In Memory of a Great Cat - "Cleo" 1995-2008

I realized last night that Cleo starting to suffer. For those of you who knew her - she was a very social cat. She had not visited with our Friday Night Group friends for the past couple weeks and started sleeping under (rather than on) our bed a couple weeks ago. Last night I went to check on her and gently pulled her out from under the bed. She was so weak that she couldn't walk or rest. This morning we made the call to our vet to let Cleo go peacefully. The vet confirmed our fears and said Cleo was experiencing kidney failure. She was barely 5 pounds. So - this afternoon, she went to sleep in my arms with me telling her how much she was loved and what a good kitty she had been.

Thirteen years of memories - hairballs, "dingle berries", bad breath, no teeth AND MORE LOVE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. She came when her name was called and loved to get a good rub down. I loved Cleo and she loved me. I'm grateful she was a part of my life and hope I made hers all that she could have ever wanted. You'll be missed...

Roam For Adventure - Come Home For Love

Have Kids - Will Travel

When I was growing up, I dreamed of faraway places. If you read the book "When I Was Young in the Mountains" the last page says, "When I was young in the mountains, I never wanted to go to the city and I never wanted to go to the ocean - for I was in the mountains and that was always enough." It is a beautiful book about growing up in WV that I have read many times to Luke and Blake. I just can't relate to that last thought though. Because I did always long to travel and see new and exciting places and cultures. And I have to admit that I don't quite understand people who don't have just a little appetite to see the world beyond. I've been fortunate enough to live for a year in Asia and spent two weeks in Europe seeing some of the most beautiful villages you can imagine. Travel helps you understand the world is a big yet small place. I have a necklace that says "Not all who wander are lost." I've never felt lost. I've always felt like I had a pretty good sense of who I am. But if I had the available funds and means - I could live out of a backpack (Yes - my orange one, Justin! Well - maybe I do need a new one!) with my kids and husband going from place to place seeing all the world has to offer.

Most every parent spoils their kids in some way. Whether it's by letting them rule the roost on their choice of foods, TV programs, games and such (which we DO NOT do!)or putting only name brand clothing on their bodies (I'm not too proud to shop at thrift stores - you can get some really good deals!). We spend our little extra on showing our kids the world and hopefully helping them become more balanced and appreciative. So, yes - they've done a lot and seen more than some of adults. But I bet you anything that someday we'll see it was time well spent.

Our latest trip was this past weekend to NYC. We scored a half price hotel room online that was in the heart of the Broadway district! The room was small but as I said - IT WAS ON BROADWAY! Whoo Hoo! We traveled by train to Penn Station and spent Friday afternoon visiting the Statue of Liberty. We just missed the time cut-off to buy tickets to go inside but the woman at the counter saw Luke and his sad disappointed look and slid out four free tickets making us promise not to tell anyone. And who said New Yorkers are rude? We walked almost 200 steps to the top of the pedestal. My legs still hurt and the ferry ride back made me sick as we hit choppy waters. BUT - the boys loved it. It's the Statue of Liberty after all!

We dined at ESPN zone that night in Times Square and the next day we took the subway to the Bronx. Again - not as scary as the movies make it look. We met a lot of nice people. We were all decked out in Yankee gear but I'm sure it was clear we were tourists. It was pretty exciting to be in such a legendary stadium where players such as Babe Ruth and Micky Mantle played. The Yankees lost but that's ok we still had a fantastic time.

On our way home we stopped by Central Park (purely by accident). It was beautiful. We also got a look at some of the Trump buildings in that area. It's amazing how one city has so many personalities.

The highlight for me was Saturday night when our hotel was able to get us their last four tickets to the sold out performance of "The Lion King". The show was so beautiful that I could have cried. Blake earned laughs from hundreds of people when he yelled out "She's funny!" after a big number by the woman who played Rafiki. That's our Blake. He said during the last of three songs - "I'm tired and going to sleep". He passed out and missed the big finale. We had had a LONG day!

Both Luke and Blake said after this visit they wanted to live in NYC one day. This is also what they say when we return from visits to the mountains of WV or the beaches of SC. I told them if they're ever going to live in NYC do it while they're young and single or they'll never do it. Luke asked "Why?" One day he'll know why. In the meantime, they're growing up fast here in the suburbs. We're just trying to make the time count. It will be amazing to see where in this big world their hearts will take them one day.

Puppy Love

Justin's mentioned more than once that I haven't blogged in a while. Maybe it's the long, cold winter (without ANY snow!) that's got me down or perhaps I've just been busy! I think it's the second one!

