Zaya singing happy birthday to Mema, and eating Crispix
Eva singing "a little Jesus song" - gets cut off at the end when
my camera runs out of memory
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Naked Lunch
I may be raising nudists... don't tell Buzz!!!
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| my kitchen hasn't been this clean in days! Ugh! Sometimes the mundane dish washing and constant scrubbing just has to stop. I need to pray to be more diligent! |
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| Velveeta Shells and Cheese were buy 2 get 3 free at Hardings last week... YUM! We usually do our mac from scratch, so it was a special treat :D |
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| she's saying, "Mmmmmmmmmm" and rolling her eyes back in her head because they're so delicious! |
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| explaining her solution to global warming |
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
In Loving Memory
Migo Snifferton Dogbreath V------, Esquire was put to rest today. He was a good boy. He battled what we believe was pancreatitis and an obstruction for over two weeks, before it became clear that he couldn't fight his way through this one. We have many treasured memories.
Did you know that when we first adopted Migo (from the SPCA) in May of 2007, his ears were both floppy, all the time. After about 2 weeks with us, he began to perk them up sometimes, and most of the time perked one and flopped the other.
His two favorite spots: anywhere in a sunbeam OR halfway under a bed or crib (head under, booty out).
Migo always smelled good, like a puppy. When I was pregnant with Eva and spent a good 20 weeks sick (hey! at least the first 6 weeks were good!), smelling him was my favorite thing. I would sprawl on the couch with him curled up right under my nose and just breath deeply and the nausea would go away. So weird! I know!
For a treat, he would sing, dance, do "ups around the world"(kinda a jumping/spinning/standing deal), shake (both paws), lay down, or roll over. His singing was my favorite - he kind of sang like how a husky talks - super cute. He chose to sing himself to sleep today, the best song he ever sang. Very good boy.
Did you know that all of his toys are called "Gus?" His favorite was a squeaky fuzzy blue pig. His least favorite was a black wart hog that actually made snorting noises. Bert liked to dress him in a Michigan State sweater or a hockey hoodie. I preferred to not dress him :P His favorite game was to wait for my husband to sit on the floor - then Migo would jump up on the chair behind him and try to fake-bite Bert's ears. He would win the game if his tongue made contact with Bert in any way. So silly!
Migo was as good of a dog as a family could ask for. We will cherish the time we had with him.
Dear Lord, we commit Migo's spirit to You, if he has one. We thank You for bringing him home to us and for entrusting us with his care. We are so grateful for Your peace that You have lavished on us today, and for the support of our family and friends that have rallied around us throughout this saga. We ask Your blessing upon the family that returned him to us, that they wouldn't have any guilt over this and neither would we. We pray in the name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.
Did you know that when we first adopted Migo (from the SPCA) in May of 2007, his ears were both floppy, all the time. After about 2 weeks with us, he began to perk them up sometimes, and most of the time perked one and flopped the other.
His two favorite spots: anywhere in a sunbeam OR halfway under a bed or crib (head under, booty out).
Migo always smelled good, like a puppy. When I was pregnant with Eva and spent a good 20 weeks sick (hey! at least the first 6 weeks were good!), smelling him was my favorite thing. I would sprawl on the couch with him curled up right under my nose and just breath deeply and the nausea would go away. So weird! I know!
For a treat, he would sing, dance, do "ups around the world"(kinda a jumping/spinning/standing deal), shake (both paws), lay down, or roll over. His singing was my favorite - he kind of sang like how a husky talks - super cute. He chose to sing himself to sleep today, the best song he ever sang. Very good boy.
Did you know that all of his toys are called "Gus?" His favorite was a squeaky fuzzy blue pig. His least favorite was a black wart hog that actually made snorting noises. Bert liked to dress him in a Michigan State sweater or a hockey hoodie. I preferred to not dress him :P His favorite game was to wait for my husband to sit on the floor - then Migo would jump up on the chair behind him and try to fake-bite Bert's ears. He would win the game if his tongue made contact with Bert in any way. So silly!
Migo was as good of a dog as a family could ask for. We will cherish the time we had with him.
