Since I don't yet have a baby to flaunt, I will flaunt my kitteh.

It's baby season, apparently

Why prolong this post any longer? I'm fairly certain that nearly everyone I know (who reads this blog) is aware of our happy news. Joey and I have a bun in the oven! Okay, I know that saying is a little dated, but I just couldn't resist. Buns are so yummy... but I don't intend on eating this one when it's "fully cooked". Eww. Bad joke.

I'm sure many of you are aware of random pregnancy side effects, and I have not been spared these in the least. I have really random cravings that I haven't quite figured out yet, such as (today) Gobstoppers, (and every other day) Hickory sticks, orange juice, grapes, yogurt, grapes, grapes, orange juice, yogurt, pears, toast, milk, and toast. And grapes. The amount of healthy things on this list pleases me, because I generally do not crave healthy foods. I've figured out a general pattern for the foods I can't stand, however. Grease, ground beef, farmer sausage, overcooked vegetables, grease, grease, and ground beef. The pattern: overpowering flavours mixed with undesirable textures. I count myself as blessed, however, because my morning sickness, although persistent, never quite gets to the point of imminent release. Enough said.

My mom and dad have been out for a few days, and oh my word did I ever miss them! It's true that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I'm pretty sure my insane hormones and baby bun have something to do with it. A hug from anyone else just doesn't do their hugs justice. Ever.

Whiny cat is back in our possession. We shipped her off to Grandma & Grandpa's (hee hee) for three weeks while Joey and I were engulfed in the Leadership Development Program. I was worried she'd come back all snobby and stuff, but she's back to her old, messed up self. I'm pretty sure she's rolling me onto my back at night just so she can sleep on my ever-expanding tummy because a) I NEVER sleep on my back, pregnant or not, and b) I keep waking up with her perched on top of me. Silly kitty. We may have some separation anxiety to deal with on her part when our NEW "pet" (as she'll see it) comes out. Poor kitty. Poor baby!!!!

That's just about it for news from my life. For news from Joey's life, check out his blog that he's abandoned. And leave an angry comment that makes him post again. Thanks!

at the mercy of God

Snow doesn't seem quite as threatening when there's no need to go anywhere, at least in an automobile.  Joey and I are doing quite well, thank you, nestled at the top of our hill. The view from our "chalet" is really quite breathtaking--about as close as we come to mountains in this province.  We're basically living in one big room, and it's fantastic.  It's very cozy, and the cat seems to think it's the cat's meow.  With all the room to roam about, Sheba's become even stranger than she was before.  She's taken to staring me down, torpedoing herself across the floor and jumping starfish-style in the air, the only reason being to intimidate me.  She also loves to propel herself onto our bed and roll, jump, and claw furiously at whoever or whatever she finds there.    She's also acquired a couple admirers, but that is not so pleasant.  The sound of toms battling it out for our pretty little feline is an eerie sound to wake up to in the night, especially if your having strange dreams.  Little do they know she's spayed.  Take that, smelly cats.

Joey and I have started to read John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress together, spurred mostly by the comparison of The Shack to this timeless classic.   Apparently the former "has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" did for his."  Thanks, Eugene Peterson, for that quote, but I beg to disagree.  Show me how The Shack reiterates Scripture through and through, accurately quoting from Old and New Testament alike, focusing on the depravity of humanity, the judgment of God, and redemption through Christ's death and resurrection, and I might believe you.  Maybe the book is supposed to reflect today's generation, which is admittedly different from John Bunyan's, but that still disturbs me.  God does not change--EVER--which leads me to believe that the way we relate to Him should not change.  Ahhhh... I get too caught up in my own words.  I believe and serve the God who beautifully knit together the entire Holy Bible, which is sufficient for salvation and for every other thing I need in this life.  I will leave it at that for now.  

Because my understanding is limited, I will devote myself to the Word of God, and no one else's.  I will not even go to John Bunyan for Truth... just the Word.  

I can has fish!

Kitty decided today would be the day that she would finally get a taste of Gilligan the fish. She studied him thoughtfully, sat on his bowl, and decided that there must be a way to get him out. Aware of Joey and Andrea's preoccupation with kneading cinnamon bun dough in the kitchen, she seized the opportunity and made her approach.

There has GOT to be a way to get in! she thought, and nudged the bowl with her nose. Poor Gilligan cowered in the corner saying his prayers.

POP! The latch gave way, and nothing but shiny, fishy water lay between her and the tasty morsel. Her eyes wide with giddy anticipation, Sheba lowered a quivering paw into the depths.

A commotion! A snag! Suddenly the bowl was out of sight and firm hands were imprisoning her.

BAD KITTY!

Those two words, usually cause for terror, allotted her no discomfort. The savory flavour of the hunted now danced on her lips, and she now had a better understanding of exactly what she had been missing all along. The times had changed, and there would be no going back. No amount of discipline could turn her from her decided course.

Fishy will be mine!

Poor Gilligan.

sheba

This post is entirely dedicated to my wonderful feline, Sheba.

This morning I was trying to play a game on the wii (trying, but failing), and I got so frustrated that I put my head back and said, "why? WHYYYY?" A childish action, to be sure. When i lowered my head to it's usual position, I found Sheba staring at me with an expression that said "You're pathetic", "I can't believe you're the one that feeds me", and "Are you through?" all at the same time. It made me laugh for a good minute, through which she continued to glare at me. My own cat can put me in my place. How sad.

Sheba is not my only pet, however. Gilligan the beta fish taunts her in his cozy little tank with the latched lid every day. She's got it out for him. If the house gets mysteriously quiet all of a sudden, I know where to find her. Peering at him through the glass, Sheba looms overhead and licks her lips. I realized the severity of the situation this morning when I awoke to find his bowl pushed to the very edge of the dresser. Yes, Sheba would have had an early morning snack, but that would be all she got for the entire day. Poor Gilligan.

Did you know that cats can have alter-egos? Sheba's is known as Jean Fast. You can tell when he's taking over by the little smirk that creeps onto her furry lips. Then there's no going back. He rips around the house, watches nothing in particular with great animation, and attacks feet, hands, legs, and faces with no remorse. The only way you can get rid of him is to give him a time out. Then innocent little Sheba trots out of the room sheepishly.

The issue of greatest tension between us happens to be her food bowl. She is a little pig most of the time and shovels in her food as if her life depends on it. I am trying to wean her off to save her girlish figure, but she won't have any of it. Even if she's not hungry, she'll whine if her bowl is empty. I think it's just the concept of the matter that bothers her. GASP! An empty bowl??? How dare they! Meow MEEEEEOW! Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow..... you get the picture. If she had it her way, the only thing she'd be able to do would be to roll around the house. I'm winning this battle, but only until she finally does eat Gilligan to prove a point.

She's being an inactive little bump right now, so I have nothing further to say about her at the moment.