Bandit's favorite job - - watching over Cubby while he naps!
Can you say "BFF's"!!!
Prayers for our Children
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
She made it to 8?? And another anniversary
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This past Monday, June 15, our Baby Girl (a.k.a. Bailey, Baysters, or BayBay) turned 8 years old. We seriously wondered if she would make it past 8 months, much less 8 years. You'd have to have met her in person to fully understand why we wondered about her, but let's just say she definitely broke the mold when she was born. We should have known she was trouble just by how adorable she was when we adopted her at 8 weeks. Now we realize that being the only yellow pup in a family full of black dogs should have been a sign of things to come!! Seriously though, we love her to death and are so lucky she lets us be her guardians. I cannot remember life before her, nor will I think about life without her.For her 1st Birthday, we got her Bandit Boy! He was supposed to be a foster only...you see how THAT worked out! We adopted both through a local rescue organization that I volunteered with and I am so grateful to everyone who made it possible for them to be part of our family.
Since Norm isn't home this week, Cubby & I threw Bay & Bandit a little celebration party. We had a blast, and Cubby took a few photos to share with all of you.
The Birthday Diva!
The Birthday Diva!
So much for the hat! Surprised, Norm?!
Starting a new fashion trend!
Dude...can you believe she's gonna put this on the blog?
Please, let me just take this off. Really, it's quite humiliating...
A little too much partying BayBay?
Night Night old boy. Thanks for blessing us these 7 years!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wonderful
First off, my sincerest thanks to everyone for your kind words on the passing of our cats, Ivan & Pogo. I’m still having a hard time dealing with our loss but am at peace with our decision. Both boys were 14 years old and had a myriad of illnesses we had been dealing with for 2 years or so. I didn’t want to be the one to make the decision as to when their suffering would end, but I more importantly I DID want their suffering to end and to be by their side when it did. I didn’t know if I could go through with it, but I actually stayed in the room with them when the sedatives and then the final shots were given. It was the least I could offer them after their selfless acts of love and loyalty the past 14 years. Each night since 1995, when I fell asleep Pogo was curled up by my head and Ivan at my feet. Now I’m finding it difficult to fall asleep without Pogo’s purr box in my left ear, and my feet are unseasonably cold despite the fact we’re in full summer mode now. I sometimes see kitty ghosts in the spots where they used to hang out - - Ivan between the columns in our Great Room (swatting anything that dared walk by) and Pogo on his favorite spot on the couch, directly beneath a skylight. Anyway, I’m coping and getting through it best I can.
Our dogs, Bailey & Bandit, are trying to adjust as well. For different reasons than mine, of course. You see, they have this new found freedom which they’re not totally convinced is real. Although the dogs outweigh the cats by like TONS, the cats were the obvious rulers of the house what with their dagger claws and all. I lost count of the number of times I walked in to see a very humiliated dog with a murderous cat hanging off their muzzle, claws dug deep into a sensitive doggie nose. Bay & Bandit continue walking around like they expect to be attacked by a ninja cat at any moment, and Bailey can’t understand where the stash of cat food went to that she used to inhale when she thought we weren’t looking.
So, as I was in the room saying my final goodbye to my boys and they were saying goodbye to the pain they had been experiencing for far too long, I found myself wishing there were a way to release human pain and suffering. I’m not necessarily referring to illnesses we may face, but pain & suffering from poverty, despair, loneliness, heartache…you know, all the bad stuff…and yes illness. As these thoughts ran through my mind, I slowly closed and opened my eyes 3 times in front of each of my boys, grateful that they would soon receive peace. I read somewhere that this is a way to tell cats you love them and to my amazement each of them responded in kind. Then, as they took their last breath, I realized there IS a release for our suffering as well, we just need to take the steps to receive and accept it and the blessings that come with it.
What am I referring to? The Cross. The Cross where Christ’s blood was shed as a final covenant. The Cross that offers us grace and mercy and forgiveness. The Cross that symbolizes God’s unchanging love for us. In our human minds we may not always see the cross as an immediate release for all that ails us, for we have become a results driven society, and too often we want to see those results NOW. But more precious than receiving things NOW, is the fact that the Cross is God’s free gift to us if we are willing to accept it. The Cross is eternal. The Cross is….wonderful….and it's yours as much as it's mine so long as you believe.
Our dogs, Bailey & Bandit, are trying to adjust as well. For different reasons than mine, of course. You see, they have this new found freedom which they’re not totally convinced is real. Although the dogs outweigh the cats by like TONS, the cats were the obvious rulers of the house what with their dagger claws and all. I lost count of the number of times I walked in to see a very humiliated dog with a murderous cat hanging off their muzzle, claws dug deep into a sensitive doggie nose. Bay & Bandit continue walking around like they expect to be attacked by a ninja cat at any moment, and Bailey can’t understand where the stash of cat food went to that she used to inhale when she thought we weren’t looking.
