Butticus

Many of you have taken to the whole "Elf on a Shelf" craze and I commend you!  I love seeing the photos on Facebook and observing all of the mischief that your elves get into each day.  What fun!

Anne watches over my shoulder often as I look through Facebook and upon seeing several of the elf photos she said, "Mom, don't ever get us one of those elves - he totally creeps me out."

I had to chuckle but I know she is serious.  She has an aversion to doll faces.  They have to have just the right kind of face for her to like them and even then - they must be put away at night so they don't appear to be lurking in the shadows of her room.

I get it - some dolls are a little creepy.  I guess she feels that way about the Elf on the Shelf.

That's okay - last year we started our own version.

Brace yourself - you are about to experience the craziness that is the Franklin household.  We had the best time with this last year but I was too embarrassed to blog about it.  I figured you would all think we were crazy or something.  I've come to the conclusion that everyone knows we are (especially after Meggie gained her own Facebook page this year) so - I'm putting it out there.

Besides, this post has caused me to be brave!  I'm not the only mom with wacky kids. 

Last year, my daughter had a fascination with butts.  Yes - B-U-T-T-S.  You read correctly.  Anything that had two bumps and a line in the middle caused the girl to go into the giggles.  Everything from rocks to tree stumps somehow resembled a butt and she did not have a problem telling you so.  I don't know why we were surprised.  Russell prayed for a little girl with his personality.  God certainly answered that prayer. 

Last year, during a Sunday School lesson about the birth of Jesus, Anne's teacher had them create a manger scene and gave them each one of these miniature babies to put in it to represent baby Jesus. Innocent enough, right?

Ya - not so much!

Anne turned hers over, saw the tiny little butt,  and immediately announced that his name was "Butticus." 

Great.

The Preacher's Kid.

Butticus

What do you do with that?  She told us the story in the car on the way home and of course we corrected her and told her that it wasn't appropriate to call him Butticus - especially in Sunday School class. But all Anne could do was giggle.  She's a mess.

Baby Butticus continued to be brought up in conversation so we began to ignore her hoping she would forget about it.  Not Anne.

The next thing I knew, we were finding Baby Butticus all over our house.  I would wake up in the morning and he would be deliberately placed on my computer key board.  Russell would find him on his coffee maker.  Then I found him in the fridge on the Sour Cream container.  It was nothing to find him on the back of the toilet or on the kitchen faucet or in the ice container in the freezer.  Anywhere that was just large enough to balance him - and of course - he is ALWAYS face down because Baby Butticus' butt has to be seen!

It quickly became a running gag that we all played.  We forced ourselves to forget that the butt we were looking at once represented baby Jesus and began to put him all over the house - in the craziest places.  And whoever found Baby Butticus had to hide him next.  It would be nothing to be sitting calmly and then hear someone break into laughter because a tiny little butt was staring them in the face.  Oh - the Christmas memories we create!!!!!

I sit here now giggling about it.  Maybe it's partly because it's 12:40 in the morning - but I think it's mainly because our daughter is creative and fun and she made us all laugh once again! 

The problem now is - whoever hid him last did a REALLY good job.  We haven't started playing yet this year because Baby Butticus cannot be found.  He really is tiny - maybe an inch and a half long. He was last spotted on Anne's dresser.  I did a thorough cleaning, moving furniture, etc, looking for him today.  No luck.  But Anne's room is clean - that's a bonus.

We'll find him - and when we do - someone will be laughing.......


On a different but similar note about family craziness -

Meggie has a Veterinary Ophthalmologist appointment tomorrow. She is so worried that she may need glasses.  We caught her trying some on today to see what she would look like......

What do you think????

We've tried to explain to her that having glasses is a requirement to being a Franklin - but I don't think she's buying it.

Seriously though - she has developed strange spots deep within one of her eyes and her pupil is becoming  distorted.  We have been watching it change since the end of September and her regular vet is baffled.  So, tomorrow, she sees a specialist.  Praying all is well for our little furry friend.

Until next time......

Cats and Facebook - They Go Together, Right???

Those of you who have followed my blog for any length of time, know about Meggie, our cat.

The Lord brought her into my life to teach me some things and also because she needed a home.

