Gluttony and Sloth

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? Proverbs 6:9

and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Proverbs 23:2

Two things come to mind here:

1) Things aren't looking good for me.

2) This is exactly why more people don't read the bible.

But these two deadly sins perfectly describe my living conditions lately. Well, add foot ball (Go Packers!! WooHoo!!!!) And politics. (Go Huckabee! Maybe McCain! Woo!) Oh and quads and bullies and snow. And DeerHunter 05. Trust me. You'd have to be there.

But seriously, I have been a hibernating, slothful, donut-eating, coffee-guzzling, football and debate watching,video game playing gluttonous sluggard.

I am hideous. Look away.

BUT....the Lord's mercies are indeed new every morning and today is a new day. I can change my slothful ways and begin eating better again.

My prayer life and bible study times have also suffered during my hibernation. Isn't it funny how everything seems to go out the window at the same time?

Growing up Catholic has made me sometimes chafe under legalistic restraints. That's fine, except that I'll misconstrue some things as legalistic and not do them out of rebelliousness. Like praying before meals. It held no importance as a child to repeat words before eating; more like a meaningless ritual. So as a believing adult, most times I still don't pray before meals. (Gosh, I've grown so much. I'm impressed.)

Sometimes I don't want to follow a reading plan for the bible because it will hold me back from being spontaneous and letting the Holy Spirit move. (Again, I'm astonished at my growth.) I was reading some of my regular blogs and Jess had this .Well worth reading. Thank you, Jess. I got out the One-a-Day and a new journal this morning. I appreciate what you learned and shared.

AND.........

I was woken up out of a deep sleep at 5 AM this morning to hear Josiah tell me that he made it to Baltimore! Hurray! He is in the USA! He was getting ready to take his first hot shower in months and then go to breakfast and then to a mall. Good thing he has his priorities straight.

Thank you to all to you who have prayed for his safety. He will be home in a few weeks after a debriefing period. One more "Thank you God" and "Hurray!"

Snow Days

I seriously love me some snow days. Give me snow over rain any day (maybe not in May or June) and I will do a celebratory dance. A pile of books, some coffee interspersed with hot chocolate, Rod and I out riding quads through the cold drifts is the description of a perfect day to me.

But right now there is a snow storm socking in Afghanistan which means Josiah's plane cannot take off. This means he is waiting, bag packed and nothing to do while he dreams of home.

His girlfriend Ashley has kept in contact and we ask each other daily if we've heard any news. Nothing yet. Still waiting.

Here is Ashley and Josiah before he was deployed. Don't you want to say, "awwwww." I know, me too.

So, we'll wait and pray for safety and patience. Thank you Lord for watching over all of us, for holding us when we cry and joining us when we laugh. Please take care of Josiah and bring him home safely. Watch over and comfort Ashley as she waits for Josiah's arrival. Thank you for her positive presence in his life.Thank you for being our Abba. I love you Lord Jesus.

Good Morning 2008

Today, Rod and I are going for another Bomb-voy. Scary sounding, isn't it?

But no, it is perfectly innocent fun. We gather with other diesel truck enthusiasts and hit the road as a convoy for a few hours, then stop for a good meal together.Last time we traveled to Mt. St. Helen's. You can see pictures here . We really enjoy spending time with these good people.

Something that hit me hard yesterday happened during an instant message conversation with Josiah, my son. (He is currently serving in the Air Force, stationed in Afghanistan.

Josiah mentioned that it was now the new year where he was and I asked, "How is 2008, so far?"

Josiah said, "It's dark." Then, "There is bombing going on."

Well.

Not quite the New Year's celebration most of us think about having, is it?

Here I am, a mom, sitting comfortably in my office and talking to my son halfway around the world,huddled in a dark hut, in a war zone. (Okay, maybe he wasn't actually huddling. But that is what I picture. And it makes my mascara start running, I can tell you that.)

It is dark at the Forward Operating Base where he is because they have a "black-out conditions" policy after dark.

