wow 2 in 1 day :)

I don't know that I have ever experienced the heart of God as much as I have since Ruby Blue came into my life.  She is such a joy & such a terror at the same time.

There have been times in the last few months when I have literally been in tears because her behavior has been so naughty and just downright defiant.  She is completely outdoor trained now, finally at 1 year old (in a week).   And let me tell you, it's been a long road and we've had to sacrifice quite a chunk of carpet to the cause.  Well, the other day, she looked straight at me and squatted on the floor and peed! 

One day last week when she was being completely rotten, I said "Ruby Blue Faith! How can you be so rotten and so adorable at the same time?  How can I love someone as rotten as you?"  Then I thought to myself, does God ever look down at me and my behavior and think, Robin Danielle Faith, how can I keep loving someone as rotten as you?

Ruby Blue loves me unconditionally.  She loves me immediately after I discipline her.  She knows when she's done something wrong, she is sneaky and smart.  If she gets a swat or she goes to time out, she is itching to get right back to mommy. (even if it was daddy who did the punishing!)  When I come home or get up in the morning, it's like I have been gone for DAYS, she lavishes me with kisses and she is frantic to get into my arms. If Bruce is home when I pull up, he opens the door with her in his arms and she looks like a wind up toy on speed...all black fur flailing as she paws the air trying to run to mommy but not able to get out of daddies arms.  I'm constantly covered in scratches from our exchange of what's in my hands to his so I can take her.  But I don't feel them.  Since I can't have children, I imagine it's close to what mothers must feel.  It's similar to the joy I get when Becky runs to me or Kaleb says "hey Wobin!" or when Morgan opens the door and gives a gasp of joy or when any of my nieces or nephews hugs me and tells me they love me.  But Ruby Blue is never mad at me.  She always wants me. Even as I type, she is sleeping on me.  She started off on the back of the chair where I am sitting, but her hind end is now on my shoulder, if I were to move, her whole body would fall.  When I sit on the sofa or lay in bed, she curls up next to me and as the moments pass, she presses in to me.  The other day, as I was thinking about writing all this, the phrase "presses in to me" stuck in my head.  How many times have we heard the phrase, "press in to God" when we are in need?  I've heard it a million times if I've heard it once.  I always knew what it meant in my head, and I've had much opportunity to practice it over the years and especially this past year.  But suddenly, I have this new visual of "pressing in" and I am so excited because I love it when something practical relates to something spiritual (as it always does, when we open our eyes!)

here is Ruby Blue in time out last night, trying to worm her way off the chair and over to me