Gus and Other Goings On

My Hubby is an outdoorsman. He hunts, he fishes, he sets up feeders, cameras, and deer blinds. Every good hunter needs a hunting buddy.

This is Gus. He is cute as could be, with his white fur and dark patch around his eye. He sort of resembles the Target dog! In this picture he looks deceptively calm and peaceful, doesn't he? In real life, though, he is anything but calm. He lives in the backyard most of the time--because he's an outdoor dog. But even an outdoor hunting dog must start out as a puppy. That means running, chewing, and general destruction of everything in his path. This is what we woke up to one morning last week:

No, it didn't snow in our backyard. Gus must have decided he didn't like our outdoor decor, so he removed the cushions from our bench swing and shredded them. WITH HIS TEETH.

This is what I will be sitting on from now on while I watch the boys jump on the trampoline. Aaarrrggghhh!

In other family canine news...meet Uno. He is Abby's cousin, the dog-child of my brother. Phil rescued him from a shelter almost 12 years ago, after he had been abused and lost vision in one of his eyes. Hence his name, Uno. He also answers to "Richard."

I got to fly to Houston this past weekend to attend 2 wedding showers for The Brother and his Other. I saw a lot of people who love me, but no one was happier to see me than this furry guy.

This is my little (but much taller) brother with his two sisters. His wedding is fast approaching--we are so thankful for his beloved and their joy.

These are the ladies I used to refer to as "Mom's friends," but now I don't feel like they are just hers--they are ours. These women have managed to make real love and friendship stretch between Houston and Dallas in ways that are both creative and beautiful. They have comforted my amazing mother when she needed them most and cradled her hurting heart in such a tender way, often standing in the gap for me and giving her what she needed when I couldn't. They are funny--good grief, are they funny!!!--and fun to be with. I adore this picture of the six of us, and I hope it ends up on some people's desks in the Children's Ministry office soon!

I also had the opportunity while I was in Houston to attend my parents' church on Sunday morning. I didn't actually go to the service, though--I spent three hours walking the halls of the children's building, putting faces with names of people who have been such a blessing to me over these last months. I was so excited to hug (and be hugged by) countless people who recognized me and wanted to tell me how they have been following my story and praying for me. Houston friends, the pleasure was all mine. Thank you so much for who you are and how you've ministered to us. It was such fun getting to visit you!

Many friends have asked me how I am feeling since beginning maintenance chemo last week. Here's the answer: I am better than I was, but not as good as I want to be. I am not lying in a dark room, nor am I feeling fantastic. The chemo makes me feel fatigued and gives me muscle aches, especially in my legs. Those symptoms seem to fade within a couple of days, so hopefully it will be the case this week as well.

I went to my second session today. Let's just say that when the pouring rain this morning meant that I had to sit through the painfully slow car line to drop the boys off at school (but don't get me wrong--we need the rain and I am thankful!), and then when my car wouldn't start after dropping Baby at a friend's house, I should have known it might not be the best day I ever had. Yep--far from it. The chemo room was full of true characters. I don't want to be friends with those women, especially not the one who has been going to chemo for three years and who doesn't mind telling anyone and everyone that her toenails are falling off. Ewww. Today I took my ear buds, but forgot my iPod at home. No matter--I just plugged it into my computer and listened to nothing, hoping they would take the hint and leave me alone. My Facebook status today simply reads "Ugh."

It's been a long day, so I am off to pop some pills and enjoy an early bedtime. I have a few more tidbits to share, but they can wait until the weekend. Stay tuned...