Over the last few days, it’s been raining pretty hard – Dad said we got about 6 inches of rain. I’m not really sure what that means, but I think that’s why the ground is so squishy all the time when we go for walks. There was water everywhere!

None of us wanted to get off the porch- all the kittens and cats just sat on their perches and watched it rain. They finally went in the carport where Dad has a heater that will keep them warm. Mom made me and Scout walk around a little bit; she said we had to stretch our legs a little bit.  I think us running races up and down the hall were getting on her nerves.

Dad says that there’s a story in the Bible about a lot of rain. He says a man named Noah loved God and followed Him. Then one day God was sad about how bad people were behaving to he decided to send a lot of rain. He told Noah to build a big boat (it’s called an ark in the Bible) so Noah and his family could stay safe.

After the flood was over, God put a rainbow in the sky to remind all of us that He will never flood the world again.

I found some neat color sheets about Noah and the ark and the rainbow here – let me see what you color!

So…. remember me telling you that Mom put a TREE in the living room? Well, now she says it’s time to take it back down. But here’s a picture of what it looked like with all those packages and bags under it. Dad said we had to leave all that stuff alone because it wasn’t ours.  Scout did try to eat one of the little boxes but they stopped her before she finished; Dad says that doesn’t count against the ‘naughty’ list because Scout is still just a baby, really.

And I guess Santa must have thought we were pretty good- we each got a nice smelly bone to chew on and they taste great. We also got a bag of peanut butter cookies- our favorites! And we got a red ball that we can’t chew up. I don’t know how much fun that’s going to be but we’re giving it a try.

And guess what? Dad gave a bunch of our Christmas cards out to the folks on his mail route, and they must really like it because they put it up in their offices and stuff. One lady told Dad this morning that everyone who comes in wants to read it.

Scout and I hope you all had a great holiday with your loved ones.  Don’t forget that Jesus loves you, no matter what!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3 16

Mom says that people could learn a lot, if they’d just pay attention to their dogs.  She says we have “joy of life” – I’m not sure what that means, but I think it means that she likes to watch Scout and I run and play. We saw this bird flying from one tree to another this morning and we ran back and forth, watching it; in a few minutes some other birds were flying around with it, and we liked that even more. Then I saw a squirrel run up one tree and jump to another and I was barking and trying to catch it.

Dad says most dogs enjoy every day – on his mail route, he has dog friends at lots of houses.

Dad and Mom both say that if people would try to enjoy the life they have like us dogs do, instead of always wanting something different, they might be happier.   They say that us dogs are happy just because…

I don’t know about that; but I do know that a white bag with a “T” and an “S” is sitting in the dining room.  I know that means it came from Tractor Supply, which is where our chicken meatballs and peanut butter cookies come from.  It smells awfully good – I wonder if Santa brought that to our house last night? I think if Scout and I are very quiet, we might be able to pull that bag down before Dad & Mom find out.   Come on, Scout – let’s go see….

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A few days ago, I heard Mom tell Dad that they needed to get all the decorations out of the storage building. And then she said something about a tree.  Well, I just thought she was talking about the trees outside.

And then this week- I swear this is what happened- she put a TREE in the living room. A TREE. It wasn’t real because it was in parts, but she really put it in there. Then she put lights that were on strings all around it, and then she put this big silver string all around it. Scout tried to taste it but Mom said no.

We were so surprised at what she was doing, we just laid on the sofa and watched… I couldn’t even bark. Then Mom told us what it was all about.

You see, in about another week, we’re having a big party- in fact, folks all over the place are having parties – and all for the same reason. Because it’s Jesus’s birthday!

Dad says we really don’t know when Jesus’s birthday is, so someone a long time ago picked December 25 as the day to celebrate. And everyone who wants to, gets to help celebrate. Some people put up trees and lights and wreaths and other stuff- I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what else Dad and Mom decide to put up at our house. (I think I heard Dad say something about putting lights outside – don’t ask me why- maybe it’s to help the Little’uns find their way around.)

Dad says most everyone gives presents to the folks they love to help celebrate, so I guess that explains the boxes and bags all around the tree. I hope there’s something under there for us dogs. We’ve really tried to be good this year.

Dad also says that some folks don’t think it’s right to put up a tree or decorations to celebrate Jesus’s birthday. They think it’s making the real meaning of Christmas less important. I don’t know- it looks pretty to me, and I like watching the lights blink on the tree. I think it’s a good idea to make a big deal about Jesus- after all, He died for each one of us so we can go to heaven, and He couldn’t have done all that if He hadn’t been born, so it seems right that we make a big deal out of His birthday.

If you’ve got little kids who like to do crafts, look at this page we found- it looks like some fun things to make. (We’re not allowed to play with the glue sticks because Scout tries to eat them.)

Oh yeah! In case you haven’t seen our Christmas card yet, go here – you’ll never guess who’s in it!

Look at Dad! He’s leading this year’s toy run.

Last year, he and Mom started sponsoring Spyder’s Toy Run, which started 26 years ago.  Spyder is Jennifer’s father-in-law and he and some friends started it to make sure all the kids in Crenshaw County have a great Christmas. Isn’t that a great thing?  So when he couldn’t lead it any more, he asked mom and dad to help and they said yes!

It’s sad to think about kids not having a good Christmas- but Dad and Mom and lots of other good folks invited all  the good folks they know.

