Bentley's Birthday

Bentley can't resist a laundry basket!

One of Bentley's favorite spots!

Bentley's very favorite spot!

Well I simply couldn't resist putting up some pictures of my Maltese, Bentley, today because he turned 3 years old. I just can't believe it! My Fiance and I got him shortly after we moved to Wisconsin, and I suppose it's equally hard to believe that we've lived here for so long. We left all our friends and family behind (in Michigan) when we moved here, and I wasn't sure we would survive this long! So, Bentley is very special to us. He has been a very loyal companion and I just adore him! I think family pets are so wonderful for so many reasons. They teach you patience and unconditional love. Animals love you just the way you are, and they're SO easy to love!! I imagine that would be similar to how someone feels love for their child, but I have yet to experience that! :) I never thought of myself as a dog person, but now I can't imagine not having one! I should mention that I also have a Yorkie named Cooper, and he's very sweet too. I'm thinking that I just might begin doing a "weekly dose of Bentley and Cooper" here on my blog. Why not! They're sweet, and they just might make you smile! :)

The Shack

I read this book yesterday (yes in 1 day, because I couldn't put it down) called "The Shack," by William Paul Young. I know it's a very popular book and it's been out for a couple of years, but I just learned of it recently. It was given to me by my Grandmother, who was sure that I had already read it. She told me that it was fiction, and I hesitated on taking it, because I haven't been reading any fiction books lately. Well, after reading "The Science of Getting Rich," by Wallace Wattles, "No Matter What" by Lisa Nichols, "The Passion Test" by Janet and Chris Attwood and "Happy For No Reason" by Marci Shimoff, I yearned for a break from non-fiction (although all those books were terrific). So anyway, I decided to read "The Shack" as my fiction book.

You probably know the plot already.. a man loses his daughter.. she was kidnapped and murdered in this cabin out in the middle of no where. Four years later he gets a letter in the mail inviting him back to that cabin, from God. I don't want to give too much away, if you haven't read it. I just wanted to say that it's an absolute must read book!! If you're a believer, you'll just love it, and if you're not I think it will change your life.

I'm so grateful to my Grandma for giving me this book. It's one that I will treasure, and read again and again. I can say that my life with God is forever changed thanks to this book. It's that good! :)