The Russell's Daily Blessings

New Seasons, new adventures.

Tonight, we celebrated!  Not necessarily for the inauguration, but because our son officially became a Cub Scout.  My heart beamed when I saw H in his uniform for the first time.  He looked so grown up and so handsome.

 

God is Great.

Once again we felt God leading us to this chapter of our lives.  It is amazing how some things just come together so easily.  We got into a nice small pack (ideal) with good friends of Hayden’s from school.  The pack is led by friends of ours, which is a bonus for dad.

As a wife and mother, it is a beautiful thing to witness her son and husband embark on an amazing bonding experience and adventure together.

On their return from their meeting tonight, both of my men were beaming.  Both a little more confident than before they left. It was a successful and exciting evening for both, but especially so for Hayden.

Tonight, was Hayden’s first official meeting and Hayden was able to perfectly recite all of the following:

1) Recite Cub Scout Promise
2) Recite the Law of the Pack
3) Tell what WEBELOS means
4) Show the Cub Scout Sign
5) Show the Cub Scout Handshake
6) Recite the Cub Scout Motto
7) Give the Cub Scout Salute

In doing so, Hayden earned his first patch: The Bobcat Patch

We are so proud of you son.

….more about the Russell dogs!

When we adopted Piper into our home several months ago, Kip and I can be heard calling out to the dogs (while they are outside barking) to get into the house.  I am certain all that they hear is “aladldiofoadgakgkfdfhfkahfdfhkahha!@$#$#$#$#”   But, what we and everyone else hears is “Zippy, Bennett, Piper!!!!!”

We joke because it sounds like our own little law firm. “Zippy, Bennett, Piper and Associates”

I do believe that Gigi will be very sad when our sweet house guest leaves us and goes back to his family.

G loves animals very much, however with our three dogs she has to bribe, capture and hold them hostage in order to hang out with them.  But, with Digory it has been completely different, he enjoys her company and all she has to do is call him and he will follow her.

Where ever Gigi is, there will be a precious, ginourmous, sweet, BIG dog along side her.  Digory even sleeps on her bed with her, which is quite funny since he is so much bigger than she is.

I have to say that all of this makes me so happy for Gillian as it seems her older brother is favored by our three dogs.  I have always wanted each of my kids to have a pet that they can claim as their own.  A pet that will greet them when they get home and follow them and protect them.  I will be as sad as Gillian to see Digory leave.  However, I am thankful that she has had this time with Digory and my hope is that some day one of our other pets will fill this void of companionship that sweet Digory will leave in her precious heart.

 

No, not baby fever!!!

My baby has been sportin’ a stubborn fever.  You know the one….the one that hangs out in your body and brings you down, while the world around you is having a lot of fun?!! The one that thinks the grass is healthier on the other side and is constantly looking for a new host to bother?!  Well, I think that this uninvited guest needs to leave our home and NEVER return.

Even though I have enjoyed my cuddle time with my precious baby, it is hard to see her lay around so lifelessly.   Well, actually the tough part is when the meds kick in and she gets a burst of energy (a celebration of sorts) thinking this intruder has gone, when in reality it is just hiding.   But, in the mean time all of the words that have been held back for two days come flowing out in one mass stream of  words…”blahalahdlaladalkallajfdlfjlajfljafljdflaoiboaihboalbjablash!”.

Poor girl!!!  I hope she will be feeling herself real soon.  God Bless you baby girl!!!

Our dear friends the B’s are headed to Ethiopia tomorrow to adopt four children (doubling the size of their family).  It has been such an amazing journey to have been able to witness and to be part of.  We admire our friends M & B for the heart that they have for these children.  Our family cannot wait to meet the four new B’s when they come home!

While the B’s are gone we get to babysit their precious BIG dog, Digory!  Our kids have been anxiously anticipating his arrival.  Oh and yes….if you are counting…..we will have 4 (yes FOUR) dogs in our home.     More to come on Digory’s visit.

Can you tell that we are super excited about snow?

Fluffy, white, dry flakes are still coming down.  Both kids are not so secretly wishing for a snow day for their first day back to school.  Truth be told, I am too!!  (I don’t want to start the rat race again so soon!)

After playing in the snow some today (10 degrees), we came in and warmed ourselves with hot chocolate, a warm Italian stew and now snug in our pj’s ready to end the evening watching a movie as a family.

I am terribly sad that our Christmas break is nearing the end.

Come on snow!!!!