I love these commercials...

No Secret

I have been feeling great lately. I am at my goal racing weight and I have my first race coming up next week. People I meet in my everyday life are surprised that I have three kids. They want to know my "secret" for keeping myself in such great shape. Let me tell you, if I had a secret, I don't think I would have to work so hard. There is no secret diet, no pills that I pop. It's a result of hard work, discipline, and pushing myself to the limits. So, you want to know how I do it? I couldn't do it without:

-my husband...taking the kids so I can get a run in and being my motivation for keeping in great shape. I think a woman needs to be at a healthy weight and look good for her man.

-Hollie (and Jeremy too!)...she's my running buddy, someone I can talk to if I have had a "bad" day, we keep eachother going. I am so looking forward to crossing the finish line with her! Jeremy has been taking the kids in the mornings so that we can train hard for our 10K next week.

- keeping moving...I rarely sit down from the time I wake up until the kids go down for a nap. I am always on the go, playing, chasing after someone, cleaning, constantly moving. It helps with burning calories.

- the kids...I have a 4 year old, a 2.5 year old, and a 9.5 month old. They keep me hopping. I don't think I need to say anymore. :-)

- a strict routine...My days are planned out with specific times to do things and what I am going to be eating. I *love* routine!

- a lot of sweat...if you are "working out" but not breathing hard and sweating, you aren't working out hard enough. My whole body needs to feel like I can't go any farther to make me feel like I got a good workout in.

So there's my top six. How do you find time to maintain with the busyness of working on a marriage, raising kids, and keeping up with the household stuff?

Pictures coming out of my ears

I take A LOT of pictures! I must confess, I am delinquent in having my pictures printed out. I have pictures from August 2007 to the present still sitting in my camera waiting to be put on photo paper! Terrible, I know. So, Hollie said that she uploaded a picture onto Walmart's site and then picked it up an hour later. She gave me an idea. I went on and have decided to take it a little bit at a time. I am starting with the present and working back. So, I have gotten Kaitlyn's birthday weekend and then went back and uploaded the months of April and May. So, by next year, I should be all caught up. And if I put pictures away like I do my laundry, they will be sitting around for another couple of months. So much to do, so little time.

Good-bye Three!

Four years ago, I gave birth to my little princess at 7:31 AM after about 14 hours in labor. She was everything I hoped she would be and more. I wished the first few months away...now I am wishing that I would have taken more time to rock her, to sleep beside her, to hold her tightly. She is four now. She is everything that is sweet. She is my constant reminder to keep dreaming, keep pretending, keep laughing. I love her tender kisses, when she whispers an "I love you" in my ear, the silly girl talk that we share, the way she rolls her eyes or shakes her head at crazy stuff the boys do. I love this little girl, and because she is my only one, I love that I get to tell her that she is my favorite little princess in the whole wide world. I am blessed to have a little girl to walk through life with. God answered my prayers. The meaning of her name rings even more true throughout the years...she truly is my "Pure Hope". Happy Birthday, Little Princess! Keep smiling, dreaming, dancing, singing! May you grow to love Jesus even more this year!

Four Years Ago...

My first little miracle is going to be four tomorrow. We have spent some time talking about it today. First on our family walk in the woods and then out in our backyard while laying in the sun. I have been telling her all day how this is her last day as three and how exciting it's going to be tomorrow because it's her birthday. I told her that this is my last day to get three year old kisses from her because tomorrow they will be four year old kisses. She looked at me and said, "Don't worry, Mommy, I will still give you three year old kisses. I wish I could be three forever." To which I replied, "Me too, little princess, me too."

I can still remember May 24th, four years ago so clearly. My Mom had come over the weekend and I really wanted my little girl out. After a week of walking and still being dilated to three, my Mom talked me in to taking desperate measures...downing two bottles of castor oil. I had my "last supper" (yummy pigs in a blanket and fried potatoes) and then did the deed. My Mom then instructed me to go lay down and take a nap because she knew what was to come. It was horrible, worse than labor itself but it accomplished what I had been wanting. Dan went to lead our Jr. High ministry at church and I called him about an hour later and we went in. I was in labor all night. Doesn't seem like it could be four years already. Oh, to press rewind...