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| didn't grab the camera fast enough, Zaya *was* sitting and petting Migo with daddy moments before. |
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| praying for his healing |
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| taken 5-10-12, his last night with us |
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| We laid Migo in the North East corner of our yard, and planted a healthy maple seedling over him, so that it's roots will find nutrition from his body, and he can live again in a tree that soaks up the sun and protects our little family :D Totally Migo. |
Friday, April 27, 2012
Today I Witnessed a Miracle First Hand
Migo is home now. He is quite a bit rounder around the mid-section and apparently ate some people food, he's not quite feeling normal, but he's home. I'll be taking him to the vet tomorrow, just to be sure he's OK. Oh, praise You, Lord!
I received a call right at dinner time tonight from a kind woman that had seen my Lost Dog ad on Craigslist. She tenderly explained that she had bad news, that she'd found a dog that matched my description of Migo (small, mostly black, no collar, cropped tail) from my ad, in the middle of Kings Highway. She told me that he'd been hit, but not run over, so she'd moved him off the road and over by some trees so that he wouldn't get hit again. She described the exact location and apologized for being the bearer of bad news again. She really was kind. So, Bert and I both wanted to go - we called Aunt Jenni, who was in the middle of making dinner herself, and she came over to be with the girls. Bert and I tried not to talk on the way there - we both cried, but tried to remember to be hopeful, that it still might not be him. I sang "It Is Well With My Soul," and that was about all I could muster. I had a sense of the Lord in my heart, listening to me and what was going on in my heart as we approached. I sensed His testing and His comfort. I had a sense that I was to hold on to hope. Of course, I was thinking that that meant I should be thankful that we at least found him, and that he'd never had to suffer the aches and pains of old age and what have you... totally not where God was going.... Right as we were getting close, my phone rang - a number I didn't recognize, so I silenced it so I could be a better navigator. As we arrived, we could see a small dog laid on a garbage bag under some trees - but it was too far away to know if it was Migo. I wanted to bolt from the car and see if it was him, but I got out and stood waiting to hold Bert's hand and walk up together. As we approached I saw that this dog had a thick white "collar" of fur around its neck - "it's not him!" I said. Bert said a moment later, "it's not him!!" We admired the way he was laid so carefully and respectfully, and we sadly prayed that his owners would find him... and we left. I called the kind woman back to let her know it wasn't Migo after all, and she was so glad! She said she'd post it on Craigslist and hopefully his owners would find him.
So, we climbed back in the car and Bert remembered that my phone had rung... "Who called you?" he asked. I told him I didn't know, and that they didn't leave a message. He urged me to call them back right away, saying maybe it's another call about Migo! So, I called... it rang and rang and finally a rough voice said, "Hallo?" ... I explained I'd just missed a call and they vaguely told me to hang on, then another voice said, "HallllO?" I re-explained. She said, "I've got your dog." I said, "Where are you? Can I come get him now?" She said, "Is there a reward?" I ever so self-controlled said, "that depends on if it is my dog." She asked where I was, and I said I was out looking for my dog! She gave me her address and 5 minutes later we pulled up to a house about 10 blocks from our own, across East Main (a pretty busy street) from us. They were waiting at the door for us with Migo in their arms. They were nice enough.... they said they'd found him Tuesday... they handed him right to me. He's obviously been eating a lot, I said.... I took their name and do plan to send a small reward, after all, they did call and return him. I was a little miffed that they'd asked for one up front like that, but ah well. I am just so thankful to have him home.
Thank you so much to everyone who prayed. He heard us and showed me mercy. What a miracle.
When I got home, I got online to remove my ads on Craigslist and the first kind woman had already posted about the other dog, even going so far as to make a map. I was able to email her through Craigslist to thank her again and to inform her that her kind acts today made quite a difference in my life. I will never pass by a domesticated animal on the road again. I will strive to show the same kindness towards both animals and strangers that was shown to me today.
