TX, in six. I don't know why, I'm just sayin'.

8. I miss Rosie O'Donnell's magazine and TV Show. (I don't miss her on The View so much.) Her magazine was my most favorite and her TV show rocked.

9. I hate vegetables. I'd rather chew on grass. I can't help it. They gag me.

10. I would absoultely love an Amish pen pal.

11. I manage to get my house cleaner for guests that are here for a few hours than I do for my family that are here 24/7. I don't pretend to understand that.

12. Simon actually likes me on Wii American Idol.

13. I spent an hour playing Skee Ball at Chuck E. Cheese (during a weekday) for my last birthday.

14. My 11 year old Peek-a-Poo is going to live forever. She just is.

15. I want to go to Hawaii some day. Badly.

16. I really hate the idea of walking in or out of the church auditorium while worship is ongoing. I would rather not go at all if we are going to be late or wet my pants than to get up. It would be especially dreadful if I had to wrestle a 4 year old in the aisle while he's screaming, "I don't want a spanking,". How embarrassing would that be??????????

17. I hate the noise our humidifiers make. It is not comforting or soothing. It grates on my nerves.

18. The only way I like to be awake at 6 am is if I have stayed up that late from the night before.

19. I love putting together computerized jigsaw puzzles.

20. I love paint by number puzzles (a.k.a. nonograms, paint doku)

21. I want to go camping ... in our pop up camper ... with my laptop ... and dvd's. Rustic, I know.

22. I enjoy fishing although I prefer my bait not be moving. I wish we fished more often.

23. I'm still surprised people look different from the last time I saw them on facebook. It truly surprises me when they don't look like they did 15 or 20 years ago when I last saw them in middle or high school.

24. It amazes me how often I still think of my Granny and wish she could have met my husband and children. I would love to see the approval that was never absent from her eyes. 18 years have gone by since she passed on to glory ... still wish I could talk to her once more.

25. I will most likely be in line with all of the teeny boppers in Grand Junction on March 21 to get the Twilight dvd.

Breakfast with William

I could have missed it. I could have walked away. I could have dropped him off at day care. I could have missed it; breakfast with William. We had the best talk; he over his Cinnamon Toast Crunch and I with my heart healthy oatmeal.

“Our tummies are in the middle of us, right Mom?” he asked.

“Right Will,” I answered.

“I have a wittle tummy now but someday I’ll have a big tummy like you,” he stated. (I winced.)

“Then I’ll be a grown up.”

“That’s right Will,” I assured him.

“Then I’ll have to go to work won’t I?” he questioned.

“Yes, you probably will angel man.”

“How will I get there? Will I go with Daddy?” he quizzed me further.

“Well, you might work with Daddy but you’ll probably have a job somewhere else. Soon you’ll start learning more in school and someday you’ll go to college. That is probably when you’ll decide what kind of job you’d like to have,” I suggested.

“Or maybe I’ll just get in love,” William stated.

“Well, I suppose that’s a possibility. You’ll probably still want a job though,” I told him.

“I might marry, uh, her, the one with the Thomas train,” he said.

“Who was that?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said.

I could have missed it. Thank God for little jewels like that hidden in the busy-ness of my life. And thanks to my dear husband who not only encourages me daily but works so hard so I can not miss those precious moments.

Angels Unaware

A week ago I was in great distress. Will, our 4 yo, really flipped out. His behavior was just awful. Obedience? Non-existent. I was at my wit's end. I didn't want to take him anywhere.

Angel #1 - The lady at church who confessed her second child, a son, blew her mind. She too had a daughter first who gave her no trouble at all. Then, when number two came along, she no longer felt she knew anything about being a parent. This was after church and I started tearing up as she told me about her experience. Bless you, Jill!!

Angel #2 - The man at Barnes and Noble last Tuesday ... Will held the door open for you and you said, "What a nice young man!"

I said, "We're sure trying."

"Looks like you're doing a great job," the man replied.

I felt kind of bad for hoping he left before Will had a chance to throw a fit.

