Tired Little Pups

One of my favorite things in the world is when the dogs are out and about in the house, running around and causing commotion - and then suddenly I hear a solid flump that means that Murphy's just dropped to the floor, and a heavy, I'm-exhausted-from-all-of-that-playing *sigh* ... it's just so ... I don't know, family-like I guess. Precious and silly and happy.

Instagrammed

Officially back home in Lubbock. Work starts tomorrow and school starts in a week. Back to the real world!

Romping in a Winter Wonderland!

Today was Murphy & Bear Bear's first snow! Bear didn't really care. In fact, he didn't seem to be too crazy about it. But Murphy was in heaven! He actually ran around with his mouth to the ground, eating snow as he ran. Such a sight. Bear just would've rather hung out with me on the couch. Takes after his mama I guess! 

Happy Snow Day, LBK!

Thanks!

Gi^vIng^ Thanks^:

- Spending the holidays with people I love! Thanksgiving will be the Cooksey's in Abilene, and the Winchester's in San Antonio. And the Worden's for Christmas! I love being around lots of people around the holidays. It just doesn't feel like the holidays without that!

- My puppies! Murphy got neutered on Thursday, and he's recovering well. Still just as rambunctious as ever! But you can tell he's getting older and can calm himself down better. And Bear is just the same little lovebug that he's always been!

- Having Fridays off. Not having class, and only having work every other Friday afternoon is the BEST. I get a chance to take care of errands, make calls & emails, catch up on homework, do some reading, and anything else that I need to do. It's really nice, and a luxury that I know I definitely won't always get to have!

Puppy Love

Also Instagram love. Aren't they the sweetest? Is anyone else out there as obsessed with their dogs as I am? Hopefully. Here are the stats.

Murphy: 8 months old, 70 pounds, and still as puppy-like as ever. He doesn't quite realize he's as big as he is, so he still runs around like he's a 20 pound pup. Meaning he slams into tables, walls, doors, chairs...you name it. He is starting to chill out, a little bit. Haha. Emphasis on little. He's gathered a plethora of nicknames, my favorites being Murph-N-Turf and Murph Man.

Bear: 11 months old, 45 pounds, still as lovable as ever! He's good friends with Mac (Rex's roommate's American Husky mix), and loves hanging out with Murph and Mac over at the guys' house. Since he's the smallest, he gets roughed up, but he loves it. And Rex's roommate Collin absolutely loves Bear. But it's hard not too, really. Although he does desperately need to get groomed again....oops.

Also, the other little pup in that fourth picture is Sadie, the chubby little Daschund-Shnauzer mix that lives at my parents' house. She's the roundest, funniest little thing. And she is not crazy about Muphy and Bear, haha!

Week of Happiness (day ?)

Sorry I forgot what day it is today. I haven't been very consistent with my days for the Week of Happiness. Oops! Oh well. Y'all don't care right? Good. Today's happiness is puppies. Namely, mine. I can't help it that they're awesome. 

Their favorite past time: 

Their favorite place: 

Murphy in his new kitchen:

Bear, posing:

Their favorite past time (2): 

Aren't they the best? Bear cuddles with me and Murphy runs around and makes a mess. Love them! 

Puppy Photos (again!)

Now I know this is at least the sixth (...or twelfth...or twentieth...whatever...) picture of Rex and/or Murphy, and they all have captions including words like, "adorable," or "favorite," or something similar. So I'll just let you guess what I think about this one........(I'm just really smitten with these boys.)

But how could you not be? 

And, my favorite little pup! He's just so sweet, and such a cuddler, and he just makes me so happy. Now if I could just get him to stop shedding! 

Puppy Photos!

Meet little boy Bear! He likes to move around, so forgive the lack of focus in his photographs.

Exhibit A:

But look at how precious Murphy looks! Little boy is growing up! This may just be my favorite picture of all time.

And for whatever reason, this is how Bear sleeps. He even just stretches out on the floor like this too!

And Murphy sleeps like he always has. Does anyone else have a dog that sleeps in odd positions?

