Missy

This is Missy. She left her family and friends last week after living a very fun and full life.

My kids, mainly Clay, were her sitters over the last few years.

Missy was a funny dog. Even after she had gone pretty blind she still knew exactly where to go and stand for her treat when she came in from doing her business outside.

And sometimes she was funny about doing her business outside. She didn't like to get her feet wet, so she would try to avoid the wet grass. Or she would pretend that she had done everything and want you to let her back inside. But, if you stood your ground, she would get to it so she could get back inside and get her treat. She liked her treats.

One of her favorite things to do was play hide and seek with Clay. Oh, she would make me laugh. She would hide under the coffee table which might have worked if it hadn't had a glass top.

There was the season she decided that she only wanted to sleep in the bathtub. Her mother had put something like a blanket in the tub and Missy jumped on it like a junebug and claimed it to be hers. She used it to scare us to death. We couldn't find her. She had completely buried herself under the blanket.

Missy was picky about her toys. Once she had a favorite, none other would do. There was the hamburger toy. Her parents tried to switch it once with an identical toy. Didn't work. She demanded her old one.

She was a sweet, sweet heart and dearly loved, but it was time for her to say good-bye. She had lived a very full and fun life.

My French Chicks Leave Tomorrow...

and I don't want them to go. I'm wondering if their parents would care if we just didn't manage to get them on the plane.

We went out for our last meal together. It was hamburgers and fries at Mooyah. Can't get more American than that. You can get more Texan, but not more American. We did Tejano's on Thursday night. Phil, Haley and Clay took them to Health Camp in Waco on Saturday night. I don't know why I've started discussing eating establishments. Probably because I don't want to think about how much I'm going to miss them.

These girls have been amazing. They have jumped into the middle of our crazy family and just held on tight for the ride. We have drug them here and there and they've never fussed or complained. They were even game to put on hair nets and gloves to serve meals at the Union Gospel Mission. I know many teenagers that would have refused.

We have laughed our heads off at Callie trying to teach them English. Their English is much better than hers, so we have to run interference and explain that they are saying it correctly and she is wrong. She even tries to correct their French. Now, that is a hoot. We have to explain to her that they are French and they know how to pronounce French words.

All the kids have different relationships with them and it has been a lot of fun to watch. Callie has been their "American Tour Guide" which was very confusing at times. Clay has been their pesky little brother that refuses to smile for pictures. Corinn has been their "just chill friend" introducing them to her friends and her world. Haley was their "Adventure Guide" which is scary due to the fact that Haley is directionally challenged. Aaron has been their obnoxious big brother that continuously makes them laugh.

Starbucks sales will go down after tomorrow. These girls have made their stock go up. The barista at our Kroger is going to miss them. She knew their regular orders.

I can't think about their leaving anymore. I know tomorrow the tears will come at a steady pace.

These girls have been a blessing.