National Cat Day

Apparently November 29th is National Cat Day. While I tend to be more of a dog person we have somehow ended up with three cats.

Unintentionally. 

When Skippy went missing for over a month and a half the kids talked us into a new little kitten. Two weeks later Skippy turned up again.

So now we are a crazy cat household. Sometimes it's more of a zoo than a house.

We have Buttons, our 13 year old three legged cat. We've had her since she was an itty bitty kitten and she is such a sweetheart. She will sit on my feet at night and keep them warm. She perched on top of the sofa right behind Jacob most of the time he was sick. When the kids were babies she would groom their hair and lie on the floor next to them like they were her kittens.

Skippy is still kind of a weirdo. He was Jacob's cat so we put up with him. He continues to be a bit more wild since he has turned up after his two month adventure. He now has a collar with his tag on it so he is allowed to go in and out of the house and seems to appreciate us more because of that fact. There are times that he can be loving and cuddle, but it has to be on his terms.

Mr. Bean is the new one in the house. He is such a calm little guy but has his own personality. He doesn't usually come when called, won't come up to cuddle, but will purr and rub against you when scooped up and hugged. He's so pretty and soft and loves to wrestle with Skippy and our dog, Chewy.  

Our vacuum cleaner gets used constantly around here and we really should invest in cat litter stocks and cat food shares. But it is amazing to see the different personalities that each creature God made brings to our life.
 

Grief

Grief is REAL.
It is STRONG. 
It is the price we pay for loving those who are no longer with us.
It is normal.
The only cure for grief is to GRIEVE.

It is okay to not be okay.
There will be good days and there will be bad days.
The pain, the sadness, the loss does not go away. Grief changes, depending on the day, the year, the memory but it will always be with you in one way or another.

It is messy. 
It is isolating. 
It is maddening.
It is painful.
There is only one finish line to grief.

It takes courage to go on. To get up each morning. To put on a happy face. To live without someone you love.

To try to mend that gaping hole in your heart.

The Best Things to Say to Someone in Grief

1. I am so sorry for your loss.
2. I wish I had the right words, just know I care.
3. I don’t know how you feel, but I am here to help in anyway I can.
4. You and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers.
5. My favorite memory of your loved one is…
6. I am always just a phone call away
7. Give a hug instead of saying something
8. We all need help at times like this, I am here for you
9. I am usually up early or late, if you need anything
10. Saying nothing, just be with the person

 

You don't back away from a hurting friend.
You don't tell them that they are grieving wrong. There is NO wrong way to grieve.

You show up. You hurt with them. You hurt for them. You see when they are in pain. You try to bind their wounds. You are THERE - in the trenches of grief with them.

That is LOVE. That is healing. That is the only security blanket there is in a midst of pain.
 

Leaf Piles

"Amy, get out of the leaves. I'm not done with the pile yet!"

"Here, I'll help!"

The Time Chamber

I reviewed Daria Song's previous coloring book, The Time Garden, back in August. When I saw that she came out with another book I had to have it!

Just like the first, The Time Chamber is a magical story book combined with a coloring book.  

The story is about a tiny fairy who lives within a cuckoo clock and suddenly decides to explore the world outside.

I love the illustrations but also the story itself.

Adult coloring is so relaxing. While coloring with a friend recently two hours passed within a blink of an eye! She and I decided to incorporate coloring as a part of our book club and I'll be sure to bring this one along with me.

Coloring - it's no longer just for children!

 This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
 

Stitched

I don't have a lot of pictures of Jacob between the ages of 5-8 where he looked healthy. He always looked happy, but the thing you usually notice first is the bald head or pale skin.  The dark circles beneath his eyes and the tired expression.

When I wake up from a dream like the type I had last night I feel desperate to look at some healthy pictures of my boy. I don't want to remember his dying days. The tests, the hospitals, the 50 days that he spent on our couch. The three years of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, blood draws, check ups, days in the hospital. Stem cell transplant. Ct Scans. Results.

I want to remember THIS boy.

The good times. The sweetness. The sunny smile. The brown puppy dog eyes. The small little hand that fit perfectly into mine.

The fuzzy hair. The peacemaker. The one who loved hamburgers and pop. Cocoa Wheats and Toaster Strudels. Animals and babies. 

If You're a Christian, Stand Up

At Bible Study study last night we watched a Bill Hybels DVD. In it the word righteous came up. It stuck with me.

  Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.”

The Bible tells us to stand up for what is righteous. Basically, stand up for what is right. 

Daily we encounter situations that we can either take a stand or try to fit in. Speak up if someone is being bullied. Step away if a conversation turns to gossip. Give to someone who says they are in need, instead of questioning that need.

Other times it gets harder. Stand up for the innocent who have no voice. Take a stand for Jesus and your faith. Be belittled and hated because of what you believe in. Yet, STAND, even if you are standing alone.

1 Peter 3:14    But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

 

Yes