Our New Friend

In addition to finishing our swing set, we enjoyed the distinct privilege of adopting a new family member this weekend. Our dear friends are preparing to go to Brazil as missionaries. They officially began deputation on Friday, so Toby needed a new home.

Chris and I have been considering adopting Toby for most of the summer, but just weren't really sure what was going to be best. Life's pretty busy with three little ones. We weren't sure adding a dog to the mix would be the greatest idea--even as perfect of a fit as she seemed to be. Since we didn't want to get their hopes up, we never even mentioned we were considering it to the kids.

However, about a month ago, completely out of the blue, Peter was coloring at the table as I was preparing dinner and he told me, "I want a dog. A big dog." Out of curiousity, I asked him what he would name a big dog. "Toby." Cute. Very cute. Very random. We had not been talking about dogs, we had not seen any dogs recently. There was no good reason for him to be thinking about dogs.

However, the next day, a very similar conversation ensued.

And the next.

And the next.

Over the space of about three weeks, Peter prayed daily for a dog named Toby. He thanked God for a dog named Toby (that we didn't even have.) He asked for his money tin (with all of 54 cents) and asked to buy a dog named Toby with his own money.

So. When Mommy and Daddy have already been seriously considering this, and there's a dog named Toby who needs a new home who is two years old (i.e. not a puppy!) and has been raised in a loving family with a little boy so we know she's great with kids, it's kind of hard to say no to such persistence ...

So we've adopted a sweet dog named Toby. And both of the kids are very excited ... Peter particularly so.
So, Saturday launched a new "normal" with Toby in the mix ...

The kids and Toby played in the creek while Daddy mowed ...

And they gave Toby a bath after playing in the creek ...

And washed the van since the hose was out ... And Matthew ate his first cereal ...

And today we enjoyed more fun outside with Toby ...

She's super sweet and is settling in nicely to our family. And she's a great reminder to pray for our friends!