When several of you left me comments congratulating me on my new cat, I very smugly thought, "Oh no, I'm a sucker for dogs, it's true, but I will NOT be keeping this cat." But then, the cat started doing things that I don't think normal cats do. He is long suffering. Have you ever known a long-suffering cat? I personally have not. When I say long-suffering, I mean like he will tolerate (grumbling) the kids packing him all over this house, holding him upside down, making him "dance" around on the couch, and he has even convinced the 90 pound dog that he is not a force to tangle with (the dog literally puked last night from stress over having to be near the kitten.) See, this kitten, Mickey, will growl and meow from the near tortuous things being done to him, but he doesn't run away. When they set him down, he just snuggles up right where they are and sleeps off the stress of being loved by a four year old.
And this is one smart kitty. Almost instinctually, it's as if he knew who in our house would be the real opposition to his residency. He knew automatically who it was that he needed to win over, who to show special affection for, who to cozy up to and melt with his cunning kitten charms. I think I had sucker written all over me from the moment I picked him up off the asphalt, but he chose Brian. Do we ever really choose a cat, or do cats choose us? So in a very non-Christlike fashion, you have to earn the love around here (at least if you are not human) and this kitten has earned a place in this family by sheer patience, tolerance, and survival skills. He's cuddled up with a child every night and stayed where he was put. He has not gone outside the litter box this whole week (though admittedly he had a couple of accidents the first week.) So, Brian and I have agreed that he can live OUTSIDE and we will feed him and love him. Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes us to boot him out the door? 
Swim season is upon us. We have our first meet next Monday and Connor is doing great in his first year of swim season. True, he's in it for the glory. He asks me every day at practice if this is the day he gets his trophy. But in working for that golden cup, he is getting good exercise, strengthening his swimming skills, and building community for himself. But one hazard of our pool is what we call "cherry toes." You can't see it too well in this photo, but the kids get these little raw spots on the ball of their big toes from the rough pool surface. I suppose it's from bouncing around on your big toes where you can barely touch??? I tried the aqua socks last year and they literally had holes in them after ONE DAY at the pool. So it's a right of passage that everyone in this family (and this neighborhood for that matter) goes through when they are around 3.5 feet tall.
I talk alot about my awesome brother and his precious wife, but I don't know if I have ever shown you how beautiful they are on the outside. Here is a photo of them from her graduation. Notice that she graduated with HIGH HONORS, not just any run of the mill beauty here. My brother is very smart to have chosen a mate who is more gorgeous inside than out (and obviously, as you can see, that's a pretty high bar to reach) AND she's smart. Seriously, I am so crazy about these two people and I can't tell you in words how incredible they are as human beings. 
Last but not least, this is definitely the number one favorite photo of the week. After 9 years of parenting, I have learned one thing for sure.... kids would rather play with a box than almost any other item you can find.
Do you see anything weird about this verse?
2 Samuel 23:20
"Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion."
7 comments:
Those are great photos, again. My favorite is the one of the kitty on Brian's shoulder while he works on the computer. Stefan HATES cats, but our 2 always migrate towards him . . . Thanks for the advice - the SW did say "we don't really know Sofia, but . . ." before cautioning about school. I think it's odd that there's a lion in a snowy pit . . .
I really like the one with Brian as well...that is one smart cat.
Ok...I am a little slow but I am thinking the snowy day and the lion don't match up? I think I am confirmed by Barb's post above....she already helped me with my post today. One smart lady.
forgot to tell you that I went ahead and posted my Tiller post today...I am going to pull it on Monday cause the kids have been looking at the blog alot lately....if you want to read it.
Hahah what a clever cat! He looks very smug in the first photo, and very interested in the laptop in the second. :P
Mickey's adorable! Love the photo of him sitting on Brian's shoulder. Also, isn't it funny how cats, being so much smaller than their K9 siblings, run the show?! The same is true in our house. Our cats weigh about 15 lbs, and our dogs 135 lbs and 85 lbs, but guess who's scared of who?!
I've known cats who were not only longsuffering but who also became so attached to us they were definately one of the family. My sister picked up a kitten at a golf club once and brought it home. She would carry the cat in her arms like it was a baby and rub its tummy and paws. As an adult, that cat would beg to be carried in the same position and have its tummy rubbed. And get this - my sister always stayed with the cat when she had kittens, petting her for hours until they were all born. The day my sister went into labor with her first baby, the cat was with her and stayed close until she went to the hospital. Cats are definately intelligent.
Ondrea-thanks for quoting this scripture from "In a pit with a lion on a snowy day." It's so inspiring. I love page 15 of this book. I'm going to quote it. "You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. Those who simply run away from sin are half-Christians. Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what's wrong. We're called to chase lions."
Wow.
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