In memory of things once chewed.

When I brought Dakota home, she was 5 weeks old and somewhere around 10 pounds.  Now she is almost 4 years old and pushing 100 pounds!  Our first 2 and 1/2 years were rough.  Dakota was mostly "South" and the only way to wear her out enough to sleep at night was to go kayaking at the lake or play fetch on the tennis courts for hours.  Things have changed.  She's getting older and bigger and wiser and "North-er".  Occasionally, I take all this "North Dakota" behavior for granted, I start thinking that all the "South Dakota" days are behind us.  That's when South Dakota sneaks back in to rip a limb off a tree in the backyard or waits patiently for me to walk away for 2 seconds so she can discreetly devour my blueberry muffin.  That's right, this morning, South Dakota stole my muffin right out of it's little bowl on the arm of the couch!  (I'm not quite sure how she got the muffin with out breaking the bowl, but that's neither here nor there.)

Dakota loved Gator when she was a puppy.  She slept with Gator.  She played with Gator.  She carried Gator everywhere. Then one day, alone in her crate while I was at work, she ate Gator.  By the time I got home, all that was left of poor Gator where his beady little eyes.  Gator was the first to fall victim to Dakota's mighty jaw and, sadly, he wasn't the last...






Some of the things Dakota chews are acceptable, albeit slightly odd: Big bones.  Grass.  Snowballs.  Ice cubes.  Crickets.  Firewood.  Avocado seeds.  Apple cores.  Carrots.  Lake algae.  Her paws.  Empty peanut butter jars.

But most of the things Dakota finds to destroy are NOT acceptable: Stuffed animals, her bed, pillows, old couches... anything with stuffing.  Toilet paper, books, magazines... anything she can rip to shreds.  Ink pens, batteries, vacuum cords... anything toxic.  Underwear, poop, trash... anything gross.  Bobby pins, paper clips, razors... anything small and sharp that could make her choke and die.  Money, picture frames, my leather journal... anything valuable.  And the list goes on.


There are a few things Dakota doesn't show much interest in chewing.  Surprisingly, she's never destroyed any of my shoes.  She likes to pick them up and carry them around, but they're still all in one piece.  And she didn't chew on Garrett when I had to put him in a box (because my apartment was too dangerous for a curious baby, not because I'm cruel).

Look out Amy, here we come!

This weekend we drove all the way across Texas to visit Amy at Camp BlueHaven in New Mexico.  The drive was so long that I read three whole books... well, I had already started two of them, so it was more like two three-quarter books and one whole book.  No matter which way you add it, you still come up with a long time in the car!  I should also mention that Jes had to stay in Dallas and work, so she was only able to be with us photographically.

Amy was soooo happy to see us!!!  And I'll admit that we were kinda happy to see her, too.  She's been a counselor at camp for six weeks, so she had lots of stories to tell.  And trust me, she told as many as she could!

The first day, we made bar-b-que meatballs and corn.  Then Amy took us on a tour of camp.  A couple of counselors are getting married at camp at the end of the summer, so they built a new bridge across the stream.  Mooly and Daddy had to test out the bridge to make sure it was suitable for a wedding.  They approved.

Saturday morning, while the parents were still sleeping, Amos took me and Jes to her favorite spot at camp.  We hiked about 15 minutes before we came to a big clearing.  Mountains surrounded the clearing on all sides, and it was the quietest place I've been in a long time... we didn't even hear any birds.  After the 'rents got up and ready, we went to Santa Fe to get Amos some moccasins.  It was VERY hot and we had to walk around almost the WHOLE city, but we finally found some moccasins she liked.  Jes said they were really awesome, so Amy decided to get them.

Sunday morning, we went to church and ate lunch at camp.  We gave Amy one last hug and got back in the car for the long trip home.  Luckily, we stopped to spend the night in Lubbock with grandparents and cousins.


I know you're all wondering what Dakota did while we were gone.  Don't worry!  She stayed at "Bark! Boutique Hotel for Dogs" for five nights.  She played and swam and played some more.  She even got a bath and "pawdicure" (I didn't make that up... that's really what they call it).  They must've worn her out good, she's been sleeping for the past three days!

Relationship: A two-way street of verbs.

