Getting Back in the Groove

So much to tell but where to begin...

First off, Christmas was WONDERFUL!  The human children got momma a bed for me for Christmas!  Mom was absolutely delighted with the one they chose and humored that they knew "just" what she wanted.  And to top it off... it worked out really good for me!  I heart my bed!

Then there was the day that mom and dad had a brush with the law.  For whatever reason, I was left behind and Scarlet and Kudzu were taken to our favorite swim hole five miles from our house.  It's where we always go (90% of the pictures of us doggies near water were taken there).  As normal for such an outing mom had a throw toy tossing it into the lake for Scarlet and Kudzu to retrieve.  Since there were NO OTHER HUMANS ANYWHERE around, mom had no problem allowing them to roam freely.  And they were having a blast.

Scarlet

Scarlet

Kudzu

But then... <cue dramatic music: duh duh dum>... a park ranger appeared.  Apparently having watched too much NCIS, he identified himself as "a federal offiicer with the national park service".  He immediately asked where the dogs leashes were.  Dad was holding one in his hand, and quickly attached it to Kudzu, and told the officer the other one was laying on the picnic table where they'd eaten lunch.  Obviously not taking dad at his word (oh the nerve), he instructed dad to "show him".  Once there he took dad's driver's license and disappeared for a bit.  When he came back he informed them that the dogs being off leash is a punishable offense with a $75 fine.  Mom insisted that we come here all the time and had never seen anything posted stating such a silly thing.  He told her the sign was hanging on the bathroom wall... well, mom has never, not once, used that bathroom.  So how was she to know.  Fortunately he let us off with a warning, but now we have to find somewhere else to go swimming.  And mom is all spit-fired wanting better legislation and rules for dogs who have passed their canine good citizen test.  Scarlet and Kudzu were under vocal command the entire time and posed no threat... and again, no one else was around to be disturbed!  And now thinking back on it, it was probably a good call that I was left home that day.  I'm sure I'd have greeted him with a famous Boondocks Bear Hug!  (They're my specialty!)

Mom and Dad also finished off Southern Jewel's bedroom makeover that was her Christmas present.  A play gate has been placed at Jewel's bedroom door, and we doggies are no longer allowed inside.  What good is a bedroom without a dog??  But mom is strict since so much work went into designing the perfect teen lounge.  And mom is now boasting "interior designer" on her continually growing list of accomplishments.  Mom loves how this room turned out so much now she is raring to go redoing hers and dad's bedroom.  She promises it will remain dog friendly though!

And now for the bad news - I'm guessing mom hasn't let me tell y'all about this because to actually write it out makes it more real somehow.  Our darling, Scarlet has begun having seizures.  The first one was maybe six weeks ago, the second one two weeks ago, and then again the following day.  We're pretty sure she had one while we were gone on Christmas Eve because of the amount of drool on her bed when we returned.  Dad took her to the vet to be checked and all of her blood work came back normal.  The vet said when she begins having them daily, we'll start a treatment.  We're hoping that day doesn't come for a long time, but there are other symptoms that has mom worried about her.  Scarlet is only seven and we hope for at least seven more good years with her.  She is after all GOLDEN and irreplaceable. Please say a prayer for her.

Scarlet

And now that we have crammed a weeks worth of blogs into one sitting, we bid you ado.  But come back tomorrow to hear about what happens when a doggie stands too close to fire!!  <wink>

Boon's Sunday Sermon #19 - Christmas

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  Luke 2:10-12

He came as a babe in a manger, but He didn't stay there.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

He came for us - to deliver us from our sins, to redeem our souls from hell and the grave.

He is Emmanuel - God with us and where ever you are, whatever your circumstance, He is there with you in the midst of them.

Let the JOY Christ came to bring rule your hearts this day!

May your days be merry and bright,
and may all your Christmases be GOLDEN.

Boon's Sunday Sermon #18 - JOY

We have a  motto in our home that started as a song mom learned as a child.  It says, "Put Jesus first, Others second, and put Yourself at the end of the line, and you will find JOY in your life with J-O-Y."  It has been our goal to teach our children to prefer others above themselves - (a lesson they have learned well except for when it applies to a sibling).  Whether it is visiting with a  lonely neighbor or taking cookies to a sick friend or passing out candy canes to strangers in Wal-Mart, we try to spread JOY wherever we may be.  Not always in our actions but always is our countenance, we reflect the JOY that Christ has given us.  We hope it is a contagious JOY.