The bombing is in response to the mortars being launched and it is close enough to Josiah for his hut and the ground to shake. Although it does not go on every single day, it is often enough that it does not worry Josiah anymore, like it did when he first arrived there. "You get used to it." he typed yesterday.

That's something any mom would enjoy hearing. Her son is not scared of the bombing anymore.

In the midst of this I am filled with gratitude to God for our technology which allows this conversation between a son and his Mom on New Year's Eve.

I am thankful for these men and women who are serving their country in these conditions while we have our celebrations and parties.

I am thankful that Josiah is coming back to the United States within a few weeks. He has been away for four years, and deployed during most holidays. I am ready to have a celebration where we don't have to talk on the phone.

I pray for Josiah and his friends' safety and return home. Sometimes those prays can only consist of "Please God, please God, please God, please God...." But I know that he totally understands my pleas. He loves Josiah more than even his blogging mother can fathom and He directs our steps and has dominion over the universe and everything in it.

Then my prayers turn to "Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God, Thank you God...."

Happy New Year to all of you. "May the Lord of peace himself give you his peace, at all times and in all situations. The Lord be with all of you."

2Thess.3:16

Love Hurts

And breaking up is hard to do.

I'm having another sing along, so join in.

This is a sad sing along, rather like a dirge, really, as we say good-bye to our puppy friends.

Love Hurts. The truth of it bears repeating.

All By Myself....don't wanna be...All By Myself...anymore.....(sound of wretche and heart-broken weeping)

But it's all good. Really. We have met some great dog people who will send us pictures EVERYDAY of their new best friend. (It's in your contract. Read it.)And if we hadn't had the puppies, we wouldn't have had the wonderous experience of seeing all these cute little guys every day for the past 7 weeks. We've enjoyed it all. It was so worth it.

No Puppy No Cry. (Hope Bob Marley doesn't mind me taking liberties)

We know that all of you are going to love the puppies even more (bah haha) than us. And we are looking forward to not having to clean up all the little messes that seem to get bigger every day.

I ain't missin' you at all....since you been gone....away.

See? We're fine. No problem. Buh-bye. These tears? Why they're nothing. Just...the tears of a clo-o-o-oww-w-wn...when there's no one around.

And remember, all of you. We'll be watching you...every step you take, every move you make, we'll be watching you.

So, go. Enjoy your lives.

I ain't missin you at all.

I ain't missin you.

Ain't missin you...

We're in for a Treat Now!

That's right, my dear puppy blog readers. Because today we have TWO BLOG POSTS! Hold on to your hats and get your box of Kleenex at the stand by. (No, the puppies didn't piddle again)

But you are going to be as choked up as me and Amy were when we opened the following email from Courtney and Jay, Kaz's people.

Now, Kaz, if you don't know, is Mercedes from Lila and Chopper's first litter, but she is ALL GROW'D UP! AND WE LOVE HER STILL!!

Okay, so maybe you won't get all sniffley, but maybe you might be mildly interested to see what this litter of puppies will grow up like, and how very much their owners LOVE them.

Here, then, is Courtney's letter:

"Dear Diane and Rod,

I’m so glad to hear that Lila and Chopper had another litter of pups. I’m sure it’s been a lot of work for you guys. They look just as adorable as the first round and I’ve passed on the word that you still have a few available.

We’ve been wanting to send you guys a thank-you note; I’m sorry it has taken so long. Thank you SO much for helping us pick out the best dog ever.

Kaz has turned out to be the perfect dog! She has been such a fun and easy going puppy. No chewing, easy to potty train, no barking, no aggressive behavior, and tons of personality. She loves going for walks, playing at the dog park, and napping on the cool grass outside. Her favorite food is potato chips and she still tries to sleep in bed with us every night.

The owners of my snowboard shop got nervous when they realized how big she was actually getting, so she no longer gets to greet everyone at the store. But she was able to come to work with me for the first two months we had her and all our customers loved her. I think it really helped her with human socialization, because she is a huge sweetheart to every person she meets. She’s a sucker for belly rubs.