"I am a verb. I am that I am.  I will be who I will be.  I am a verb!  I am alive, dynamic, ever active, and moving.  I am a being verb... and as my very essence is a verb." --The Shack

God's side of the street: 

Creating, loving, knowing, promising, fulfilling, providing, revealing, residing, living, consuming, unyielding, guiding, showing, listening, speaking, understanding, illuminating, alleviating, rescuing, working, watching, reaching, chasing,teaching, pursuing, communing, connecting, orchestrating, penetrating,  interceding.

Healing, redeeming, sustaining, sanctifying, purifying, cleansing, renewing, refining, reconciling, forgiving, incarnating, sacrificing, resurrecting, completing, restoring, filling, overflowing, protecting, freeing, redefining, satisfying, encouraging, uplifting, shielding, strengthening, preparing, sharpening, disciplining, blessing, investing, equipping, sending, leading.

My side of the street:
 
Believing, trusting, loving, accepting, choosing, seeking, following, communing, waiting, returning, resting, submitting, releasing, receiving, leaning, searching, knocking, asking, enjoying, relying, surrendering, hoping, anticipating, living, self-denying, reciprocating, absorbing, reflecting.

Praying, worshiping, rejoicing, imitating, sharing, confessing, repenting, growing, reading, learning, changing, deepening, listening, hearing, responding, relating, singing, kneeling, falling, soaring, going, telling, obeying, fruit-bearing, testifying, glorifying, magnifying, doing, devoting, planting, watering.

FYI: I didn't want to read The Shack.  My Daddy made me do it.  I'm so glad I did.

A not-so-subtle weekend.

A couple of weeks ago, I had an afternoon meeting with a missions committee at a church in Dallas.  That same morning, the sermon was on "Jehovah Jireh... God the Provider".

This past Sunday, I had another meeting at a church in Russellville, AR.  The church had spent the last few weeks studying the Lord's Prayer.  This week, the message was about "Give us this day our daily bread."

Two meetings asking churches for money, two sermons on God's faithfulness as our Provider.  So God, what exactly are you trying to tell me here?

For lunch on Sunday, Jael and Cole drove up from Little Rock to meet Mary and me for pizza buffet at the BEST pizza buffet EVER... Razorback Pizza.  My mouth was watering all through church in anticipation of lunch.  All I can say is that it's a good thing I don't live close to Russellville because I'd be eating pizza buffet at least 3 times a week.  My mouth is watering again just thinking about it...

Then we went to Starbucks to kill some time before I had to be back at the church and before Jael and Cole had to go back home.

The time with my friends was much needed, but I will say that drinking coffee before a presentation may not have been the best idea... Caffeine plus anxious nerves plus an overly-expressive personality equals one heart pounding-fast talking-arm flailing-perspiration inducing-did you catch anything I just said? kind of presentation.

On another note: I took Dakota to the vet today for her shots.  She weighs 95 pounds!

I'm not a pansy anymore.

Does this look like the face of a cold-blooded killer?  Well, tonight it did! 

Mooly was in the kitchen.  I heard her tell Dakota to get back, and then she called for me.  "What is THAT?" She was pointing at something on the floor.  I leaned in for a closer look, afraid that my suspicions would be confirmed.  They were.  "That's a scorpion," I answered. 

I couldn't believe the words that came out next, "Hold Dakota, I'll kill it this time." 

WHAT?!?!?!?!  Was I crazy?  Why couldn't I just make Mooly be the hero again?  Why did I have to prove that I wasn't scared of the scary scorpion?  These were the thoughts running franticly through my mind while I went off to put on my tennis shoes (so the scorpion's nasty tail couldn't sting the top of my foot) and find the orange birki (aka "scorpion death smasher"). 

I nervously walked back into the kitchen.  I got low to the ground, poised in my fighting stance, ready to fight the scorpion.  Mooly looked at me encouragingly, "Just do it, Jo... but not too loud."  Yeah, easy for her to say!  I raised my weapon.  My heart was racing.  SMACK!  And a miss.  SMACK! SMACK!  Another miss.  The scorpion was on the scurry.  One more time.  SMACK!!!!!!!  Dead scorpion.

