The Cutest Worst Cat

Monelle has been a part of our family since Winter 2006. We got her at a pet store in Taiwan after adopting and trying to care for two street cats that both died as kittens. So naturally, we became very attached to Monelle from the start.

Monelle's demeanor is fairly aloof and loungy unless she's hungry or attention deprived. In that case, she'll jump all over me at night or rub herself on friends that come over, especially our bible study root group. It's as if she's saying, 'you don't give me attention, so I'm going to bug your friends for it.' Normally, her cuteness wins her lots of rubs and pets.

Because of Monelle's aloofness, I felt we needed a second cat, specifically a snuggly kitten to bond with. That's when we decided to meet friends in Indiana, halfway to their home in TN, to pick up little Leona. She was little, sweet and climbed our furniture like a tree frog.

Once Leona made herself at home and grew a bit, I started noticing cat pee on almost every rug we owned. As well as cat pee on any cloth item left on the floor, like a t-shirt or towel. Immediately, I pinned the offense on Leona. I assumed that since it was newly occurring, it had to be the newbie.

Last November, I took a shower and Monelle was also in the bathroom lounging. I laid down the rug, which we keep hung over our shower rod to keep from being peed on when not in use. I thought, 'oh, it's just Monelle, I can lay the rug down before the shower.' Stepped out to find CAT PEE on the RUG!

Mystery solved, Monelle is the cutest worst cat ever. We had poor Leona in the vet's office multiple times to solve her peeing issue. We contemplated returning her to her previous owner and finding a nice 'farm' for her. Now I understand why Leona was always the one near the peed on cloth trying to 'bury it' or smell it to figure out what it was.

I write this post today because yesterday, I picked up a folded pair of pajama pants from a clean laundry pile on the living room floor only to discover Monelle had marked it. I tell you, that girl is so darn sneaky I could JUST!

Christmas 2012, check!

Grandmama's Porch

This year, we spent 5 days and 4 nights at Grandmama Grant's in Jackson, MS. Leaving at 6pm on Friday night, we arrived at 6:45am on Saturday morning. Tripp did all the driving and I did all the reaching-into-the-backseat-to-give-a-child-something-they-wanted & keeping-the-driver-awake & texting-family-updates as well as snoozing here and there. Tripp decided to try 5 hour energy after a recommendation from a coworker and it was successful!

A special part of this Christmas was a spontaneous visit from Jacky & Cayte! It worked out that they were able to come to Grandmama's house late Friday night and stay through Sunday morning. We have missed their presence greatly at Christmas and were so thankful for the brief but precious time. We are all praying that next Christmas our families, as well as new baby Olyvia who will be 10 months by next Christmas, will enjoy time together again. There's one little person in particular who would like to see his best friend Jacky as much as possible. That's David and he just adores his uncle Jacky. Oh yeah, and this trip, David decided that their dog Zoey was fun to take on walks in the backyard.

Oh the backyard! From Saturday morning on, David was at the back window begging to be let out into the backyard to romp around. Tripp was getting tired of chasing David around, but thanks to cousin Grant, he made it out pretty much all Saturday. David must have known it was going to DOWNPOUR for a large remainder of the trip. Christmas day on, it was like sheets of water coming down - which triggered stories of some flood in Jackson where the water was up to Grandmama's cabinets. I was tempted to hit the road early.

Beginning late Sunday afternoon, Aunt Seale (not my aunt, David's aunt), Grandpa G and Mimi came over to start our Grant family Christmas time. It was wonderful to catch up and good to pass an energetic David and snugly off to grandparents. We celebrated Christmas and opened gifts with them that evening and like usual, the giving was more than generous. My family abides by lists for about 50% of gifting. The Grant family not only abides by the list but finds really neat companion gifts that shows so much thoughtfulness. For example, I asked for gray socks because when I walk around our apt in my white socks they turn gray from dirt. From Grandpa G and Mimi not only did I get gray/black awesome athletic socks, I also got mega thermal tall cozy socks. For Judah, I asked for playtex sippy cups. Not only did they give him a blue/red playtex sippy cup, they found an AMAZING stainless steele thermal sippy cup that keeps cold for up to 6 hrs. David is 'trying out' that gift right now and it's great! All this to say, thank you so much Grandpa G and Mimi for always showing love to our family through the language of thoughtful gifts. We're thankful for you!

After Sunday, the MS Christmas finished off with frisbee games in the front yard, families opening gifts, lots of comfort holiday food, COFFEE and more COFFEE, breakfast casserole, tetris, cable TV (thank you Jacky!!), chats with Grandmama & Perkins family, and feeding Judah...

Before I close this entry, I've just got to record my experience of feeding a 5 month old in a house of 15+ people. One of the most fun parts about staying at Grandmama's house is the morning to late night family time. Every room has a welcoming relative or 10 and a place to plop and chat. Follow me now to 2am. Judah has decided to wake EVERY night at this sleepy hour and I feel the best solution is to feed him and put him back down as quietly as possible. Due to the possibility of nightwaking we took preventative measures of also not waking up David by having Judah sleepover in Grandmama's room, bless her! So each night, around 2am I responded to Judah's cry by scooping him up and walking to some open seat in the house to feed him. At the height of house guests, I couldn't find my glasses and ended up bumping into Aunt Olivia on the couch. She was sweet and offered to turn the light on, but I preferred darkness to conceal my feeding Judah and try to keep us all sleepy. Thankfully, Judah always went back down quietly and quickly, but I tell you these night adventures will be unforgettable.

