The Suits Sisters

We had nine fun years with our puppy, Patch, before he died earlier this month. We packed a lot of life into those nine years and he took it all in stride.  He loved snuggling, sniffing too far in people's bottoms, treats, playing fetch, when Kent got home from work, always being near us, licking peanut butter jars, waiting by the highchair for dropped food and/or hand outs, Gigi, lying on the steps, lying on dirty sorted laundry piles, barking at the pool guy while living in Florida, eating tissues, etc. out of the trash can, riding in the car, taking walks and swimming in the lake.  He was a good boy and loved our family well  Thanks for the memories, Patches!!!

Today we had a couple over after church. We fed them barbecue and homemade browned butter chocolate chip cookies and talked for three hours. Last Sunday I was back in my jammie shorts by 12:30 and fed my kids bologna sandwiches on leftover hamburger buns.  There's grace and space for both  Last Sunday my kids read books while I got ready for church. This Sunday they watched a lengthy Sesame Street episode. Last Sunday they picked out their outfits and this Sunday I had them in smocked dresses. Grace and space. (Also, their hoarding tendnacies surface on Sunday mornings- they all gather bags and purses and stuff them full of treasures. In this picture there's an untold amount of books, fairies, necklaces, barbies and other trinkets under the blanket)   Unrelated::Happy 9th birthday Patch!  (Notice the dog shirts on Caris and Liza for the occasion-  that was their idea and it made this festive Mama PROUD) He celebrated with a donut shaped dog bone t...

Dear Caris, you can call me Marley or whatever else as long as you keep petting me Dear Double Jogging Stroller, your large size makes it really hard for me to pull ahead ever so slightly to be the alpha dog Dear Dad, I don't know why I eat bad things and throw up randomly in the middle of the night. Forgive me? Dear Used Tissues, love you so much. Can't stop, won't stop eating you Dear Liza, thanks for always showing an interest in me. For patting me and even for poking around my face Dear Mom, thanks for always being nearby when Liza pokes at my face and for making her call it quits sooner than later Dear Cushioned Lounge Chair on the back porch, nap date again tomorrow afternoon? Dear 80 year old neighbor from Barbados, although I don't understand a word you say, I'm impressed by your ability to climb a ladder and clean your gutters. Dear Pool Guy, I will PROTECT THIS HOUSE

"I thought bed rest was supposed to be a little more comfortable than this"