So, as I was in the room saying my final goodbye to my boys and they were saying goodbye to the pain they had been experiencing for far too long, I found myself wishing there were a way to release human pain and suffering. I’m not necessarily referring to illnesses we may face, but pain & suffering from poverty, despair, loneliness, heartache…you know, all the bad stuff…and yes illness. As these thoughts ran through my mind, I slowly closed and opened my eyes 3 times in front of each of my boys, grateful that they would soon receive peace. I read somewhere that this is a way to tell cats you love them and to my amazement each of them responded in kind. Then, as they took their last breath, I realized there IS a release for our suffering as well, we just need to take the steps to receive and accept it and the blessings that come with it.
What am I referring to? The Cross. The Cross where Christ’s blood was shed as a final covenant. The Cross that offers us grace and mercy and forgiveness. The Cross that symbolizes God’s unchanging love for us. In our human minds we may not always see the cross as an immediate release for all that ails us, for we have become a results driven society, and too often we want to see those results NOW. But more precious than receiving things NOW, is the fact that the Cross is God’s free gift to us if we are willing to accept it. The Cross is eternal. The Cross is….wonderful….and it's yours as much as it's mine so long as you believe.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sometimes being an adult
really S.T.I.N.K.S.
Tonight is one of those nights & tomorrow will be as well. I'm not up to going into a whole lot of detail right now, but would really appreciate any prayers you feel called to lift up for us - - especially tomorrow at around 5pm ET as say goodbye to our first furbabies, Ivan & Pogo. We adopted them at the same time 14 years ago and it is so hard to grasp that this is our last night with them. They are both my soul kitties and as difficult as it is to say farewell I do find comfort knowing they will rest together forever.
Anyway, that's about all I can write for now. Can't see through the tears. I'll post again when I can find the words to do so.
Thanks and hugs,
Karyn
Tonight is one of those nights & tomorrow will be as well. I'm not up to going into a whole lot of detail right now, but would really appreciate any prayers you feel called to lift up for us - - especially tomorrow at around 5pm ET as say goodbye to our first furbabies, Ivan & Pogo. We adopted them at the same time 14 years ago and it is so hard to grasp that this is our last night with them. They are both my soul kitties and as difficult as it is to say farewell I do find comfort knowing they will rest together forever.
Anyway, that's about all I can write for now. Can't see through the tears. I'll post again when I can find the words to do so.
Thanks and hugs,
Karyn
This is what happens...
...when I hand the camera over to Norm!
Which is EXACTLY why I documented the rest of our weekend on film! More to follow later, but I had to share this now. Happy Monday everyone!
Karyn
Which is EXACTLY why I documented the rest of our weekend on film! More to follow later, but I had to share this now. Happy Monday everyone!Karyn
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Down on the Farm (errr Ilya’s farm that is)
Cows say “Booooooooo”
Tractors are pronounced “tactahs”
Fences are great for climbing
Gates are great for getting stuck between
Horses are great to look at from a distance but are pretty darn scary close up
and pastures are great for escaping from mommy – AND great for discovering your first pile up manure!!! Yeah, that was fun.
Let me back up & explain a bit of history to you
My Great-Grandmother, Pearl Edwards, passed away in 1992 at the age of 98. She & my Great-Grandfather, Tom, married in 1912 and shortly thereafter traveled from North Carolina to Washington State, where they lived in a green wagon while starting their new life together. My Grandmother (my dad’s mom) was born in 1913, and the small family picked up camp and moved to Fort Rock, Oregon. I’m not sure if all of my grandmother’s sisters and her youngest brother were born in Fort Rock or not, but eventually the Edwards’ family picked up camp again and headed back east to start a life of farming in Forest Hill, MD. This is where my dad and his sister and brothers would grow up, where my sister & I spent our summers, and is the little country town that is so near and dear to my heart.
My numbers may be slightly off, but I am pretty sure that when my Great Grandmother passed away, she was survived by 5 kids, 17 grandkids, 35 great grandkids, and a handful of great great grandkids. THAT, folks, is what you call a family reunion and that was 17 years ago!! Our family has certainly grown since 1992 and while it’s impossible for all of us to get together, we’re still able to come up with some pretty impressive numbers.
So, if you’ve surmised by now that we went to a family reunion today ON A FARM, pat yourself on your back because you’re right!!
I really enjoyed seeing so many of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins again, and explaining to Norm (again!!) exactly how we’re all related. I do feel bad for him because his side of the family is very small – both he & his mom are only children – so I imagine it’s a bit overwhelming for him to try to remember who’s who, and forget about him remembering everyone’s names!! He just shakes hands and says “nice to see you again!” LOL!!
