Who let the cat in?

In a moment of weakness I said "yes" to this:
Here's the story. Bev's class is in a portable at school. Apparently somebody dropped off a litter of kittens at the school. The kittens sought refuge under one of the portables. Bev's teacher got two of them out and told the kids that the kittens were up for adoption. Bev came home that day asking if we could have one. I said "no." The next day I found a list in her backpack. It was entitled "Cat Names." Each day I found myself considering the possiblity of becoming a cat lady.

The kids have been asking for a pet for a while. Here's my issue. I have a whole bunch of humans to take care of. I have a house to clean and laundry to do and food to cook. I don't want to add one more "thing" to my list.

Also, the whole cat thing. I was very allergic as a kid--my allergies landed me in the ER. I have been using my allergies as the reason we can't have a cat. The truth is that I haven't particularly liked cats.

I started reading a bit about them and talking to some people about them. They are really quite clean. They are low-maintenance. You don't have to kennel them when you go out of town. The downside is the clawing and possible hair.

So, I started talking to Mike about it. He just told me I could say "yes" if I wanted to. I don't think he thought I would.

We went to see her and we ended up taking her home. Her name is is Tiger. Tiger because she looks like one--hopefully not because she acts like one.

When we went to buy all the cat supplies I asked Andrew and Bev if they would contribute their last three weeks allowance. Andrew said "yes" immediately. Bev said, "um, let me think about it." She is such a stinker.

I cannot even describe how much fun we have had with her. That's right, I said "we." If you ever just need to feel happy, come on over and watch her play for a few minutes. It's crazy how fun she is to watch.

The kids are loving her. It is hard for them to leave her. During church on Sunday, Bev told me that before Primary she needed to run home and check on her. Then on Monday, Andrew and Bev were both worried to go to school and be away from her for that long.

I know that she is a novelty right now. I know that she will grow up. I know that eventually she will probably poop on my floor or tear down my curtains. I am prepared for that. I guess I am willing to do it because I am a big sucker for my kids (and, apparently, for animals too.)

My mom and dad's 13 year-old dog Maggie died last week. That probably had a lot to do with my saying "yes." My kids growing up and going off to school probably had something to do with it too.

Bev is at a great age to really take care of an animal. She feeds her and takes care of the litter box (so far anyway.) The night we brought her home Bev came up and gave me a big hug and said, "I never thought you would let me get her--never in a million years."

I guess I surprised her--I surprised myself too.

It's Just Another Manic Saturday

Crazy, busy Fall days are here again. And this (filled with D.P.) helped me get through it.
Also, I am missing my Nikon--she is in the camera hospital, in some other state, and I want her back.

Chrisitan tested for his blue belt in Taekwondo. He loves karate.

Christian doing his board break. He did really well at testing.

Andrew sat by me and videotaped while I took pictures. After Christian finished his form this happened. I know he won't always do it in public, but I hope he will always hold my hand.

Then we rushed home to meet up with Mike (who left the testing early) to take Christian to his first soccer game.

Mike is coaching Andrew's flag football team. They had practice right after Christian's testing.

Then it was back to karate. Bev had a mid-term testing. There is a lot of memorizing, and it is sometimes hard for her, but she worked really hard and did well.

Andrew tested for his Second Degree Black Belt. He had to break three boards. He broke two. Then he got nervous because you can't make many mistakes and still pass.

He then did three weapon forms. The bahng mahng ee form he did with his instructor, Mr. Banford.

The ssahng jeol bong form is so fun to watch.

He then did the bo staff form.

He passed his testing. This is him receiving his new belt.

Tradition is that the family, who helped him earn the belt, gets to help tie it on. Dad saw all of the testing, but had to leave early for the next activity. Grandma stepped in in his place.

We then hurried to watch the end of Mike's flag football game. I like going to the games--it's fun to watch him play and it is fun to see the other friends and family there. He plays with Ryan and Sean.

We came home and relaxed, then went to dinner to celebrate Andrew's big day.

It was a crazy day, but a good day. Thank goodness we have a week to recover before we attempt this again.