*****
An aside, I was wearing a Tshirt today that I made for myself back in '03 when I was a new Christian. It says "MADE NEW" on it... today for the first time, I was asked what that means... by an employee at Meijer, no less. I explained it, kinda stumbling through, since I'd just left Animal Control and that's an experience that totally rocks you to the core. The man asked what it meant, when it happened, was that when I was born? ...Nope, that's when I was born again. What's that mean? Anyway - it was interesting. He was a Jehovah's Witness (He said, so you think you're one of the elect? totally clued me in) ... I left wishing I'd shared more personally about what Jesus has done for me and not the answer in the can that I've been taught... you know? Be ready to give a reason for the hope... yeah. A personal reason means so much more. Gotta practice that...
Goodnight!
I received a call right at dinner time tonight from a kind woman that had seen my Lost Dog ad on Craigslist. She tenderly explained that she had bad news, that she'd found a dog that matched my description of Migo (small, mostly black, no collar, cropped tail) from my ad, in the middle of Kings Highway. She told me that he'd been hit, but not run over, so she'd moved him off the road and over by some trees so that he wouldn't get hit again. She described the exact location and apologized for being the bearer of bad news again. She really was kind. So, Bert and I both wanted to go - we called Aunt Jenni, who was in the middle of making dinner herself, and she came over to be with the girls. Bert and I tried not to talk on the way there - we both cried, but tried to remember to be hopeful, that it still might not be him. I sang "It Is Well With My Soul," and that was about all I could muster. I had a sense of the Lord in my heart, listening to me and what was going on in my heart as we approached. I sensed His testing and His comfort. I had a sense that I was to hold on to hope. Of course, I was thinking that that meant I should be thankful that we at least found him, and that he'd never had to suffer the aches and pains of old age and what have you... totally not where God was going.... Right as we were getting close, my phone rang - a number I didn't recognize, so I silenced it so I could be a better navigator. As we arrived, we could see a small dog laid on a garbage bag under some trees - but it was too far away to know if it was Migo. I wanted to bolt from the car and see if it was him, but I got out and stood waiting to hold Bert's hand and walk up together. As we approached I saw that this dog had a thick white "collar" of fur around its neck - "it's not him!" I said. Bert said a moment later, "it's not him!!" We admired the way he was laid so carefully and respectfully, and we sadly prayed that his owners would find him... and we left. I called the kind woman back to let her know it wasn't Migo after all, and she was so glad! She said she'd post it on Craigslist and hopefully his owners would find him.
So, we climbed back in the car and Bert remembered that my phone had rung... "Who called you?" he asked. I told him I didn't know, and that they didn't leave a message. He urged me to call them back right away, saying maybe it's another call about Migo! So, I called... it rang and rang and finally a rough voice said, "Hallo?" ... I explained I'd just missed a call and they vaguely told me to hang on, then another voice said, "HallllO?" I re-explained. She said, "I've got your dog." I said, "Where are you? Can I come get him now?" She said, "Is there a reward?" I ever so self-controlled said, "that depends on if it is my dog." She asked where I was, and I said I was out looking for my dog! She gave me her address and 5 minutes later we pulled up to a house about 10 blocks from our own, across East Main (a pretty busy street) from us. They were waiting at the door for us with Migo in their arms. They were nice enough.... they said they'd found him Tuesday... they handed him right to me. He's obviously been eating a lot, I said.... I took their name and do plan to send a small reward, after all, they did call and return him. I was a little miffed that they'd asked for one up front like that, but ah well. I am just so thankful to have him home.
Thank you so much to everyone who prayed. He heard us and showed me mercy. What a miracle.
When I got home, I got online to remove my ads on Craigslist and the first kind woman had already posted about the other dog, even going so far as to make a map. I was able to email her through Craigslist to thank her again and to inform her that her kind acts today made quite a difference in my life. I will never pass by a domesticated animal on the road again. I will strive to show the same kindness towards both animals and strangers that was shown to me today.