Count Me In...

So, after visiting Stephanie and Hollie's blogs, I thought I would get in on this one. Here we go:

Accent: Well, if you are from down south, maybe you would think I have an accent. :-) But, I don't think I do.

Book that I like: I like The Covenant Marriage

Chore I don’t care for: I really hate folding laundry and putting it away. That's about the only one that I dread.

Dog or Cat: I would pick cat over dog...but, I like them both.

Essential Electronics: DVR, Ipod, and computer

Favorite Cologne: Dan doesn't wear cologne but I love the smell of his body wash an deodorant

Gold or Silver: I like gold and white gold...it's what my wedding ring is made of. I like the two tone look.

Handbag I carry most often: I kinda have an obsession with purses. I have four purses for the fall/winter and three (soon to be more as soon as I get to sewing again) for the spring/summer.

Insomnia: Only when I am PMSing

Job Title: Despot of my Oikos, helpmate to my husband, and mommy to my kiddos

Living Arrangements: I live in a cute little house with my husband, three kids, a dog, and a cat, right up next to neighbors that we wouldn't trade for anything!

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: I think most of my childhood was pretty naughty...I need your prayers because I hear paybacks are awful! :-)

Overnight hospital stays: I have stayed a total of 5 nights (after I had my three miracles)

Phobias: fear of losing my spouse or a child

Quote: A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse. ~ Stephan Dolley, JR.

Religion: I too don't like that word. I am saved by grace. I don't know what that makes me other than a daughter of The King.

Siblings: 1 younger sister and 1 younger brother

Time I wake up: Lately it's been around 5:30AM

Unusual Talent or Skill: If you know me, you already know what I am going to put...I am AWESOME at picking things up with my toes. I can even write with them. So, if I ever lose both of my arms, you don't have to worry about me. As long as I have my legs, my feet, and my toes, I will be just fine.

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Just about the only one I will not eat it celery.

Worst Habit: picking zits

X-rays: I have had a lot for my scoliosis, some for possible broken arms, and one on my butt after I sat on a pencil and it went into my cheek...they were looking for lead.

Yummy Stuff: Blueberries, Fruitista Freeze from Taco Bell, Moolatte from Dairy Queen, Heathbar Crunch Cake

Zoo Animal I Like Most: I like the big ones...elephants, giraffes, hippos

Pray for this family...

My heart has been heavy since early this morning for a family that I have never met but are very recognizable to many of us. Be in prayer for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. His little girl (5 years old) passed away yesterday. I can't imagine! It's another reminder why I need to hold my children close and cherish every moment because just like that they could be gone.

The Grocery Game...

The price of gas is cutting way into our budget. I am already staying home much more than usual because there's no way around it, Dan has to get to work. I heard about this and thought I would give it a try. It's called the Grocery Game. I spent some time this morning checking it out. I signed up for the 4 week trial, picked my stores, and just played around with things. There is a new list every week. Since I planned on shopping tomorrow, I will have to wait until then to print my new list and my coupons. I also started getting the paper two weeks ago for the coupons. I am paying 99 cents a week (I only get the Sunday paper) and have been able to save more than that a week with the coupons inside. Not to mention that it is nice to be able to read about what's happening since basically the only TV we watch is Backyardigan's, Full House, and Curious George. I will update on how my first trip goes. I am up for playing almost any game that will save me money!

Are you feeling the crunch of gas prices? What cuts have you made? What do you do to save money on your grocery bill?

Forgiveness and Mercy

I have been looking at Jesus' encounters with women in the Bible. So far, this is my favorite:



8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."



No judgement, no questions as to why she did what she did, no condemnation...just forgiveness and mercy...only Jesus...