Not a puppy, I know, just another new favorite picture. 

Anyway, I obviously was reunited with my camera yesterday! Thank goodness! I missed my other half. And I love my new puppies. Happy Wednesday, all! 

Sunshine and a happy puppy

Sometimes that's all you need for a good day.

New Tricks

This is little Murph's latest and greatest. Forgive the poor quality and audio lag. We're just so proud of the little monster. He's getting to the "uncomfortable to carry" stage in his weight gain, and he's got a pretty hefty bark too. His nicknames include Murph Monster, DK, Murphster, Potato Head, Murph-a-Lurph, and Murph Man, just to name a few. He answers to all of them. We just love him!

10 Things

ZZ Top on vinyl reverberating through the house

Vanilla cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese icing

Perfect weather for taking Murphy on a walk

An obedient, relatively calm Murphy to take on a walk

Jimmy John's #14 with avocado and cheese 

Baking with all the windows and back door open

Crafting and sewing projects with a wonderful friend

Singing in the car at the top of my lungs

Feelings of accomplishment and productivity

A couple of really good test grades

These are the things I'm holding onto today. Today would be a textbook day to wallow in past bad decisions and missteps, harsh words and hurt feelings. But these are the blessings God has sent me to remind me that life is always beautiful.

A Few Truths

I just want to make a quick note of a few things I have learned to be certain in the past week. 


1. Dogs like to be outside. That being said, it's okay to stick them in the back yard with some chew toys while you clean the house/do dishes/do other things crucial to your mental health. Don't feel bad because you're not playing with them 24/7. They can handle it.


2. When planning an elaborate gift with many parts dependent on other people, plan VERY MUCH ahead of time. Even if the rest of the team contributing to the present has the best of intentions, everyone has their own lives and own stuff to handle. So to be safe, give a couple weeks advance notice. 


3. No-Chew spray is a gift from God.


4. Medicine can be your friend. I hate taking medicine and I hate going to the doctor. But I'm on day 1 of antibiotics and I'm already starting to feel better. Sometimes, your body just needs it. 


5. Most things that I people stress over are not worth it. Trust me on this one. Generally, unless someone's physical (or mental) health is at stake, you can afford to take a breath and chill out. Some stress can be good. Pulling your hair out is never good. 




Happy Wednesday! 

Yawn, stretch, sigh.

Where have I been the last week, you want to know? On a spontaneous vacation to the Alps of Swiss? Or renovating my whole (rent)house? Or on a spiritual journal through the wooded rolling hills of Lubbock, Tx? Surprisingly my friends, no. I have been (wait for it) ...




Sick. 




I know, I know. I'm never sick! Healthy as an ox, that's me. Immune system of pure gold. But alas. And dear Lubbock is not kind to my overly-sensitive allergies. 


Anyway, I've decided to go back to normal posts. That being said, I have some pictures for you!!

New shoes!

Second round of family photos! With the new addition. I cannot even believe how big Murph is getting. I am more than terrified for him to be at his full-grown, 100+ pound size, with the same energy level he has now. I may not survive.

Just because I miss it terribly.

Hope you're all happy and healthy and having a good week. Only 2 more days until Spring Break, all you college folk out there. And only 2 more days until the weekend, normal folk.

#4: Sleeping puppies

#4: Sleeping puppies

Because if they're sleeping, they're not biting your fingers, chewing your shoelaces, or peeing on anything!

Murphy Jennings Cooksey

The newest addition to our little group. Rex was smitten from the minute he picked that little pot-bellied boy up. The sweetest little thing you've ever seen, is he not? Until he starts chewing on your nose at three o'clock in the morning. Oh well, he'll grow out of it (right??). Anyway, if anyone has any puppy-raising tips, please feel free to help a sister out. I've never raised a puppy from scratch before. 

Luckily, this guy has, and he's a champ at it. They're fun to watch. Murphy is already attached to him. I'll keep you updated on the Puppy Saga. It's turning out to be an interesting one already. 

Have a wonderful day!