mamas and papa

This mama is coming up for air after a day of swimming in a sea of paperwork as I move forward in my month of home organization projects.  Drawers which look like this . . .

are my goal.  They bring a smile to my face.  And woe to him who may try to mess up my newly organized drawer!  I really should have taken a before picture of this particular drawer which had turned into a place to stash everything and anything.  But I was afraid to stop my momentum by retrieving the camera. . . if the momentum stops, I may opt for a nap which is always a nearby option in my mind!

At the end of the day, tucking my little ones into bed always brings a smile to my heart too.  Little A has moved into a “big girl” bed this weekend.  I’ll be selling her crib set on Craig’s List to make more room for her “things” which seem to be growing as rapidly as she.

 

Mama Lucy is beautifully caring for her four little kittens who are now on the MOVE!

 

 

Expending all that energy into learning how to walk makes for a tired little kitty!

And this papa?  Very proud indeed.  He LOVES watching these kittens grow and play.

I do too.  It’s amazing how much time passes as we sit and watch these cute little ones.

As we grow to love them, we also know we will be selling three of them, and keeping the brown spotted female.

I’ve set up a website and we’ve advertised on several free classified sites which the breeder recommended.  We’ve sold one of the males already and have received two inquiries of the snow.  Our website is www.simplygrand.webs.com.  On the bottom of our front page we have this verse. . .

"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." Revelation 4:11

We’re enjoying His creation!

Happy Saturday,

extracurricular

Here are the kids’ latest top three extracurricular activities. . .

ELECTRONIC MONOPOLY!

Due to the generosity and kindness of a friend, the boys were given and taught how to play the Electronic Banking Monopoly game.  They love it!  It’s the daily school break fun!

SLEDDING!

And if they’re not playing Monopoly, they’re sledding outside on the “hill”. . . no matter how cold the temperature. The slope out front provides hours of fun for all.  Yes, even Little A has a blast and now wants to sled “by myself” and bursts into tears when I call them all back inside.

EATING!

The boys are always ready to eat!  Especially when they come back inside after playing outside in that cold winter air.  Tonight we had a surprise treat. . . Grandpa’s Apple Slices!  Grandpa made a fresh batch of this special dessert and drove up north for us to eat it together.  This was Great Grandma E’s famous recipe.

Thanks, Grandpa!

That pretty much sums up the kids’ life outside of school and basketball! 

Mom’s extracurricular activities do not include sledding or Monopoly AND I’m trying to cut back on the eating. . . a total of 5 lbs. over the holidays as I decided to step on the scale this week for my moment of truth.  Those pounds sure go on easier than they come off, huh?  My spare time has been spent creating our new website for our Simply Grand Bengals Cattery.  Our hope is to advertise on the cat websites and sell at least three of the four kittens.  I’ve also cleaned and organized  a few drawers in the kitchen and bedroom closets.  Love it!!  What a difference. . .I smile every time I open them.  Now to just keep them this way, right?!

Happy Wednesday,

Heather

kittens-11 days

 

See how much bigger they are?!

Their eyes opened yesterday at 10 days old.

Little A  says, “I want to hold it on my yap.”

Their nails are super sharp!

The white one seems most content being held.

No doubt, all these kittens will be well socialized. . . whether they like it or not!

Names are being tossed around. . . Rudy, Desi, Cheerios, Theo, Trudy.

The kids like to think of names from the TV shows we are watching on DVD.

A nasty cold bug has landed on four of our crew.

So far, Mr. C and I continue to be healthy.

The masks and gloves we wear 24/7 must help!

Just kidding, but every year during flu season I think of doing just that!

Happy Friday!

onward we go

 

It was a blessed holiday.

Lots of traditions and celebrating. . . truffle making, Chinese take-out on Christmas Eve,

cinnamon rolls and egg bake, knitted hats & slippers, happy birthday Jesus cakes,

sparkling cider, Pictionary, measuring the kids’ heights, stockings, gift giving, root beer,

caramel corn, the Cosby Show, gingerbread houses, visiting with friends & family, fruit

fondue, pajamas, caroling. . .

And now a new year is upon us.

I don’t make resolutions per se, but I do find myself considering this a time of year for new beginnings.  I’m cleaning kitchen drawers, re-organizing the pantry, making new chore lists for the kids, aspiring to accomplish more at homeschooling, committing to use more coupons, and desiring to add another day or two to my exercise program.

Onward I go, not in my own strength but in His.

Ephesians 6:10,  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (KJV)

Onward I go, remembering the battles I face are His, not mine.

2 Chronicles 12:15,   “He said, "Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” (NLV)

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!” So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Onward I go, in joy and peace.

