I can't hold it in anymore! (a rant on dogs)

Ok, so I have written this post in my head many times, then changed my mind before actually typing it out. But Saturday was the last straw. Please forgive me if this offends you. I am speaking of no one's dog in particular - it's more of a general dislike towards the entire species. I understand that dogs are "man's best friend", a great companion, heros at times, these days they seem elevated to the position of a child, but let me just get my feelings off my chest.
I never had a dog growing up, I don't even remember ever wanting one. We had a cat (which my brother wanted) and I never really even learned how to hold her. I wanted a rabbit and got Opie one Christmas. The first day was good, he peed on my bed but otherwise we were getting along great. I put him in his cage in the backyard and from that point on our relationship consisted of me putting food in his cage and trying not to get bitten. We had a couple cats but I can honestly say I never bonded with them. After Steven and I got married we would run together in our old neighborhood. Several times dogs would bark and sometimes approach us and Steven would continually try to teach me to be calm, not look the dog in the eye, etc, but I failed miserably. The dog can always tell I'm afraid and that does not invoke compassion - only more aggression it seems.
Sadie is not like me, she loves dogs and has always asked for one. Steven really thought I would change my mind but he's known me long enough to realize I can't even warm up to the nice dogs. Don't get me wrong - I am dismayed to hear about animal cruelty, I wish no dog harm (unless he's the one barking and growling at me or has harmed a child), they just don't do anything for me. And hear's my main complaint. I have many times now been innocently jogging or walking down the street when a unleashed dog will take off running and barking at me like I'm a criminal. Oftentimes, thankfully, the owner is near and immediately begins yelling at the dog to come back. Guess what? They never do. Seriously, I have never had a dog obey in that situation. I know, I know, my kids don't always listen, I'm ok with the disobedience. What irritates me the most is when the owner tries to reassure my terrified self that "he's nice", "he's never bitten" or my all time favorite "he wouldn't eat butter off a hot biscuit!" I'm sorry, people, that may all be true but when an animal that is kin to a WOLF is charging at me and growling, showing his teeth, your words are not reassuring. What I would prefer is for you to actually catch your animal and hold onto them while I jog past and smile at you on the public street. Is that too much to ask? I know dogs serve a very important purpose in most people's lives, I just had to share the other side of the story. Check back in 10 years, my kids might eventually wear me down and I'll get all attached and blind to my own little wild puppy. In the meantime I'll be jogging down a different street.:)

Field trips, soccer, and Mother's Day

After my last post I sent Sadie back to school, my little two to Bible Study with Grandma, and Eli and I headed out to the butterfly farm together with his class. To make it even more special I swung by McDonalds on the way there for some pancakes, Eli is such a picky eater but he can flat out inhale some hotcakes. 

Not many more field trips left with this little guy. He told me today that everyone else cheered when they talked about going to a new school next year, everyone but him and Morris (his cousin and best buddy). I have never liked change, either, so it looks like my little homebody might be the same. Or he just realizes that preschool is a pretty sweet place, it pretty much goes downhill from there, right?

Speaking of a good life, this little girl in the middle here thinks she can run with the rest of them. She absolutely adores her cousins, and they're really good to her, too. Number 5 isn't in the picture but he, Sadie, Bennett and Morris are all playing on a soccer team together. Steven and his daddy are coaching, it is a true family affair. 3 of them have goals already so it's been an exciting season! Back to my little redhead, she is really coming into her own, she might be my fiestiest one (how is that possible??). She can throw a serious tantrum and she's only 15 months old!! She is starting to say a few words though and we are loving her little antics. 

Last weekend was 

Mothers Day and it was a sweet time.   Sadie brought home a folder with things she had written about me all week, my favorite was a story called "Supermom" where I came in and killed a fox. Eli made me something, too, that he was so happy to bring me. Four little blessings, they are. They do drive me crazy, tonight I lost it when I had to clean out underpants, again, I do not understand how you do it my cloth-diapering friends. I feel like we will never get there with D, he does well with the first order of business (not the second!) but it's gotten to where I realize he's missing, start yelling and running towards his voice, only to find I'm a minute too late. Poor guy, he's probably traumatized by my ungodly response this evening and will take days to be brave enough to go again. It's been almost 7 years of diapers, several of those years with 2 in diapers. But I'm not complaining (well maybe just a little), these diaper days are sweet. Stinky at times, but worth every minute!