That Darn Cat

My husband is not a cat lover. When we first got together my oldest was just six. He had a kitty and we loved her desperately. Hubby tolerated her at best. Funny thing was she really liked hubby! As things go she passed away several years later. Hubby was firm on no more cats. So, we got a dog instead. Shadow is a very neurotic little cockapoo that lives in fear of the vacuum cleaner and goes nuts at the sound of the doorbell. We love her and for that she's gentle, cuddly and will always greet you at the door.

Back to the cat. Several months ago a kitten took up residence at the barn. It was just the one and we had no idea if the mother had died or someone had just dropped it off. Hubby was not amused, but I said it's at the barn it'll be a good mouse catcher. Well, we couldn't not feed it so I bought some cat food and set it out every evening at the barn of course.

Several months later -- the cat is huge, a big, red fur ball. It no longer stays at the barn. It comes up to the house and it's a meower. It drives Shadow nuts when she can see it through the windows. It's great a catching mice. Living out in the woods -- he catches them all the time. Sometimes he catches and kills them and leaves the carcass on the front porch. A gift I suppose. He loves to lay on the patio around the pool and really adores the flower gardens. There are little tufts of cat hair all over the yard. Hubby is really not amused.

The house is still for sale -- the cat is part of the deal, no extra charge!

Where Have I Been ???

Well lets see . . . I've been waiting patiently on God . . . I've been in the truck with hubby running all over the United States . . . I've been not so patiently waiting on God . . . I've been getting our new business up and running . . . I've been waiting on God . . . I've been struggling with a teenager that I love more than life itself . . . I've been wondering if God is listening . . . I've been trying to keep a house clean while it's on the market . . . I've been yelling God are you there . . . I've been trying to hold down the fort when hubby is out of town . . . God??? . . . I've been chasing cows that get out of there fence and its always at night . . . Hello??? . . . That's where I've been.

I've also been looking at this blog (for weeks) and thinking how depressing. I've also realized that I am a complainer and whiner. So, I think some changes need to happen -- in me.

I don't have all the answers. Sometimes, I don't even know the question, but God is faithful. He can move mountains and he answers prayer. The mountains he moves may not be the ones you specified and answers may not be what you had in mind, but he is faithful. Sometimes happily ever after doesn't come in a pretty package and chase away our misery. Sometimes happily ever after comes . . . well after. In the midst of trials God wants us to stop and listen. What he's trying to teach may have nothing to do with the trial. I believe that God is teaching me something powerful about myself. I've been judgmental with other people and I thought I was better than some.

Jesus, never thought he was better. Jesus ate with tax collectors, prostitutes and the poor. He touched them, loved them, fed them. He gave his life for them.

"Keep me near Thee, blessed Jesus, Keep me near Thee lest I stray; With Thy mighty hand uphold me, Lead me gently all the way."

Random Bits of Info

Another birthday for me has come and gone. There's something cool about having a birthday in January (when you're older) you get it over with and you don't have to worry about turning another year older all year! I know it sounds crazy, but I'd really like to stay 40.

Jacob seems to be settling into his new school. Sometimes it's hard to tell because he's such a pleaser that he doesn't always tell you his true feelings. Last week was Spirit week and he participated in dressing up a couple of days so that's encouraging. Their mascot is a Viking and he made the cutest Viking ever!

Hubby is back out on the road today and just when I thought this was getting easier -- it's soo not! I miss him terribly and this is just day one.

Some friends invited us over last night (along with several other couples) for dinner and Brick. We learned a new game and got to know some people better. I'd never played before and lo and behold I won every game but the last one, which is too bad because I really wanted to sweep the evening.

No takers on the house yet though we've had some inquiries and showings. It kinda feels like living in limbo. We are actively looking for land to build another house, but so far nothing has blown us away.

The house is way too quite today. Hubby gone, Jacob in school, even the dog is at the groomer, but I always have the laundry. It never seems to go away and is always waiting for me.

Surviving the Teenage Years

Remember when the terrible twos were terrible and you thought, "man if I get this kid passed two and potty trained I'll be cruising!"? Yeah, well that was nothin!

Teenagers have a unique personality and I'm convinced they are of a different species altogether. They are relentless, crafty, manipulative, clever, moody, and sometimes when you least expect it -- they are your child again -- sweet, lovable, touchy feely. Thank God, he gives us those moments.

It's no secret we've been through a difficult time with our typical teen, but God has been there each and every step of the way. For now, our teen seems to be settling down. He's adjusting to private school and making a few friends along the way. He's still a teen and instead of surviving I'm embracing my teen because all to soon he'll be grown, graduated and moving on.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness even when we lose our way. Thank you Lord for your patience when we go astray. Thank you Lord for your love and mercy when we find our way back.

House for Sale

Yep, we did it. We finally decided and as of yesterday we are officially on the market.

We've been toying with the idea for months now. We built our dream house almost 7 years ago and because we built it ourselves we have a great deal of equity, so it makes good financial sense to sell, build another dream house and be debt free of a mortgage. Like I said, it makes good financial sense. I'm still getting used to the idea. However, like everything else in our lives, we've turned it over to God. If it is his will he'll send a buyer, if not we'll stay put.

I like leaving it up to God!

God's Timing

I'd like to shout it from the rooftops -- MY GOD IS AMAZING!!!


Sometimes we as Christians think we are so immune to the bad stuff. That having God on your side means you only get the good stuff. Sometimes our prayers are God please let me have this, please make this better. Sometimes we treat God like a magic genie lamp. I believe that God allows stuff to happen in our lives in order to refine us. To make us more like him, Christlike. Do we like the refining? NO. Is the refining easy? NO. Do we always get it and understand it? Maybe not on this side of eternity. I spend alot of time trying to figure out the WHYS of refinement instead of looking for the blessings. Yes, there are blessings in refinement. Praise the Lord for friends who step up and pray alongside of us, praise Jesus for the moments of peace in a world full of chaos.

Tomorrow my sweet, sweet child begins his first day at a new school. Homeschooling is still always an option, but God opened doors last week like you've never seen. God's timing, his infinite wisdom, his plan, not our plan.

My God is not a magic genie. He is however my loving father and he knows what is best for me. The best comes out of refinement. The best is not always my answer and it's not always comfortable, but if it brings me one step closer to my father it is worth it.

New Leaf, New Life

That's what we've been saying to Jacob recently. Take the opportunities placed before you and begin again. Isn't it wonderful that God allows us every day to take the opportunities placed before us and begin again? 2007 brought lots of turmoil to our home and we crazily thought 2008 would be our year. Dare we to believe that 2009 will be better? You know, it doesn't matter what it brings or what the other years brought, because through it all God walked every step of the way with us. I'm sure he even carried us (me for sure) most of the way.

Thank you Jesus for being so powerful that you care about every little detail of our lives.

So whatever happens this year -- I know that my God is big enough to handle it. So instead of bumming about 2008 here's a sneak peak at some of my favorite days . . .

13th Birthdays!

Baby Calves

New Life

Beautiful Brides

Nervous Grooms

Big Bucks

40th Birthday Surprises

and at the center of it all -- family