Right now, she weighs about 90 pounds and is healthy and strong. She looks like the perfect mix between Lila and Chopper. Chopper’s face with Lila’s color. She’s beautiful and we absolutely adore her.

Good luck with the new puppies and let us know if we can help you out with anything. Maybe we can have a family reunion one of these days. Until then, take care and Happy Holidays.

Courtney, Jay, and Kaz

Puppies Big Day

Here we go, on our way to the vet! I don't know why we are so happy and bubbly, but we are!Finally made it to the vet's office in one piece and we are allowed to get out of those baskets and play! Hurray! We are still happy and bubbly!

We are starting to get nervous now. What are these people doing??

After awhile, we all started to relax. Time to go out for STARBUCKS in Sandy, OR and get a gingerbread latte! And canoodle with Jen, our favorite 'Bux manager . EVER.

Congrats Meyers Family!

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

If you are singing along to that one, you and me can't be friends. Ever. I hate that song.
However....buckle in and get ready the crank up the cuteness meter, cuz here we go.
Christmas, kids and bullie puppies. Can anything possibly beat it? No. (I LOVE answering my own questions, don't I? Yes, apparently I do. I'm quirky and self absorbed like that)


Above we have my niece Chantry holding Dresden, Ginormous Puppy of the North. She has offered to take him off your hands, Adam and Tiffany, if you are unable to take him home next week. She was very adamant about letting you know. Just thought you should be aware.

Above is Rennick (please, Brenda, tell me if I misspelled her name). She is bonding here with Tyra, our biggest female with the most perfect face. In fact, she is probably the "Best Bull." (Just kidding, Brenda and everyone else who will argue endlessly about WHO is actually the Best Bull. It is obvious that CHOPPER is. This my MY BLOG and I get to pick. So there.


Did you ever see such a beautiful family portrait? No, me neither. (there I go again.) Brenda and the girls with Mistletoe,(aka Missile) their wonderful Christmas present for each other. May you have many, many happy Christmases together.

And below, are two pictures of Tyra, for the gentleman in Vernonia who just called and expressed interest in maybe coming to meet her. Here ya go, and we hope that your lives are back to normal soon after your flooding ordeals.



And the BEST BULL:



***Josiah Update*** (Sorry Ashley for the misinformation!!!)
The replacements will be arriving at Sharona and will be trained for a while, but it makes the light at the end of the tunnel a little bit brighter. This morning Josiah called to tell us he is receiving a medal (or nomination we're not sure) today for his part in the fire that took place a few days ago. We're so proud of you, Josiah!! Come home soon. Love you, Mom and Dad. And puppies.

Throw back Thursday

Yes, as promised and eagerly anticipated by tens of readers, it is Throwback Thursday. You will see hardly ever seen pictures of Chopper and Lila when they were wee little tykes, a well as pictures of their parents. (Your puppies grandparents)
Without further ado, I present: Throwback Thursday.
The picture at the top is our very own American Chopper, at eight weeks old when we brought him home. What a handsome boy, eh?
Next we have his father, Porkchop, a big and hefty bullmastiff, as his name implies.
And to round out the family, we have a photo of Pricilla, Chopper's very own Mama. He bears a striking resemblance to her, I think.



Below is the little princess. Honestly, have you ever seen such a dumpling? No, me neither.
Under that is Zena, Lila's mom with her litter of puppies. She was a terrific mom. Then there is the picture of our sweetheart coming home in the car. Oh, Amy is holding her. (Just kidding Amy! You're our REAL sweetheart!)
I am still looking for pictures of Thor, Lila's Dad. I'll post them later if I find them.
Enjoy!



Here is the picture of Thor I finally found. It is just a head shot, but still cute. (Do all these bullmastiffs have their own portfolios with headshots and commercial as well as editorial photos?)