Bless you, Mr. Man.

Angel #3 - A friend who recently asked if she and her husband could come by a visit with us about parenting and homeschooling. They are planning to adopt soon and want to pick our brain ... get tips from the "experts". How amazing does that feel to have someone love your kids enough to think you are a good parent? Bless you, my dear.

As I started writing this, Will got mad because I wouldn't let him have a cookie before he eats his lunch. He is now banished to his room after screaming, a spanking, and kicking at me. I'm trying to focus on the good days and know that this won't last forever. I do grow weary though and feel constantly as if I'm failing William somehow.

Dogless Days of November

Yesterday all three dogs were at the vet all day long for surgeries. Macy and Simba, our seniors as the vet called them, had their teeth cleaned and a couple pulled. Baby Bella Blue got spayed. It was so very weird around our house with them gone! I definitely need to always have at least one, two are better, pooches around me.

When they got home Macy was business as usual. The other two, not so much. Simba was literally walking around the yard wailing. I let him in and slept by my bed until late last night. Bella was miserable too. It was as if someone had burst her proverbial bubble. They were absolutely pitiful.

Things look better this morning. Everyone has eaten a little and mommy has distributed all the appropriate medications. Glad my canine babies are back with me!

Puppy's First Haircut

Regarding my last blog, I guess if you are going to go out on a limb, you might as well go all by yourself so the limb doesn't break. Maybe I'll be quoted on that some day.

Anyway, Madame Bella got groomed for the first time yesterday. She hated every minute of it but she looks really cute if I do say so myself ... but you be the judge!

She's doing pretty well on house breaking. She even scratches on the door often to go out. She loves Macy and Simba and has totally rejuvenated Macy Moose. She gets her running and playing and wrestling. It is fun to watch. Anyway, don't OD on cuteness.

Passing Comment?

I commented today on a remark made by a friend of mine on her facebook page. Her name is Deana and she lives in Arkansas, but don't hold that against her. She's a transplant, a native Texan in fact.

Deana stated she had the safety of the Obama family in her prayers. I so got that but others didn't. I can't help but wonder why.

My comment was as follows: "There's a special kind of crazy that racists and white supremacists possess. A scary kind of crazy, to me anyway. Any kind of hate that motivates grown men to wear hoods and dance around a fire together while burning the symbol of our Lord's most precious sacrifice is indicative of a scary, special kind of crazy. And even if they don't do that, their are many levels of nutjobs out there. But Deana may be thinking something else ..."

I mean, I'm in no way the most educated of persons. I do read though and I own a television and I am aware that these people exist. They are organized and their hate is spread through generations and they are capable of great evil. I think it is very reasonable to worry about the safety of our President elect.

I think Barack Obama has the challenge of uniting our country, restoring our reputation and replenishing our hope. I happen to believe he has the wisdom and ability to do just that. He can "use his words" as most of us were taught in Kindergarten to solve problems. Oh, I am so excited of what the future holds!

I know that older generations will have a hard time with this. They were taught differently. I don't blame them and I don't exactly blame the generation before them. But as Maya Angelou said, "When you know better, you do better." I know better. Hopefully my kids will know even better than I do. My generation is breaking the mold on hatred, be it based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or skin color. Break, break, break.

I am also well aware that there are plenty of people my age and younger who still perpetuate the hate. They writhed in their seats at the thought of a black President. They were thrilled to see the slander pour into their inboxes (and more than happy to pass it on) that gave them so called justification for their choice at the polls. And let's be clear here ... they weren't so much choosing John McCain as they were allowing themselves to hate Barack Obama.

Bill Maher said, "23% of Texans still think Barack Obama is a Muslim," just a few days before the election. Two things are sad about that. One, that they thought it was true and that fact allowed them to hate him and not vote for him. And two, they allowed that to be a reason to hate him. How embarrassing on both counts ... and on soooo many levels.