Her Big Day

Finally, after seeing the other three go off to school, Jessi's preschool started. She was so excited to go and she did really well.
She also had her first day of dance. She is a natural dancer--it is something she has loved and has been good at since we first met her. She asks everyday if it is dance day.

I've Got a Feeling (that you are going to like this)

So, ya'll probably know that I Tivo Oprah everyday, and watch most of the shows--sometimes she bugs, but overall I really like her. I also like the Black Eyed Peas. So, you can imagine how excited I was when they were on her first show of the new season. Then, to make it even better, they did this:

Labor Day Weekend

Our weekend started with a wedding. My little brother Ryan married Erika. It was a lovely day. Here they are trying to get a good picture with the eleven nieces and nephews she now has.
Whenever Mel and Doug come to town we always head to Boondocks. This is Doug and Lauren beating Bev and me on the track.

Grandma and Kiki and Camille and Jessi.

Bev broke out her new Heelies. She is a maniac on them. Kiki inherited her old ones and she started providing Heelies classes in the basement. Class the first day was entitled "the basics."

We went to the aquarium. Mike takes the kids there a lot. They love touching the sting ray. It was fun watching them have fun, although I did get creeped out when I saw the sea urchin. When I was a teenager I stepped on one in Hawaii, and I can't see one without getting a little shiver down my spine.

Kiki got his own library card and put it in his green wallet. He felt like such a big kid.

Several months ago after eating a cantaloupe, the kids took some of the seeds and planted them. We are actually getting some from it.

We are getting a few watermelons too. This is the largest.

Having a garden has been so much fun. Christian and Bev especially enjoy picking the fruit and veggies.

a dozen years

Twelve years ago I married this guy. I had just turned 24 and he had not even turned 23--I didn't feel old enough to be getting married.

Okay, now that I look at those two pictures I'm not sure it's such a good idea to post them together. It's kind of like one of those before and after shots where one is perfect and the other hideous. Mike looks better now than the day I married him. Me, well, I have had a few kids.

The current picture was taken at my brother's wedding Thursday. As we attended the ceremony, I brushed back the cobwebs in my memory and remembered our wedding. So much has happened in our lives in twelve years. Four great kids. Four different residences. Several job changes. Happy times. Sad times. Adventures and trials and lots of fun.


Marriage (like parenting) is a mixed bag--it is the best and the hardest endeavor I have ever undertaken. I am so lucky to have Mike as my partner. He helps me keep perspective. He is a great father to my kids. He supports me in all my endeavors. He works hard and provides for us. He makes me laugh everyday. He is cute. We have fun together. We balance each other out.


Here's to another dozen years!

this is how my brain is working today

Bev wore this new shirt three times last week.

I have a really long list of things to do, and either because of my own inability to get it together or because of interuptions (home warranty people, children who actually need their mother's attention,etc.) I cannot get anything done. What to do, what to do. Well, blog of course.

I just ate some almonds and some "Naturally Delicious Dried Mangoes" from Costco--yum.

Jessi just asked me to turn on the movie The Sandlot. The cousins introduced us to it this weekend. We love it, so we keep watching it over and over again. "Anybody who wants to be a pantywaste who wears his mama's bra, raise your hand."

We got one last camping trip in this weekend. It was great to get away.

I have a constant pile of laundry to fold that sits on my bed.

Jessi was cute at her dance class today. Kiki wanted to take his gun there. Instead he took Bev's GameGirl (it's pink and belongs to Bev, so it is not a GameBoy.)

My brother gets married on Thursday. I have a lot to get done before then--food stuff for the luncheon, hemming pants for the boys, finding headbands for the girls, shoes for me.

I saw this bumpersticker yesterday: "My greatest fear is that there is no PMS and that this is just my personality." I relate to that quote more that I like to admit.

I like David Letterman. I tivo it and then watch it while I clean.

We had a picnic at the park for dinner last night. The sprinklers went on and the kids all got wet.

I don't know yet what is for dinner tonight.

My allergies are acting up. Claritin doesn't work anymore. Thank goodness my friend Kim told me about Zyrtek.

I have a pile of papers to organize--they cover the kitchen desk. It must be done before the kids get home. There is a slushy Diet Pepsi in the back corner of the fridge--it will help. I have exactly a half hour. Bye.