Sad hamster news

A few months ago, I wrote a post about hamsters making great pets. Well, Whiskers died yesterday,and so now, losing two hamsters this year, I have changed my mind. :(

We got our first hamster, Princess, on Sarah's birthday in January. She came home from school one day in April to find that it had died. So, we took her to Petsmart and she chose one that had the same grey coloring, only a little fatter, and she named her Whiskers.

Whiskers started out a bit grumpy. Not quite as willing to cuddle as Princess was, but she got used to us (and Shane's "love you to death" ways). We enjoyed the Hamster Derby a few weeks (or was that months?) back and things were going well.

Right before Halloween, Steve noticed that she had a big black bump on her tummy. We thought it was an abscess. So, we took her to a vet in Southlake that treats hamsters. They are considered "exotic pets" and therefore cost a lot to treat. But, when your kids look at you and ask what can we do for her, of course, you call and make an appointment and pay the $5o office visit. They found that she either had an infection or a tumor. They gave sold us some medication if it was an infection, and said that it might help. If it didn't, then it was a tumor and because it was located under left leg, near her abdomen, they could not operate to remove it.

The blackness went away, but not the huge bump. It was about as big as a grape...which is big if you are only 3-4 inches long and weigh less than a pound. Well, now, three weeks later. She did not make it. We returned yesterday from a short road trip to Glen Rose, to find her very lethargic and breathing very heavily. We explained to the kids that she was very sick and that she needed to be cuddled and told good-bye. Sarah held her for a good hour or so and then we decided it was time for bed. Just as we were about to tuck in the kids (who chose to sleep in the dining room floor next to the hamster cage),Whiskers stretched out long, gave a little squeak and passed away. Steve told Sarah that the little squeak was hamster's way of saying "I love you." Steve also found a bible story that told about Jesus' ascension into heaven that helped us explain where Whiskers went. Steve's grandmother, Grammye, died 5 years ago, and it comforted the kids to think of her in heaven with a new pet.

How humbling it is to watch your kids go through a loss like this and not really be able to help them. It is so hard to hold a heart-broken child and not be able to "fix-it." At least we have the knowledge to explain that although it is not what we would have chosen, and that we don't understand why it happened, at least we can trust that God has a big PLAN of each one of us. And, somehow, this loss and pain fits into that PLAN.

Halloween 2009

Star Wars Tent

I know that I have posted before about it being ironic that we bought a house with enough bedrooms for each of our kids to have there own, And, though that may be true, they more often than not end up sleeping together.

I have noticed that sleeping arrangements have become a sort-of "economy" at our house. Sarah uses the right to let Shane sleep with her as an effective bartering strategy. For example, if she has a friend over, she tells Shane that if he leaves her and her friend alone, then he can sleep with her that night. Or, if Shane has something Sarah wants, or wishes to trade for, then she gets her way by offering to let Shane sleep with her.

Manipulative? Yes.

Creative on her part? Yes.

Do I really care where they sleep as long as they sleep well and are not in my bed or floor?

Not really.

When Shane does not sleep with her, he often sleeps in his Star Wars tent which is on the landing, right outside of Sarah's room. It is a square tent, so his little legs stick out the door.

One night, when I went to give them kisses before I went to bed, I found both of them in this little tent. It is nice to see that they really do enjoy being around each other. I am glad that they find comfort in being together.

Texas Waffles

We love to stay at hotels that include a free breakfast, espeically the ones that have make your own Texas waffles. We found this neat waffle-iron at the Texas store at Grapevine Mills Mall. Since life is so busy during the school/work week, I usually cook breakfast (pancakes or waffles) on the weekend. Sarah and I have started adding blueberries to our mix! The kids love to help mix, stir, and of course, flip the pancakes!

Creative Drums

A musician in the making for sure.

Lots of noise, oh yeah!

Fun for a little boy!

Fun teaching First Grade

Job Update:
In September, I started another long term substitute job teaching first grade. I am still at the same school I have been at for the last 2 years. (Justin Elem) I will be there until Thanksgiving. After teaching 4th grade for so many years, first grade is sooooo different. Refreshingly different. We start teaching guided reading groups on Tuesday. After I master that, I think I will feel confident about it all. While this is fun for a short time, I am still thankful that I do not have to work full-time. (IF I ever go back, I still don't think I will do kindergarten or first.)

Brownie Girl Scouts

We have started another year of Girl Scouts. Sarah is now a Brownie. We have 14 girls that meet every other week at our house. We work to earn Try It patches. The girls chose to work on Make It, Eat, Art to Wear, and Science Wonders. We are also completing scrapbook pages to go along with these badges and to document our year! They are a very craft, giggly set of little girls!