{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by the once-again new-mama SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Little Diggers

Admittedly I am behind on my garden. That's okay with me. I had to give some things up this year, and one of them was growing my own plants from seed. With that lack of motivation and a homestead distraction, we don't even have anything in the ground yet. But by the end of this week we will for sure. At least that is my goal. Of course if everyone gets the stomach virus that Kane and I have just come down with, that goal might have to be pushed back into next week. But at least I have  a little help with the preparation of the garden. My little diggers were working hard Saturday. The older two weren't really interested in gardening, but the younger three were (dog included in that number). Helena is really getting into "DUUURT" this year, and is always there to help out.

Max and Mona pitched in their fair share also. Max shows her how it's done, but Mona is quite the natural digger on her own.  I have been working with her to get her to stop when I say enough is enough. She has to learn some boundaries in the garden if she's to be allowed in after we plant.

"But Mama, your dirt that you grow in your garden is so tasty. Why must I stop?"

At least if she has to rest, she rests happy. This is THE picture of a happy pooch.

{this moment}

Two weeks worth of...
{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

She's here!!!

Mona is here. She has had a long day, and is very nervous and anxious, but we are already seeing hints of her personality shining through. She is very curious and inquisitive about the kids, although reserved at this time. She has some spunk in there, too. She was up and sniffing around the house a couple of times since she has been home, and is mostly just desperate to lie down on a lap right now. She has really taken to Adam, and is sound asleep beside him on the couch right now. We are really looking forward to seeing her shine as a part of our family. Welcome, Mona!

Waiting for Mona

Today, we're preparing. Today, we're waiting. Today, emotions are high. We add a new family member soon. In fact, Adam is on his way to the airport to pick her up right now. After so much research and deliberation as a family, we found our dog, our Mona. She is a six-month-old coated Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eets-queent-lee). Here is her picture from her breeders:

Isn't she the sweetest? It was love at first sight for Adam and for me when we saw that face. So while I should have been cleaning today, I have instead had to do what I can to get everyone's emotions under control. For Laini, it is a little extra nursing and peeking to get smiles instead of grumps. She can sense the added emotional tension of the day.

For Max, it's just some extra "oofing," and letting him destruct things, like tortilla chips with a marble rolling pin. There's no better way for Max to get out his emotions than crushing something.

For Kane, it is a little more involved. After a short outburst of negative emotions where I had to chase him around the yard to get ahold of him and bring him inside after he refused to come in, he spent some time in his bed. After he was calmed some, he was throwing stuff all over the room. Yes, that was calmed down. So I grabbed a pillow and smacked him upside the head with it, and a fierce family pillow fight insued. That took care of it for him.

And for Bella, there are the conversations. We are talking a lot about what to expect, and what we're going to do with dear Mona. And then there are the running-around-the-living-room-in-circles times, which I think I'll have to do with her soon, as she's dangling off my chair arm and breathing in my ear, jumping up and down and swinging my chair all over the place.

Makes it hard to get a post done. I've been working on this for hours. But, hey, I have to do what I need to get out those emotions as well. So now it is off to finish our whole-house puppy-proofing and get some much needed sunshine before we all have to settle down so Mona can join our family.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Have a blessed and happy weekend.