The House is Quiet

The house is quiet tonight. The Gombojavs have gone home. They went home a little earlier than I wanted (and planned), but their daddy missed them.

The house is quiet tonight. It is not filled with squeals of laughter or stifled giggles. It is not filled with children asking for a drink of water, string cheese, a granola bar, or a popsicle. It is not filled with urgent requests to go potty. It is not filled with the sound of running feet. It is not filled with the banging of the back door as children go outside to play and then back inside to get another toy or a brief rest out of the heat. It is not filled with the noise of hungry children filling the kitchen. It is not filled with Mommy, Papa, and Nana's voices telling children to be quiet and go to sleep.

It is also not filled with loads of hugs and sweet kisses. It is not filled with the dearest of sounds, children calling, "Nana!" It is not filled with the rocking of a baby to sleep. It is not filled with the watching of children playing in the playground made for them and for the pool bought with them in mind. It is not filled with the sweetness of sleeping children's faces.

Deep sigh.

Okay, to lift the mood of this post, I give you a sampling of Luc's (age 4) photography. I love giving the children freedom with my camera -- a luxury other generations of children didn't get (the cost of film and development totally prohibited that!). They see things from different viewpoints than we do. They see importance in things we do not. They see beauty that we often miss. Or don't even understand.

Enjoy. And feel free to ooh and ah.

Grandpa

Grandma

Grandma's foot. Luc's feet.

Grandma and laundry

Fan was on. This thrilled him that he took the picture so fast!

Yes, that's a pig nose.

Izzy.

Odie.

Good job, Luc!

Just a Boy and His Cat!

Diego and Cooper have become true friends. They play in the playground together and follow each other around the backyard.

So, when Papa brought home a little house for the cats (Yes, Cooper did become an outside cat, much to his dismay.), Diego thought a new playhouse was just great! Of course, he had to go get the cat and push him in there, but he followed in right after.

I'll think I'll take a nap.......in my new pad.

Okay, where did Cooper go?

Grandchildren, Day Three

Abishai decided that Cooper needed a new bed. He tried to put her in the basket, but she would jump out each time. TiTi (Aunt Sarah-Kate) told him to just leave the basket down and Cooper would get in by himself. She was right. Of course, as soon as Abishai started to carry him around, he would jump out again. But, it thrilled Abishai that Cooper liked his new bed.


Practicing for their worship dance on Sunday. First time all five have "performed" together. First time the three-year-olds have performed at all.

Half of my boys enjoying "Reader Rabbit".

A New Addition

Two days ago, my husband called home. He wanted to know if I wanted him to bring home a kitten. One of his clients had gotten a kitten the day before, but their first cat didn’t like him. Gabe knew I’ve been wanting more OUTSIDE cats. We only have one full-time cat and one part-time cat. The full-time cat is named Lindsey and lives on our patio. She is a real sweetheart, but has never lived in the house. Bonnie is our part-time cat. She lived in the house for almost a year, but now she only comes close when she wants to. She was in the driveway this morning. I saw her on the farthest corner of our property the other day. We live in the country. I want cats OUTSIDE protecting us from all the mice, lizards, and SNAKES. At least they are supposed to. We found a young rattlesnake on our patio a couple of weeks ago! Thus, why I want more cats.

So, his conversation with me on the phone was me asking questions about the cat needing a new home (how old is he, is he neutered, what color is he) and Gabe repeatedly emphasizing that it HAD to be an OUTSIDE cat. He was emphatiac that he doesn’t want any cats in the house anymore. (It’s been years.) I agreed, of course. The cat would live OUTSIDE as soon as he was used to our house and was old enough. OUTSIDE -- that’s where the mice, lizards, and snakes are.

So, he brought Cooper home. He was Tigger when he came, but Sarah-Kate has renamed him. Since I can’t think of a reason not to call him Cooper, Cooper he will be. The kids love him! He is great with them, too. In fact, he is adorable.


As Gabe was cutting his nails this morning (Cooper has those sharp baby nails.), he informs me that if we do end up keeping the cat IN THE HOUSE, we will have him declawed.