Tristan Barber is FIVE

Saturday, February 1, 2014

It's up!!!

proud of you two!!!!

Jasper's last 24 hours with us - I will miss you - but my heart is full

he didn't like me on the computer!! he wanted snuggles!!

time to get up and go Jasper!!

We packed up and got on the road to meet Jasper's new family and see Unkie, Aunt Sue and Derrick.

I was praying while driving.. .just asking God if this was the right person... to give me strength to put Jasper back in my car and drive back home and start the search again if it wasn't. I literally said... I just need to know this is right, I'm doing the right thing, that you are proud of this... and (not kidding) a truck goes from the left lane... passes in front of me.. and to the right lane and the ENTIRE back window says:

GOD LOVES YOU (yup, true story)

After another 20 minutes. We arrived. At the stop light I took a pic of me and the boy.

This was the FIRST time I was seriously sad to be at Baylor University.

he looks scared.. and he was. I wasn't worried though....

I got out to greet his new owners and I noticed his collar... HOLT... too funny! What are the chances!?

Well, meet Frank and his son... they are Jasper's new family. They kept saying how beautiful he was and sweet and giving him kisses. Then Frank's son took off running with him and Jasper SMILED. They both came back out of breath and I knew...it was time to say goodbye.

I gave my sweet boy a biiiiig hug and lots of kisses. I looked him dead in the eye and I KNEW he was ok - he would be cared for and loved... and now it was time for me to walk away and let God take over. I did what I felt called to do.

Jasper, I loved you with my whole heart and I suspect... I always will. Be happy my brave boy. I'm thankful for the 5 days I've known you. YOU are a blessing and I am SO lucky to have the chance to help you find your way!!

Thankful for Kayli and Mara ... for writing up contracts and spending countless hours working all of this out. Patty for your counsel, Megan, Mom, Dave, Ed, Patty, Leslee, Connie... and so many others that donated money - your generosity for a dog you have never met amazes me.

I love you Jasper. ENJOY your life!!

5 smiley's for AWESOME behavior and you get a new ship!

Not sure if you can see Friday... BUT he had SUCH great behavior, he was able to have nap time with Mr. Caterpillar... this is a HUGE honor to because only the child with the BEST behavior gets it!!!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grandpa Sam!!

Hope you felt loved!!!

Grace Stallions service project COMPLETE!

Wee Volunteers had a little scheduling boo boo so we didn't have bandannas to do

That was until we got our own!

Linds had us over for pizza and coloring!!

Cohen ... so proud!

Hunters work of art!

Jamie colored the ends... BRILLIANT because once tied, that's what you see most!!

And Rhett... sweet little guy

VERY proud of his work!

T man rounded us off... great job Bud!

Proud of these little peeps. FLAT OUT PROUD!

The shed is coming along...

Now we ijust need some more good weather to finish!!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

People blow me away... we found a home for you sweet baby boy!!

I was driving T home from school yesterday... listening to him tell me WHY he got a smiley face. "Mommy, I was DILIGENT today." Um - EXCUSE ME!? I said "T, do you know what that means?" He said "Yes... I do... I learned-ed it today... it means I worked really HARD". I was telling him how proud of was...

then... out of the corner of my eye... I see a cowering dog ... searching trash. Running to and from houses... scared. So I stopped. I called to it. Nothing. Scared. I called.. then drove a little. He was watching me... T and I were looking all over the car for food. Sadly... nothing. *SIGH* Just as I'm about to get in my car and drive away... he runs into the middle of the street - INTO traffic to get to me. Then he flips over. I tried to scratch his belly but he was afraid so he jumped up. 2 or so more times... then BAM.. FULL BLOW LOVE. Sweetest pit bull I have ever seen.