If you are familiar with the story, you are still laughing and rolling your eyes in disbelief that I have allowed a furry, four legged ANYTHING into my home permanently.  For those of you who need to catch up a bit - you can read these and it will help:

School, Chloe and Cats

Excerpt from another blog post -

"On a lighter note - a cat update.  Meggie has officially become part of the Franklin family.  Although I can hardly believe I am typing this!  Ha!  The children, of course, are thrilled and Jarod has taken the job of feeding her on himself - without prodding!  (Wonder how long that will last...)  Anyway - she goes to the vet tomorrow to get checked out and to be, ahem, fixed.  As much as she is growing on us - we do not want kittens to worry about.

She is a sweet little thing and I do believe that God is using her in my life to soften me up a little.  Time will tell."

 
This one is the kicker:

Confessions of a Closet Cat Lover

There are several others under this link if you are interested.  All document how this little girl has won my heart by being so adorably cute, and causing me complete "mother panic" one night when she got sick.  God knew that she would have to be a very special cat to be able to stay here and I don't think there is a better one out there.  Let's face it, picking out a cat can be like playing Russian Roulette - you just don't know what kind of personality you are going to get.  She is absolutely perfect for our family and we are thankful.  

This week has been two years since we allowed her inside.  Wow!  That's crazy!

To celebrate this occasion, we purchased a new scratching post for her.  She LOVES her post - and not my furniture - so this needs rewarded, of course!  Hers was wearing out, so Russ got on line and ordered her a fancy new one.

It arrived today.  As soon as I brought the box in the house, she went over and sat by it and stared at me.  She knew it was hers.  I opened it and she fell instantly in love.......

 It wasn't even together yet and she was purring and rubbing all over it.  Anne took this photo while I was still unpacking the post part.

It didn't take but a few seconds and she knew exactly what to do.  She's been sharpening those claws all day.

This entire thing got me to thinking.

Meg is so much a part of our family and if you spend a lot of time around us, you will find that she has Russell's her own voice.  She has her own opinions about things and Russ she isn't afraid to make them known verbally.  See - I told you she was a "special" cat.

So, in honor of her 3rd Birthday and the 2nd Anniversary of being a Franklin, I have graciously given her her very own Facebook Fan Page.

Now she has her own platform where she can be heard by all - at least those of you who choose to follow her.

How fun is that, right?  

Well - it is for us. We sit and giggle ridiculously at each post from our talking cat.  

Okay, maybe I have officially gone over to the "Crazy Cat Lady" side, but you do have to give me some credit - there is only one!  

***Shhhhhhh*****   We won't talk about the 4 out back that we are feeding right now.

So, ahem - ya - anyway......

If you would like to follow Meg on her personal Facebook page, just click here and give her a "Like".  Make sure you mark her so she shows up in your newsfeed.  Feel free to chat with her, ask her questions, share her with friends or just be a FB stalker.  It will be fun - I promise!!!! 


Until next time......... 

Tid Bits

So Russell has been down for three days with a fever.  He got into the Dr. today and has been diagnosed with Bronchitis.  No wonder he hasn't felt well.  He barely made it through his sermon on Sunday, came home, collapsed and hasn't really moved from his chair or the bed since.  Hopefully he will be feeling better soon.

Momma is in the middle

While resting, we have been enjoying our new little friends out back.  We discovered these little guys a few weeks ago.  They were born under our back porch and Momma Kitty has been taking good care of them.  But they are a tad scrawny and so we decided to help a bit.  All the shelters in the area are full so no one would take them and they are too young to have fixed, so we are attempting to help fatten them up a bit until they are old enough to have surgery. Then we will release them again.  They are not socialized at all and run any time we even come close to the back door, but I did manage to get these photos through the glass. 

Meggie is totally intrigued by them and has even shown a little jealousy.  We have purposefully kept them separated so she just watches them through the glass door.  And she can't understand why she can't have any of their kitty food.  It's funny.

I have to say that while I enjoy watching these adorable kitties play, I love my Meg more.  They will NOT be coming inside.  I am very content to be a one cat family and I think Meggie is as well.  As we watch the kittens and their momma, we are amazed at how social Meg was with us.  She was meant to be ours.  These cats won't even come near us.

So thankful for our sweet Meggie.  She was definitely meant for us.

She loves us.

ApParent Project Update:

Things have slowed down a bit in the last month with my sales, but everyone is vacationing, etc.  I know that it will get busy again once school starts.  

