Locked Out

Bringing a puppy into the mix of life has been full of moments. Moments of joy. Moments of crazy. Lots of moments of crazy. Lots more messes to clean up. And lots of moments of love.

The first week was a bit hectic. He really missed his family and couldn't settle down to sleep the first two nights. I tried everything I could think of, but it was all pretty fruitless. Around 4:00am the second morning (as Mike was headed out to the airport), I turned to trusty google for any kind of tip or answer to calm the pup so he could acclimate to the new home. And sure enough, a fantastic dog training video (McCann Training) popped up and offered just the tools I needed to help settle him in his crate and adjust a little easier. Since then, he's been making progress.

Figuring out puppy potty training and weaving it into the schedule of school drop offs, pick ups, volunteering, errands and after-school activities has been an adventure. But, training videos have been a helpful first step for catching ways to teach him proactively and overall, he's figuring things out.

One morning, after I'd gotten everyone off to school, I ran him outside and he was a bundle of energy. He and I had a blast running around the house and he's been playing fetch so well. When we were all done, we turned to go in the same door we came out. I have been teaching him to use the first couple of stairs, and as we took the last step to the door, I began to slip off my shoes and turn the handle.

But the handle didn't turn.

Immediately, I realized that I had managed to lock myself out. With no spare key. No other way to enter the house. And with a little puppy who was then ready for a nap.

After taking a stroll around the house (hoping I'd left something unlocked somewhere!), I came to the conclusion that the only way back in would be with a locksmith.

Gratefully, I had my phone. I don't believe I'd taken my phone with me on any other play time with the pup, but I distinctly remember having the thought "grab your phone" as I walked out the door. Not thinking much at the time, I placed it in my pocket and headed out with the puppy.

Yet, as I sat on the step with the puppy, I was SO grateful to have a phone. Of course I texted Mike and filled him in (who was in Mexico at the time), called a locksmith (ouch, they aren't cheap!) and hung out with the pup.

It's funny sometimes how bumps in the road remind us of how much opportunity we have to choose how we respond. My initial prayer when I realized the door was locked was that I could find an unlocked door and let myself back in. And while that initial desire wasn't answered, as I sat outside waiting for the locksmith, listening to the birds and the trees in the soft breeze, I realized that what I needed had been given to me before I realized I needed it. I was so grateful for the impression to grab my phone before heading out the door, and for His awareness in the little details of my life.

Coming Home

The day came to bring Vern home! I feel like the days leading up to it, I was running around doing as many house projects and errands as I could. While I knew life would move forward with a puppy just fine, there were some projects I knew would be easier without a puppy potty training time slot. And on the last school day, I was so grateful to be reminded that while "projects" are awesome to get done, nothing trumps a morning spent at the temple. A dear friend and I were walking out of a school performance Friday morning (we were set to pick up Vern Sunday afternoon, so it was my "last" Friday without the puppy) and in small talk I shared how I was catching up on things before getting the dog. She grinned and said, "or you could go with me to the temple." And of course I dropped all the lists and went. And guess what? Everything that needed to get done, got done, and everything else didn't really matter! Always grateful for the perspective and peace within the walls of the temple. Love the moments to meditate and reflect on Christ.

Once the kids came home from school, Sunday afternoon couldn't come soon enough for them. The anticipation of the new change had them all buzzing with questions and all kinds of energy. Those are moments I hold onto. The ones where so much life is happening within our walls, where the energy of the air feels so tangible you could reach out and bottle it up.

And like all things we live in anticipation for, the moment finally arrives. It was so sweet to visit with the breeders - such amazing people who offered all kinds of getting started tips and genuine love for their puppies.

Max had the luxury of holding Vern on the car ride home. He came home completely confused, but so full of puppy love and energy. It wasn't long before the kids had him running to keep up with them.

Then came nighttime. Yikes! His first couple of nights were well...brutal. I'm pretty confident in the fog of those first few days and nights of sleeplessness, attempting to crate train and cleaning up potty accidents, I called Mike at least five times to tell him we needed to return the dog (he was out of the country traveling for work). Of course, he was fantastic at leveling me back out, getting a longer-term perspective and hunkering into the short-term work. And to keep looking for those little moments.

Like the smile when Abby runs off the bus to get to Vern as quick as she can.
Or how she'll pull Vern close to start reading aloud on her own (prior to Vern, getting her to slow down for reading practice has been, well, challenging).
When Alexis jumps at the chance to take Vern outside and run with him.
Or Tayler who loves learning how to play with his puppy toys.
Or Max. Who smiles anytime he sees Vern and makes up new games to keep him entertained.
Or the prayers from Abby every day the first week "thank you so much that Vern came to our house."
Or the prayers from other kiddos of "thank you so much for helping us find the exact dog for our family."

So of course I couldn't even think to return him when I'd see those moments!

Puppy training videos have been a saving grace in this experience. And while we will be signing up for in-person dog training, it has been incredible what we have been able to find and apply from learning what is offered through videos. One video in particular helped me troubleshoot his overnight struggles and get him to actually start sleeping. It made all the difference!

We're at 2.5 weeks together. My phone is overloaded with puppy pics. He has grown so fast and every day we're learning and settling into a routine together.

Welcome home, Vern!

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.