A Fairy Tale of Sorts

Once upon a time there was this young 30 something mother who thought her life with a husband and two children (at the time) would be complete with a dog. She thought it would be sweet to get a small hypo-allergenic dog for her allergic children. She searched and searched and found said dog, purchased the dog and brought the dog home to live with her family.

It was fun for about 6 months and then the newness wore off. Her kids were over it and so was she. The picture she had painted in her head of days running, playing, skipping with the dog were renewed with reality of pee, poop and messes in the floor. Not to mention vet bills, incessant barking, annoying dog habits and expensive food and medicines for the dog.

She spent the next 3 years trying desperately to convince herself that she liked the dog, that her husband and children liked the dog. She and her husband even added another child into the mix to see if maybe that child would attach to the dog. Nothing worked. The dog was still more of a nuisance than anything and she was coming undone.

Then one day in a park near her home she met a crazy lady. Crazy about dogs that is. The lady talked of love, chipping her dogs, cooking chicken for her dogs and walking them until her hearts content.

So the 30 something mother loaded up that dog in the crazy lady's car dusted off her hands and bid farewell. After all it was a promotion for the dog and a detour from a life of Prozac for the mom. A win win if you will.

Some thought the young mother to be cruel but in reality keeping that dog would have been cruel. Some people don't grow up with dogs they grow up with people. And no matter how hard they try to have the American dream of 2.5 kids and a dog it is to no avail. It is not that there is a dislike for dogs it is more of a need for sanity in the home. Because one more Monday morning of stepping in dog poo or pee on the way out the door for carpool and sanity would have collapsed.

And in a world of fast paced technology, busy kids and life, well serenity is a must.

So don't judge but know that the dog is living Happily Ever After and the Young Mother is one less day away from having to move to the funny farm.

The End.

Goodbye Sweet "Pass"

All three of my children have been attached to a paci. Emma has been more attached than any of my three. She called it her "pass" and am I telling you it was a very part of her breath, life and soul. We knew giving them up would be a big deal.

So after having yet another episode of infected tonsils and realizing we were going to have to buy more of the dreaded paci's, we decided tonight would be the night. We prepared ourselves with scripture, prayer request and some chanting. Just kidding, sort of. Anyway, we went through our normal bedtime routine of bath, books and bed and then she said and I quote "Hey, we need my pass." To which I responded, "No, no more passes." And this is what ensued right after...are you ready???

Nothing. She simply said, "okay" laid her head down and went to sleep. Are you kidding? I almost woke her up and said, "wait a minute sister, I was ready for a fight." I had all this arsenal of tricks, pleading, bribing, etc...prepared and you just say, "okay???"

Wow, don't they surprise us at the very last minute? I am still in shock. I came downstairs and told Braxton that was way too easy. And then I warned the boys, if you see a pass throw it away immediately, and if you say the word pass, make reference to a pass, put anything in your mouth that might make her think of a pass, you will be grounded for 6 months. Just kidding again, sort of.

Then I started looking for pictures with her and that "pass" in her mouth and I am honestly a little bit sad. Another chapter done. And for the Bradys we are forever done with the paci. I am a little sentimental about it.