Roscoe

Today, I am going to dedicate my blog post to my furry little friend named Roscoe who I love so much and who brings me so much joy. We took him to the groomers today for the first time and looking at him with his freshly-shaved buzz cut 'do just inspired me to write about him.

First, let me give you a little history about Ross. We had been toying with the idea of getting a dog for a couple of months, and our friends have a goldendoodle who we just adore. I had been doing my research, and decided that we wanted to get a mini-goldendoodle. For those that are unfamiliar, a goldendoodle is a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle. They are supposed to be hypoallergenic, have very friendly dispositions and not get any bigger than 30ish pounds (the mini ones, that is), which is perfect since we have a small house and virtually no backyard. After perusing the internet, however, and searching within any reasonable mileage, I realized that finding one of these pups in a reasonable price range would be a difficult task. Well, one weekend I was visiting my friend Lindsey in Louisville while the hubs was out of town. I need to mention here that she has an adorable golden retriever puppy. I also need to mention that when this friend and I go shopping, I always get into trouble -- for some reason, she spurs me to buy things that I wouldn't normally buy. That being said, I'm sure you can guess what happens. Yes! I look up breeders in Louisville, and find one with "mini" goldendoodles who just happens to have a fresh batch of pups ready to be adopted. However, this is where I get TRICKED. I inform the breeder that I really want a miniature one because my house in small, etc. etc. Well, she back pedals a little, telling me that I in fact do not want a miniature goldendoodle because they are snippy, being bred with a toy poodle and all, BUT it is just my luck because she has a litter of normal sized goldendoodle pups with "the most adorable little runt" that "will get no bigger than 35, 40 lbs." Well, I am sold!  Off we go in my car to see the pups that she has to offer. It is LOVE. Literally, love at first sight.

I mean, look at this little guy.

So little and sweet. When we first met, he peed all over me. And I still took him home...now THAT is LOVE.

So, I called hubs, who was in Texas at the time and asked him what he thought. Actually, if my memory serves me correct, I called and called and called and called hubs and then left the breeders because I didn't want to give her an answer until I had talked it over. Lindsey and I scurried off to a movie and then I called and called the hubs again! Finally, we talked. [Let me insert here that he was in Texas to be in a friend's wedding, so he was actually very busy...he wasn't just ignoring me!] We talked it over and I was given final authority to make a decision. And now we have a dog, so I think you know what I decided! I was actually very nervous, and needed Lindsey's encouragement and prodding, but now (for the most part! :) am so happy with our decision.

Look at this little guy. We were home alone together our first night and I think he was scared.

It took us a while to come up with the perfect name. I really had my heart set on something that reflected my hometown of Lexington. We tried Ramsey out, but really couldn't make it work. Rupp either. Finally, Roscoe seemed to stick...so Ross it was!

My mom bought this Eeyore for me because he has always been my favorite Winnie the Pooh character. Ross took an instant liking to him, however, so I graciously allowed my dog-child to have him. Seriously, though, Roscoe loves that thing. He takes him in to sleep with him, brings him out every morning, cuddles with him, the whole bit. Sadly, though, Eeyore has seen his last day. That thing was ripped to shreds, leaving lovely little bits of stuffing all over my house. I wonder how long it will be until Ross notices his buddy is missing? It's been a day so far, and he doesn't seem to be too upset.

One quick shot of his Halloween get-up from this last year. I mean, seriously - how stinkin' adorable is this?! Hubs just about killed me when I put it on him.

Roscoe has his funny little quirks that just make me love him even more. For one thing, he is terrified of our vacuum cleaner. Also, he is scared of helium balloons for some strange reason. We had been having problems with him climbing into the trash can, so hubs came up with a clever solution. Seriously, with those balloons in place, Ross wouldn't come within a 10 foot radius of the trash can. And hitting the balloons? Hilarious. It would send Ross into a frenzy.

And now, a more recent shot of the lovable Ross, all 52  hairy hairy lbs. of him. Yes, not only is he larger than the 35 lbs. that was promised, he also sheds like it is nobodies business. I literally have to lint-roll my couch every other day. Hypoallergenic he is not. But boy do I love his furry little face!

The Past Week or So

I've completely fallen off the blogging wagon - I think I am still trying to make up in my own mind what exactly my blog is for. Is it for me? Others? Do I want to really invest the time into it and grow a following or just write about the events of my life as sort of a journal for me to look back on? I haven't decided on these things yet, so I've just been stalling writing. Regardless, though, even if this blog is only documenting events for ME to look back on, I still want to write about what's been going on, so here goes -

This past week was a pretty good one. We are winding down the weeks of student youth group and I am having bittersweet feelings about it. I have very much enjoyed this year with my middle school girls, and seeing how much our group has grown and evolved, and I know that I will miss the students over the summer. However, I do think I, and especially the husband, need to recharge and re-pour into ourselves and just get fired back up for the next school year. Hubs and I have been getting fed up with this fickle weather here in Ohio so we had a Winter Protest this past Wednesday with the students. Even though it actually snowed (can you believe that?!)  on Wednesday, we wore flip flops and sunglasses and made smoothies and milkshakes. We also played volleyball and limbo and were just trying to having a fun time with the students. Group was great as always, and something extra exciting happened on Sunday with one of our students, but I'll get to that in a bit.

Smoothie/milkshake table. Let me tell you - I was a smoothie making machine this night. I should start my own shop.

Some of the students protesting winter.

A little limbo action.

My mom, grandma and sister came up to visit this weekend and we had a great time as usual. They came up to do a somewhat belated birthday celebration. Mom brought my birthday basket, which is a tradition she started for my family a while back and it is my favorite thing. Basically, my mom just buys your favorite foods and little snacks and treats and other goodies and fill up a laundry basket full of those things when it's your birthday. I LOVE IT! This year, there was an extra special goodie tucked inside my birthday basket - a Pandora bracelet! Ahh. I was so excited. I had mentioned to my mom a while back that I would like to have one and she remembered! I LOVE IT!

My birthday basket. The Nutella and the Cheezits were already consumed before this picture was taken.  I CANNOT resist Nutella.

Anyways, we had a great time as always. We went to the outlets and did a little shopping, and then we went over to my in-laws and watched UK lose a terrible, terrible game. My heart still hurts thinking about how bad that game was.

Okay, I know that this post is now getting a little long - in fact, it has taken me three days to even write this daggone thing...but keep reading! This is the best part! - So, on Sunday, we got to witness a very special thing. One of our students has been coming to youth group for a few months now and she has really been asking questions and just trying to learn and embrace this idea of Jesus. Well, she finally gave Him her heart on Sunday and got baptized. It is such a cool thing to have been able to walk with her and help her sort through her faith and really make it her own. I feel so blessed that maybe God used me even a fraction of an ounce in this girl's life. Days like Sunday really help remind me why Josh and I do what we do!

That water is cold! Like, freezing freezing take-your-breath-away cold. That helps guarantee that it will be an experience they will never forget! :)

One more thing, I promise this is it - After the baptism we rushed on down to the Great American Ball Park and got to enjoy a beautiful, perfect day watching the Reds sweep the Brewers. We also sat in all-you-can-eat seats, which was a dream come true for the boys but not so much for me, as I felt obligated to get my money's worth of ballpark hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, chips and soda, OH MY. It really was a perfect day with friends. :)

The hubs and I enjoying a beautiful sunny day. I actually got a little sunburnt - which is such a beautiful thing! I forgot how much I miss the sun on my face. Ahh, welcome spring.

My dear friend Aubre and I.

The boys with some of their ballpark treats.