Salt and Light

May was such a busy month for the Douglas family. Early in the month I had a fun maternity shoot with a first time mom who will be welcoming a sweet baby boy to her family soon.
In that same week we opened our house to a young newlywed couple from Lancaster Baptist Church. A tour group from West Coast Baptist College was performing at our church that Sunday and they needed a place to stay for 3 nights before heading off to Placerville. Joel volunteered to take them in knowing we have plenty of space in our house. With us being fairly new to church, we've never had house guests and  didn't know what to expect.
Fortunately, that Saturday we were able to spend some time with the whole tour group and get to know them during our church's teen formal. As part of our youth group, there's an annual teen formal to celebrate the seniors in the class who are soon to graduate high school. All the teens dress up and go to a fancy restaurant and have fellowship. Before dinner the WCBC group performed a funny skit, sang a few songs, and had a really great message for the teens about maintaining a pure, Godly life as they grow into young adulthood.

 I'm still amazed and kind of jealous I never even knew that there were groups out there like this until now. It's so fantastic that we have young Christians who spend their entire summer touring around the country to honor God and  develop relationships through fellowship. I am ecstatic that Cooper will be exposed to this kind of life and see how these groups of students, missionaries, and evangelists are willing to fully dedicate their lives to spreading the Word to others. The most amazing thing is that they do it selflessly and with so much joy and happiness.

As I'm typing I'm getting all worked up about how great of an experience we had! Anyway, following the performances we all headed into town to eat at this fancy restaurant that captured a Victorian style ambiance. It was very...pink. The walls were painted pink with paintings strategically placed throughout the room.

I sat next to the young woman who'd be staying with us and was able to get to know a little bit about her and her husband. She was a little gal from Tennessee with just a hint of a southern accent.
The night concluded with fro yo and pictures. Lots of pictures.

The next few nights we shared great fellowship and lovely dinners with other church members while the tour group was visiting. I can't even describe how much this experience affected me. I was very hesitant about the entire weekend at first. I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous that it would be super awkward having strangers stay with us. Our experience was polar opposite. Everyone was so kind and comforting like we've known them for years. It was a sense of family, which in reality it was. Even though we just met them for the first time, we are family and children of God. He will always tie us together as long as we all have the personal goal to live for, love, and honor God. It's such a wonderful thing.
Tuesday morning the group headed back out on the road to the next part of their journey. I was left a nice little care package including a CD of the WCBC tour group, some homemade blackberry jam from a lady at their church back in Lancaster, a book we discussed earlier in the visit Off Script by Cary Schmidt, and a nice thank you card from the couple. What a great group of people who genuinely know what love is and can share it with anyone who crosses their path. It was a wake up call for me to have that same kind of love and attitude towards others. After all we are the salt and light of the earth.
I just finished reading the book Off Script and would highly recommend it. It follows the journey of a man from Lancaster Baptist Church who was diagnosed with cancer and shows what his perspective was through all of it- good and bad. It's a great book in learning the ways to handle trials that you're hit with in life. Cary Schmidt is the author to several other books that I'm adding to my reading list. He also has a free book online called Done. You can get it HERE
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Our trip to the fair this year. Cooper had a BLAST! 

Beauty of the Heart

Things are certainly looking up this week,  Cooper became a big brother to Bailey Grace. No, he's not a literal brother but he has the heart of one. Last Saturday, just one week after the passing of Caster, we added an 8 week old English Pointer to our family. She is such a well behaved dog and does so great with us. Cooper has been learning to bring Bailey her toys and tell her to sit, along with other commands we use.

Last Wednesday, Joel and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. Our friends were nice enough to volunteer to watch Coop so we could have a quiet dinner just the two of us. It was refreshing to just focus on eating without lugging in toys, sippies, snacks, etc. to keep a toddler entertained. 

The weather has been so beautiful. Spring is surely here and we're soaking it up by opening all the windows  allowing a pleasant breeze to pass through the house. I also set up a clothes line to absorb all the fragrance expelling from the orange tree blossoms. The smell is to die for. 

Mr. Cooper is now a huge help with everything. He opens the door when I have groceries to bring in, throws away trash and always picks up toys. He insists on helping with laundry, sweeping, and doing yard work. Hey, I couldn't ask for more. He's going to make his wife very happy in the future if he keeps this up. He even picked a bouquet of roses for the house.

Yesterday Joel brought home another fish tank and wanted to have some good quality father-son time. Completely drenched head-to-toe, they both got the bonding time that was needed.

As of today, I am watching our friends' daughter part time when needed. She is such a doll and Cooper adores her. I made an effort not to tell Cooper so that it would be a complete surprise for when he woke this morning. It was priceless seeing his smile appear when he looked at her. Pure instincts came into play when he went to his room and pulled out all the "baby" toys that are stashed away. He came out and surrounded her with his old toys. Every time her paci fell, he took initiative and placed it back into her little mouth. During lunch I even caught him sitting next to her at the table, feeding her rice puffs by hand. When they both fell sleepy Cooper rested his head upon hers and my heart just melted. Such a little guy with such a huge heart. I pray that he'll keep that way and be nurturing towards others. 

