How cute is that!

Timber is doing fantastic!  We are finishing out his last round of treatment and we couldn't be happier with his progress.  

And when I say bliss, I mean knock your socks off, both kids in bed by 8pm and asleep shortly after that good times a coming bliss.  Can you tell I am ecstatic!  
It's been five years people.  I have shared my bed for 5 years with at least one child.  One kicking, hitting, rolling around and pulling the covers off kid.  Lots of nights, times two. 

Now, in case you were wondering how....I will let you in on my secret......

First....get good and pissed.  It will help later in the process. 

Next, take the kid that's the worst, and put that one in his/her bed.  Tuck them in.  Say night night, time for bed.  A routine doesn't hurt here either.  We do snack/drink, 5 minute warning, bathroom, story then bed.

Now sit.  Right next to the bed.  At first the child will try to talk to you.  Ignore it.  This is key and will be your best friend during this process.  The power to tune it out.  Whatever you do, do not answer.  You are there in just body, not mind.

Next, the child will get angry.  He/She may scream and cry.  Even throw insults out like, "Get out of my room you idiot Mommy!" 

Ignore it. 

Maybe he/she begins to jump up and down in their bed.  Throw a pillow at you.  Even take a toy gun and toss it at your head.  It hurts, but don't show the pain.  Grimace inwardly. 

Ignore. Ignore.  Ignore.   And this is about the time you need to be good and pissed.  That bump on your head was actually a blessing in disguise.  It helps your stamina.  Plus, plugging your ears with your fingers helps.  

After the throwing subsides, you will notice the little imp begin to get tired and lay down.  Maybe even fetch the blanket and pillow and cover themselves up. 

And after a few more minutes, he/she is asleep.  

Now, you can leave.  Get a glass of wine.  Prozac.  Whatever helps. 

The next night?  Do it again.  But beware, they are onto you, so you really need to be on your game.  The fits get worse on the second night.  Don't give in, and believe me, you will want to.  45 minutes of pure screaming will do that to a person.  Fingers in your ears works here once again.  

By the third night?  All will be good in your world.  This night I took my book in and sat for maybe 15 minutes.  No screaming.  No talking.  Nothing.   Just rolled over and went to sleep.  

And each night thereafter was the same.  After about a week, I no longer needed to sit.  Just tucked in, talked for a couple minutes and off I went.  

What's even better?  Because you fixed the worst kid first, the other child gets to hear all the screaming.  And since it's behind closed doors, they have no idea what the hell is going on.  Thus, that child just rolls over and goes to sleep just to avoid whatever they thought happened to the first one. 

Genius I tell you.  

Halloween would have been awesome.....if it wasn't for that pesky downpour.  Seriously. 
We have more candy left than I know what to do with. 

But, we did get a block in of trick or treating, so it wasn't all bad. 

Timber.  Timber.  Timber.  The puppy who has cost us a fortune.   Caused havoc among the household.  Those huge feet just teasing us of his eventual size.  The puppy nips.  Holes in our clothes.  That white streak racing across the yard chasing my chickens. 

But, I wouldn't change it for the world.  I knew, looking into those eyes that first time, that this dog was different.  There was something about him, something magical.  It's nothing I can explain, but can feel.  He is special.  

And he proved it.  A few times already.  But one sticks in my mind, and most likely wil,l for a very long time........

Just like any normal weekday, I was in the shower well before 7am.  Both kids joined me in our tiny bathroom along with Timber, who each and every morning, lays beside the bathtub.  This morning, Chachi was sitting on the toilet lid and Stink was playing with the magazines.  I had just finished rinsing my hair when I glanced out the clear curtain and noticed Stink was standing in the sink.  Don't ask me why.  He's a strange kid.  I quickly yelled out for him to get down.  At the same time, Timber scampered up from his spot and began to walk over towards the sink.  In slow motion, I watched in horror as Stink fell head first from the sink towards the tile floor. And Timber, brace himself, as Stink wrapped his arms around the dogs neck on his way down and slid around the dog's body landing safely to the floor.  

I was in shock. 

Stink was in shock.

Timber just resumed his position at the base of the tub. 

Without a better word....it was awesome.  Any normal dog would have scooted away, the thought of getting crushed under someone too great to withstand.  But not Timber.  He put himself in harms way without a thought.  

He just confirmed what I believed all along.  He is special.  And worth every penny.  

And I didn't even mention the fact that he has alerted me to the sink overflowing and Chachi screaming for me to wipe her butt.