**Hollie brought something up that I had been wondering too so I did some searching and found what is written below**

"But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground" (John 8:6). This was the first thing that He here did. That there was a symbolical significance to His action goes without saying, and what this is we are not left to guess. Scripture is its own interpreter. This was not the first time that the Lord had written "with his finger." In Exodus 31:18 we read, "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." When, then, our Lord wrote on the ground (from the ground must the "tables of stone" have been taken), it was as though He had said, You remind Me of the law! Why, it was My finger which wrote that law! Thus did He show these Pharisees that He had come here, not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. His writing on the ground, then, was (symbolically) a ratification of God’s righteous law. But so blind were His would-be accusers they discerned not the significance of His act.
"So when they continued asking him" (John 8:7). It is evident that our Lord’s enemies mistook His silence for embarrassment. They no more grasped the force of His action of writing on the ground, than did Belshazzar understand the writing of that same Hand on the walls of his palace. Emboldened by His silence, and satisfied that they had Him cornered, they continued to press their question upon Him. O the persistency of evil-doers! How often they put to shame our lack of perseverance and importunity.
"So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). This, too, has a far deeper meaning than what appears on the surface. God’s Law was a holy and a righteous one, and here we find the Lawgiver Himself turning its white light upon these men who really had so little respect for it. Christ was here intimating that they, His would-be accusers, were no fit subjects to demand the enforcement of the law’s sentence. None but a holy hand should administer the perfect law. In principle, we may see here the great Adversary and Accuser reprimanded. Satan may stand before the angel of the Lord to resist "the high priest" (Zech. 3:1), but, morally, he is the last one who should insist on the maintenance of righteousness. And how strikingly this reprimanding of the Pharisees by Christ adumbrated what we read of in Zechariah 3:2 ("The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan") scarcely needs to be pointed out.
"And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground" (John 8:8). Profoundly significant was this, and unspeakably blessed. The symbolic meaning of it is plainly hinted at in the word "again": the Lord wrote on the ground a second time. And of what did that speak? Once more the Old Testament Scriptures supply the answer. The first "tables of stone" were dashed to the ground by Moses, and broken. A second set was therefore written by God. And what became of the second "tables of stone"? They were laid up in the ark (Ex. 40:20), and were covered by the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat! Here, then, Christ was giving more than a hint of how He would save those who were, by the law, condemned to death. It was not that the law would be set aside: far from it. As His first stooping down and with His finger writing on the ground intimated, the law would be "established." But as He stooped down and wrote the second time, He signified that the shed blood of an innocent substitute should come between the law and those it condemned!
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last" (John 8:9). Thus was "the strong man bound" (Matthew 12:29). Christ’s enemies had thought to ensnare Him by the law of Moses; instead, they had its searching light turned upon themselves. Grace had not defied, but had upheld the law! One sentence from the lips of Holiness incarnate and they were all silenced, all convicted, and all departed. At another time, a self-righteous Pharisee might boast of his lastings, his tithes and his prayers; but when God turns the light on a man’s heart, his moral and spiritual depravity become apparent even to himself, and shame shuts his lips. So it was here. Not a word had Christ uttered against the law; in nowise had He condoned the woman’s sin. Unable to find any ground for accusation against Him, completely baffled in their evil designs, convicted by their consciences, they slunk away: "beginning at the eldest," because he had the most sin to hide and the most reputation to preserve. And in the conduct of these men we have a clear intimation of how the wicked will act in the last great Day. Now, they may proclaim their self-righteousness, and talk about the injustice of eternal punishment. But then, when the light of God flashes upon them, and their guilt and ruin are fully exposed, they shall, like these Pharisees, be speechless.
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out." There is a solemn warning here for sinners who may be exercised in mind over their condition. Here were men who were "convicted by their own conscience," yet instead of this causing them to cast themselves at the feet of Christ, it resulted in them leaving Christ! Nothing short of the Holy Spirit’s quickening will ever bring a soul into saving contact with the Lord Jesus.
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst" (John 8:9). This is exceedingly striking. These scribes and Pharisees had challenged Christ from the law. He met them on their own ground, and vanquished them by the law. "When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee" (John 8:10, 11). The law required two witnesses before its sentence could be executed (Deut. 19:15), yet, those witnesses must assist in the carrying out of the sentence (Deut. 17:7). But here not a single witness was left to testify against this woman who had merely been indicted. Thus the law was powerless to touch her. What, then, remained? Why, the way was now clear for Christ to act in "grace and truth."
"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). No doubt the question occurs to many of our readers, Was this woman saved at the time she left Christ? Personally, we believe that she was. We believe so because she did not leave Christ when she had opportunity to do so; because she addressed Him as "Lord" (contrast "Master" of the Pharisees in verse 4); and because Christ said to her, "Neither do I condemn thee." But, as another has said, "In looking at these incidents of Scripture, we need not ask if the objects of the grace act in the intelligence of the story. It is enough for us that here was a sinner exposed in the presence of Him who came to meet sin and put it away. Whoever takes the place of this woman meets the word that clears of condemnation, just as the publicans and sinners with whom Christ eats in Luke 15, set forth this, that if one takes the place of the sinner and the outcast, he is at once received. So with the lost sheep and the lost piece of silver. There is no intelligence of their condition, yet they set forth that which, if one take, it is representative. To make it clear, one might ask, ‘Are you as sinful as this woman, as badly lost as that sheep or piece of silver?’" (Malachi Taylor)
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." How striking and how blessed is this sequel to what has been before us! When Christ wrote on the ground the second time (not before), the "accusers" of the guilty departed! And then, after the last accuser had disappeared, the Lord said, "Neither do I condemn thee." How perfect the picture{ And to complete it, Christ added, "Go, and sin no more," which is still His word to those who have been saved by grace. And the ground, the righteous ground, on which He pronounced this verdict "Neither do I condemn thee," was, that in a short time He was going to be "condemned" in her stead. Finally, note the order of these two words of Christ to this woman who owned Him as "Lord" (1 Cor. 12:3). It was not, "Go and sin no more, and I will not condemn thee," for that would have been a death-knell rather than good news in her ears. Instead, the Savior said, "Neither do I condemn thee." And to every one who takes the place this woman was brought into, the word is, "There is therefore now no condemnation" (Rom. 8:1). "And sin no more" placed her, as we are placed, under the constraint of His love.

