Dog Fight!

So, here's the story:
I've been training our German Shepard to walk good on a leash. I had some money to give to Megan, Chad's sister. They have 5 small dogs. Bitsy has been around those dogs before and there has never been a problem. Now the stage is set.
I took Bitsy and the two younger kids and we walked to Megan's house. Bitsy was very well behaved and didn't even seem to notice two of the little yappers barking at her. Then the biggest of the bunch got out of the house and came directly at her. He got her by the neck and she drug him away from the kids, and off of her. That prompted the other dogs to try to get into it. Well, the kids were all fine, but Jesse was really scared. Eva was angry that the other dogs may be hurting her dog.

I finally got Bitsy out of the yard and was closing the gate when that dog came at her again. I kicked the dog back but Bitsy was already in defense mode. I felt her bite my leg. She backed off immediately when she realized the other dog was no longer there. She didn't take offense in the least, only defense. For example, one of the other dogs managed to get out of the yard with her and was barking and rushing at her, trying to bite her, she merely backed away from her. The kids were still in the yard and no dogs were near them, Bitsy was really only concerned with the safety of the kids. When the other dog had been caught and taken in the house, I looked at my leg. My pants and garments had been torn and there is a bite mark bruise there, but the skin wasn't even broken. I know it was the promise of wearing the garment faithfully that saved my leg. We were not in the wrong and we were blessed with safety.

Needless to say, we don't let our dog go anywhere near where those dogs might be. And, next time one of them gets out......I may just let Bitsy after it..........I'm not bitter or anything! I used to keep her at the house until they caught the little yapper, but when they attack my well behaved dog......they are no longer welcome to roam around where we live.

Things are going well here now. Bitsy has been more protective of the kids when they are outside playing. I'm glad that we got such a good and loving dog. She will follow the kids around and stay by them where they are playing.


I'm thankful for our safety in that situation. Jesse still talks about how "I hate dem mean dogs dere!"
I will take him a little while to get over seeing that.....I'm sure he will be fine!

Evidence of Eva's coolness

Eva is so cool! She just decided to ride her bike without training wheels. She is pretty good. She doesn't like riding on the gravel...it's too bumpy, but the deck gives her the perfect practice area. Pretty soon, she'll be off getting muddy and wet with Saul and his buddy Bryson!

8 of so many things.....

Okay, I'll give this a try!

8 Things I'm passionate about

• A strong marriage

• The Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Music

• Education-Education-Education

• My kids

• Number crunching-and yes, my checkbook is balanced every month.--I just can't help it!

• The outdoors

• Getting fit and healthy

8 Books I have read recently(do kids books count?--I sure hope so)

• Don't Let the Pigeon stay up Late

• Scrambled Egg Super--Dr. Suess

• Little Men--Louisa May Alcott

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

• Hooway for Wodney Wat

• Inside Outside Upside Down

• I Don't Like To Read

• The Book of Mosiah

(So, I read more kids books.....I can't help it, I just don't have time to read anything else. The time will come when I have time to do things like that.)

8 Things I often say

• Have a good day

• I love you

• See you this afternoon

• WHAT?!?!

• Where's Jesse?

• Have fun, be safe

• ______, please come here, I have a surprise for you.....(meaning a fun, character building job!--and yes, Dad, I got that from you!)

• Don't ride your bikes through the mud puddles!

8 Things I look for in a friend

• Sincerity

• Kindness

• Sense of Humor

• Some character trait I can learn from

• Spirituality

• Likes to have fun-a little practical joke

• Someone whose kids are the same age as mine

8 Things I learned in the last year

• I'm not as good at somethings as I thought I was...but I can get better

• I'm a darn good teacher, if I do say so myself!

• This is not something I've learned just this last year, but,......any parenting advice you might need, can be found in the scriptures

• I can expand my horizons and learn new things-like having all major music callings in the ward-at the same time.

• I now know a little more about computers, in general, than I did last year.

• Dogs are really fun pets to have, they just have to be outside dogs!

• I really would like to teach school......big surprise for some of you, I know

• I want to go back to school and finish out my degree

8 Things I want to do before I die

• Serve a mission with my husband, preferably to the Philippines

• See my kids grow up making good decisions

• Plant a successful garden

• Get out of debt

• Finish my degree

• Make a difference in some child(ren)'s education

• So, only six, I'm just not really motivated I guess!

8 People I want to do the 8 Things

• Well- I can't really think of 8 people, so....

• My siblings and their spouses

• Mom

• Dad

• Rebecca White

• Tamara Mitchell

Some cute pictures of Saul's birthday

Saul was able to open one present on his actual birthday.
Here is Saul's Monster Truck cake. Chad did the cutting and I did the frosting. It turned out really cute.
And here are the three musketeers. Kaiden Withrow, Bryson Theil, and Saul. They are best buddies. So sad that Bryson is moving to Indiana when school gets out. Hopefully he will be able to come and visit sometimes.

On Saturday, Eva and I went to a tea party hosted by the local library. She had a fabulous time! Miss Arkansas, Katie Bailey was there and visited with all the little girls, giving them signed pictures as well. Eva was in heaven. The food was tasty and it was fun to watch all the little girls having so much fun. We got to sit by Carrie Bales and her daughter, Taylor.

After the tea party, we ran to Wal-mart to get a few last minute things for Saul's birthday party. He had two buddies come for the party and it was a success! I will explain the success part later. They played outside for a while and then opened presents. Then it was on to cake and ice cream. His one friend, Kaiden Withrow, had to leave a little early. Bryson Theil stayed longer. The success part comes from both Bryson and Saul having to take showers before they were allowed to roam around the house again. When those two get together, they always end up in the creek wet and muddy. Bryson has gone home in Saul's clothes more than once! But, hey, they have a great time! So, Saul got a lot of cars and trucks and small lego sets. He was happy with it all.

Sunday was as lovely as a Sunday can be for me. I will be glad when I can enjoy Sundays, at least a little bit, again. I had choir practice at 9am but had to go early to practice the organ a little (due to the Eagle Court of Honor Wednesday, I didn't get the chance to practice then...) Chad has early meetings that are supposed to let out at 9am, that way he can take the kids while I lead choir practice, but no, his meeting didn't let out until 9:30.......so no help with the kids this time. I hurried into the chapel to play prelude and there was a definite roar already. By about 5 til I could take it no more. I leaned over to a member of the bishopric, who by the way was also talking, and asked him if he could "please shush the brethren and sisters, I can't even hear the organ playing!" He announced something about being more reverent but it only helped for a short time.....Very irritating! So, the rest of church went okay. The afternoon was nice. We went to Grandma Lena's because she had a gift for Saul. We visited and the kids played with the boys. All had a good time and there was no fighting!

Monday has been very busy. Saul had to pack a lunch for a school field trip. He went to Blanchard Springs Caverns. He had a good time. I took Eva to register for Kindergarten. I can't believe she is old enough already. She knows all her colors, letters, and shapes. There were a couple of numbers she could remember when she was asked about them. She is so excited to go to school! She is almost counting the days! She also learned to ride her two-wheel bike. She is so proud of herself. I will try to post the video I took of her riding. So many firsts in one day.......What a kid!