The sales may have slowed down but the collection of cereal boxes has not. I have 14 boxes packed and ready to go.  I'm working with a freight company here in Jacksonville to try and get things to Rays of Hope cheaper.  Very excited about the possibilities!

I had the idea of trying to get ApParent Project into the Southern Women's Show here in Jacksonville.  Each year hundred's of vendors and literally thousands of women come and shop over a four day period in October.  It's a pretty big deal around here.  I made phone calls, filled out the applications and prayed for the Lord to open the doors if it would be worth it for the artisans.  Unfortunately, they had already filled their quota for jewelry vendors so God closed that door.  But already today, I've been contacted by two different churches wanting me to come and speak and do a jewelry sale.  So excited!

As fall approaches, I am convinced that ApParent Project sales are only going to increase.  I am excited to see all that God has planned.

If you are interested in having me come to your home, church, work place - let me know!  I would be happy to schedule you!  Call (904) 703-1608 or email me at:  Franklin4@truevine.net 

Until next time.......

My Decal Family Update

Re-post from Nov. 2010 - after I added the cat.

It was time to replace the decals on my van (Poor Russell had lost his head) and I thought about this original post.  Guess who I did NOT have to replace - AGAIN????!!!!  It has now been almost 6 years and everyone else has been replaced six times.......

_______________________________________________________________________________

I thought I would share with you the latest addition to our Disney Decal Family.  And I figured you would enjoy having another good laugh at my expense! 

You know it's official when I put the cat in Mickey ears on the van!!!  How cute is that?  It just makes me giggle!

A fun story to go with my decals - I am NOT a sticker person when it comes to cars.  I even make the dealers take their advertisement stickers off whenever I purchase a new (to us) vehicle.  I like my cars to be clean and tidy.  Then 4 years ago at Christmas, my brother Marc gives me these 4 little Disney people to put on my van.  He knows how I am - but he also knew they were wearing Mickey Ears!  How could I resist?  I screamed with delight, giggled hysterically and they have been on my van ever since.  This is actually my fourth or fifth set - I've lost count.  After several months, they begin to peel off and I replace them with new ones.  All except the Princess one (Anne) - she's original!  They don't even make her any more!  She, for some strange reason, has never peeled, never cracked.  I take the other three off, replace them, and she stays the same.  I guess it's just because it's Anne.  Ha!  Although I will admit (and I can't believe I am doing so) that it is something I have prayed about.  I like the Princess sticker so much, and knowing they don't make this one anymore - I don't want to replace her with the little girl.  So I am guilty of asking the Lord to keep her in tact.  I know, I know - it sounds ridiculous.  But I have found that even the ridiculously small things that are important to us - are important to the Lord as well.  Not because they are important - but because I am important.  So - I have learned to pray about the little ridiculous things as well as the big things that are important to Him.

So - it's funny when I say that I am NOT a sticker person when it comes to cars.  Seems I say a lot of things about myself like that and then God changes my heart and mind in some way. "I'm not an animal person, I'm not a sticker person." Ugh!  Have you seen the side of my van lately?  Maybe I'm out of control.......

A Little Bit of Everything

This has been a busy week!  Let's see if I can sum it up a bit......

For the last two Sunday's the Choir Room at our church has looked a little Christmasy (is that a word?)

I am soooo excited about the new items that ApParent Project has for Christmas!  I still have everything set up for this Sunday and then I will do it again in November and December during our Fellowship Lunches.  I already have two Fall Festivals set up where I will have a booth to sell it and I am thrilled!  Can't wait!  It's going to be sooo much fun to tell new people about this fabulous opportunity to help the artisans in Haiti.

I know I sold out of a few things - but I have more on the way!

Last Saturday, we surprised the kids and went to the Morocco Shrine Circus here in town.  We had a really nice time. 

      Enjoying some Cotton Candy!  That's a MUST at the circus!



We took Jarod to the Ringling Brother's Circus when he was 2 or 3.  Anne had never been so she was very excited.

She was a bit disappointed that there were not any elephants.  I think it was okay with me.  The two animal acts that they did have (trained dogs and monkeys) left me a bit uneasy.  Especially the monkeys.  While they were cute and all, I wanted to free them!  Free them all!


