This message is not approved by Lucy. Nope. Not one bit.

Much to Lucy's surprise the other night, she went to climb in her bed (shes been doing that a lot on her own since we moved. I think the kids just wear her out, and when she's had enough, she goes to bed,) and there was a small child in there!

Jonah is the youngest of Stephen's nephews that live with us.

Jonah is a funny kid. He loves the dogs but isn't quite old enough to take on some of the responsibilities with helping with the dogs that his older siblings have...he tends to let go of the leash when they pull and was caught giving them extra scoops of kibbles one evening because "they were more hungry," which I can't really fault him with, because Oscar acts like he's starving 99% of the time, even when he's just eaten!)
Anyway...here's Jonah in the crate. It's not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last!
I'm very proud of Lucy for maintaining herself and not getting bitchy or bitey! She's come a long way in the two years that I've had her! She used to be so nasty and possessive about her blankets or her babies...this time she just went in there, saw that a small child had occupied her space, and turned around and vacated the premises. So proud of my girl!

Truth...

Although in all fairness, I kinda started out as a grumpy YOUNG firefighter/EMT...

Throwin' it WAAAY back!

I was 19 in this picture.
I was in college for my paramedic degree.
I ate, slept and breathed the fire department.
Not saying that there aren't times when I miss it...but in 13 years, my priorities have changed so much.
Fire and Rescue will always be my first love...but I'm so ready for this career change and to get back to school!

Snow dogs!

 Oscar was born in Iowa and spent half of his life in Chicago.
Lucy was born somewhere? And has lived in West Virginia and then northern Virginia with me for most of her life.
One would think that Chicago dog would be more adapt to the snow. Nope. No way. No how.
Osc HATES snow. He still goes outside to do his business, but does it as SOON as he steps out the door, even if that means going on the porch or on the bottom step with two legs on the ground and his back legs still firmly planted on the step.
Lucy LOVES snow. She goes out and sniffs it and eats big mouthfuls of it, rolls around, makes a high mess of herself. She gives no fucks but refuses to pee outside if it rains.
Crazy snow dogs. Who would have thought?

Life lately...

Itching for new ink...

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is what any smart man in America does.
With four kiddos and two dogs in the house, I'm fortunate enough that my valentine let me sleep in until 11 (after we got up and gave the heard their valentines bags to read/play with/eat candy for breakfast and generally be a tiny bit quieter than normal)