I feel like I am cheating on Nike.

Saturday evening, we headed over to The Running Depot. I have been needing new shoes. Since my 10K is one month away and The Crim in 90 some days, the next pair of shoes will be the ones I will be wearing. I have worn Nike shoes since at least 10th grade...nothing else. I was willing, this time though, to go with whatever they recommended. The guy measured my foot and then brought out three different shoes. I had to remind myself that it wasn't about brand or looks, it was about comfort. So, I walked out of there with a pair of Asics. They are super comfy and I ran 4 miles in them this morning and my feet feel fine. It usually takes me a good two weeks to break in a new pair of shoes and by then, my heals are so blistered up that it takes another two to where I can take off my bandages. So, I love 'em! Kinda scary that these will be taking me the distance of The Crim though.

Ugh!

I have an early dentist appointment and the crim countdown is down to double digits...ugh!

Our Addition...

Meet Macy! We were so excited to welcome her to our family on Thursday. We got her from a shelter. As many of you know, I am NOT a puppy person! They are really cute when they are someone else's, but I can't stand them in my house. I had secretly been looking online at dogs mainly as a family pet but also for protection. I knew that if my hubby got wind of it, I would not have time to think it through as much as I needed to. I went online and had three dogs in mind, all at the same shelter. We went on Thursday afternoon to meet them. We didn't have any expectations. The first one was really nice looking, but a hyper mess. We asked then to see our second choice, Macy. After playing around with her a little, we took her outside to walk around. I was impressed with how calm and sweet she was...and how trained. We took her back in and asked to see the third one. She was pretty, but again, too hyper. It was a long process. Dan and I talked it over, weighed our options, and decided that we would be going home with a dog. We chose Macy, a four or five (they really don't know) year old bull mastiff mix (we think with a pit bull or something). She has been a sweetheart! Her and Curtis took well to eachother. He even slept beside her crate last night. She has been wonderful with the kids...it was pretty cute watching Kaitlyn walk her around the yard today. She actually listened pretty well to Kaitlyn. We took her for her first run this morning. I think she is going to make an excellent running buddy and will make us feel extra safe not only while we are out with her but at home too. I think this one is a keeper. Dan is happy. I think I redeemed myself after the whole taking the dog back after 24 hours, leaving him a note, and going for a pedicure (it's a funny story now). Finally.