Wow - I really do have this new tender spot for animals.  All because of this one....

How cute is that?  But we can't free her - she is safer with us.  Remember those three kittens I blogged about a few weeks ago?  Well, we've only seen one of them again.  Two went missing.  I don't even want to think about what could have happened.  We put food out - but they didn't return.  A cat that doesn't return to regular food - ya - they are gone.  So thankful for Meg - she was just meant to be ours.

Besides - she does cool things like this -

 Those are some of Anne's old hair elastics.  Meggie's FAVORITE toy.  She loves to catch them.  I mean really catch them.  It's like she is a goalie - she will do whatever it takes - including jumping ridiculously high to catch it.  She doesn't let any get past her.  You can see the blue one in her mouth in the upper right photo.

She will sit and STARE at you until you get up and throw them for her.  We spent the evening getting these photos because Anne had a project for school.  She had to bring in photos of her pet and tell about their "trick" that they do.  It was fun trying to capture it all.

And Meg didn't mind - it's her favorite thing to do!


In other news this week, Russ and I celebrated our 14th Anniversary on Tuesday!  Because we took a later vacation this summer, we were not able to get away like we usually do, but we are already making plans for next year - 15!  Wow!  We had lunch and spent the day together before we had to get the kids from school.

I simply love this man.  No doubt about it.  God has truly blessed us and I am so very thankful.

Goodness - I guess I needed to catch up a bit!  Nothing major going on - just a little bit of everything.  I love our life. 

Well, I'm off to Bible Study this morning.  In the meantime, please take a moment and read about this little guy.  He's amazing and he needs a home.  Please pass this info along - He is being prayed for fervently and the Lord has a family out there for him.

He Sets the Orphans Free

Until next time.......

Not Again

Remember this adorable photo from last year?  This is the way Meggie would greet us each morning. 

So cute.
So innocent.

But there was an evil plan inside that adorable head of hers! 

And it worked!  She is now on the other side of that glass all nice and cozy. 

Cool in the summer.
Nice and warm in the winter.

She's a lucky little thing!  She doesn't know exactly how lucky she is!  But obviously she's been bragging to her friends.

Somehow.

Some way.

Because this was our view outside the same window last night.

THREE!!!! 

Yes - three little kittens have found their way to our back porch and once they spotted Meg - they didn't want to leave!

They know she has it good!

Please help!  (banging my head on table)

Does anyone want a kitten?

We think they are between 4 - 6 months old.

They are strays like Meg was.  There is obviously a cat problem in our neighborhood.
My heart has been softened once - but  NOT  for 3 more.  Not even for 1 more. Russ is going to take them to the shelter once we can rally them all up.  Unless someone else out there reading this would like to soften their heart as well.  It doesn't hurt - I promise!

They are very cute.  

Anyone?????

You're laughing at me, aren't you?????

Milestones - A One Year Anniversary

Not only is it Jarod's Birthday today, but this week also marks another huge milestone in my life.  As if being the mother of a 12 year old isn't enough.

I was recently reading one of my favorite blogs and came across the authors feelings about dogs and was thrilled that she described my feelings to a tee.  Although I had never thought of this issue so directly, I completely and totally related to her.  100%  She has a way of just putting it so perfectly....... 

"Anyone who knows me knows this:  I am not a dog person.

Call me crazy but I'm not a fan of things licking me or of exposed private parts.  Dogs have those.  I won't lie.  It makes me cringe to know that dogs put their exposed hiney holes all over the floor.  If someone came over to your house, licked you, opened up their butt cheeks, set their butt hole on your floor...or worse...your couch...and then this person humped your leg, I'm thinking their bizarre behavior would be a show stopper, a story you told over and over, and your guest would never be allowed back at your house.

The rules are obviously different for dogs.

Add two legs, some fur, some slobber, and suddenly this barbaric house guest becomes a beloved pet."

 - Heather Hendrick -  Sit a Spell

Now, oddly enough - I have felt like this for most indoor animals my entire adult life.  They are just gross.  They leave their fur everywhere - they are an extra thing to clean up after and why would I want to spend my money on food and vet bills for this creature that just causes more work?  I think I could ask that same question of my children sometimes but I guess that would just be wrong.

Anyway - if you clicked through and read the rest of Heather's post, you will see that she too has had a change of heart this year.  Such milestones for us!

