Thankful in the hard times

Last night one of our family pets died. Blacky was our dog for roughly 8 years. We were living in AR when we found her, a stray wandering around the neighborhood. You could tell she was only a puppy and she was so skittish. Poor baby had mange and had just been dumped. We couldn't just ignore her so we brought her into our home, nursed her to health and had a new family friend.

I think we already had Zoe when we found Blacky so Zoe and Blacky have grown up with each other, it's all they have ever known. Blacky has moved with us from North West Arkansas to Little Rock and then to GA! She has had a good life and she has been loved!

This was the first time our kids have really had to deal with death and it was very hard! Nicholas just bawled his little eyes out, Stephie cried a lot too. Ethan and Lexi were sad too but weren't as outward in showing it. Tears were shed and this Mama's heart broke, if not, just for her kids!! What a rough life lesson! But I am reminded why I have such great hope in Jesus and why I am glad we can use bad time to focus on the good so today I am thankful for:

1) A great family pet that was a part of our lives for 8 years
2) My hope in Jesus and a day when there will be no more hurt and no more death!!
3) A hope for doggy heaven...not sure Blacky will be there but I'm sure God will give us some puppies to play with, right?! :-)
4) Life lessons, they aren't always easy but they make us stronger and mold us into the people we are and will become some day
5) My kiddos and their precious hearts!















Blacky dog! RIP 11/18/2010