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I have created a page to keep you updated on what is happening since the tragedy with Puppy and the neighbor.  This will allow me to make a distinction between that and other stories of life as this blog was originally created for.

Original story

There is Finally Closure

8/14/2014

4 Comments

 
PictureAsa meeting us on Christmas Day
Writing this blog today fills me with so many emotions.  First, it is nice to be writing again.  This past year has been so intense in so many ways that I wasn't free to share, so I had to remain silent or risk saying too much.  It was a lonely feeling and not fun.  It wasn't just this case but many stories were woven into ours and I was not free to share someone else's story so I remained silent.  Today is nearly a year since the tragedy but in many ways it feels as if it has been many years.  We are greatly relieved to close the Puppy chapter of His story Our Adventures.

I've read back over the things I wrote so I would know what you know.  That was difficult and yet also encouraging because I saw the comments where you shared your prayers and I saw the request I made for prayers.  God has been faithful in every way.  Sometimes we pray things because we know we should but we forget what we prayed or think they are just "typical" and don't really expect a real answer.  I see answers to every prayer that I read.  Our God doesn't forget or think they are "normal".  He absolutely hears and answers.  Thank you so much for all of your kindness and respecting our privacy as we walked through this.  I can think of no greater treasure in life than friends and family like all of you.

There is no way I can hash through all the details of this past year, it would take too long and I don't know that I have the emotional energy to do it but I will attempt to give you a summary of all things Puppy related since the last update in December.

Chris moved out of his home officially and we were able to find a golden retriever pup that matched our desires exactly.  She was so perfectly matched that she was 8 weeks on Christmas!  The people who were selling her lived very close and it turns out their daughter was even in Eli's class.  They have family who lives a couple doors down so it worked out for them to actually bring us the pup.  This made it so we could totally surprise the kids with no worries of a pup making noise before it was revealed and no guessing while we drove to pick one up.

When she delivered the pup it was in a Santa hat with jingle bells on her collar.  We had finished with gifts and were all hanging out playing board games when she arrived.  No one expected it and she just made Christmas perfect.  No one wanted to call her puppy so we got on a name right away.  It still wasn't easy but we finally all agreed on Asa Marie.  Her name means healer of bitterness.  She has been just that.  She distracted the boys from fear and they learned to play freely in their yard again.  She made us laugh and filled the void that Puppy left.  She loves kids and listens very well.  Because of the Invisible Fence she is free to run and play outside with no fear or worry on our part.  She is doing exactly as her name would suggest.

The boys have wrestled through a lot of things, as have all of us, but God has faithfully been bringing healing.  When Chris moved out that helped a lot because they didn't have to see him every day and be reminded.  Even though he was physically gone there was always the concern that he could come back and sometimes did.  This made it so we were always on the alert.  This past weekend new neighbors have started moving in.  There are no words to describe the relief that we all sighed knowing he has no business being anywhere near us anymore.

Legally, we have been through pre trials, and cancellations and even a taste of a trial where Marty had to testify and be cross examined as well as Chris for a protection order.  That was one of the most difficult parts of this ordeal.  I can't count the number of hours we have spent preparing and putting information together for lawyers.  First there was the protection order with one lawyer and then the misdemeanors with another.  Then the County Prosecutor told Chris to plead guilty to the misdemeanors or face felony charges.  Chris refused so it changed courts again and required that Marty testify before a grand jury to determine if there was a strong enough case for a trial.  It was moving from what he did to Puppy to what he did to the boys.  This meant they would have to testify.  After seeing the battering Marty took during the cross examination that scared me.  Paul Dobson (County Prosecutor) brought a lot of peace though and assured me that if Chris's lawyer were to attack the boys like he did Marty he would be sealing the case in our favor and he wouldn't do that.  All of us prayed a lot.  The boys were scared but willing. 

Monday, we met with Paul Dobson at the courthouse and he took them in the courtroom.  They sat in the witness chair and spoke in the microphone.  He pointed out where Chris would be sitting and they talked to the lady who would be writing the transcripts.  She showed them her machine and curious little boys lit up.  Finally, Paul Dobson took us to the judges chambers and introduced them to him.  He was very kind and put them at ease.  Marty and I reviewed with Mr. Dobson and his office staff, who were also very kind.  Later after Josh got off work he went and did the same thing.  Jared had discussed the case with him when he came out to our house on Saturday.  Going through the pain was awful but Paul Dobson and his staff were incredible in helping us to go through this process and I know they genuinely cared about each one of us.  (No, he didn't ask me to write this.)  

Tuesday,  Marty took the boys over to officially talk with the judge.  This is standard procedure for anyone under 10 years old.  They have to be deemed competent, meaning they know right from wrong, fact from fiction, truth from a lie.  Marty could not go in but both lawyers could, only to observe.  The judge immediately declared them competent and Paul Dobson said they did a great job.  Marty was on the way home when he got a call from Mr. Dobson.  Chris was willing to plead guilty and spend some time in jail.  There would be no trial.  Paul would get back with us soon.

