Life Lately
By:
Bobbie Byrd
Life lately has been good but crazy which means that it’s normal for us. 
A few weeks ago we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. I know, we’re old and we have the gray hairs to prove it. Our kids are way too happy to point that fact out to us every opportunity that they get.
But first let’s back it up a bit.
13 years and some months ago we bought a house but I couldn’t move in until after we were married. So naturally I suggested to Mr. Byrd that he get a dog to keep him company until I showed up and kept him fully entertained (because my antics tend to do that). 
So 13+ years ago we adopted our constant companion, Snoopy. He was a funny sight from the beginning. He looked like a dalmatian that just got robbed in the legs department but truthfully he’s a basset hound and dachshund mix. Except for some puppy issues, meaning he ate everything – spanish dictionaries included – he’s been an amazing dog. He’ll let the kids do anything to him and he just takes it with a wag of his tail. He truly has brought a lot of joy to our lives.
But he’s 13+ years old and I need to let him go soon. He’s having trouble getting up and has had a few seizures. I’m just not ready and we didn’t want our other dog, Cooper, to be alone when Snoopy does leave us.
So…. because two cats, two rats, two dogs, and four kids in the house wasn’t enough….
We welcomed Teddy Bear Byrd into our home. I’m going to let you guess what 7 year old got to name him.
We knew he was a puppy but didn’t realize what a baby he was until he had to be carried everywhere the first 24 hours and potty training is like trying to train a 3 month old baby.
But he’s become best friends with Cooper and for the first few weeks got old Snoopy up and moving some again.
But soon I have to let Snoopy go.
In the midst of all of the puppyness, our exchange student decided to go to homecoming with a group of friends.
We were so excited for her. She’s here to experience America and there’s nothing in Texas bigger than homecoming. We went with her to buy makeup and her and I went to get our nails done in preparation for the big day.
She was excited but I almost think in a way that Mr. Byrd and I were even fuller of nervous excitement for her.
Except that as my life goes, right before her friend arrived for them to start getting ready for the big dance, I was struck by a kidney stone. Mr. Byrd loaded me up and took me to the hospital while our exchange student rearranged plans so that another parent could take them to meet up with their friends for pictures. 
We missed getting to see her get ready and going with her to take pictures before the big dance. It was hard for us.
But in truth, in some ways the horrible kidney stone, showed me how loved we are by some.
I didn’t tell many people. Most of my friends still don’t know. But I did text a friend asking if two of our kids could come over and she immediately dropped everything and came to pick them up. Then I texted my prayer group just to ask for prayers.
Their response not just that day but for days afterwards was so overwhelming and loving that it blew me away. I am blessed to be loved like that.
Since that day a friend has offered to keep the girls for every doctor appointment and the prayer group is still supporting me because this kidney stone loves me almost as much as they do and has decided to never leave my body.
Yet armed with some sweet pain killers last week Mr. Byrd and I got to do a mini escape to Austin to celebrate our anniversary. 
We toured the LBJ Presidential Library which was simply and utterly amazing. I don’t even agree with a lot of his politics but it reminded me that we’re all in this together – working together for the good of America, even if we disagree in some ways. 
Our goal now is to get to more presidential libraries.
We ended our mini vacation at The Oasis, which is where we also went on our honeymoon. It’s a restaurant on the side of the cliffs overlooking Lake Travis. It’s known for some of the best sunsets in Texas and it does not fail to disappoint. Which you guys know I’m crazy for pretty sunsets.
And then the best part….
You know those huge stand up flowers you’ve seen all over Pinterest?
I finally made them.
Now it’s your turn. Go create something.
A few weeks ago we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. I know, we’re old and we have the gray hairs to prove it. Our kids are way too happy to point that fact out to us every opportunity that they get.
But first let’s back it up a bit.
13 years and some months ago we bought a house but I couldn’t move in until after we were married. So naturally I suggested to Mr. Byrd that he get a dog to keep him company until I showed up and kept him fully entertained (because my antics tend to do that). So 13+ years ago we adopted our constant companion, Snoopy. He was a funny sight from the beginning. He looked like a dalmatian that just got robbed in the legs department but truthfully he’s a basset hound and dachshund mix. Except for some puppy issues, meaning he ate everything – spanish dictionaries included – he’s been an amazing dog. He’ll let the kids do anything to him and he just takes it with a wag of his tail. He truly has brought a lot of joy to our lives.
But he’s 13+ years old and I need to let him go soon. He’s having trouble getting up and has had a few seizures. I’m just not ready and we didn’t want our other dog, Cooper, to be alone when Snoopy does leave us.
So…. because two cats, two rats, two dogs, and four kids in the house wasn’t enough….
We welcomed Teddy Bear Byrd into our home. I’m going to let you guess what 7 year old got to name him.We knew he was a puppy but didn’t realize what a baby he was until he had to be carried everywhere the first 24 hours and potty training is like trying to train a 3 month old baby.
But he’s become best friends with Cooper and for the first few weeks got old Snoopy up and moving some again.
But soon I have to let Snoopy go.
In the midst of all of the puppyness, our exchange student decided to go to homecoming with a group of friends.
We were so excited for her. She’s here to experience America and there’s nothing in Texas bigger than homecoming. We went with her to buy makeup and her and I went to get our nails done in preparation for the big day.
She was excited but I almost think in a way that Mr. Byrd and I were even fuller of nervous excitement for her.
Except that as my life goes, right before her friend arrived for them to start getting ready for the big dance, I was struck by a kidney stone. Mr. Byrd loaded me up and took me to the hospital while our exchange student rearranged plans so that another parent could take them to meet up with their friends for pictures. We missed getting to see her get ready and going with her to take pictures before the big dance. It was hard for us.
But in truth, in some ways the horrible kidney stone, showed me how loved we are by some.
I didn’t tell many people. Most of my friends still don’t know. But I did text a friend asking if two of our kids could come over and she immediately dropped everything and came to pick them up. Then I texted my prayer group just to ask for prayers.
Their response not just that day but for days afterwards was so overwhelming and loving that it blew me away. I am blessed to be loved like that.
Since that day a friend has offered to keep the girls for every doctor appointment and the prayer group is still supporting me because this kidney stone loves me almost as much as they do and has decided to never leave my body.
Yet armed with some sweet pain killers last week Mr. Byrd and I got to do a mini escape to Austin to celebrate our anniversary. We toured the LBJ Presidential Library which was simply and utterly amazing. I don’t even agree with a lot of his politics but it reminded me that we’re all in this together – working together for the good of America, even if we disagree in some ways. Our goal now is to get to more presidential libraries.We ended our mini vacation at The Oasis, which is where we also went on our honeymoon. It’s a restaurant on the side of the cliffs overlooking Lake Travis. It’s known for some of the best sunsets in Texas and it does not fail to disappoint. Which you guys know I’m crazy for pretty sunsets.
And then the best part….
You know those huge stand up flowers you’ve seen all over Pinterest?
I finally made them.Now it’s your turn. Go create something.
The post Life Lately appeared first on Clumsy Crafter .
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In reply to Lorene holbrook .
Thank you. Here’s a link to the flowers 🙂 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558905796818/
Hope your kidney stone is resolved soon! Those are not fun!!! Went to Pinterest to find the flowers you made. I looked up stand up flowers and only found fresh ones! Lease help!