a S O R E leg

It's been a long week for all of us, but at least there was NO basketball!
Jim had a double dose of school with a course during the days {for work} and a one-week intensive course {University of Oklahoma} at night as he's plugging away at his Master's degree.

With a pre-course writing assignment {12-14 pages long}, class every week night from 6-9:30 and all day Saturday and Sunday from 8-4:30 with quizzes included, then a post-course writing assignment- he's been working!

To make matters worse, the title of this course {that he registered for on his own} is "Democracy and Democracies," a subject that doesn't interest either of us.

We had another one of those deep spouse-to-spouse chats {that we often have} this week about making decisions without the other's input.

This is one of those times, and I think the lesson was learned.

Jim know that if he wants help writing... I have to be interested in the subject matter!

We are in the midst of changing his major from International Relations to Human Relations and I  picked out his next course- Helping Relationships. Sounds much more interesting, don't you agree?

Lady also had a rough week as she had surgery yesterday to remove a mast on her leg. She's fine, but hobbling around a bit.

The little guys can't understand why she had to be shaven and why she has staples in her. I think the little patch of hair they shaved on her front leg for her iv is kinda sweet.

Poor baby.

She had the plastic collar thing off in about 10 seconds flat. so we've had to monitor her extra closely to make sure she doesn't lick or mess with her site. Boxers are known for not only their escape tactics and being smart but also for being extremely stubborn. She fits all three.

For now, we'll pamper her a little. She still loves her fireplace.
{As if she's not spoiled a little as it is...}

Up this weekend: relaxing with the boys. Is that possible?

ready for W I N T E R

In a random conversation the other day, I reminded Jim how important taking a German class is to me. Initially, I planned to take one this fall once Caden started school. Now, I would really like to start one after the holidays.

His response was something like, "That's great- go ahead and do whatever you want to. But, you know everyone here speaks in English."

When I have to speak in German, I can sort of make do- but, more than anything it makes me want to speak and understand better. I have a super long way to go. I also think there's no reason for me to not be fluent by the time we leave- it's all around us.

We happened to have this conversation while headed to visit a German man in our village who has a lot of wood in his yard.

We took a chance that he'd sell us some and walked through his gate to approach him.

There are no signs anywhere- just lots and lots of wood.

Jim spotted him once we made it half way across the yard. We had to turn our backs for a second as  he was standing up peeing.

This is Germany after all- very typical. Once situated back in his wheelchair {he's missing part of a leg}, I asked if he spoke English {in German, of course}. Nope.

We went back and forth for a while adding in a little sign language along the way. Somehow, we came to an agreement to purchase a half cord {or maybe it was two cords} of firewood that he would deliver the next morning at 9:00. We tried to pay him up front and he let us know- no, you don't do that. In Germany, you receive the service or goods first- then pay.

Never the other way around. Good to know. As agreed to, he showed up the next morning and dumped our wood.

We didn't chat long- he did say how nice our area is and our landlord too. I'm sure he's been here forever as many of them have.
I told him we'd be back in a year or two or whevever we get through it. Jim says we got too much.

I think it's perfect. The old man just laughed. He's just around the corner. I'll have to add him to my list of older German grandpas that I'll give a friendly halo or Morgen to on my walks.

We couldn't be more thrilled with our new firewood which burns SUPER hot. We've had a fire going every single day and the heaters in the living room have been off which should result in a lower gas bill {we hope}.

Everyone is excited and can't walk past it without stopping to feel the warmth.

We're pretty sure Lady has enjoyed it as much as any of us. When a new log is put on with bright flames- she'll go over {if she's not already} and just stare. Otherwise, she's sprawled out in front of it. Oh, it's wonderful.

finally S E V E N years old

We think he might possibly be one of the sweetest kids around. He's super funny, always smiling and quite the peace maker in our family. Coleman's birthday is today and he's finally seven years old!

He was the most beautiful baby with a full head of blonde, highlighted {long} hair. One nurse called him the Rod Stewart baby, another referred to him as a little surfer baby.

We even had random people ask us if we had highlighted his hair. Everyone wanted to touch our little blondie.

He was calm and easy until he hit two weeks old. Uncontrollable crying {perhaps colic} kicked in making a rough next few months. We started liking him {again} once he was about 10 months old and able to move around.

Today, Caden and I joined him for lunch and recess, then cupcakes with his class- yummy red velvet. His birthday dinner request- pizza {a no-brainer} and chicken salad.

If only Daddy would ever get home with the big boys... it's hard waiting all day to open presents!

Lady's birthday is today as well- she's three years old. Caden had to pick her out a new {pink} collar and a few bones. She is quite loved around here.

time for the B O Y S to come home

Oh, this little lady just drives me crazy. Really, she's a wonderful dog and we wouldn't trade her for the world. But, every day around 3:30, she knows her boys are supposed to be returning home from school. The bus drops them off down the road and they walk through the door about 3:45. She did this in Kansas as well- somehow she just knows their schedule. She does the same thing at night when it's time to go to bed {with Justin}. She'll lay down on the floor in our room while we're all hanging out or watching a movie. Pretty close to 10:00, she's ready to head upstairs- just like clockwork. She knows.

After school, the problem is they don't always come home every day right when she's ready for them to arrive. From 3:30 until they walk through the door, I get to listen to her whine. It's really so annoying. She alternates between sitting up and lying down right smack in front of the door, on the rug of course, with the most pathetic whine.  I can scold her, but within a minute she's right back at the door waiting. Waiting and whining. On Friday, Coleman was home sick. Justin and Tyler stayed after school {as they do Monday/Wednesday/Friday} to lift weights. Once 3:30 came around and she didn't know what to do with herself.  So, she whined ALL the way until 5:30 when they showed up. Two solid hours. I thought I was going to lose my mind. How do you break something like this? She's going to be so lost when Justin goes away to college. We're going to be left with one depressed dog. Oh, she loves her boys.

The other morning, Ty was still {trying} to sleep. She's absolutely forbidden from jumping up on our bed, but knows the boys let her up on their beds. She jumped up to go back to sleep and Caden covered her up with his blanket. Maybe this is the problem.

Our Little LadyBUG

Exactly one year ago, we fell in love with these two big, brown eyes staring up at us though the kennel chain link at our local Kansas Humane Society. We knew we wanted a family pup to grow up with the boys however- we hadn't had the best luck in finding the right "fit" for our family. I thought she had an ugly, smashed face but, she was the right medium size. Jim immediately thought she was cute. We took her into a "visiting" room- and didn't take long for us to know we HAD to adopt her.

Our little LadyBUG (aka Bugsy, Lady) has been above and beyond the best pup a family could ever want! While we didn't know too much about Boxers (she's a Boxer-mix) we've definitely fallen for the breed. They're ABSOLUTELY a kid's dog- Caden especially is all over her ALL the time and she LOVES him. While a bit protective, she's as calm or full of energy as we are. While sitting at my desk, she'll curl up in a ball and keep my feet warm. But, if you want her to go for a run- she'll play hard! Loyal, Loyal, Loyal!! Stubborn, but so full of personality! We just love her!!

For all of the expense, work and clean-up of having a family dog, she's more than earned her spot in our hearts- can't imaging not having her!