We were a bit stunned.  No, a lot stunned.  We had been offering options all along but Chris stubbornly refused to admit he had done any wrong.  Not to mention there was so much build up and stress preparing that it just felt wrong to suddenly be over without a trial.  Why couldn't he have done this a long time ago and saved us all months of stress.  We kind of wandered through the next days feeling a bit lost because we had set aside everything to be at the trial.  The sentence seemed way too little, yet we had said we didn't want to see him rot in prison for years and years.  We were relieved that his wife wouldn't have to testify because she has to live with him, so there was no way to know what she would be faced with at home afterward or if she would be brave enough to tell the truth.  It was good to know the boys wouldn't have to relive it again and see Chris, risking the return of nightmares or fear.  At least this way there was no chance of an appeal dragging it out even longer.  It was just done.

The next day an article was in the paper.  It said the penalty was different than what we had been told but we've experienced the media enough to know not to trust it.  It didn't even have Noah and Eli's ages right and I really didn't like the way it ended because even though he was guilty it felt as if it ended by saying we had been the problem.  I officially don't like the media.  For the record we were in the process of getting a fence and Chris had called Puppy over to his yard multiple times making him believe it was a safe place.  But I won't go into all that now, it's over. 

Paul Dobson stopped by yesterday to apologize that everything had ended so abruptly but no one expected Chris to plead guilty.  He said Chris is currently in jail serving 10 of the 180 days he was sentenced.  He will then be on probation for a year and should he break that probation in any way he will immediately serve the remaining 170 days.  He will never be allowed around any of us nor can he contact us in any manner.  He lives in Tennessee now and we can move on with our lives. 

That is what we will do.  We will close this chapter with thanksgiving for a gracious God and court system that took care of things.  We can know that God has answered our prayers and done what is best for all of us, even Chris.  We will continue to pray for his salvation.  We will remember Puppy with happy memories but Asa is our puppy now and we love her, also.  She is kept safe in her yard with an Invisible Fence that was a gift to "start a happy ending" and it did.

Thanks to all of you.  I look forward to starting to blog again on my regular page putting this one behind me.

Many blessings,
Misty



4 Comments

And the Case Continues

12/1/2013

1 Comment

 
Several of you have wondered about what is going on.  I've been mostly silent because I do not want to say more than I should.  We would appreciate your prayers to continue though because my silence has nothing to do with how much is going on, in fact, it's just the opposite.  The more that is going on, the less I am able to share.  Some specific dates coming up that could especially use prayer are Dec. 4, Dec. 16, and Jan. 28th.  At this point, I think, we wish we could just get a pup and move on with life but that isn't what we need to do.  Prayers for strength and perseverance would be appreciated.  His house is up for sale but he is still there as a constant reminder of all that is going on. 

We continue to pray for his salvation and our ability to forgive.  One thing is for sure he was once unknown to most of you but now he is in the prayers of many.  I believe God is hearing those prayers, even if we can't see any results right now.  Thank you!
1 Comment

One Step Closer

11/9/2013

3 Comments

 
PictureClick to follow link
We had an amazing surprise come our way this week.  Invisible Fence found out about Puppy.  We had been in contact prior to what happened so they knew we had wanted their fence.  Friday morning they arrived and installed a fence "to help us start a happy ending".  There are no words to describe what a gift this is.  When we get a new pup we know it will be safe in our yard with no risk of wandering across an invisible line into danger.  It says we are one step closer to healing.  We have our eyes open for another puppy but we can't get one yet.  We have to know what's going on next door and whether or not we will have to put a privacy fence between us and Chris.  I wish I could have captured the looks of disbelief and joy on the faces of my children when they saw there might be hope for something "normal" again.  

If you know of any pups feel free to let us know but we are rather picky.  It will be very hard to replace Puppy.  Here are some specific things we are looking for.
* Female
* About 8 weeks old when we get her, so she has time to learn some manners from her siblings and mother, but she's still an adorable pup
* Family dog who welcomes other children (there are kids here all the time and I have to feel that they are safe or the dog leaves not the kids)
* Medium size (I'm not a fan of little yappers but it has to fit in the house)
* A dog who likes to play but can settle down when it's time, partly training but breeds have tendencies
* Fluffy with floppy ears but not too much
* I'm thinking something mixed with a golden retriever would be nice, but not slobbery
* We can't afford a big price tag.  We just finished paying off Puppy's vet bills and now we have to start over.

Wow, we really are picky.  I hope it doesn't come across as rude but we have a lot of personalities here and it has to fit with our family.  We do have some time to look and we don't mind traveling if it's the right pup.  We went 6 hours round trip to get Puppy.