*****
An aside, I was wearing a Tshirt today that I made for myself back in '03 when I was a new Christian. It says "MADE NEW" on it... today for the first time, I was asked what that means... by an employee at Meijer, no less. I explained it, kinda stumbling through, since I'd just left Animal Control and that's an experience that totally rocks you to the core. The man asked what it meant, when it happened, was that when I was born? ...Nope, that's when I was born again. What's that mean? Anyway - it was interesting. He was a Jehovah's Witness (He said, so you think you're one of the elect? totally clued me in) ... I left wishing I'd shared more personally about what Jesus has done for me and not the answer in the can that I've been taught... you know? Be ready to give a reason for the hope... yeah. A personal reason means so much more. Gotta practice that...
Goodnight!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Oh Where Oh Where has my Little Dog Gone?
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| taken January 2012 |
This is our dog Migo. He is 8 years old, neutered, and super friendly. He escaped our newly fenced in yard yesterday around 2pm. He has been missing for over 28 hours now. Please, please, join us in prayer that we would get him back, safe and sound and soooooon.
Bert and I adopted Migo just over a month after we got married. It's kinda a long story, but with us, that's pretty much what you get every time, right?
We were driving north on Westnedge, passing I-94 when I noticed that the SPCA was at the Pet Supplies Plus there, showcasing their animals. Bert pulled in, but only after making me swear that we were "just there to pet them," and not planning on adopting. Of course, we fell in love with a dog - but it wasn't Migo!! We fell in love with a Husky-Pitbull mix, all fawn colored, even her eyes, named Patience. She had a gimpy back leg from her violent former owner, but was as sweet and beautiful as could be. She needed owners stat, so that her atrophied leg muscles could get some much needed exercise, if she was ever to regain movement in that back leg. We filled out the paperwork to adopt her on the spot. 2 days later, we went to the SPCA to pick her up. Bert had to work in Dowagiac that day, and was late. We only had one car, so a friend of mine drove me to the SPCA and Bert was racing to meet me there before they closed. I had called that morning to make sure I had everything I would need and that we were still tracking. When I arrived, a super helper lady told me that Patience's foster family had rejected Bert and I as potential owners. WHAT!??? Thanks for waiting to tell me until I got here... no, I didn't say that out loud. I knew Bert would be frustrated by that... and didn't know what to do while I waited for him. The lady said I could look at the other dogs. She gave me a quick tour. In the final pen, I spied him - a sweet little guy! ((I thought I hated little dogs)) He meekly approached the chain link fence that was between us, and I crouched down and saw the puppiest doggiest eyes I'd ever seen... They called him "Beadle." I asked if I could take him outside and the lady handed me a leash. So, there I was on their front lawn when Bert pulled up. "That is NOT our dog," Bert said matter-of-factly. "I know! I know! .... but let me tell you what's going on." ... Bert knelt down and scratched Beadle's head as I told him the whole story - and we both proceeded to fall in love with the demure and gentle natured boy. Before I was done explaining everything, Bert said, "I really think this is the dog the Lord wants us to have!" Of course, I agreed. We took him home an hour later. We tried out the name "Tucker" for 2 days, since he was always so tuckered out... but all of the sudden one night, his name became "Migo" - short for "amigo" but even shorter, since he's such a small dog. **Side note - I always explain to people his name is Migo, like amigo without the "uh"... same as I explain Zaya's name: like Izaiha without the "I." More than once, I've gotten the response, "why do you do that??"
After about 2 weeks with us, his true personality emerged, and we became aware that he not as mild-mannered as we'd thought. He would bust into the cupboard and open Little Debbies and eat them up - especially if they were chocolate ((YIKES!!! I know. I made my share of panicked phone calls to the vet - apparently Little Debbies do NOT have a high enough concentration of chocolate to actually harm a little dog...)). He even learned how to get into the cupboard where we kept the garbage and knock it over inside the cupboard and then close the cupboard door behind himself to hide the evidence for as long as possible.
There's nothing he loves as much as a sun beam, but raw hide chews are close to the top. He was the best snuggler, especially during thunderstorms. When we re-did the girl's room last month and the girls were gone for four days, he stared at me non-stop (kinda creepy) as if to say, "where are the small ones that pull on my ears? did you get rid of them?"
Oh where oh where has my little dog gone?
Oh where oh where can he be?
With his tail cut short
And his ears cut long
Oh where oh where can he be?