Of course you already know where I am going with this.

This week we celebrate that one year ago this little girl

Came into my life and changed it forever!  Yes - it was one year ago that she began to look at us through our back door every morning.  As much as I protested - and said it would NEVER happen - within a week, she was spayed, vaccinated and living in our house.  How could I resist that face?

Now she is part of the family.  She leaves her fur everywhere, (even a few times in hairball form - Russ had the wonderful opportunity of stepping on that one morning recently.  I have not yet had the pleasure) She licks herself and yes - she has an exposed hiney hole.  So, I vacuum a little more often - and try not to think about the hiney hole - so what's the big deal?

She sleeps with us on our bed and has become the screen saver on my smart phone.  We pay for food and vet bills and even pay our neighbor to come feed her and play with her when we are out of town.  She has become a Franklin.  She really has absolutely NO clue as to how very lucky she is!  She has made it a year - she'll be here forever!

If you are new to my blog and would like to read more about my journey with Meggie - follow the links below:
School, Chloe and Cats
Birthday Reflections and More About the Cat
Confessions of a Closet Cat Lover
A Little Cat and My Favorite Mouse 
Poor Kitty, Kitty
Meg

And of course - she has her very own page on our blog.
 You can visit that here:  Meggie

Meg

I thought I would take a few moments before I begin on my Calligraphy tonight to give you an update on Meggie.  Okay - maybe it's really an update on me.  I am continuing to morph into one of "those people" and it's getting worse.

Meggie came home from the Emergency Vet Clinic on Thursday night with an antibiotic - but no pain medication.  The poor cat has been miserable.  She has been doing her normal activities and eating and drinking the same, but without as much spunk as usual.  I was startled last night when she rolled over and we found a large spot on her tummy where she had over groomed herself and removed the fur.  Enter my semi-panic mode.  I remained calm but made a few phone calls and decided that yes, it could wait until morning.  I didn't sleep well last night - I was actually having dreams about Meggie coming to me all bloody and missing patches of fur.  UGH!

I was up early and on the phone with the Humane Society.  Not ever having had an emergency with her before, we have not established ourselves with a vet clinic.  We used the HS to get her spayed and vaccinated when we first got her, but that has really been it.  So anyway, I called and explained the situation and was told that there were no openings until Tuesday and to just give her Benadryl.  WHAT?  Why would I do that if we don't know the reason?  Yes - she could be having an allergic reaction to the medication - but it could also be a pain response!  I found myself being a little snappy with the lady and saying, "Why would I give her medication if I don't know that she needs it?"  The same exact response I would have about one of my children!  I got feisty and defensive!  My cat is in pain for goodness sake and I'm NOT going to make her suffer until Tuesday!  And why didn't they give her something for the pain last night?  (Definitely learned from that one and will fight harder for her if there is a next time).

I called a Vet that had been recommended to me, explained my situation and my frustration.  They were so very nice and I had an appointment for 9:45.  Yea me!  So, Anne and I go off to the vet this morning.  Did I mention that I am incredibly busy with Calligraphy right now and this whole thing is terribly inconvenient?  Russ offered to go - but that protective, mother mode clicked in again and no - I had to go.  I have to ask the questions - I have to hear the answers.  Men forget to ask things. (No offense - it's just true).

I totally loved the Dr. we had today - she explained things so incredibly clearly and gave us both the pain medication and Benadryl for her.  We don't know if she is in pain from the infection or if she is having a reaction to something.  They still have not been able to get a sample from her to find out what is causing all this to begin with.  (Those are part of the personal details I kept you from in the last post).  She goes back on Monday and will stay until she....ahem....pees for them and then we will know more.

Now - I write all of this to let all of you animal lovers out there know that for 30 something years I have laughed, rolled my eyes and thought you were all absolutely CRAZY.  I am writing to apologize.  I get it.  I finally get it!  She is part of our family and as strange as it feels flowing out of my fingers into the keys - I will fight for her like she is one of my children.  I can hardly believe I'm admitting this publicly.  But - the last few days have definitely proven it.  It's official.  I'm a crazy cat lover.  Never. Say. Never.

Poor Kitty, Kitty.....

At the risk of being made fun of, I will tell you about my evening.  Yes - I know you will all laugh at me, but I don't care.  I have become one of "those people" and I'm okay with that.

