Doodledash

HI AMY!

Tonight I was asked by a good friend of mine a question I have pondered in the past. "Do you ever wonder what effect your family has had on other people's lives?" I sometimes wonder that and I know that I will often never know the answer to that question. Amy's disability and challenges have affected all of our lives. I believe that we have all become better and stronger people as a result of these challenges. They will either make you or break you. God has used them to break my stubborn and willful spirit. I like the person I am now more than I did before. I was selfish and willful. I fought and argued a lot. I am much more obedient to God and so much more open and willing to help others. I am thankful for the struggles and difficulties because I am a better person as a result of them. So many wonderful people have come into our lives as a result of Amy. One of the most wonderful is the person who asked me this question. Her name is Liz. She came into our family when...

My puppy is whining and barking sharply right now. He must want to get out. He peed on the floor by the backdoor this morning when I was at work. People were letting him run loose and not watching him as instructed. He has been nipping and biting. I had to play alpha mama dog and he didn't like it. I won't allow that behavior and made it quite clear to him. He whined and pouted. He looks so sad and pathetic when he whines. Time for the spray bottle.

I am sitting here waiting for the pants and shirts to dry. I emptied the dryer lint. It had remnants of pink, gray, blue, black, white and was soft and fuzzy. It actually is a lot like how I am feeling right now. School is over. One graduated from grade school and the other one from high school. My heart has little bits and pieces of memories, thoughts, emotions stored away. It all forms into a soft fuzzy blanket of life. The first day of kindergarten was so nervous for all of us. She sat there so sweetly name tag dangling from her neck waiting patiently for the bus. I had her sit down in the same spot and took her picture on the last day of school. This time a young woman half awake smiling patiently and tolerating her mom's request. I tear up as I write this knowing this may be the last summer she is home. She could leave and never come back. Who knows? How come there are so many baby books but not any young adult books for parents? I think it would be a helpful item. I feel very...