on exhibit

While most times I feel like the head zookeeper- I honestly could never do it alone. Meet my co-worker and husband; Mr. Zookeeper. I am the manager where he is more like the owner but it takes both of us to operate this facility... and even then we still have to call out for reinforcements some times. We have been married almost 10 years and it has been wonderful! Marrying at a younger age leaves a lot to be learned but we are so blessed to have learned it together. We have, in a sense, grown up together and will continue to do so; crying, laughing and hugging all along the way. I am sorry to have to brag, well sort of because I will do it anyway, but he is the most amazing man! He can fix just about everything, whether it naturally needs fixing or it's something I or one of the kids manage to break, he is a self teacher and lifelong student, a fantastic friend to everyone he meets and therefore is generally the light of a party- people are drawn to him and just can't help but to like him... yes, I chose well. We married after knowing each other 5 months, I know- why did it take so long to snag him up? We were very happy from the moment we met but our twosome did not stay that way for long. Two weeks after our first wedding anniversary we welcomed our first babe. Meet Rhino- normally I would think of any other animal to describe my precious son but he insisted he was a rhino and now that I'm forced to accept it, I can see the similarities as he too is a gentle giant. Rhino loves animals and dinosaurs; everything in his world evolves those things... and hot dogs. Rhino has always liked to be around other people but prefers to do his own thing-He was the perfect baby until I realized the things he did were not typical... at age three he was diagnosed with autism and has been teaching me ever since. Unlike the rhino, tigers are territorial and generally solitary animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat. Enter in child number two. Tiger is the complete opposite of his older brother. From the moment he was conceived we've had to watch him like hawks, he was born and we was calm and still for about the only two weeks of his life, it's been go-go-go ever since. Because he was so different than Rhino, I thought for sure he was going to be a help meet for his older brother... while he does fulfill that role, he taught us many things about the other side of the spectrum when he regressed at 19 months. Losing all language and social skills he ever had, he was like a tiny animal in captivity. Knowing what I did from working with Rhino, I was fortunate to begin intervention right away, got an autism diagnosis and began school at age two. We are still in the process of gaining speech back but every day we get closer. I never thought I'd be so happy to hear the word "stupid". Like his name, Tiger loves to run and hunt, not necessarily prey, unless it's french fries or hash browns, but anything worth hunting. He loves adventure and apparently loves danger because he can't seem to stay out of it. I've learned to never turn my back on a tiger. Aside from very sharp teeth that you must always be aware of, tigers are very playful and offer so much life that you would not otherwise experience. Just when you think you are so overwhelmed you will burst, the Lord sends you an angel to help. Who doesn't love a puppy? Sure, it's not your typical zoo animal but my third child is not your typical little girl either. while she has golden locks of naturally curly hair, gorgeous indigo shaded eyes and a petite figure- she is all boy. She'll cuddle on your lap allowing you to play with her while she giggles but as soon as the door opens she heads straight for the dirt. So what makes this girl so special? She came into this family with her sleeves rolled up. With two brothers before her she should be entitled to a little childishness but she would having nothing of it, she was born ready and has been a huge lifesaver to both boys... and me. Puppy participates in therapy, watches when I'm not around and corrects as needed, did I mention she's not even old enough for kindergarten yet? She has done for these boys what no mother could ever do- she has been their unconditional friend and example. Given my experience with the boys you'd know I was on my guard for what might be next. When your baby comes premature and all of the doctors are amazed with the fast paced progress, recovery and determination of your little monkey... go home and get a very good night's sleep. Monkey showed us what she was made of in the NICU and hasn't slowed down since. Alert, busy and as silly as can be, she is on all accounts monkey see- monkey do! Knowing her now I can only suppose that she was pre-mature and spent months with colic because she didn't like being confined... she walked early, is talking early and the spent her first birthday with two third-degree burned hands wrapped in gauze and stitches in her eyebrow. Only monkeys can get away with swinging in trees teasing the Rhino, stealing Puppy's food and run around screaming while antagonizing the Tiger and still be considered completely adorable; but alas, she is a monkey and a complete joy to have around.
So- there you have it, welcome to Our Family Zoo. Other animals come and go on a daily basis and occasionally we take a much needed holiday and hire seasonal temps to refresh our devotion. If you ever get a chance, take a ride with us on our Zoo Train... sometimes we're the drivers but most times- we just hold on and enjoy the ride...