Beauty in Death?

I don't know if any of you have heard of Randy Pausch. He has been on Oprah and has also written a book. He is famous for his "Last Lecture" and was named on of the top 100 most influential people in 2008 (just google his name and you will find it). He is in the last stages of pancreatic cancer and has an amazing outlook on life. It was said about him that he is shining a light on a beautiful part of life that we often forget about...death. I know that it's a part of life. We all will die...although, I am hoping I am raptured...I just never thought of it as a beautiful part of life. It's all in our attitude, I guess. I think it's an awesome witness when a Christian has a positive outlook and points to God through it all. It speaks volumes about where their hope is. I don't know, it just got me thinking. Never thought there was any beauty in dying but I guess if you look hard enough, you can find the beauty in anything. Any thoughts?

Blog Worthy Announcement...

This past weekend, we went north for my brother's college graduation. We were glad that we could celebrate with my whole family. It was also exciting because Dan and I got to meet his girlfriend for the first time. Well, not only did he graduate last weekend, he also asked Amber to marry him! Dan and I were wondering if that would be the weekend. I am looking forward to having a new sister in the family. I am just disappointed that they will be so far away that I really won't have the chance to see them all that much. Holidays will be fun though!

Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Well, today was the dreaded day! My sister and her family were here for a visit over the weekend. We were all looking forward to it. I thought it would be a perfect time to ask Landon if he would like to "give" his ya-yas to his little cousin who is a little over a year younger than him. He was very excited to give them to his cousin because he is a "big boy now". Well, they left this morning along with Landon's ya-yas (well, they didn't physically go with them). You have got to understand that for the first two years of his life, these things barely left his mouth. We didn't think he could talk until we started limiting his time with them. He is quite attached and I was ready for the worst. He didn't ask about them until a little before lunch. He was getting tired and hungry and so I made him his lunch...not a big deal. Then nap time came. He was fine until he got in his bed and asked for them. I told him they were gone and reminded him of what he said that he was going to do with them. Which, I am now hoping this doesn't create a rivalry or bad feelings toward my precious little nephew. Poor kid, Landon thinks he has his ya-yas but they are really tucked away in his memory box. Anyway, he cried this heartbroken cry for about 5 minutes. All I could do was hold him (and get a little teary myself). I had to keep telling myself to stay strong and not give in and go and get one for him...in this case, just one would hurt him...it would be a major set back because he would know that they were still in the house. I hated the things but it's a bitter sweet milestone...no more pacifiers in my house....when the bottles go, I think that I might actually cry. :-) So, that was about it. I explained to him that he was a big boy now and I was so proud of him for giving up his ya-yas. He put his head down and went to nap. I think my precious little big boy needs some strawberry whoppers when he wakes up.

Happy Mother's Day, Shirley

(it's a long story, but just for the record, my Mom's name is NOT Shirley. She has recently stepped into the 21st century and gotten high speed and has been reading so this is for her!)

Mom,

You clothed me, fed me, rocked me

When I was too young to even know

Cared for me when I was sick

Loved and nurtured, watched me grow.

Had patience that was heaven sent

Kissed my boo boos, washed my face

Gave me confidence, taught me much

Home was always my safe place.

Looked to God for guidance

On your knees through my teenage years

Still your love remained, unshaken

So thankful for your hard work and tears

Opened your hands, released, and let me fly

Was what you raised me for

I have no words to thank you with

Since becoming a Mom myself, I love you even more.

I want to tell the world today, that you are truly a gift to me. You have blessed my life. You are not only one of my best friends but you are such an example of what a wife and mom should be. Thank you seems too small, but my hope for today is that you feel how much you are loved. I will forever rise up and call you blessed. I love you!

It's that time again...

...time to give blood.

