Cast of Characters #2

the kids say that I left out some important family members in my introductions.... THE DOGS.  I'm debating if I give them anonymity.  They don't need it.  And Sweetpea Princess who graciously made the profiles on the other introductions say that the dogs won't stay still enough to draw.  Oh well,  I'll add something later (I love being able to edit!)
 disclaimer.... these are not pictures of our real dogs because it's true they won't stay still,  but maybe if Sweetpea feels some creativity she will draw them... pretty please?

SHEPHERD,  not her name,  though we really don't know her "real" name since we adopted her through a rescue group of german shepherds.  It had always been on my bucket list to go through the process of obtaining a rescue dog.  I think the kids thought I was just dreaming when I said we were going to do it.  I wanted a german shepherd because I grew up with them & know that they are easily trained to be protective.  This is what I wanted & in fact had told the girls that I wanted to name her "boyfriend killer".  I had this image of saying, to the invited boys at our house, that we rescued Shepherd & don't know if she was a drug dog,  while she was sniffing their pockets.  Well,  it was a pretty intense process,  with an application,  phone interviews which followed a home visit then a "meet & greet.  We had selected a picture online of the dog we thought we wanted & with other people meeting their selection,  we had an outdoor "party".   It was an hour away (seems like everything is an hour away from our small town) & we showed up early.  They were just bringing the dogs out with their foster parents & Dolly (she is who had picked) was shy with us.  Shepherd on the other hand was latched on to the kids & won their hearts.  She was there because her foster mom was bringing another dog & hadn't anticipated us.  It was a sad parting & we kept the name that we brought her home with.  It fits better than boyfriend killer.

POODLE,  also not his name,  came to us straight from his doggy mom.  Getting him is an example of what happens when you say,  "I'll never..." because,  I was never going to get a poodle,  for Christmas.  I actually got him for Baby Girl because she asked.  I think she was surprise when I said that I'd consider it.  I think she was mentally preparing herself to my answer of no,  since she had been disappointed so much in the past.  Daddy said she could have horse riding lessons when she was 13 (he died when she was 12).  I had said that she could be a guide dog trainer as part of her homeschooling in middle school.  We stopped homeschooling in 8th grade.  Baby Girl has had alot of disappointments in her young life.  And so when I heard about these puppies & she implored me for one.  I prayed & felt the "yes".  I know she was quite surprised & delighted.  We met the little thing when he looked like a black guinea pig & was the biggest one of the litter.  I wanted a black one because I had the idea that we would name him Darth Vader (I was still looking for a dog that would be a boyfriend killer!)  But we didn't name him that.  Sweetpea Princess did NOT think that we should get another dog & I thought if we let her name him hoping, it would endear her to him.  Ha,  she now calls him "her boyfriend".  I guess it worked.

Both dogs sleep with me.  The kids say it's because I'm alpha dog.  I think it's because I let them on my big queensize bed.  They sleep on Daddy's side.  They help me feel protected.  They are doing their job.  Plus,  they help keep me moving since I have to get up & take them for walks every day.

And so,  there you have it.... that's my cast of characters (for now)

Cast of Characters

As we were all gathered for Christmas,  my kids asked about my new blog & wondered how I was going to refer to them since I was being more discreet.  So,  I thought I'd introduce my family

Sweetpea Princess is my first born & probably had all the nicknames that are going to be mention (well maybe not the boy ones).  But her Daddy use to call her that when she was tiny & he would tuck her under his chin & then take a nap on the couch.  She is away at college,  but it is only 2 hours away so is able to come visit when her studies aren't intense (hardly ever since she is a 4yr 4.0 & is getting ready for grad school & doctorate program in Physical Therapy) & job schedule doesn't interfere.  Sweetpea has a heart for missions & has been an inspiration to many.  She's one of my heroes.

Superstar is 3.5 years younger but has been trying to keep up with big sister since she was born.  They "debated" if Daddy gave her this nickname,  but like I said before,  he called all of them interchangeably & I'm ending it now & calling her this.  It fits, because ever since she started swimming at the grand age of 5 she has been setting records.  Superstar is in her last year of public highschool & has been a testament of the solid foundation of homeschooling.  I think I was a good teacher for my kids.

Baby Girl really had this name for the first 2 weeks of her life since she was birthed at an urgent care & I took her home without naming her on her birth certificate.  I actually call her Sweetheart more because that's what she is..... the biggest heart for children & the underdogs.  I've discovered that her love language is the same as mine & it's been fun to watch her love on the people in her life.  I'm so blessed that I'm on of those people.

Brother,  my son,  coming at the tail,  12.5 years from Sweetpea & 6 years from Baby Girl.  He is all boy in a gaggle of girls & can get in a heap of trouble for it.

Linda Caroline,   a form of my name that one of my best friends from nursing school has dubbed me.  My father wanted to name me Caroline after the president's daughter.... my mother wouldn't have it & named me after her dead sister.... sigh... I have never really liked my name,  but it is what it is.














Daddy,  I think I'll introduce him here, as well, since he's still a big part of our lives.  He died 3 years ago of SNUC,  a rare form of brain cancer.  He was the best husband,  but even better Daddy & that's why I'm choosing to refer to him as that.