This time of year can be bittersweet for many people.  Whether it is experiencing Christmas without children at home or having expectations too high to be met, people face the season with depression and stress and unfilled ideals of what it should be.

Regardless of our situation we can make the choice to rise above and to have the JOY that Christ was born to bring.  In his birth and through his death, He offers to those who believe a heart of JOY.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great JOY for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Luke 2:10

Whatever is leaving you feeling without hope and joy and peace this season, hand over to God.  He promises:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Let His JOY be your strength as you go through this next week and into the New Year.  It's a decision that only you can make as to whether you will choose JOY or not.  He died to bring it to you.  Accept it.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!  LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING!!

Wordless Wednesday - Bah Humbug

There was Dasher, Donner, Vixen, and SCARLET!

Boon's Sunday Sermon #17 - Naughty or Nice

The Elf on the Shelf story and tradition has become a fast growing phanomen across the country and probably worldwide.  In case you are not familiar with the adorable tale, let us educate you.

Upon arriving in your home, the elf must be named.  Once named he receives his North Pole magic.  Then he travels from your home to the North Pole during the night and back to your home to appear in a different place the next day.  If touched by human hands, he loses his magic.  He's Santa's special helper and delivers news of the children's behavior to him for determination as to whether they should be on the naughty or nice list.

Our home was happy to jump on board with this new tradition (my kids know that their dad is the 'real' Santa, but enjoy playing along) and "Elvis" joined our home a few weeks ago.  Not to leave the dogs out, we were happy to find "Cane" on our trip to Raising Cane's earlier this week.  Now our pups have their own version.  It has been a delight to see the kids jump up each morning to see where the elves have landed for the day and even more of a delight that the dogs haven't chewed them to shreds.... yet.

While it is fun to pretend that Santa is watching and making a list and checking it twice, it isn't reality.  Santa is a myth - a lovely and fun tradition but nothing more.

Christmas is about CHRIST.  As I shared with my children this week, it is a month long celebration of His birth.  Everything from setting up the Christmas tree, to riding around to view light displays, to playing along with the Elf on the Shelf story is all part of celebrating His birthday... it is all about HIM..  this is the reality.

Jesus is making a list.  And only those whose name is written on it will enter into His glory.

Revelations 21:27 says, "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

Is your name written in His book?  It is not too late.  The gift of Jesus coming at Christmas was to purchase your eternal life and your redemption from the grips of hell.  It is a gift, but first you have to accept it.

If you have not yet made the decision to receive Christ as Savior, it is a simple process.  Here is a prayer that you can pray.  (If you would like more information or for us to pray with you, please feel free to email us anytime at agapepuppylove@gmail.com .)  

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus, for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins.  Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

Even Santa (St. Nicholas) followed Christ.  Won't you do the same?

Elves Extraordinaire

Boon wonders, "Hey, who spiked the egg nog?"

Kudzu bidding for a space on the nice list.

Isaac and Cosmo make this elf business look good!

The Cheetah Girls - Rose Bud and Dacey

Decking the Halls

Well, things didn't go quite as planned... but they seldom do around here.

Instead of heading to a tree farm to cut down our tree, we decided to put our old artificial one up instead.  Mom was scared we dogs would be led into temptation to mark our territory should a real tree exist inside of our home.

After lunch yesterday we headed out to decorate the outside of the house.  I was in charge of supervising, but quickly became distracted by the piles of leaves.  So I left the heavy work to Dad and Jaden, while Connor and I played, played, played.

Do you remember that one of our traditions is decorating in our pj's?  Well, I don't have any of those, so I just participated in the furs God gave me.  Everyone else looked pretty silly!!

Jaden, Connor, Isaac, and Dacey

My peeples took several play breaks during the work...  Dad helped Connor ride his bike with one training wheel off and then had leave wars with Dacey and Jaden.  They make being peeples look so fun!!

Somehow they still managed to get the work done.

Of course, my ornament looked best:

It even has my name on the bottom of it!!

Thanksgiving 2011 was a fun day.  We have so much we are thankful for - but mostly we are thankful just to be blessed to have each other in our lives.

The Love Shack

Ohno meeting the new guy.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like -

Rose Bud's first Christmas.

CHRISTMAS!!


As we've said before, mom goes hog wild at Christmas time.  She believes that we should celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in our hearts every day - not just one day a year.  So for the entire season, we have one thing going after another.  Gifts aren't nearly as important as opportunities to make memories - and all of our favorite Christmas memories include our favorite Christmas traditions.