Isaiah 55:12 - "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (NIV)

(photo by Grandma E.)

Onward I go, in prayer.

Psalms 145:18 – “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (NIV)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16(NIV)

Happy New Year!

kittens!

 

We arrived home from our holiday travels on Sunday evening.

We were thankful that Lucy had not delivered her kittens while we were gone.

(as were her loving caretakers)

Yesterday afternoon it became evident that “the time” was near.

Her water broke around 3:30 and she was “meowing” quite a bit.

I decided it was best that she stay in her room so that the birthing process did not

make a mess elsewhere in the house.

At 10:15pm Mr. C called for me to quickly come downstairs with the camera!

During the labor and delivery, Lucy was surprisingly very quiet.

Mr. C sat by Lucy for over three hours, petting her and making sure all went well.

Of course we had to wake the kids so they could witness the miracle of birth.

Her litter totaled four.

I had guessed three.

As you can see, the fourth born was a snow and the other three are either spotted

or marbled like Chief, the king.  It’s hard to tell so soon.

We have not named them and we don’t know whether they are male or female quite yet.

Today Lucy has been sleeping with the little kitties cuddled up close to her.

Oh, so cute.

And oh sooo little.

Happy Tuesday!

favorites

Favorite shots. . .Favorite things

The sun at your back in the coolness of a winter day;

A beautiful, red poinsettia plant;

Meeting your brand new, baby sister for the very first time;

and touching her little hand;

The taste of cold, wet snow;

A mother and her newborn child;

Laughing with your loved one;

The glow of the sunset;

And a strong shoulder to lean on.

 

Happy Saturday,

lights, camera, action

 

The boys are playin’ with Christmas lights . . .

Mom’s playin’ with her camera. . .

And Lucy the cat?  She’ll soon be adding to the action around here. . .

She will give birth to kittens later this month.

Her due date?  December 25th.

When we are out of town!

We are praying for Lucy.

That’s she’s late. . .or early.

I’m praying for me.  Adding to the ACTION around here?

Anyone want to buy a kitten?

Mr. E., our resident Bengal lover and breeder, would love to sell you one. . .or two!

Pictures of cute little kittens coming soon!

Happy Saturday!

the reason

 

the hunt

the find

the treats

 

the reason!

through all the. . .

busyness,

gift giving,

card making,

busyness,

celebrating,

decorating,

busyness,

memory making,

baking,

and. . .

the busyness of this season,

I want to remember the REASON for it all.

 

The Word of God, Jesus Christ, on account of His great love

for mankind, became what we are in order to make us what

He is Himself.  Bernard of Clairvaux

 

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees, O, hear the angel voices

O night divine, O night when Christ was born. John S. Dwight

 

Happy Thursday!

winter or summer?

 

Some kids have a hard time transitioning from summer to winter.

Happy Friday in winter. . . at least in the woods of Wisconsin that is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Over the river and through the woods to the cabin today we go.

Once the family picture is taken we’re all happy to be warm inside, out of the blowing cold snow.

Aunt Julie’s all set, with her master list in hand.

While helpers file in for the kitchen fun,

each are given their own part to play. . .

and make for a fine Thanksgiving feast band.

The food cannot be finer,

to feed this sixteen crew.

All leave the table well satisfied;

And thankful for bountiful blessings too.

Onward we go as presents are awaiting,

We celebrate Christmas now too!

Draw your number from the hat,

now wait your turn. . .

Go snatch someone’s gift or open one that’s new!

Time to settle in for a movie or a game,

win or lose it’s fun just the same.

Reflecting on a Happy Thanksgiving. . . 

Now may my heart and mind offer a sacrifice of praise to Him continually, no matter what challenges I face. . .

An attitude of gratitude to set my daily pace.

Happy Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

our thespians

Some of our children have recently had the opportunity to be involved with our local high school and community theatre.

The first, a musical, was The Music Man.

The talent at the high school is spectacular.

From the acting, performing, dancing, directing and singing to the production team backstage,  I was most impressed.

I still find myself humming, “76 Trombones”, or “Madam Librarrrrrrian!”

Such happy songs!

Currently, practices have begun for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, at our local performing arts center.

Z-man, C-man and H-man have joined the cast.

They are excited.

Hopefully the excitement continues (for me too) as daily practices begin next week through December 19 during this busy holiday season.

I am thankful we live close to town and have friends involved who are kind enough to  help shuttle the kids.

I’m thankful for these opportunities which may push their comfort zones, give them a boost of self-confidence and diminish their “screen time”.

Break a leg, boys!

Happy Monday of Thanksgiving week!