The New Du 2

So the first haircut wasn't quite what I wanted....so cut #2 has been added.

Now I have had three lengths of hair in one week - should only take 3 years to grow back should I decide I like the first picture best :)

R.I.P Shiver

Today we had our first real family loss. Courtney's pet guinea pig, Shiver, died while resting with her this morning. I'm glad I took lots of pictures with them together when she first got her. She felt comforted by seeing the fun times they had together. It was a very emotional time for both the kids and myself. Not because I will particularly miss the guinea pig, but because my daughter was so heartbroken.

Shiver's passing was a good time for me to explain the shortness of life and the fact that none of us is going to live here forever. I was in my office working on a school project with Andrew when we heard her sobbing. I had a feeling.... we went up to her room to see her holding Shiver to her chest and crying. She begged me to take it to the Dr, so that they could fix her, and Andrew left the room and went into his room and started praying that God would fix her. It was so sweet and so heartbreaking at the same time. I explained that the Dr couldn't fix her now, that she had passed away and we decided to give her a funeral. So off to the backyard we went to bury her and say our goodbyes. Then we created a cross so that Courtney could remember her always.
It didn't take long before they asked if they could get another one, a new friend to cuddle and take care of and I couldn't say "No". So off to the pet store we went. I'd like to introduce you all to "CoCo" the newest addition to our family. Though he will never replace Shiver in Court's heart, he has already eased the pain of losing her first pet and her first experience with death.

We will miss you Shiver - especially Courtney - but it was fun while it lasted!

Prayer

The slippery slope of SCHOOL STARTING and Andrew's behavior issues has begun. It started with no sleeping again....then moved on to being extra sassy and disobedient...and yesterday progressed to the violent talk. He told me he was gonna have blood on his hands, that he would get a sword and get blood on his hands. Where in the world does he come up with this stuff - and why why why does it have to come back each year after school starts. I am doing my best not to let it get to me and to be compassionate while he is in this phase.

Please pray that the progression stops - I just don't want to have to go thru the hitting, kicking, biting, spitting and hair pulling for three months again. I guess I should be thankful it goes away for 9 months and see the glass 3/4 full instead of 1/4 empty.

Thank you friends.... Am