Whole Lotta Love- Day 2 (Oops) and 5

Of Hubbies and Puppies...

      I have a whole lotta love for my hubby! We met when I transferred to another division of a retail outlet store that I worked for.  The one I was working at just wasn't a positive environment (and we'll leave it at that). However, it was a staff of all women.  I was a floor supervisor.  I became a floor supervisor at Steve's store, which had a management staff of all men (fun times...).  My first day, I was asked to do a display of shoe care items, and Steve was put in charge of my progress.  We both remember the situation differently.  He remembers thinking that I did a good job.  I remember being terrified of him because he seemed so serious and he made me nervous.

     Well, the more we got to know each other, the more we found out we had a lot in common. Around the time I got my first teaching job, he was transferred to another store nearby in Reading.  That is when we started dating.  A little over a year later, we got married.  God has blessed us with 15 years of marriage this year. 

     Steve is my best friend, my comfort, my shoulder to cry on, my encourager- my help-meet. He has been with me for better and for worse.  He has been by my side as I struggled to find relief from my Bi-Polar 2 disorder.  He has never failed in showing love and kindness even when I was at my ugliest.  Most of all what I love is that he makes me laugh.  Sometimes so much so that I either fall on the floor or have to use the bathroom (Sorry for the TMI, but I wanted to convey how hard he makes me laugh). Side-splitting laughter. You look at what God demonstrates as in Himself as our spiritual husband, and I am blessed to have a husband who diligently strives to be an image-bearer of that model.

Puppies...

     My mom and I frequently discuss how God just put so much thought into dogs.  What comforts they are.  What companionship and unconditional love they provide.  I am so thankful for God's provision of my dog, Bailey.  She is such a loving and snuggly dog!  Of all of the dogs I have had as a child and the one other I had as an adult, Bailey is the first one who truly loves me.  Who wants to sit in my lap and snuggle with me at night. She is company when Steve is away.  She is comfort when I am sick or depressed. She is a bundle of warmth when I am cold. We have had a few health scares with her, but I am blessed that God is gracious to continue to protect her and keep her in my life.

     We are thinking of adding a second dog to our family.  The last picture is of a dog we are fostering to see if the two will get along.  His name is Charlie.  I just brought him home tonight.  I googled how to introduce a new dog to an established dog.  No, there weren't fights.  Just one dog crying in a crate, and Bailey drooling with anxiety.  My couch looks like someone spritzed it with a hose. Bleck!  Now both dogs are asleep and snoring.