November for the Clelands

I seemed to experience every sort of emotion to the fullest in the month of November. I cried tears of joy at Felicity's baptism, sobbed (many times) on Thanksgiving after Sully was badly injured by a pit bull, and had a good bit of anger and confusion in the middle. Anger because I have never seen so much urine in my life as I did this month! Sully and Felicity seemed to be out to pee all over everything (okay Felicity was not out to spite me, but Sully was!), and they just about succeeded. Then, we found overnight diapers for Felicity and Sully seems to be getting the attention he so desperately wanted, so the problem has been solved (: Deep down though, the urine was not the issue, but it was more like the straw that broke the camel's back. However, the camel's back is now recovering and doing much better (:

The confusion came from wondering what to do next? Where to turn? I was abruptly discharged from physical therapy so that I could do it on my own time and had some bad physical pain right about that time, so that left me feeling quite alone in my journey with pain. But, I am extremely overjoyed to say that I have had little physical pain for the past week. God has not only given me relief from pain, but I have also gotten some clarity regarding my pain and caring for myself. It has been amazing beyond words. I can't thank God enough.

So, rather than being too wordy in my review of the month, I will show some pictures and hit the high and low points of the month:

This is a terrible picture. Forgive me. It's more of a reminder of what we did than anything else. Daniel and I had a perfect date up in Blairsville where we did some apple-picking, shopping, eating, and lots of talking and driving. It was so refreshing to get out on a sunny, beautiful, perfectly Fall day. Thanks to Gigi and G-Paw for taking care of the little one and Sully!

I always look forward to Saturdays, but usually end up missing Daniel and feeling the tiniest bit disappointed on the 2 Saturdays a month that Daniel has to work. Though sometimes Felicity and I stay at home and get work done, some days we make fun plans. We had no fun plans the first Saturday in November, so we went to the park! I really should have taken advantage of the neighborhood park much sooner. Better late than never! Felicity absolutely loved swinging on the swingset for the first time! Can't you tell? Above, she is clapping out of sheer excitement!

Felicity and Sully became friends with 2 brothers we met at the park! They loved petting Sully and even helped push Felicity while I was tending to Sully. I also enjoyed talking to their mom, who has 4 kids and fully understands the woes of motherhood!

Thinking baby. The little girl winds down after lots of swinging.

The Big Fight

Sully ran free on Thanksgiving morning (he has a history of getting loose) just as we were about to drive to Auburn to see lotsa Clelands. He entered the territory of 2 pitbulls and got in a fight with one of them. If you know Sully, you know that he is pretty tough for a small dog. But, he is still a small dog. So, needless to say, he didn't fare well though he did put up a good fight. He came home on 3 legs with blood all over the place. (Let me clarify: he still has 4 legs! It's just that one was injured. The blood was from the bite wounds) For a little bit we wondered if he would make it. I am so proud of Daniel for acting quickly and making decisions that proved to be spot-on, though he was emotionally drawn into this emergency case. He and my father-in-law took great care of Sully and brought him out of shock and to a point where he could begin to recover. Sully is now acting like his crazy self again with only a few little hindrances! Hooray! Gosh I love that dog!

Though I was initially very very upset over Sully's injuries, I ended being more upset when the owner of the pit bull angrily came looking for the man who had kicked his dog. That man, of course, was Daniel. He did the kicking in an effort to break up the fight. Daniel's mom and I got down on our knees and prayed that this situation would smoothly work out (thanks Gran- I was a mess!). Things really couldn't have worked out better. Daniel and his mom visited the dog owners once Sully was a little more stable, and the man's wife and Daniel's mom ended up hugging and sympathizing with one another! The pit owner didn't seem to mind having a veterinarian do a free house call, either!

The patient and the doctor. Tired after a couple of rough days.

Pitiful pain med Sully.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Caring for Sully slowed down our holiday plans, but we still fit a lot in. We spent a couple of days with the Clelands and still traveled to Auburn to see more Clelands after Sully's big fight. We had planned to spend 1.5-2 days with the Mardis family, but ended up just getting doing a day trip to visit them. However, it was great to have some quiet time at home with them, since we are usually on the go with the Mardis fam! Sully's recovery also allowed us to decorate for Christmas during Thanksgiving weekend! To the best of our recollection, Daniel and I have never decorated that early. It was especially fun now that we have a baby, a house, and a more realistically sized Christmas tree!

I will always hold a special place in my heart for the 4 foot tall tree my parents loaned us for the past 4 years. However, it is fun to have a more "grown-up" Christmas tree this year!

Love them and love this. What a special time. So precious.

Well my honey's almost home so I'm going to tidy up and get ready for bed. I hope you all are enjoying a wonderfully frigid December and Christmas season.

I know it's a bit early, but I can't help it:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love y'all,

Kirby Lynn