According to the monitor on my watch, my heart rate had shot up to 122!  Killing a scorpion is serious business.  And since I killed it, Mooly had to clean it off the floor.  So far we remain 2 and 0 against the Scorpions.  Let's hope the winning streak continues.

Hey Daddy, this blog's for you!

There are lots of reasons why I love my Daddy.  He took me on my first backpacking trip when I was nine.  It took us all day to hike in two miles before we set up camp.  The next day I decided I didn't want to pack up and hike any further, so we stayed at camp and played cards for two days before our long hike back to the car.

Around that same time, Daddy agreed to coach mine and Jes's softball team.  I know coaching a team is a normal thing for a daddy to do, but my Daddy HATES hot weather.  Being outside all summer in 95+ temperatures listening to 12 girls chanting "I said a boom-chicka-boom, I said a boom-chicka-rocka-chicka-rocka-chicka-boom" for 2 hours doesn't make the hot weather any cooler.  The situation may've been more bearable if we won.  We didn't.  We lost.  A lot.

Then there was the swim meet in El Paso.  The meet happened to fall on Father's Day that year.  We celebrated with a relay race.  Each club formed a relay team: 2 swimmers, 2 fathers.  My Daddy hates the water almost as much as he hates hot weather.  Somehow he got roped into being one of the "fathers" for our team.  It was a very brave thing for him to do.  Unfortunately, bravery doesn't make you buoyant.  He managed to flounder his way out of the deep end and into shallow water.  It wasn't pretty, but it sure was a valiant declaration of team spirit.

I could tell lots more stories about how awesome my Daddy is, like how he let me skip school one day so we could ride a motorcycle to Lubbock to eat lunch with my grandma, or how he didn't yell when I ran my mom's Volvo into the menu board in the drive-thru lane the first time I drove to church, but I don't want to brag too much.

So, let me just give you two more reasons why I love my Daddy:  One, and I can't say too much about this without spontaneously combusting into uncontrollable tears, my Daddy has always supported me... no matter what.  He supported me in sports, in school, and in my most recent decision to move thousands of miles across an ocean to Ireland.  Two, he loves my dog, even when she's mostly monster, and that's not always easy.  And oh yeah, he's pretty funny too!

Happy Daddy's Day, Daddy!  I love you!!!--MEO

Mooly v. The Scorpion: An Epic Tale of Courage and Total Annihilation

Here's the deal folks, we all know my mom, Jo, tends to slightly exaggerate the facts.  If she were telling this story, I'd come off as unnecessarily stupid and she would undoubtedly be the witty heroine.  I want you to get the REAL story, exactly as it happened, so I'm taking over and preaching the truth!

It happened the other night, during the 4th quarter of game 4 of the NBA finals.  I was laying peacefully by the couch.  Jo was petting me.  Mooly was in high spirits because Boston was winning.  Something caught my eye in the shadows of the kitchen.  I ignored it at first, but then it mysteriously scurried deeper into the darkness.  I'd never seen anything move like that before.  What was it?  Curiosity got the better of me, I got up to investigate.

I've played with my fair share of bugs during my 3 1/2 years of canine bliss.  I even tried to eat a poisonous frog one time.  But I've never seen anything as freaky as this creature.  It had a long, skinny body like a worm but feet like a bug.  The strangest part, though, was its tail.  It curved up over its back and was sharp at the tip.  Why wasn't it wagging?  Why have a tail if you're not gonna wag it?  I soon found out there are meaner things to do with a tail.

Man, this thing was quick!  It stayed one move ahead of my paw.  I faked right and the stupid thing fell for it.  I slammed my paw down quickly, pinning the creature to the floor.  I'd won!  Suddenly, a stinging pain shot through my paw and up my leg.  I looked down in horror.  That son of a bug had its tail jammed into the top of my paw.  I recoiled in pain and it scurried across the floor toward Jo and Mooly on the couch.