We came home this afternoon to find Meggie acting very strange.  She was quite restless, and was going into the litter box every few minutes with little or no productivity.  Poor thing.  We noticed other symptoms but I will spare you the personal details.  Meggie will appreciate a little privacy.  .......Ahem.  So, we did a little research on line, made a few phone calls and yes - wound up spending 3 hours at the Emergency Vet clinic here in town.  She was diagnosed with a UTI and is now resting comfortably at home after the horrible and quite personal ordeal. 

Yes - I have become one of "those people" who will spend whatever amount of time and money to help my poor cat feel better. (Insert eye roll here)  She's a CAT!!!  But - she is part of our family and our responsibility.  So, away I went, forgoing my Calligraphy for the evening, (my schedule is so totally off now) and running to the emergency room as if she was one of my children.  I will admit that I hesitated and even called Russell to find out if I should mark YES or NO on the "Do you want us to perform CPR" question.  UGH!  Knowing she wasn't in any real danger, of course I marked yes.  But what a weird question to think about. 

Anyway - she is on medication and we have a follow up at the vet on Monday.  Yes - I have become one of "Those People"........

A Little Cat and My Favorite Mouse

Okay - so my blogs this week have been more of my serious side.  It's time for a little fun.  You will all laugh at me - but I'm used to it.  I have come to terms with the idea that I am now a cat lover.  I guess you guys need to come to terms with it too.  I know it's strange - I know it is out of the ordinary for me.
But - here it is.

My biggest question.

Are you ready?

It's very serious.

It may be detrimental to my household.


Can my new cat get along with my favorite mouse?

I say YES!!!!!!

 Meggie's new bowl arrived today!  So - not only is she on the back of my van wearing Mickey Ears - she now has her very own Mickey bowl.  

You didn't know she was a huge Mickey Fan like me, did you?  I couldn't have kept her otherwise.

 How cute is that???? It has her name on it!

 And each time she finishes her food - she will see her favorite mouse!  I enjoy making this cat feel at home!

 

On a side note - you didn't know she was a Pool Shark, did you?  Russ and the kids discovered it this week.

 

Blue jingly ball in the corner pocket!

Missing My Husband

I'm enjoying my quiet morning but I'm missing my husband.  He left on a Mission Trip to Haiti this past Monday.  He's only going to be gone 7 days and we have been separated much longer than that before but this time is very different. I don't mind being alone, I don't have problems sleeping at night. The kids are at an age now where they are easy.  I've been wondering what the problem it - what's off.  I think it's just because I haven't been able to talk to him.  To hear his voice.  To know details. I've had a few quick emails letting me know he's fine, etc.  But no in depth conversations.  Amazing the things we take for granted.

Russ and I have been facilitating a Communication in Marriage Small Group at church.  We've done the curriculum before so now we are sharing it with others.  We are going back through the material and doing our homework like everyone else and have actually been pleasantly surprised by how far we have come since we did it the first time.   Communication is the life of any relationship.  How well you communicate can literally make or break a marriage.  It's vital.  Now, I'm not in any way, shape or form saying that Russ and I have "arrived" but now that I am not able to chat with him, I realize how much we really do talk each and every day.  We get so used to cell phones and reliable internet connections that we take those things for granted. We have absolutely no concept of what things used to be like - before computers and cell phones.  Even before our modern day Post Office. When you had to hand write letters and then wait days if not months for them to be received.  And then just as long to get a reply!  I guess there are still places in our world like that. Russell's in Haiti for goodness sakes.  People are living in tents and are fortunate if they have a meal for the day.  And I'm complaining because I can't pick up my cell phone and chat with my husband.

As you can tell - I have very mixed emotions about this and I'm trying to put it in perspective.  I know there is a lesson in here somewhere and I'm sure the Lord will show it to me in His time.  Until then, I will continue to take my daily situations to the Lord and plug away until Russ returns, knowing that we will have lots of things to talk about when he's home.  I'm only dealing with a week - there are military wives that are sacrificing much, much more.  I am thankful.

