Pic(s) of the Week: A Halloween Cow

Not every kid can make a cow look this cute.



Trick-or-Treat!



There isn't much to say here. The pictures tell it all...




Can't wait 'til next year.

Ghost Dog

This weekend seemed the perfect time to introduce you to our own little ghost here at the Schnelle house. Well, he's not really a ghost.

This is Ghost Dog.
See him? The big white one.

Yep, that's his name. Ghost Dog.

Ghost dog got his name because of his eerie presence. But I must back-up and tell this story from the beginning.

About a year ago, a family moved into the property behind us and brought with them two Great Pyrenees dogs that served as herders and protectors for the livestock there. They would wander into our yard once in a while with a herd of goats tagging along. The goats were pretty destructive, so we would often have to chase them back home. Back then, both the dogs were thin, lanky and skittish which made them a little bit creepy.

It was on one such occasion that our friend Cindy, who was staying with us at the time, helped us chase them out of the yard. She made the comment that the dogs were like ghost dogs.

A few months later, one of the dogs was left behind when our not-so-nice neighbors moved out suddenly (we found out later that they didn't treat their animals very well at all). He was left to run wild. Of course, the poor thing was pretty traumatized from being abandoned and he became very skittish and shy. The woman who owns the property placed food out for him in hopes to lure him in and develop trust, but he has yet to let any humans near him. Regardless, he sticks around the area, eats the food and still looks pretty healthy. Amazingly, healthier than before he was left.

Yet, he remains extremely elusive. You will catch a glimpse of him here and there, but only a glimpse, then he quickly disappears. Like a wild animal. Once in a while we will surprise each other, but he only stops to look at me for a second before loping back into the woods.

Hence, Ghost Dog. It stuck. The woman trying to catch him now calls him Ghost Dog too. It's his name, and it is perfect. Who knew?

While he is skittish with humans, he has made good friends with all our dogs. Recently, he began showing up early every morning to partake in the canine romp in our yard. I was never able to get a really good look at him until now. Still, if he sees any sign of human movement he takes off. But, I was lucky to sneak out on the porch the other morning and snap a few fuzzy pictures.

And yes, this is what our yard looks like every morning. Two of the dogs are ours, but the others belong to neighbors. Heaven.


He is so beautiful and majestic and huge! He towers over all the other dogs.

I was even able to get a couple of seconds of video.



It warms my heart to see him have so much fun. Our hope is that he someday trusts us enough that we can get him the proper care and love he needs. In the meantime, I am happy just to watch him from afar.

So if you think you see a white streak from the corner of your eye, or see something in the shadows, or an eerie movement in the dark, it is probably Ghost Dog lurking about.

Happy Halloween!!

Pic(s) of the Week: Pumpkin Fun

Last week, we introduced Mia to her first pumpkin carving experience.


She took to it like a moth to a flame.

Like she had been doing it for years.

Then, she tried to eat it.

And quickly discovered it wasn't a good idea.

This weekend, we head down south to Grandma B's house for Halloween. We have a weekend full of fun planned. Spook-tacular at the Springfield Zoo on Saturday, then trick-or-treating on Sunday. Can't wait!!

Pic of the Week: Football!

We took Mia to her first football game last Friday.
She loved the band, and the fanfare.




But with the first touchdown came loud cheering from the crowd.
And we left.

My World

What is life like for this stay-at-home Mom with three dogs, one cat, and a toddler?

Today is a typical day.

I wake up to the sounds of the neighborhood dogs engaging in their morning romp with my dogs in our front yard.

I cuddled with Mia under the warm covers.

We ate breakfast together and made funny faces.

I take Mia outside to play and we are greeted by four dogs (I have three).

I yelled at Cookie and Hank to stop wrestling near the baby. Again.

Mia yells too.

I pulled 1.2 million burrs from Angel's fur.

I picked up 55 blocks and 43 toys from the living room floor approx. 125.3 times. How is that for a word problem?

I swept and mopped the floor. Again.

I gave in to Brody's sweet face as he begged to get inside.

I told Cheyenne to get off the bed. Again.

I cleaned Mia's high chair 5 times. Once after each meal. I am really starting to loath that high chair.

I thought of a new distraction for Mia as I ruefully attempt to change her diaper without a wrestling match.

I stared at my daughter in awe as I watch her discover something new.

I laughed at my daughter as she says something new. (Like "Achooo Daddy" after Daddy sneezed or "bye pickles" as she left the table.)

I put away the candles that Mia pulls out from the bathroom drawer about 15 times.

I watched Toy Story for the 168th time.

I yelled at Cookie as she chases after the UPS truck. Again.

Finally, it is nap time.

Now I get down to business. Shower, work on the computer, and clean as much as I can until she gets up. Today though, I worked on schoolwork.

3pm, and it is countdown til Daddy gets home. Time goes by very slowly.

I walk Mia to the mailbox to get the mail, stopping along the way to pick berries off the trees.

I read the mail while Mia plays in the front seat of the car.

All the dogs are sleeping.

I rejoice when Daddy gets home and takes Mia while I cook.

We eat dinner as a family and reflect on the day.

I will go to bed with a smile on my face, thanking God for my wonderful family and the chance to get to stay home with them everyday.

Then, I will pray that Mia sleeps soundly through the night.