Jo shot up.  "Moo, I think that's a scorpion!", she yelled.  Mooly jumped up, searching for a weapon.  She handed her orange Birki to Jo, screaming, "Kill it!"  I knew I could count on Jo.  She would kill the scorpion and avenge my pain.  I watched in horror as Jo cowered on the coach.  "I can't kill it!  You do it!"  She said desperately, handing the shoe back to Mooly.  In a moment of valiant bravery, Mooly shoved Jo out of the way.  Standing on the couch, she towered over the scorpion.  SMACK!!!  She brought the birki down hard.  The first hit was a miss.  But the scorpion had no time to react before the shoe came down again.  Mooly didn't miss again.  She killed that scorpion dead.  She killed it five more times before sinking back onto the couch.

That's when I started feeling woozy.  I was holding my paw up by my chest.  It stung like fire rising up my leg.  Jo looked at me with fear in her eyes.  "I think it stung Dakota," she said.  The next few minutes were a blur.  I remember Jo looking in my eyes and at my paw.  Then she was talking to someone on the phone.  Then she and Mooly made me drink some nasty pink water called Benadryl.  The fire was cooling down.  I was getting drowsy...

The next day, I was back to normal.  My paw was healed and the drugs had worn off.  I'll be a bit more careful from now on, no more playing with things that have tails that don't wag!  The moral of the story:  Mooly was a hero and Jo was a big fat pansy!




Note: even though she missed the end of the game, Mooly was very, very happy because the Celtics beat the Lakers, tying up the series at 2 games each!  Mooly loves the playoffs!!!

The good race.

I ran tonight.  I hate running.  Just the thought of running makes me feel like this...


But sometimes I make myself run just to remind myself that I can.  I usually start off fairly confident.  But then I look at my watch and see that it's only been 2 minutes.  My legs are already tired.  The cramp in my side hurts when I breathe.  That's when the battle begins.  I tell myself, "Just stop running.  Walk instead.  You weren't built for this."  Tonight I didn't listen.  I welcomed the burning lungs and the heavy legs.  I kept running.  And I started praying.

I prayed for perseverance.  I prayed for stamina.  I prayed for determination.

Almost 2 years ago I met Scott and Denise and joined their race on a road bound for Dublin.  I started off confident.  But now, 2 years later,  my legs are getting tired.  My heart is heavy.  Others have joined the team.  They've passed me.  They're getting closer to the finish line.  And though I can hear them cheering me on, encouraging me to stay strong, it's hard to watch them pull further ahead.  I hate being left behind.

But it doesn't matter.  I accept the challenge to keep running.  And I will keep praying... for perseverance, for stamina, for determination.  And in the end, I, like Paul, will say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!"

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith... so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. --Hebrews 12:1-3

There's a first time for everything.

I have the best sister EVER!!!  Actually, I have the TWO best sisters ever, but one of them is hundreds of miles away playing counselor at Camp Blue Haven all summer (Hi, Amos) so that leaves me with just ONE sister for the time being.

Yesterday, Jes took me to get my very first pedicure in my entire life.  I will admit that I was a bit nervous and not entirely sure that I wanted to go, but she is always talking about how wonderful they are so I figured it couldn't be all that bad.  And let me tell you, it was most definitely all that GOOD!!!

It was a little weird at first because I didn't know any of the pedicure etiquette.  Do you shave your legs before you go?  Is it okay to laugh when they tickle your feet?  Can you keep the funny flip-flops?  Luckily, I had Jes, who is very experienced in the field of getting pedicures, to answer all my questions.

I went Plain Jane with a French tips (all the colors clashed with my Chacos).  But Jes got funky with hot pink and flowers.  Yea for pretty feet!

Today was another first.  Today was the first time Dakota joined me for a bike ride.  It was a little sketchy at first.  I was afraid she was going to run in front of my bike and make me flip over the handle bars or jerk to the side and bring me crashing down with her.  Either way, I would end up bleeding and she would end up standing there looking innocent and confused.  But no worries!  She figured things out quickly and there was no flipping, jerking, or bleeding...


We rode around the neighborhood for about 10 minutes.  By the end of our lesson she was off-leash and staying out of the way.  Not to shabby for the first time out.  She was so exhausted by the time we got back to the house that she could barely even sit with her eyes open.  She laid around panting for a solid 20 minutes, slobbering all over the floor and being very dramatic.



I think it's safe to say I've found a new way to wear the monster out!