I would like to give a little side note here as well to anyone who is concerned about some of the awful things online about electric fences and dogs.  We had an Invisible Fence with Precious in Bettsville for many many years and it was wonderful.  The trainers love the dogs almost as much as we do.  With proper training the pup isn't being shocked unnecessarily or too much for it's breed, size and temperament.  There is even a beeping sound that alerts the dog that it's coming close to the boundary.  She never once left the yard, except when the fence was accidentally cut.  It gave her more freedom than any other option.  She loved getting to stay outside and play with the kids or on nice days being allowed out while we went somewhere.  She loved playing in the water with the kids in summer and it never once shocked her.  It never left any marks on her and she didn't become a frightened pooch. . In fact, I believe when we moved and she lost her fence freedom, that is when her health started to go downhill.  The kids didn't play because they leash was a tripping hazard & it just wasn't as fun.  Her freedom to run was gone and she just laid around.  All I know is that she was much happier with the Invisible Fence than she was without it.  And we are super excited to get another pup and give it the same freedom and love.

Now that the fence is in, it's soooo hard to wait.  We just want to hold and love another fur ball now.  Praying things settle soon and maybe we can get the pup before the year ends.  The idea of a new baby and a new puppy at the same time is not my idea of sane.  But then again when have we ever done things the sane way.  :)

Thank you for your continued prayers and any leads you may pass along.

Many Blessings,
Misty Sunshine


3 Comments

Short update

11/7/2013

0 Comments

 
At the end of October, there was a scheduled hearing concerning the protection order.  Marty and I went and we discussed a lot with our lawyer.  Chris was given some options so things are on pause with that.  There will be a pretrial for the charges against him on Nov.13.  We will be there.  Please pray God will break through the hardness of Chris's heart and that he will accept the option that is best for everyone's sake.  I'm sorry I can't say more than that right now but I would really treasure your prayers in these coming days and especially on Nov.13.  Please also, continue to pray for his salvation.

On a very happy note, God is hearing and answering prayers but that is the most I can say for the time being.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  They still carry us everyday as we are faced with him still being next door and the way it affects each of us.  It's just not something you get used to.

Many Blessings,
Misty Sunshine
0 Comments

Stuck on Pause

10/10/2013

2 Comments

 
I have spent quite some time pondering how to move forward with this blog.  It has gotten national and even global attention with what happened to Puppy but that was never it's intention.  I love that so many are reading it but it was meant to be an encouragement to see Jesus in the midst of life.  It was intended to help you learn to see His Story in your adventures not just ours.  I want to move on but I know people need closure to the story of Puppy, as do we.  Unfortunately, there is no closure yet.  In fact, it looks as if it will drag on for awhile, so I've created this page just for that.  I will keep you updated as I understand things.

The neighbor is still next door where we are constantly reminded of what happened.  In some of us it sparks a sense refusal to be pushed around by fear so we park as usual in our driveway.  Yet some days, we park in the other neighbors driveway to avoid the area.  Sometimes it just depends on who has to get in the car next to avoid traumatizing them again.  Some minutes we think we are going to be OK and others we just want to cry or shout or scream.  Nothing really makes any sense to us but we are doing our best to move forward in trust that God can and will work this all out for good somehow.  

Oct. 1, Chris put a for sale sign in his yard.  We have very mixed feelings about that for a lot of reasons but Noah and Eli are hopeful.  I just pray they aren't disappointed.  

Oct. 2, he had a pretrial.  Marty and I went and talked to the prosecuting attorney that morning but we were told it would be the lawyers in a room discussing the case, so rather than sit in the same room as Chris we went about the rest of our day and waited for news.  We found out the mayor and Larry  (Marty's step dad) were there and that they were able to listen in.  Larry shared with Marty but we haven't had more than a few minutes to talk so I don't know the full story, yet.  What I do know is that it was deemed to be too complicated and the case was continued for another pretrial on Nov.13.  This time we are taking off of work and we will be there.

Because he seems to be moving some stuff out Chris is out in his yard a lot lately.  This seems to have sent the boys backward and they won't go outside again.  When they do it's only to the van and only with us while they race to get inside the vehicle.  They go out the front door for school very tentatively because they are afraid he will be in his yard.  I thought we were making progress but now I'm not so sure.

Last night Noah came in my room crying because he dreamed that Chris shot his brother Matthew then turned the gun on him and said, "I'm gonna blow your head off."  I know many of you were praying and are praying but if you think of it prayers that they can sleep without bad dreams are still needed.  

We still miss Puppy and expect him to appear at any minute but he never does.  I would love to get another one to at least help fill the void but we still have no fence and a crazy neighbor so I can't.  Please pray things will happen quickly so we can move on and not be constantly stuck in that day.  Just when I think we have moved forward the boys see him and we go all the way back where we started.  It breaks this mamma's heart.
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