On a separate note - Have I told you how much I am enjoying my cat?  Hee! Hee!  I've backed off a little as I don't want to drive everyone crazy about it.  But - she's a new little something in my life and is proving to be a blessing.  She has (I can't believe I'm admitting this) taken Russell's spot on the bed at night.  Ahem..... notice I didn't say place - I said spot.  I broke down and put her blanket on the bed at night when I lay down and she pounces right up there and stays all night.  Then, during the day, she has to follow me around like a puppy.  It's funny - she has to be in whatever room I am in - laying close by.  I will admit that I enjoy her company and having someone to talk to during the day.  Only problem is, she doesn't talk back.  I think that's a good thing.

We are continually amazed at her personality and her gentleness.  She is a VERY good cat.  Especially for being a stray.  I do have to vacuum a bit more often, but I don't even mind so much.  She's worth it.

Here's a few of our new favorite pics.....

 Under the covers on Jarod's bed

 Her favorite spot on the rug - love the paw over her nose!

 This is my favorite - under her blanket

How cute is that?

Thanks for tolerating our newest family member.  Until next time.......

Confessions of a Closet Cat Lover

Okay, So I know in my last few posts I stated VERY clearly that Meggie will NOT come inside the house - EVER! Seems I was very emphatic on that point.  Well, I lied.   I know, I know - you are laughing at me.  Probably that diabolical, I told you so laugh that my husband has had the last few days.  Hmph!  I guess it was meant to be. 

A week ago Thursday, we took her to the vet and had her spayed.  When we brought her home, she was just so pitiful that I couldn't leave her outside in a kennel, alone.  So, we brought her inside.  She spent a few days recuperating in our Bonus Room.  We quickly realized that all she wanted was to be rubbed on and held to help her feel more comfortable.  By Saturday, she was out of the kennel and sleeping in my lap.  Needless to say, by Monday she was completely free of the kennel, had free reign of the house and found her a great little spot by the back sliding door to nap.  Oh - and she likes Russell's clean shirts too! 

How cute is that?  Anyway, we took her to the vet again yesterday to get her checked out, put on a regular flea treatment and get another vaccination that she needed since she was staying inside.  The vet was amazed at how sweet and gentle she was for having been a stray.  I think she is just thankful to be rescued and have a nice comfy home.  She is healthy and happy and quickly adjusting to her life as a Franklin. 

Now - what about the change in me?  I'm not completely sure.  All I know is that my heart has been softened by this adorable and funny creature and I like having her around.  I mentioned in an earlier blog that the Lord had been dealing with me now that I had some extra quiet time here at the house.  I think Meggie is part of that. 

One of the things that I had come to realize was how much my mother was still influencing my decisions.  Now, that is not always a bad thing. Don't get me wrong at all.  My mother was a wonderful and Godly woman and I am proud of the legacy she left me.  But, my mother was always right.  I don't mean that sarcastically or disrespectfully in any way.  She was - it was scary.  She could usually predict most things and be 100% right about it.  But that creates a false sense of security in that you are always depending on her to help you with your decisions - doing what she thinks you should do because it will be "right".  Unfortunately, it created some really long apron strings.

After almost 8 years, I thought those strings were cut.  Until recently.  I have found myself making decisions and in the back of my mind fighting my mothers voice.  Knowing full well what she would suggest and then feeling guilty because I don't think that's the direction God is leading me.  Wow!  I have given her a lot of power to be this influential even from the grave!  Wondering what she would say or do in this or that situation.  The number one problem with this is that I have allowed myself to once again get caught up in it and am now having to break free mentally and find myself.  I don't need to be worrying about what my mother would do or say in a situation - I need to be taking these things to the Lord and then simply be obedient in what he shows me to do.  It's that simple.  Or is it?

My mother did NOT like animals.  Especially cats and dogs. She didn't like the mess or the responsibility of them.  She tried it a few times when I was little, but we never had a dog longer than a month at a time.  Then it would have to go.  It wasn't until Marc brought home a rescued parakeet that she allowed herself to get close to an animal.  We always laughed at her - she loved that bird.  So, like my mother, I have said no to my kids each and every time that they have asked for an animal.  Except a fish -but who gets attached to a fish?  Anyway - like my mother, I don't care for the mess either.  They are a lot of extra work. 