When I say my prayers tonight, I’m gonna ask God to give a special blessing to each one who came to help.

Dad says that now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to get ready for Christmas. They’re getting ready to put the tree and the other decorations, and then something about making a list. He told us if we were good dogs, that Santa might bring us a surprise. I’m doing my best to be a good dog, but sometimes it’s tough.
I don’t know how Santa is going to come see us, though, because we don’t have a chimney…. one of my friends says that’s how he gets in the house.
Scout says she wants a new bone to gnaw on and a new blanket- she kinda ate her old one. I want another Kong chew toy – I like them because they don’t tear up quick.
Our kitty buddies said all they want for Christmas is to find a home- they like staying here but they all really want their own homes to play in.
If you see Santa, could you ask him to help them out?

What do YOU want for Christmas?

You probably remember the ‘possums that live at our house. We only see them at night – Dad says they’re “octurnal” or something like that; I wasn’t paying attention because Scout was trying to get my ball. But anyway, they come out at night and eat cat food with our cats. Mom says that’s OK because they also like to eat fleas and roaches and other yucky bugs, so she says it’s a good swap.

I’m not sure whether I like them or not- they do look kinda like Bunny the kitten, except for that pointy nose and those beady little eyes and that naked tail. Something just isn’t right about that…

But I would like to at least get the chance to talk to one of them, at least one time. Every time we go out at night, I rush out, thinking this time I’m going to be able to talk to them, but no- they go rushing off the end of the porch before I can get their attention. So then I have to run around the house trying to catch up with them.   I try following them to the end of the porch, but every time they just jump off, so then I have to run around the house really fast 2 or 3 times. But it doesn’t do any good. Every time they disappear.

Every night when I run to the end of the porch, Mom says, “Hope be careful! You’re going to fall off!”  And each night, I think, “Nah, I can stop before the edge.”

Except for last night…. because I didn’t stop at the edge. I just sailed right off into the bushes.  Of course, I jumped up and ran off around the house- I told Mom that I meant to do that. (It only scratched me a little. I’m a big girl- it didn’t hurt.) It did actually get me a little closer to where the ‘possums are.

But I don’t think I want to do that anymore.

I think next time I’ll take the steps.

Did ya’ll see the super moon this week? Sunday night when Dad and Mom came home from church we walked around outside and looked at it. It was beautiful! It was so big and bright, and the fluffy clouds around it made it that much prettier.

Dad says that God made the moon and stars for light at night, just like He made the sun for light during the day. That was a long time ago but they’re still up there shining!  (I know that the moon really doesn’t have it’s own light- it shines from the sun shining on it.  Dad says that’s a sermon right there, but maybe that’s a story for another night.)

Anyway, I sure am glad that God gave us the moon for night time; I love walking up to the peanut shed with Mom,  Scout, Chip, Baby Girl  and all the Little’Uns, but it wouldn’t be nearly so nice if the moon didn’t help us see our way.

If you like to color, Mom and I found a great website that’s got lots of coloring pages on it. Here’s one that tells the story of when God made the moon!

When Scout first came here, I wasn’t sure I liked her. (and to be honest, I’m still not sure on some days.) But most days we have fun. We both like playing with the kittens, especially Chip. Chip has been  my best friend since I first came here, because we were both new at the same time.  We grew up together…. and I’m glad that Scout and Chip get along together too.

Chip usually stays outside, because he likes chasing the squirrels and catching moles.  But this morning he came inside when Mom took us out for our walk.  Then when Mom started working, we all laid down on my blanket and played.

Some people think it’s silly for cats and dogs to get along, but we don’t care. Scout and I love Chip- and he loves us.  He lets us lick and chew on his ears without getting mad, and we let him grab our legs with his claws without getting mad.

Mom says that folks could learn a lot from us about getting along.  She says sometimes folks get mad at other people when they don’t agree.

That sounds kinda weird to me- I mean, how much fun would it be if we were all just alike? If all the cats were just like Chip, how could we recognize him when we see him?  We might start chewing on a strange cat’s ears and then he would get mad at us.  And  oh my goodness- if everyone were just like Scout, I don’t know if I could handle it.  It’s tough enough having one sister that takes my blanket and my cookies and my ball…. whew, it’s a tough life.

Mom says we just need to remember what the Bible says:

I Corinthians 13:

Guess what Mom and Serafina got to do? They handed out candy at “The Treat’s On Us” last Monday.   Serafina sat on a table and greeted everyone and Mom handed out goodie bags, til she ran out.  Each goodie bag had a few pieces of candy in it, and a little booklet that told the kids how much Jesus loves them.

She got some pictures of some of the folks they met- lots of cute little kids were there – she saw Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Iron Man, firefighters, witches, dolls, cowgirls,  Beetlejuice, pirates – and even a dragon! He looked like Serafina so Mom took their picture together. (You can click on the little pictures above to see bigger ones.)

Dad said Scout and I didn’t need to go, because some people might be scared of pibbles, and because we might accidentally get loose while she was busy.  (I sure am glad Dad loves us, but I would have really liked to go and see all that candy!)  He said we’re going to get to go to some of the places they go though-he and Mom say we’re going to start doing more stuff like this so we can tell even more folks that Jesus loves them. It’s gonna be great!

Dad said something about getting Mom a sidecar…. I wonder if the kitties will want to ride in it?

Mark 1:16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

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