The Muse

At six in the morning, Greg leaves for work and Diesel thinks we should start our day then too. I've tried ignoring him, cuddling with him, and ultimately surrendering to his will to prevent mischief making. But Tuesday morning there was a breakthrough. Sort of. Good news? He laid back down. Bad news? It was on Greg's side of the bed. A bed in which he was not actually permitted. I choose my battles. One more point for Diesel. Wednesday morning, he once again refused to join Greg in the gym and slept through the workout. But when the front door latched, signaling Greg left for work, Diesel jumped up onto the bed, rolled around happily for a moment and then curled up and went back to sleep. It's amazing what he can remember and patiently anticipate. By Thursday morning, Greg tricked him by opening and closing the front door before walking back into the bedroom. Diesel was not only already curled up on the bed, but he did not seem at all bothered by being caught. We're getting soft. And Friday? He didn't even pretend he was curling up on the chair when Greg brought him in from a potty break. He jumped right up onto the bed and made himself comfortable. Apparently we have a dog on our bed in the mornings now.

If only he was resting instead of recharging.

His behavior stresses him exactly not.at.all.

I call this "reluctant compliance." Technically, he did sit.

He believes it is his job to expose loop holes. He is quite skilled. 

The deck apron had to be enclosed because someone was racing under it, getting stuck and cut in the process. He was pretty ticked off as we worked to eliminate his fun. 

He was put inside so we could finish in peace. He pulled down a curtain panel and knocked over the trash while he waited on us to come to our senses. 

A sweet friend of Kate's has been breaking into the world of photography. She has had several gigs with the high school and some friends have requested her work as well. I asked if she had any interest in a large family gathered for an hour; the only hour we were able to achieve while Lauren was in town for a wedding. Grace agreed to help me repeat my favorite family session from four years ago. I can't wait to see what she captured. But my advice, always my advice to anyone shooting a family, follow the muse. Follow the one with the energy. Others will gravitate to that character and that is where the best interactions will take place. Looking at my camera roll, it's easy to see who brings the energy to my house these days. Welcome to the family Diesel, you exhausting knucklehead. 

Little man was in a wedding this weekend. His mom was too. I only have photographic evidence of the cutest guy there. 

Speaking of muses, while Lauren was in town, we did get a bit of time beyond the breakfast hour to see our favorite little man. The entire family wasn't able to gather around the spontaneity of those moments so we took them for what they were and simply enjoyed being with him.

Erin's official title with CCAP Across The Map is International Initiatives Lead but she is constantly cross-leading programs within the organization. Makenna and I joined her on the latest fundraising event, a virtual 5k. Erin started her new position with UofL Monday as a case worker for an underserved group of people in healthcare. Leaving the primary care office was tough. She loved that job and the people she worked with but this stepping stone takes her closer to her long-term goal of serving the broader community in healthcare leadership. It goes without saying how proud of her we remain. 

Makenna realized without much fanfare that the therapy side of serving children with special needs was not a good fit. She simply disagrees with the methods applied. She adored the people she was privileged to learn alongside; however, it solidified her decision to remain in education. She landed her first teaching job at a local elementary school and can not be more excited. She has honestly been running a pull-out program for the last two years but didn't have the title. This will be her classroom and she is thrilled. We can't wait to personalize it with her.

I kept an eye on a friend's house this week while they vacationed in Florida. Diesel loved running around the yard without a leash and Kate accompanied me one time to relax in the hammock before she went to work. We contemplated a fence for our yard but Diesel has demonstrated his ability to jump the six foot privacy fence in our friend's yard. We are saving a fortune by not investing in the unwanted fence, but have a lot more training to do before the beast is free to roam our yard unattached. P.S. I love this backyard.