Meet Vern

Meet Vern.

Officially joining our home next week.

The excitement in the air is tangible.

Maybe it's because Abby has wanted, hoped and wished for a dog for two years (the three years of her life prior to those two years she was hysterically afraid of dogs, and mascots, but those are stories for another day).

Maybe it was the most heartfelt letter we read addressed to Santa on Christmas Eve, including how that certain kiddo would own the long list of jobs, and was willing to put forth what they'd been saving up for the past year toward a dog.

Maybe it was joy we saw as they fell in love with dogs every time we'd visit a family with one.

Maybe it's been long enough since Kermit passed that we felt ready to start with a puppy again, and the "work" has been forgotten.

Maybe it's the laughter we hear when they interact with a dog.

Maybe it's because they've all been asking, hoping for years that we'd add a dog to our home.

Maybe.

But the truth is, no matter how much Mike and I found reasons "why" all of their reasons for wanting a dog just didn't make sense, we're learning. That sometimes what makes the most sense is the path the asks for a little more trust, a little more risk, a little more work and a little more love.

Because we know from past experience, that those are the paths to walk toward. One step at a time.

Once we made the choice to move forward, finding Vern fell into place.

We chose to surprise the kiddos and loaded everyone into the car for an 'afternoon drive.' Heading further north than we'd typically go, they began asking all kinds of questions. To really wonder why we were containing them yet again in a car. And then they started to guess. And sure enough, Abby raised her hand and said "I know....we are getting a DOG!!!!" 

We had the joy of choosing Vern at five weeks old and have been able to visit him every week since. Choosing his name came shortly after we chose him. Our pantry door was full of all kinds of boy names. One by one we added them, and one by one we took names off. Until Vern just sank in, and felt just right. 

Of course we looked up the meanings of "Vern" which included: "the chosen one" "alder tree" rooted from a latin word meaning "excellence." Total keeper.

I've been spending these last few weeks of "freedom" running around trying to knock off all kinds of projects - from painting bedrooms to organizing things, to running any errand I can think of so I can be all in when he's ready to come home. 

This new adventure is going to be fun.