Enter Meggie.  Now, she's been around our house for a while - but has been completely ignored.  Well, by me anyway - not the kids.  I have been too busy!  I haven't been home for the last year.  There was absolutely no time to care for or even think about adding an animal into our craziness.  Then the Lord allowed me to stop.  And I kept noticing this cat.  But I can't do anything about a cat!  I have ranted and raved too long about not having an animal.  "We will NEVER own an animal - so quit asking" or "Well, when you grow up and have your own family and your own house - you can have one but there will NOT be one in MY house."  Ugh!  My poor kids.   You should have seen the looks on their faces the day I told them I fed her!

So - what about my house?  What about my furniture?  What about the very clear line I have drawn all these years?  What would my mother think?  Why have I been so adamant?  Is it because I really don't like animals (I like other people's just fine) or is it just because my mother was so adamant?  I owned my own Parakeet when I was single.  I loved that bird.  I was willing to take on the mess and the responsibility because I had the time to.  Maybe it's been a timing thing.  I don't really have an answer to all these questions right now.  I just know that I wasn't looking for a pet - but Meggie came looking for me.  In a mere 2 weeks, my heart has completely softened and now she lives in our home and sleeps at the foot of my bed.   I think she may be the final string on the apron that needed to be cut.  I am continuing to find myself - to get to know me.  I'm just excited that God is still working in my life - in my heart.  We are always growing and changing.  Mercy has never been a real strong point for me so maybe God is working in that area of my life as well.  I think that maybe there will be many more lessons concerning Meggie and I'm anxious to see what they are.  In the meantime, I'm going to go play with my cat.......

Birthday Reflections and More About the Cat

Today is Jarod's 11th Birthday!  I find that hard to believe.  When your children are born - you cannot imagine the next 5 or even 10 years.  You cannot picture them bigger.  And yet, they grow.  They walk, they talk, they start school and before you know it you are asking, "Where has the time gone?" 

 I have what is, in the 21st Century, called, "A Tween" - no longer a little boy, but not quite a teenager.  Right in the middle - with hormones beginning to flair up - along with that grasp for independence.  HELP!  It's only going to get more challenging from here.  The challenge, I think, is for me to spend even more time on my knees in prayer as he begins to break away and slowly become the young man that God wants him to be.  Yes - he will have our fingerprints on his life - but even more so, we want God's fingerprints on him.  It's such a challenge to let go.

I go back quite often to the night before Jarod's first day of Pre-K.  I couldn't sleep.  One, because I was pregnant.  Two, because I was about to put my son in a Christian Pre-School 3 days a week.  I got up and began journaling and praying asking the Lord to protect him and to give me a peace.  The Lord spoke so specifically to my heart that night - with such clarity.  He said, "Cami, trust ME with him.  The things that he will experience in life, good or bad, are things I need him to experience in order to make him the man I need him to be later."   I had such an overwhelming peace come over me and even today, whenever I question things that Jarod is going through, I can go back to that night and have a peace that God loves my son even more than I do and that he has a very specific plan for him.  It's so comforting to be able to rest in that.

Every single thing that happens to us - happens for a reason.  To grow us, to make us into the people - the witness - that God wants us to be.  Ultimately to enhance His reputation - to bring glory to Him.   Why do we think it is any less like that for our own children?  After all, aren't our own testimonies based on what happened to us as we grew up - where we came from - what God created in us?

As I look at my son today - I am so proud of the person he is becoming.  Yes - we have a LONG way to go, but hey, he's only 11 right?  :-)

On a lighter note - a cat update.  Meggie has officially become part of the Franklin family.  Although I can hardly believe I am typing this!  Ha!  The children, of course, are thrilled and Jarod has taken the job of feeding her on himself - without prodding!  (Wonder how long that will last...)  Anyway - she goes to the vet tomorrow to get checked out and to be, ahem, fixed.  As much as she is growing on us - we do not want kittens to worry about.

She is a sweet little thing and I do believe that God is using her in my life to soften me up a little.  Time will tell.

This is the cute little face we see each morning at our sliding door.  Waiting for breakfast.

Russ is hooked.  He came home from work yesterday and asked for string.  I told him where to find some and then found him and Meggie on the back porch!!!

She's a playful thing.....

For the first time in forever - we are NOT headed to Disney for Jarod's Birthday.  I know, I know - you're shocked!  I sort of am too.  We've just had some other financial priorities this year and have put the Disney tickets on hold for a while.  But not forever.  Until next time......