In late January, we added Rocky to our home! It's been a labor of love. I do believe I had an easier time potty training Blake than house training Rocky. Pray for us! Seriously! Just pee outside, Rocky! Please?!

Pee and poop aside - we are in love with this little pug! He's great with the boys and we love seeing all three of them run around like crazy in the back yard and he's a real cuddle bug with me much to the disappointment of Justin. I have to admit that I've napped with him a couple times on the couch with his little head right on my shoulder snoring away and I loved every minute of it. Cleo has adjusted fine and she's been around a number of pets over the years and outlasted them all. As long as she gets a daily rub down (usually on the couch at night while watching some tv) and has her place on the master bedroom king size bed she's happy.

Rocky was so scared he was shaking for about the first 48 hours we had him and just balled up for about a week. It's been a journey - hopefully he and Justin will become better friends - as Justin is the one who rescued him in the first place. So - it's been pretty awesome watching him become more comfortable knowing that he will be loved and that everything is ok.

For now - I'll continue learning lessons in patience and forgiveness and love...

A New Year

We're finally receiving the first snow of the year after Blake was throughly convinced that winter was gone. Too bad it's not snowman making snow. I snapped this pic with my new camera at a local elementary school. I spotted the little flower peeking through the snow as I was leaving - hope you enjoy.

I have thought of some new year resolutions but haven't committed to put them in writing - if I change my mind - they'll be posted here.

For now - some updates... Luke was announced as the district winner in his age category for the Reflections program and will be going to state competition. Whoo Hoo! Great job for a little first grader! Blake is playing and using that imagination non-stop. I had forgotten how delightful 4 year olds are. They are hilarious.

Justin will be celebrating his birthday next week with a hockey game and dinner. We do a lot with our children and we've opted for a night out with another couple. Other than that, I felt like I was talking someone off a ledge last night as I tried to convince my husband of 13 years that a Siberian Husky was not the dog for him. Those of you who know him well will know that I am 100% right in this. Lord help us. I believe we will end up adding a small dog to our family soon though, as I live with three males who don't seem to be complete without one. We've done our homework this time and will get it right. I've heard folks say, "Have a dog before you have a baby." I believe it's the other way around. The babies has taught me more patience and love than I ever thought possible. I learned how to really care for someone... including a new perspective on those with four legs. They really are like babies and need to be treated as such. Poor Justin. I promised him he could get a Siberian Husky for his retirement when he has time to exercise it. Right now, I don't feel like coming home to find a chewed up cat and sofa. He'll come around and thank me in the end.

Most of you know I've gone part-time and it's been worth it. I can't help but to feel a little anxious about the economy with the price of gas and groceries. But - it will all work out. Phil 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything... present your requests to God." I read a devotional recently that highlighted this passage and mentioned many of the same worries I have right now as a mom. So - although I am still without any real resolutions - this is a great verse to focus on in the new year. This morning, Luke said as I was putting on my make-up, "Mommy, you look nice everyday. You're the best mom. You work but you're home as soon as school is over. You're just there." So - the economy stinks but God is great and good and will see families like ours through.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day we drove to Winchester where we met up first with the Elsea's at Nanny's home for dinner. Following dinner, we headed out for a walk around Nanny's farm. The walk was definitely the best part of my day. What I can't figure out is why we've never done that before. I guess I always thought that someone had cattle on the property or for some reason, we couldn't walk it, but now that I know, I'll be out there every time we visit for any period of time.

We also visited with Ma and some other family members and talked with others by phone who we couldn't see.

I miss the simplicity of the gatherings we had while I was in West Virginia and guess I always will.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a quiet day for us. No travel. No shopping. Just family. We followed with our tradition of the last few years of going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast on the morning of Christmas Eve. We spent the rest of the day baking cookies (the boys made some great sugar cookies with very little help), wrapping some gifts and just hanging out. We opened a couple gifts that evening after a simple dinner of ham, biscuits and green beans. Luke and Blake both received a new pair of pajamas. I believe this is the last year I'll be able to pull off a matching pair. Luke now prefers a plain tee shirt with pajama pants or shorts. It will always be a tradition we hold to though regardless of the how old these two get. They may be miles away someday as adults but you can better believe they'll be receiving a package of new pj's from Momma. We then settled in on the couch for Justin to read the real story of Christmas from the Bible. My favorite version is from the book of Luke. The boys headed to bed and we headed to our secret storage areas. We set out their gifts, ate the cookies that Blake had dropped on the floor at least three times and then headed to bed ourselves. Perfect.