(My favorite haters are the ones who had double hate. They hated him because they thought he was a Muslim and then they hated him because of Reverend Wright. So a Muslim sat in a Christian church and listened to Rev. Wright week after week. Sure. WhatNever. Perhaps you should have to pass a minimal IQ test to be allowed to register to vote.)

I realize that many Republicans suffered a disappointing blow with the direction this campaign went. However, I appreciate so much the ones who have since adjusted their mind set enough to offer support to our new Commander in Chief; who have realized what an amazing accomplishment Barack Obama's election is for our country; and those who have not started down a hateful, bitter, racist path to hope for nothing but the demise of our new leader.

To those wallowing in their own hate and bitterness, step up.

You Can SO Force Potty Training

William is potty trained. He warmed up to it after I got him some boxers. He didn't appreciate the positioning or the close quarters that briefs caused. So, tiny little boxers invaded my weekly laundry and now he goes back and forth between boxers and briefs. He's still sleeping in a diaper or pull up but we're in undies all day.

It is a new chapter ... and it feels weird to not have a "baby" in diapers anymore. That's not exactly a complaint, it is just weird.

From the Mouths of Babes

We were in the school room this morning and William was coloring his C-C-Camel. He declared, "Daddy will be so impressed with this camel."

I said, "William, it is impressive that you used the word impressed."

He followed up with, "Yeah, he's so gonna love this."

Fun moment I got ... not a preschool teacher somewhere.

A couple of days ago I asked Trinity if Curious George and Huntley were friends. She said, "Not really. Huntley wants the lobby to be dignified and George is always making messes."

Impressed from a 4 year old and dignified from a 7 year old. I guess homeschooling isn't damaging them after all. LOL

It's a Girl!

My family is twitterpated right now. Very much so. There's a new little lady in our family.

Last Wednesday we drove to Denver so that we could pick her up at the airport on Thursday morning. I found a breeder in Washington state who discounted her significantly because she looked a little different than her other Shorkies and she was already 3 1/2 months old. The Breeder had told me she was 4 1/2 months old but I think she goofed. Her shot record says she was born on June 5.

Folks, God reached down from heaven and said, "This lady in Colorado ... this puppy in Washington ... they were meant to be together. Make it so number one. I mean make it so myself."

I had planned for years to get a Yorkie and name it Gizmo. Seeing how expensive they are around here, I was going to settle for a Shih Tzu. Then I discovered Shorkies ... a wonderful combination of the two! Bella is colored like Yorkies, which is what I wanted. She has a long body of a Shih Tzu, the long tail, floppy ears, and a very slight underbite. She weighs about 4 lbs. and shouldn't get to more than 6 1/2. (For those who know my Macy, she weights 10 lbs.)

(Here was the picture the breeder sent that won my heart.)

After seeing her picture from the breeder, we all decided the name Bella would suit her better than Gizmo. Once we got her, we started debating between Maggie and Gracie. We even got friends and family in on the voting between the two. Finally, we decided on ........ Bella. Bella Blue. (Adding Blue helps Will with his "l's" for some reason.) Don't tell Mark that my Johnny's daughter is Ella Blue. : )

(Picture from the airport the day we picked her up.)

She was painfully shy with us at first. I felt so bad for her. She was so happy to see Macy and Simba when we got home. She finally wagged her tail. And even though they both shunned her at first, she continued to be enamored with them. Macy has actually warmed up, even though she doesn't want to sit or lay by her. She'll actually play with her and run around.

After a week she's peed on the carpet only once which is better than Will has done. LOL. That's not bad for a less than four month old. (It is kind of frustrating for a just turned 4 year old though.)

She is embracing us. She insists on being right by me all day. Which, of course, I love. She has a funny little bark and growl.

A couple of nights ago the kids came down after their bath and were sitting on the couch with Mark and Macy. Bella went running over there barking at them as if they were strangers breaking in. Macy hopped down as if to check out what the problem was. Not sure what little bit thought was happening but she tucked her tail between her legs and bolted toward me yelping the whole way as if her tail were on fire. We laughed so hard. Still do when we talk about it.

We sure are enjoying her. Puppy smooches to all.