Puppy, Tupperware, and Quilt - What do These Three Things Have in Common?

Oh my goodness, well, I've broken all "rules" of blogging, I guess. Gary saved us a few weeks ago by posting something letting everyone know that we're still alive. But it's almost been 3 months since a post of "note" has made its way up on our site.

So let me tell you what all's been happening...

First things first, we've added a new member to our family. Introducing Moses, our "Chillon" dog. He's 6 weeks and one day old today, and his breed is a mix of a Chihuahua and a Papillon. We're not sure exactly which one he'll grow up to look more like, but right now, he looks like a little chihuahua, without such buggy eyes. Gary and I are so happy to have him, and so far he's been a really easy puppy. We've only had him for 2 and a half days, but the people we got him from did such a good job of raising the litter, that he's practically already potty trained, crate trained, and very well-behaved. He's definitely a snuggler, so that makes it hard when we have to put him in his kennel at night because he whines and cries the whole night (he was used to having his other brothers and sisters with him since he was born). The first night, we only got up twice to take him out, but last night, it was about 4 times. I think he just wanted the attention, and his clock is all off now. He's been trying to sleep all day, but we've been trying to keep him active so he'll sleep through the night (also keeping in mind that because he is a puppy, he does still need plenty of naps during the day). I took him on his first walk tonight. He's still getting used to his collar (he has a nervous itch when it's on) and his leash (doesn't like that one too much).

Anyway, he's been so much fun to have, and I really think he's going to be absolutely perfect for Gary, Lucy and me.

Here are a few pictures.

We really are one big happy family. You'll see Lucy sitting with the boys down below. She's tolerating Moses for now, and we're hoping this won't be a repeat of the relationship she and our former dog, Jake, had. Moses is a lot more timid than Jake ever was, even as a puppy.

Lil' Mo' is Daddy's little buddy. Gary just adores him, and the feeling is mutual. Moses has taken to both of us really well.

So here they are. Gary is doing a really good job of satiating Lucy's jealousy, and she's slowly getting used to the idea of having a little bro Mo'.

Next item on the news reel: I'm selling Tupperware! For those of you who didn't know already, you can go to my website and check it out. Kind of expensive, but this stuff lasts forEVER! That's what I'm most excited about.

Third, I finally finished Gary's quilt that I started on last June. It was intended for our 2nd anniversary on July 23, 2007, but it ended up being his 2 1/2 anniversary gift. It turned out really nice, and I must say I'm pretty proud of it. It took lots of work, but it is absolutely beautiful. Here are some pictures:

The top almost always takes the longest. I made a big mistake right before our anniversary, and we were just getting ready to go on our big road trip, so I had to put it away - and I didn't take it out again until December! That's how much my job really takes over my life!

I found the backing at Hobby Lobby on clearance for $2.00/yard. What a steal! It's the lyrics to the hymn "How Great Thou Art." Gary and I were looking at it after I finished it, and I noticed a misprint in the lyrics, but that's for us to know and no one else to find out! Minor details...It still works.

This was right after I had finished quilting the three layer (top, batting, and backing) together, and still had yet to quilt the border and sew the binding. It is about a Full size quilt. Alltogether, I think it's about 100" x 80" Very good size. Gary really likes it, and I'm just really glad that it's finished! Now, on to better things...maybe not bigger, but perhaps!

Here are some more pictures of our time in San Antonio over Thanksgiving. Molly is an absolute doll. We had such a wonderful time over Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families.

If you think about it, please continue to pray for the Lord's blessing on our future family. Gary and I are still trying to become pregnant, but to no avail...We may at some point in the next couple of months see about going to a fertility specialist, but only if God says it's okay. I'm pretty much against putting any kind of unnecessary chemicals in my body if I can help it. But I don't know which I would prefer: taking some sort of drug to increase fertility (either Gary or myself) or remaining barren. Please pray for God's guidance and more importantly, His peace, encouragement, and comfort during this time of frustration and disappointment. "Only when God sees fit," "God knows the perfect time," "When you stop trying, that's when it will happen," "Are you sure you're ready? Maybe there's a reason..." These are all well-meant comments that we've gotten over the last few months, and althought they're meant to comfort or encourage us, usually it has an opposite effect. I know that God has a bigger plan and it's obviously not for us to have a child right now, but it's very hard to live out this belief when sometimes I feel my clock ticking or I am around other babies.

Hopefully Moses will be able to provide a little satisfaction. He sure is cute enough!

With that, I will say goodnight. I'm going to go continue reading my One-Year Bible (I'm reading about Moses right now!) and wait for Gary to finish his homework so we can go "night-night."

Hopefully it won't be so long before the next update.