 

Operation No Monster

Yesterday morning, after church, Daddy said, "Hey, let's have home group at our house!"  Uh, hello, Daddy... did you forget about a little monster named Dakota that lives at our house?  That's how Operation No Monster was born.  The objective: drive the monster out of the dog.
  

Jes and Rob came over to go to lunch for Jes's birthday (Happy Birthday, Rosi!), then it was time for Operation No Monster to commence.  Rob agreed to come along, so we packed a very excited Dakota into the backseat and headed for the lake.

The weather was perfect!  Surprisingly, the lake wasn't too crowded.  We found our own little beach and Dakota swam her heart out.  We also found a dead turtle with it's guts hanging out... figured I'd share...

Operation No Monster was a success!  Dakota was very well behaved at home group.  She didn't attack anyone.  North Dakota.

Here's a self-portrait of Rob and Dakota on the way home.

South Dakota plays lumberjack

When I got home from teaching Body Pump this morning, Mooly said, "Jo, come look out the office window and see what your dog did!"  The phrase "your dog" never translates to anything good.  I nervously walked over to the window, expecting the worst, and this is what I saw...

Mooly said, "You need to go outside and punish her."  What?  Mooly, are you serious?  When I went outside, Dakota got so excited!  She wanted to show off her new conquest.  She started running around the yard as fast as she could.  I looked through the window and Mooly was laughing so hard she could barely stay in her desk chair!  Obviously, Mooly was NOT being serious...




I finally commandeered Dakota's little twig... pretty sure it was almost as tall as I am.  The tree she ripped it from is right behind me.  Poor tree.

North Dakota, volcanic ash, and BOB... Oh, what a glamorous life!

I got home from Ireland on Tuesday.  First thing I did?  Ate Mexican food!!!!  I've decided that our missionary training should have included how to make tortillas from scratch.  Since it didn't, I'm going to have to add that to my Things-I-Absolutely-Must-Do-Before-I-Move-To-Dublin list.  When we got home, Mooly made me go in the backyard for my reunion with Dakota.  She was afraid Dakota would get too excited and run through a wall.  There was a decent amount of frantic joy, but mostly she just rolled around while I pet her.  She stayed right by my side for the next few days... North Dakota!

Missions Resource Network had a benefit dinner on Friday night.  All the teams heading for the field this year were invited.  Craig and Merschon were supposed to come back from Dublin on Thursday so they could make it to the dinner, but a certain volcano in Iceland decided to erupt and blow some ash on their travel plans, which meant they had to stay in Dublin an extra day (bummer).  Shay and Juli drove up from Austin and I framed some pictures of the Karnes and Hutsons to bring along so the whole team would be well represented.  On the way to the dinner, Shay called and said he was going to the airport to pick up the Hutsons!  They had rushed to catch a connecting flight to Dallas and were able to make it to the dinner anyway... just like a scene out from your average romantic comedy.  So the whole team got to be together after all (though some were slightly more two-dimensional than others)!

Today I said something I never thought I'd say, "Daddy, if you want, I'll watch an episode of Band of Brothers with you."  He looked at me like he couldn't believe his ears, then sprung off the couch before I had a chance to change my mind.  I will admit that it wasn't as boring as I was expecting.  I did manage to stay awake for the whole episode (which is saying a lot because it was raining outside and my belly was very full).  And, all though I could only stomach the one episode today, I will most likely watch more BOB... especially considering that'll be the only way to get my Daddy to stop telling me how it's the greatest show on earth and that I really do need to watch it.  I'm not totally convinced yet, I guess we'll see.

Last day in Dublin... for now, anyway...

 Today was a busy day!  The Smiths and Hutsons went with Scott this morning to look at an apartment to let, leaving me and Denise with Davis, Bailey, and baby Ashlyn.  Our assignment: get from the Karnes' house in Baldoyle to to the McGuire's house in Glenageary by 1pm for lunch.  So, with Davis pushing the stroller, we headed to the DART to catch the 11:55am southbound train.

We were greeted at the ticket counter by a very nice lad who commented on our accents and advised us on the cheapest way to get where we going.  Bailey candidly got a photograph of our new friend, who happened to be quite good-looking and could very likely be the elusive Liam McAwesome.  Denise agreed.  

