Mornings that start with a BANG!

Disclaimer: Ok, if you are at all squeamish or belong to PETA please do not read this post.
This is how my morning started. At 3 a.m. Kitty was at my door meowing louder than normal, which is never a good sign for my cat. It usually means a fur ball or a "present" that he is proud of. Last spring he began feeling the need to show us the prizes of his hard work hunting all night by bringing them in through the dog door at night. So, I have been anxiously watching this spring to see if we have a repeat. Well, so far a bird that was still very much alive, and an "expired" vole have made their way into our house thanks to Kitty. So, while I keep telling myself I need to lock him out all night, the part of me that feels bad hasn't allowed myself to do that. Well, I'm so over that. I got up when I hear him meowing this morning at 3 a.m., checked things out ever so cautiously, didn't see anything and went back to bed. Anxiously laying there wondering what critter he has brought in this time. Funny how your mind plays tricks on you when you are laying there and can't sleep and Rich is away and I can't poke him to go check things out. So as the boys are getting ready for school, Tucker sees a critter crawling in the kitchen and it goes behind the fridge. The boys are pretty much unfazed by this occurrence. They are laughing and just looking at me. Why I need to tell them to do something is beyond me, but I told then to move the fridge and get the broom and you know..... "take care of it". Well, Garret goes in his room and gets his pellet gun.... it runs under the china cabinet into the kitchen, and "BANG", he took care of it. Garret thinks that is the best way to start his day, I can think of better ways.

My cute boy is 16!

Garret turns 16 today. He was the cutest baby, and I know every mom says that, but just look, he really was. He was always happy, ready to put on a show, keep up with Chad and Lauren, and loved his dinosaurs. He has given us some of the best laughs when he had to get his two cents in, being the youngest added with his red hair, lots of attitude! He's moved on to other things like hunting, fishing, and baseball, but he is still sweet and adorable. So glad God gave him to us.

Good Things

Some days more good things than bad things happen to you. Today was one of those for me. It really is the little things.

I started my day at work with my cute friend Brandie giving me a hug"just because". Meant more to me than she knows.

Bought a baby shower gift for someone, and remembered the best smell ever, clean babies that smell like Baby Magic.

My wonderful friend Yon had a Mounds bar waiting at my desk when I got back from lunch. King Size!!!

My cute mom commented on my blog for the first time. She's pretty great.

The sun is shining and it's getting warmer every day.

Things feel more "normal" here at work after the business of the Forum.

Best seat in the house

I volunteered to work at the Student Union at the Watch Party during the Compassion Forum, and that was definitely the place to be. Cheers every time Messiah was mentioned, groans or laughter at some of the questions and responses. It was so fun to feel the energy from the students as they watched. Whenever I have the opportunity to interact directly with students here at Messiah, I always come away feeling amazed at how articulate they are. Way more than I was at their age. I'm sure if you ask anyone who works in education, the students are the best part of it. There really is a great group of young adults ready to make a difference in the world right here at Messiah.

Stress Relievers

In the midst of this week, we have had some chances for a good laugh, which helps with the tension level when you are crazy busy. Here's my list so far.


Rubber Cement plus a good sniff equals good times

"You can' t just leave the Presidential embosser laying around willy-nilly!"

"Oh you've reached the wrong extension, let me transfer you to the get-a-life line."

"I am almost finished compiling the "dashboard indicators" I'll have them to you shortly."

"Monkey Business- Life is more than bananas."

Knowing this is temporary, priceless!

Seven days and counting

Obama and Clinton have confirmed that they will participate in the Compassion Forum so things are in full swing. This week will be all kinds of busy. John McCain has another commitment and will not, as of today, be participating. This is a new adventure for our College, and will be an exciting and challenging week. All hands on deck.

Not Feeling Very Bloggy

Yep, that's me right now. Have you noticed I haven't had much to say in about a week. Nothing has struck me as "blog worthy". Does this mean my life is so dull and uneventful? I don't think so, but some might say that. So I am going to give some updates to earlier blogs.



"Pillow Talk"- Thanks to my husband, this has been resolved. He bought me an $8 pillow, and "Wa La" sleeping like a baby most nights. So never let it be said you have to pay $150 for a good pillow like the Brookstone sales man tried to tell me and of course I needed the more expensive one because of being "tall"... he probably even says that to your average horse jockey.

"Yep It's Mine"- Still love my car, and even gave it a name, Sven. That's how close I feel to it. Rich keeps it very clean and shiny. I think he wants it.

"Move Mountains"- This one is more serious, so I'll close with this. I prayed all during the Lenten season for my "mountain" and continue to pray every day. I think my mountain maybe moved a tiny centimeter, which could sound discouraging, but in praying everyday for it, I realized I was actually a mountain that needed to be moved too, and I have moved considerably. I feel a renewed relationship with God and am so enjoying the time I set aside each day to spend time with Him. Oh how my attitudes and feelings have changed about my mountain. It is so basic, but if you pray for something, it helps you to see how all things do work together for good, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time. I will keep praying for my mountain, and I hope that there will be little eruptions of activity that God will use.