Baby Language 2012

As 2012 nears an end, I'm wishing so much that I would have written down all the amusing phrases David's said as he's learned to talk. I'm going to try to keep adding to this post but thinking back, I can recall...

Mr.D

"koo-koo" = cookie

"La-lo" = water

"I i you" = I love you

"DOW, DOW, DOW (pause for breath) I DOWN" = get me out of my crib now

"dicka dicka NO no, dicka no no"

"Wow, cool!"

"AH-na" = Monelle

"Ah-NA" in a stern tone = Leona

"Oh no... Ees sad" = Judah is crying

"Oh!... was sa sown?.... hmmmm" = Oh, what's that sound, hm let me think about it.

"Ees mommy" = pointing to the Botticelli in the bathroom
(I loved to hear this of coarse.)

"I some?!" = I want to eat what you have there

"I know you..." = Sleeping Beauty and must be sung

"Mimi & Papa" = my mom & dad

"Mimi & Pee-ah G" = Tripp's dad & Lynn (You guys, I am hoping this grandpa changes to the correct word soon. Until then, Mr.Grant, David would like to call you pee-ah).

"Ah-mama" = Grandmama Grant

"Ah Kay Kay" = Aunt Cayte

"Dja key" with a BIG smile = Uncle Jacky

"Gace" = cousin Grace

"sah-ee mama" = Sorry mama

Mr.J-Bugs

"....." = silence and smiling

Judah generally tries to talk by either keeping his lips closed and mumbling, saying 'oo' or yelling out like a sea lion. He is an overall quiet guy except when it's time to sleep and things aren't right. Glory to God for the balance this boy provides to our already very LOUD home.

Judah and His Lions

Judah was given one ADORABLE outfit with furry lions by his Grandpa G and Mimi when he was born. He fills it out and sat very nicely for a few photo shoots. David woke up from his nap right in time to join Judah for the last shoot. Unfortunately, David was a little teary so preferred to make a minor appearance and wanted to focus on being 'near' to his bro.

Young Love

Young Love, a set on Flickr.

After clicking through my photo library yesterday, I nostalgically lingered on old photos of Tripp and I when we were dating. Praise the Lord we have wonderful memories of our time together before becoming 'The Grants.' Following the last photo of us graduating from Belmont University would be wedding photos.

If you have a minute, here's how it began...

Tripp and I met in July of 2002 at freshman orientation, we were in the same orientation group. Our first date was in late August, just after getting settled into the dorms and college life. Tripp asked me to go to his sister's soccer game and on that date I met his mom, dad, two sisters, and granny. Granny's response to meeting was saying in a sweet old lady way, ' Tripp told me he met a nice girl.' Oh boy, Tripp was wearing his heart on his sleeve and I thought I was hot stuff.

You see, I had the idea that I was supposed to be with an impressive christian guy, specifically 'Raymond' (names changed to protect my dignity cuz the guy didn't care for me one bit). I made the mistake of telling Tripp on another date that I didn't think we should keep going out because I had my hopes set on Raymond. Tripp stayed near as a friend and even watched me go on 'dates' with a few other guys. (There was nothing romantic about these dates except that I was asked to go somewhere by a male).

Tripp didn't give up, he bought me a big bouquet of daisies and asked me to go on a date. I was a stinker and suggested a group date. He and a whole bunch of Belmont folks went.

Come April, I noticed a few signs that Tripp may be moving on from his devoted crush to myself. At the same time, he had vulnerably shared with me that his mom was in hospice. After much discussion with the gal pals and mom, I turned from my hot stuff ways and realized I may be passing up one of the best men I'd ever known. And hey, it wasn't like we were getting engaged!

Tripp was distributing 'Jump In The Bush Club' DVDs in my dorm and had stopped by my room to say hi. Not having the guts to reveal my feelings to him then, I chased him down on the front porch of my dorm. In the pouring rain, I brought him a friend's umbrella (supplied by a supportive gal pal) and told him that I liked him. He looked goofy and relieved and sweetly hugged me. I can't remember if I voiced this, but we call this our 'rain moment' (see Sweet Home Alabama).

And the rest is history.

Praise the Lord for good babysitters!!

I am bursting with gratitude for the Lord's provision of good babysitters for my family in our little urban circle. As a new mother, I cringe at the thought of asking dear friends, family and teens to give of their precious free time to babysit David. As a veteran babysitter, I absolutely kick myself for not reaching out more. Some of my favorite memories in both high school and college were made while watching rambunctious youth. I loved one of those kiddos so much, they stood up in our wedding as ring bearer. Shout out to the Waldrop Family of 4 boys and their generously loving mother who made me feel like the 5th and only daughter!

Back to urban babysitters. I just wanted to take a moment to record my thanks to you wonderful blessings to my family...

Here's a list by first name, which tells you very little - but in the coming years when I click back to this post, I'll experience once again a flood of grateful memories...

Way to take on this mug, babysitters!

Clair
Norma
Katheryn
Cayte
Naomi
Clare
Emily
Cristina
Alexa
Becca M.
Sadie
Sue
Molly
Kelly
Becca R.
Jillian

Many thanks and lots of love from me and D.

Visit with Brock & Lindsay

Visit with Brock & Lindsay, a set on Flickr.

Have a look at our sunny little visit with Brock and Lindsay! Each day we took a little adventure whether edible or scenic. We got to meet a few of their dear friends and feel that they're in good hands though miles away.