It took us about 45 minutes and 21 stops, but we made it to Glenageary all in one piece!

Esther made us a delicious lunch and then we headed out their backyard and up Killiney Hill.  From the top you can see all of Dublin, including Enya's castle and Bono lives nearby!  We looked for him on the way.  We didn't see him.  We spent a couple hours on the hill, taking pictures, watching the ocean, and enjoying the sunshine.

Late afternoon we headed back up to Dundrum, a big mall close to the Coffey's house.  We ate some fish and chips, drank some IrnBru (yuck!), and then made our way to Tony and Leslie's to spend some time in fellowship with members of the Ranelagh Church.  We had lots of tea and lots of chatting, followed by some praying, more chatting, and a group photo.  The church is so supportive of our team and vision.  I am so excited about our partnership with them!

I leave Dublin in the morning.  I can't wait to be with my family... and Dakota!  I will be eating one last piece of peanut butter pie for breakfast in the morning.

I heart peanut butter pie!

It all started yesterday... my love affair with the peanut butter pie, though some would go as far as calling it an obsession.  Denise made the pie yesterday because it had to freeze for at least 8 hours.  She let me lick the beaters.  That was the first mistake!  After one tiny taste my heart and tongue were bound together forever.  I knew at once that no other pie on earth would ever make me as happy as this pie before me.  But the taste was just a tease.  The pie must be frozen.  I kept stealing wayward glances at the freezer.  Then Denise would scold me for lusting and remind me of the painful truth...we're not eating that pie until tomorrow!  So I was forced to wait.

I hardly slept.  I tossed and turned.  I was tortured by nightmares about the demise of my precious pie.  Finally, morning came!  Today was going to be a glorious day!  Today was the Day We Eat the Pie!  I rushed down stairs.  I even managed to peek into the freezer before Denise, with her ever watchful eye, quickly sent me away to get ready for church.

 After service, the church had a little potluck for us.  Nothing big, just sandwiches and cake and some mingling with the members.  I tried to eat a piece of the cake, but every bite just made me yearn for my peanut butter pie even more.  I finally resigned myself to the fact that no other dessert would every satisfy desire for decadence.  I did not eat my cake.

This afternoon we just enjoyed our time together as a team.  We played cards.  We ate dinner.  And then...

The best thing happened!  Denise opened the freezer!  She reached for the pie!  She brought plates and forks!  Of course, we had to follow the proper protocol.  We lit candles.  We sang.  And then there was cutting, and passing of plates.  My mouth was salivating in anticipation, IT WAS TIME TO EAT THE PIE!  At last!  I took a small bite of my pie and slowly brought it to my mouth.  This second taste was even more powerful than my first!  Sweet, creamy, peanut butterey goodness that melted in my mouth.  My eyes closed, all thoughts vanished, I was swimming in culinary ecstasy.  Before I could stop it, I heard a low "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" escape my throat.

That was the best pie I've EVER had!

Thank you Scott for being born on this day 43 years ago!  Afterall, it was the celebration of that glorious event that introduced me to the most McAwesome pie in the world!  Happy Birthday!!!

"Reunited and it feels so good!"

Two great things happened this morning:  Number first, Craig and Merschon got here!  Now our whole entire team is together in Dublin for the first time EVER!  We get to spend the next three days together dreaming and scheming about what life will be like when we all get here for good.  Number second, I got baby Ashlyn to fall asleep all by myself!  I've been trying all week to bounce her to sleep and today I finally won!  I guess I should mention that when I tried to lay her down in her bed she woke up and started screaming her head off.  
I quickly handed her back.

 Then Denise and I walked to LIDL (pronounced little or lye-dl or lee-dl) to get some groceries.  LIDL is really just ALDI with a different name.  Of course we took our own bags, but I wouldn't let Denise take her little trolley because then we would look too dorky.  We decided the two of us could manage the bags on our own.  Sure enough, we made it there and back with no trouble at all.

I can't believe the first week of my trip is already over!  Only three more day until I head back to the States...

Hopefully I will get to skype home later today.  It's Saturday, which means hamburgers for dinner.  We're having a potluck after church tomorrow.  And peanut butter pie for Scott's birthday tomorrow night.  Happy Birthday Eve, Scott!