I can't get him in the car. Time to call Holt. Thankfully I'm only about 1/10 of a mile from home. He comes... looking at me like I'm insane but loving me enough just to help me get a dang leash around this pooch. Now, I'm not dumb... I know not to pick him up. He refuses to get in. So, I told Holt... you take T... I'll walk him to our house. Well, he's HORRIBLE on a leash... happy as a lark to be WITH me.. with ANYONE.. so I'm tripping, stepping on him.. laughing... and I though... gotta ditch the heels

So, I tossed my high heels in the truck... once again.. Holt thinks I'm nuts. Tristan (I believe) actually SAID MOMMY IS CRAZY. So, I proceeded to lightly jog down the street. Next was a major 6-lane street. Light turned green... we were freezing.. so we picked up the pace and jogged across. (I'm secretly wondering if anyone noticed my feet) ... we make it to my house. In the backyard we go. BOOM! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, it's 32 degrees... I'm freezing and he.won't.come.in. Pepperoni, cheese, bread, nothing worked... then T spilled the dog bowl of food we had tried and he started gobbling it down! YIPPEE.... then he wagged that sweet tail over and over and over... SO happy... starting to trust. So T and I bundled up and we closed off the playroom to our dogs and sat inside with the door open begging him to come in. ONE paw at a time... he came!!

starting to trust

then BOOM - INSIDE!!

SO SWEET! And for all of you "I can't believe she let her son near a pit bull"... trust me.. I'm VERY careful... this dog is not nor will it ever be dangerous. So there!

So... I have a pit bull puppy. In my house. OMG... what now.

so I snuggled him and made him warm. Gave him water and snuggled him more.

I'm determined to find THIS SWEET FACE a home

It was a rough night. Poor Holt... he tolerates my insanity... stayed on the couch so he wouldn't wine... got kicked out of our bedroom by T coming in... my dogs whining and eating their breakfast in our room so he hits the couch. I have to walk the dogs... so I'm loud and kick him out of the bedroom. My husband... THE SAINT.

*Desperate*

So... I slept in there 3/3 of the night... and snuggled him. EVERY time I held him... he would PASS OUT cold... he was so tired and I knew... that he knew... he was safe!

So this morning I took him to the vet. He was in great shape. I had him tested for heart worm. Negative. Gave him all of his shots. He had a cut on his leg that I asked them to clean up AND he had a bath!!! I told the vet my story... cried a little... and as we chatted I just said "Look, I'm not a wealthy person but this dog DESERVES to be adopted and deserves a chance. I'll pay what I need to so he can get adopted. He said... if there ARE owners, I'll go back and credit you so you only pay cost. HUGE BLESSING. As the conversation went on, we talked about our love for animals etc... I cried some more.

THEN, my phone rang. Ed called... I thought I was in trouble for being late for work... especially since his EA, Summer is out and I'm technically his EA today HE OFFERS TO PAY FOR HIS BOARDING TO BUY HIM MORE TIME.

SERIOUSLY? God is amazing. Friends are amazing.

Then, I tell the vet I want to board him, I need to buy some time. He nods and tells me he needs antibiotics... and I said seriously, I'll do whatever to give him a good start. He turns around and says "Look, don't worry about him, about all of this. WE will take good care of him and I WILL help you on these bills. I'll give you a break. Oh.MY.GOSH! Are you kidding me? Again God!? Amazing!

So I kiss my sweet friend and head home. I'm late for work! I cry the whole way... call Holt bawling with happiness. Shower, get in the car and as I'm waiting for the gate to open I see this:

Mara Salerno-Matras Julie Ross Barber. We have someone who wants to adopt! Please please message me or Kayli Sparks

2 hours ago · Like · 1

Oh my gosh, no way!! A forever family!! Ok, so we're in the beginning phases but it appears... our boy has a home.

I don't have words... I've called every vet, every hospital and every neighborhood watch in my area..... HOW CAN NO ONE BE LOOKING FOR HIM. Sweet baby. So please pray with me that this all works out. Amazed at people's hearts for animals. Amazed at people's love for me. Simply amazed... but hey... God gave us this task... and I take it seriously!!

Genesis 1:26 ESV
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Praying!!!