We've already shared that after our meal Thursday, we will head out to cut down a tree, and look at light displays.  Then Friday we'll decorate the entire house.

Each year each of the humans get a new ornament to add to the Christmas tree.  All of the dogs have one on the tree too - although we are somewhat jipped cause we don't get new ornaments each year.  With this being mine and Kudzu's first Christmas, mom has been on the lookout for the pawfect ornament for us.  She has yet to find mine but is sure she will.  She found one that looked enough like Kudzu that it would work (even though he is more red than brown).  However, we were all a little taken back yesterday when she popped the ornaments front leg off.  It was horrifying for sure.  She said she wanted it to accurately represent him - which we appreciate - but the way she went about it was so disturbing!!

It all sounds so fun and I just can't wait!

Here are some more pictures of Rose Bud's first Christmas:

Rose Bud carolling with our family.  Cosmo went too.  The black and brown dog is one we fostered that year.

Rose Bud couldn't wait to dig into her stocking - and now that I know such a thing exists - NEITHER CAN I!!!

We've already been watching Christmas movies by the boat load.  Saturday we watched A Christmas Wedding Tail on Hallmark.  Last night there was another one we missed but recorded, A Dog Named Christmas.  Tonight Santa Buddies and Santa Paws come on ABC Family!!  Those are our two favorites!!  (If you haven't seen Santa Paws, don't miss it!  It is the best  Christmas movie since It's a Wonderful Life!

We hope you are all getting into the spirit of the season too.

Wordless Wednesday - The Ghost of Christmas Past

We thought it'd be fun on Wordless Wednesday to share some of our past Christmas memories.  Of course, that means me and Kudzu are not included, but what's a dog to do.  We weren't here!   We do plan to make the most of this Christmas season and provide plenty of pictures of us doing so along the way.

Another of our family's tradition - that I think is really cool - after the tree is decorated the day after Thanksgiving, the whole family spends the night in the living room camped out beneath it.  This is one of the two legged kids very favorite traditions.  I can't wait!!!  Bring on Black Friday!!

Isaac and Cosmo snoozing under the tree. 

Come back tomorrow as we spend the rest of the month pawticipating in Thankful Thursday's!!

We wuf vu!!

The Most Wonderful Time

Christmas music has already begun playing in our home.  Mom is somewhat of a Christmas fanatic!  Not that we skip Thanksgiving - we are observing it daily this month by proclaiming all we are thankful for.  We have LOTS of SPECIAL traditions in our home during this time of year and most even include us doggies.

Our season officially kicks off on Thanksgiving Day.  We have what the humans have affectionately begun to refer to as "A Non-Traditional Traditional Thanksgiving".  Instead of having the normal Thanksgiving turkey and dressing, each child chooses their favorite food.  Then mom cooks one dish per person.  We usually watch the National Dog Show before lunch and then the Dallas game and Christmas movies afterward.

Of course, with this being mine and Kudzu's FIRST Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we are especially excited!!!

This year we are going to start a new tradition on Thanksgiving afternoon:  We are going to go to a CHRISTMAS tree farm and pick out our very own TREE.  Now I've never heard of having a tree in the house before, but that sounds like a good tradition right there.  After the tree has been chosen, we will ride over to a neighboring town to see their entire park lit up with Christmas displays.  And from there, the fun is just getting started.

The following day, the humans "deck the halls".  I'm not sure what that means, but from what I gather they will make the inside of the house pretty with seasonal decorations.  That is also the day they will decorate the outside of The Love Shack.  Something about hanging lights on it and all?  Sounds strange but the peoples are excited about it so I guess we should be too!  One of mom's favorite traditions on that day is decorating inside and out wearing their PAJAMAS!!  Bwah har har!!  Silly humans.

Mom has already started taking lots more pictures of us for what she calls "Christmas cards".  So far she hasn't gotten one she is "in love with".. pray for us, furiends... cause that means a lot more time with the flashy monster!  Here are some from last year.. before Kudzu and me were here...

Rose Bud and Cosmo didn't want to cooperate!  

Mom is so excited about Christmas and is wanting to decorate something - anything really - so bad, I told her it was ok to go ahead and make my blog "merry and bright".  So today or this week sometime be on the lookout for the premiere of CHRISTMAS with Boondocks and The Love Shack Pack.

We'll share more with y'all about some of our family's favorite Christmas traditions in the weeks to come.  We'd love to hear some of yours too!!  Please share.