It's time I sign off. My tender-hearted  boy is awaking...

April 21, 2012

This weekend was weekend full of good and bad; one that I will remember after many years pass. Saturday we  opened our house to friends and family to celebrate Cooper's 2nd Birthday. It was hot, hot, hot! Last year we celebrated with a bbq in the rain, so I guess we got what we wanted...plus another 10 degrees.

This is Coop attempting to make only 2 fingers go up:

It would only be fitting that we went with a cars, train, and anything with wheels theme for the party. Topped off with a cheesy car pinata-you know, the knock off that resembles Lightning McQueen. Cooper didn't seem to mind the cheesiness.

Most of the party took place outside in what felt like 100 degree weather. Grandma saved the day with a slip-n-slide that kept the kids cool and happy and the adults had a blast watching the young in's.

Great Gram was able to get a pass from her nursing home to join in the festivities. I think Saturday added another 5 years to her life! They say laughter is the best medicine.

Joel's grandparents from Vegas were expected to come for a visit Saturday before heading off on vacation. That morning we got a call from them informing us that not only one flight got cancelled, but two were cancelled due to maintenance issues. Bummed, we continued on with the prepping and hoped they would find a way to make it. Luckily, right before we did presents they showed up! It was a stressful mess getting here, but they made it and brightened Joel's day.

I say brightened his day because early that morning before the phone call or any company, I was outside decorating and noticed our dog Caster was acting a bit off. He was wheezing and his nose was all cracked and dry. He was also lethargic and looked eerily skinny. I've noticed he wasn't eating as much as usual but really didn't think anything of it. First thing that came to mind is, oh it's hot out now...ice water will make him feel better. Nope, he took a few licks and plopped down. Then I thought, he loves runs, I'm gonna take him around the block. Leash in hand ready to go, we headed to the sidewalk and then my arm jolted when he stopped in his tracks. He must feel crummy if he doesn't want to go for a walk. Then I figured he might want to take a shower. Since we moved into this house he's been an outside dog so he was definitely due for some cleaning. Fresh and fluffy clean, and still not any happier. Joel and I didn't know what to do. We were about to expect guests for the party, and decided to keep a close eye on him during the party.
This is where I was torn. I was expected to host a joyful party for my son. Be the hostess with the most-test. As the party went on I was taking pictures of the kids slippin' away on the slide, then sneaking off to the garage where my first baby was wheezing away in agony. I knew these were going to be the last days if not hours of his life so I wanted so badly to just sit with him and give him all the love I had. Unfortunately, this is where I felt that internal parenting instinct. I was hurting knowing I was losing my dog, but I had to be there to put on a smiling face for my son. He didn't know what was going on. He knew it was his special day to play with friends and family. I had to maintain the morale in this place. It is my job as a mother and wife to keep the spirits high and know that the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21

The party continued as if there was not a worry in the world. People helped themselves to a taco bar, sang Happy Birthday, laughed as Cooper blew out his two candles, and nobody seemed to notice anything was wrong. Mission accomplished. After a few whacks at the pinata....(we were later told it was a pinata where you pull the strings to let out the candy) presents were opened, and guests started weeding out.

Thankfully most were gone when Caster came out and started showing signs that it was definitely time he needed care.
A few hours later and a prognosis of failure to thrive, our Caster was reunited with his wifey Susie Q in heaven.
I am grateful for the opportunity of being the owner of Caster for the last five years. He was my graduation gift from Joel back when we were dating. A companion to all our fishing trips, camping adventures, and countless moves. He was a happy, goofy, deaf dog that brought much joy to our family. Cooper's first friend and heater of the bed during cold Magalia winters. Caster, we love you and will always remember you.

*** Click here for video of Coop and Caster one day before.***

 April 2007-April 21, 2012

Back to the lesson I learned. This experience was one I knew I'd reach someday, just not as soon as it came. I'm going to face many factors in life where I'll have to stay strong for my family through tough times. Dogs get old, people get old, and they pass on. The awful yet beautiful way of life. You mourn the losses, but find all the good you've had with all the memories of your loved one. You get the chance to reflect the full sum of the person's life and cherish it with every ounce of your being. You learn to love in a whole new way.
Back when Cooper was diagnosed in Dec. 2009 I could have taken the news as devastating. Crying out to God in anger and questioning why?! But as that technician uttered those life changing words, I felt at peace in some odd way knowing God was working in my life. I didn't know what His plan was or why, but I knew that He had control and it would benefit me if I just chose to trust Him. Looking back my eyes are opened as to why Cooper was born that way. I am beyond glad I put my trust in Him rather than questioning. It's not worth it to fight against God's will, all it will bring is anxiety and frustration. This is the way I live my life:
Trust in thy Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

April 21, 2012: Happy early Birthday my Cooper. Caster, we will always love you.