I'm weakening!

Well, I'm sure its common knowledge, but in case you didn't
know, I don't really like cats. Seriously. I could probably count
on one hand the number of cats that I actually don't mind. And
there are only 3 that I actually LIKE. Well, that used to be true...
A very sweet, very pregnant cat has waltzed into our family and
into my heart as well. (Ouch, it hurt to say that!)
This momma kitty showed up on Sunday morning right before we
left for church and of course Crystal, Rach and Mom were petting
and cuddling it. Aunt T FED it... So before any of my family members
got into the van I made them slather their hands in GermX, and I of
course didn't touch the awful creature.
Until Monday that is.
Monday morning this thing was meowing on our doorstep (its all bony
and underfed). And although I thought I threatened them enough, I
didn't want to be the "mean sister that everyone hates" so I only let my
tirade of "you had better not feed that thing, make sure you don't let it
near Taffie's fence, take it into the road before you pet it so it won't
come by our house, WASH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU'RE DONE!!!)
go on for a few minutes...

But of course that didn't work... On Monday, Rach fed it a can of tuna
and Crystal made it a bed in our garage out of a cardboard box, and
some old towels and sheets }:(
Monday afternoon Mom and Dad found out, and lets just say they
weren't very happy. But they got the whole "Its pregnant" speech on
how we'd be kind of like the innkeeper in the Christmas story who
throws Mary in a stable instead of a comfortable place to give birth,
if we just shooed the cat out into the "cold..."
So now, apparently we have a cat.

She is a rather nice cat. And I actually named her.
Her new name is Claire.
She looks practically ready to explode she's so pregnant!
But I think she's probably only got 3 or 4 kittens in there.
She's so skinny otherwise, that's why I think she looks so big.
Crystal though is hoping for 7-10 kittens :)
I wouldn't wish that on any mother (cat or otherwise).
So me and this cat are bonding.
I find myself scolding Taffie if she barks at Claire,
and have also been going out almost every 2 hours to pet the her and all that.

And even though when this cat gives birth it will mean lots more cats
wandering around, I am so extremely looking forwards to having the
kittens around too ;)
There's just something about new life that brings joy! And excitement.
Crik, Rach and I have already started to come up with a name list
and are trying to think of anybody we know that might possibly want a
cat. So if you need a cat... You're welcome to one (or more) :D

So now I can add another cat that I actually like to the list. :P

Sometimes...

Sometimes we must be hurt in order to grow,
we must fail in order to know.
We must lose in order to gain,
some lessons are learned best only through pain.
Sometimes our vision clears,
only after our eyes are washed with tears.
Sometimes we have to be broken,
so we can be tender; sick, so we can rest and think better
on things more important than work for fun.
Trip near death, so we can assess how we've ran.
Sometimes we have to suffer lack,
so we can know God's provisions.
Feel anther's pain,
so we can have a sense of mission.
So take heart, my friend,
if you don't understand today.
Instead of grumbling, ask God what he means to say.
In order to learn, you must endure and learn to see the bigger picture.
In order to grow, you must stand, look beyond the hurt,
to God's loving hand that takes what is good, and gives what is best
And on this blessed thought: rest.
As your anxious heart, with questions: wait.
God's hand only gives, what his loving heart dictates.

};D

AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!!!!

My *dear* dog has recently taken up the hobby

of dumping the garbage cans.

Which, in case you hadn't guessed, doesn't make me the

happiest owner around.

This picture was embellished by my sisters just a little,

and well, Taffie is now staying in her crate while

we are gone. That ought to teach her!

Pancakes!

So, on Labor Day Sunday, the Refuge put on a pancake

breakfast for the campers at Mendota Hills!

We were only expecting 80ish people but we ended up serving

over 150!!! I made pancakes from 8-10, and wow,

you wouldn't believe how hungry it makes you flipping

TONS of pancakes! Thankfully we had some leftovers so us

workers got to eat ;)

It was so much fun! And I can't wait until next year!! :D

It didn't happen.

Well, I had good intentions of catching up on all
the blogging that I need to do today... But as you can
very well see, it didn't happen.
Ah well, maybe tomorrow!
Now I'm off to clean the bathrooms, }:P (I'm overjoyed...)

Aunt time.

One Monday, when we were at Grandpa's for lunch

Cameron and Karley were getting really "bored" so

Aunt Beck came to the rescue! :D

We "colored" (except that the only writing utensils at grandpa's

house are pencils and pens...)

And I'm always so amazed at how much they enjoy it if you

just get down there and do it with them! They stay

occupied for so much longer too! Plus listening to their

conversations and seeing them make their 'works of art'

is pretty priceless.

And we had fun too :P

Some fun.

Well, day 2 of school is over!
So even though there are a bunch of other things I could (or maybe

even should) blog about, I'm gonna post some fun pictures!

:D In celebration!!!!

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious in its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest;

Finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.

~Frances Ridley Havergal~

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.

~Henry David Thoreau~

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ

lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our

Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and

change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same

mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.

~Philippians 3:20-21~

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before

you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the

path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet

from following evil. ~Proverbs 4:25-27~

The heart of a child is the most precious of God's creation.

Never break it. At all costs, never break it.

~Joseph L. Whitten~

Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us...