Anyway, Cubby had a blast and I can’t wait to take him back up. Also, it was a FANTASTIC way to spend his 1 year anniversary home! (One year ago today, Cubby landed in the US and became a citizen!)
I do wish I had more time to visit with everyone today, but once Cubby discovered the manure pile I knew I had my hands full (uh, no pun intended!!). Enjoy the photos below! Some of them aren’t the greatest, but I’m posting them for my dad regardless. He hasn’t been to the farm for a few years, and hasn’t seen all the changes that have taken place. Everywhere you see houses (except for the old farm house) once stood row upon row of corn fields and pristine cow pastures. Most of the land was sold when my Uncle Buddy passed away. Kinda sad - - I much prefer the open spaces I remember from my childhood!
Climbing Fences
Meeting Horses
Not so sure about these things called horses!
Take 1: Goooood mommy!!!!
Take 2: I'll make raspberries instead!
Tractors are pronounced “tactahs”
Fences are great for climbing
Gates are great for getting stuck between
Horses are great to look at from a distance but are pretty darn scary close up
and pastures are great for escaping from mommy – AND great for discovering your first pile up manure!!! Yeah, that was fun.
Let me back up & explain a bit of history to you
My Great-Grandmother, Pearl Edwards, passed away in 1992 at the age of 98. She & my Great-Grandfather, Tom, married in 1912 and shortly thereafter traveled from North Carolina to Washington State, where they lived in a green wagon while starting their new life together. My Grandmother (my dad’s mom) was born in 1913, and the small family picked up camp and moved to Fort Rock, Oregon. I’m not sure if all of my grandmother’s sisters and her youngest brother were born in Fort Rock or not, but eventually the Edwards’ family picked up camp again and headed back east to start a life of farming in Forest Hill, MD. This is where my dad and his sister and brothers would grow up, where my sister & I spent our summers, and is the little country town that is so near and dear to my heart.
My numbers may be slightly off, but I am pretty sure that when my Great Grandmother passed away, she was survived by 5 kids, 17 grandkids, 35 great grandkids, and a handful of great great grandkids. THAT, folks, is what you call a family reunion and that was 17 years ago!! Our family has certainly grown since 1992 and while it’s impossible for all of us to get together, we’re still able to come up with some pretty impressive numbers.
So, if you’ve surmised by now that we went to a family reunion today ON A FARM, pat yourself on your back because you’re right!!
I really enjoyed seeing so many of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins again, and explaining to Norm (again!!) exactly how we’re all related. I do feel bad for him because his side of the family is very small – both he & his mom are only children – so I imagine it’s a bit overwhelming for him to try to remember who’s who, and forget about him remembering everyone’s names!! He just shakes hands and says “nice to see you again!” LOL!!
Anyway, Cubby had a blast and I can’t wait to take him back up. Also, it was a FANTASTIC way to spend his 1 year anniversary home! (One year ago today, Cubby landed in the US and became a citizen!)
I do wish I had more time to visit with everyone today, but once Cubby discovered the manure pile I knew I had my hands full (uh, no pun intended!!). Enjoy the photos below! Some of them aren’t the greatest, but I’m posting them for my dad regardless. He hasn’t been to the farm for a few years, and hasn’t seen all the changes that have taken place. Everywhere you see houses (except for the old farm house) once stood row upon row of corn fields and pristine cow pastures. Most of the land was sold when my Uncle Buddy passed away. Kinda sad - - I much prefer the open spaces I remember from my childhood!
Climbing Fences
Meeting Horses
Not so sure about these things called horses!
Take 1: Goooood mommy!!!!
Take 2: I'll make raspberries instead!Mommy decided to forego the picture
One of the few pastures left:
Farm House:
Path to the old barns (most of which are gone now)
More horses - - surrounded by houses :-(
New Barn (used to be the milk house)
One of the old barns:
Old barn - falling down now
Old silos - torn down
One of the few pastures left:
Farm House:
Path to the old barns (most of which are gone now)
More horses - - surrounded by houses :-(
New Barn (used to be the milk house)
One of the old barns:
Old barn - falling down now
Old silos - torn downNew house behind the line of trees - used to be a barn
Daddy - just to the right of this ring is the pasture & path
Daddy - just to the right of this ring is the pasture & path
that led to the OLD old farmhouse (view of houses only now)
HEY!!! or hay???
HEY!!! or hay???
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Remember this?
One year ago today, Cubby left the only home he ever knew to join ours. We carried him out of the Vidnoye orphanage in our arms, so proud and scared to finally be parents. The past year has absolutely flown by but I am so happy to be able to say "Happy Family Day!!" to my husband and our son. Cubby, we love you immensely!
THANK YOU everyone for following us on this journey...for your love, your prayers, your support and your friendship. We couldn't have made it this far without you!
God bless each of you!
Karyn, Norm, Cubby, Bailey, Bandit, Pogo & Ivan
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