It's something I have been doing (not so regularly because of pregnancies, but I am on a roll since giving birth to Collin) since August 2004. Tonight, I am going to give again. If you are able, look for a blood center near you or go to the Lifesource website...especially if you are rh neg. or have O blood type! Afterwards, Hollie, Bonnie, and I are treating ourselves to a good Mexican meal! Can't wait, girls!

The missing piece...

I went and picked up my littlest man's six month pictures from the photographer today! They turned out great. There has been an empty picture frame on my wall for about a month now and I am so happy that it's finally filled. I wanted to be able to have a constant reminder to cherish every moment because they are growing up way too fast. Six months is when we first had all three of our kids photographed professionally for the first time. I have caught myself just sitting and gazing at this wall several times today already. It's just perfect.

This is what I need: More Belief (cont.)

If some of you read my previous blog, you might remember the post I did entitled, "More Belief". If not, it was talking about my uncle who had been diagnosed with lung cancer for the second time around. He was given 6-9 months to live and I had basically accepted that as his fate, not really thinking of praying for a healing. I guess I figured that I had already used up my "healing card" on my Mom and who am I to ask for another...yes, sounds crazy to think like this about a God who can do anything and everything beyond what we can comprehend.

Matthew 7:7 ~ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 21:22 ~ And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:24 ~ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Luke 11:9 ~ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

John 15:7 ~ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

My grandparents would always say that they were praying for God to heal him and knew that my uncle would beat it. My grandparents are Christian people that are truly prayer warriors. My uncle had many people praying for him. Here is an email I got from my Mom this afternoon:

What a praise!! Bruce got the results of his PET scan that was done last week and was told today that his cancer is in remission! The one spot on his left lung is completely gone along with the other little spots. There is no other cancer in any of his organs either. They can't say that he's completely cured because there is still fluid in his lungs that he will have to have checked in two months with another CT scan. But, for now, there will be no further treatment required. What an answer to prayer! Wanted to pass the good news along to you all. Love~Mom

I read this email over about three times because I didn't believe what I was reading. My God is good no matter what, but it's answers to prayer like this that just blow me away, make me fall on my face and cry, "I am not worthy." God is good!

O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! ~Psalms 34:8

Go ahead and laugh, but I bet you wish your cat could do this...

Yes, we are leash training our cat Curtis. He has been apart of our family now for a little over a year. He showed up last winter in our garage and out of the kindness of our hearts and a little begging (Dan gave in) we had him checked over, fixed, and brought into our home. My little princess will tell you that he is her best friend and there was even talk of marriage when he eventually "will turn into a people". So, when asked what she wanted for her 4th birthday coming up the end of May, she told me a stroller for Curtis. She has been wanting to take him outside with her for a while now. Well, they actually do make them, believe it or not. The cheapest being $39.99. Now, I know it's her birthday but I just don't know about a stroller for a cat. So, the next best thing is being able to walk him on a leash...right? He wasn't even supposed to be able to stand up the first day of our training session (3 x a day for 15 minutes each time). Well, by the second day he was walking around and seems to like it. We got some stares the other day when my little princess and I put him in the double jogger and I pushed him and my little girl down to the pond to walk around. C'mon people haven't you ever seen a cat in a stroller on a leash??!!

Nine Months!

My littlest man is nine months today! He has got an evolving little personality and starting to not be so baby-like to me anymore. He is on the go, getting into everything, and putting everything in his mouth. He is walking around furniture and loves walking around holding onto Mommy's hands. He has also gotten pretty good at waving bye-bye. He has a sensitive little personality but also loves to be around people. I am afraid he is going to be a talker (guess he will fit right in)because he is always trying to put his two cents in when Dan and I are trying to have an uninterrupted conversation...between the three of them, it's getting rather impossible! I am surprised though because the whole "stranger danger" thing has set in and is no longer happy being passed around to just anyone. He has had a rough couple of months with an ear infection that wouldn't go away but hopefully the next few months will be healthy ones. He especially loves being outside, playing in the tubby, and being squirted with water (my princess found this out using the spray bottle we use to spray the cat and water our plants)...and yes, he has curls!!! He's such a joy!