Father in Heaven, You know right where he is. Please, share that information with me. Please, let us have our little buddy back. Amen.
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| taken 4/20/12 |
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Eva turns 4!!
Precious Daughter,
How are you already four? All of the sudden you are so independent! You don't need me to buckle your car seat straps, you don't need me to help you in the bathroom... well, OK, you still need help unbuckling the car seat straps, and you still need a little bit of help in the bathroom, but wow. You are so mature!
Eva, I love your compassion - I love how you always remember to pray for your friend Calista every night. I love how when you pray, you assume God has already answered you. I love how you draw and use colors. Boy, do you ever like anything that is related to art. You are super-skilled at drawing, painting and coloring. I need to get you new play dough. I love the way you use your imagination when you play, and the way you always include your little sister Zaya. I love watching you "read" books. I love the friendly way you greet strangers at the grocery store and tell them your name is "Eva Jane VanderRoest Pumpkin Daughter" all in one breath - and I love the quizzical looks I get in response to that!
Your favorite colors are pink, red and purple. You love anything twirly and girly. You asked me to make shrimp with butter noodles and asparagus for your birthday dinner, and carmel cake with white frosting and sprinkles for dessert. You love to play outside, mostly in the sandbox. You love to swing as high as humanly possibly and you are very athletic. Just the other day, you cried your eyes out because you didn't have the strength to climb up the fireman's pole!
Best of all, you are very sensitive about fashion. You love to dress yourself in many different and clashy colors and prints and you proclaim your own beauty to your daddy as you twirl for him. You always let me play with your hair, but only ever want to wear it "all down." I love your Punky Brewster-esq outfits :D You make me smile and you fill my bucket. You are amazing and I love watching you grow up. I am one blessed mama.
I pray that you will be the kind of friend that influences your friends for Christ, always honoring Him and leading others to Him by your light. I pray that I would have eyes to see the gifts God has given you and the wisdom to nurture them into fruition. I pray that our relationship would be protected - that we would always be able to communicate our thoughts and feelings to each other clearly and lovingly - and that we would always cherish our relationship. I pray a blessing of purity over you - may your purity be the kind that draws people to you, not that prudish judging kind. Finally, I pray that you would be soft towards Jesus Christ, and when the time is right, that you would understand all He's done for you and accept Him and His free gift for yourself.
*sigh*
How are you already four? All of the sudden you are so independent! You don't need me to buckle your car seat straps, you don't need me to help you in the bathroom... well, OK, you still need help unbuckling the car seat straps, and you still need a little bit of help in the bathroom, but wow. You are so mature!
Eva, I love your compassion - I love how you always remember to pray for your friend Calista every night. I love how when you pray, you assume God has already answered you. I love how you draw and use colors. Boy, do you ever like anything that is related to art. You are super-skilled at drawing, painting and coloring. I need to get you new play dough. I love the way you use your imagination when you play, and the way you always include your little sister Zaya. I love watching you "read" books. I love the friendly way you greet strangers at the grocery store and tell them your name is "Eva Jane VanderRoest Pumpkin Daughter" all in one breath - and I love the quizzical looks I get in response to that!
Best of all, you are very sensitive about fashion. You love to dress yourself in many different and clashy colors and prints and you proclaim your own beauty to your daddy as you twirl for him. You always let me play with your hair, but only ever want to wear it "all down." I love your Punky Brewster-esq outfits :D You make me smile and you fill my bucket. You are amazing and I love watching you grow up. I am one blessed mama.
I pray that you will be the kind of friend that influences your friends for Christ, always honoring Him and leading others to Him by your light. I pray that I would have eyes to see the gifts God has given you and the wisdom to nurture them into fruition. I pray that our relationship would be protected - that we would always be able to communicate our thoughts and feelings to each other clearly and lovingly - and that we would always cherish our relationship. I pray a blessing of purity over you - may your purity be the kind that draws people to you, not that prudish judging kind. Finally, I pray that you would be soft towards Jesus Christ, and when the time is right, that you would understand all He's done for you and accept Him and His free gift for yourself.
*sigh*
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