Dookie Lovin'

A little over a year ago I had to put my cat to sleep. That phrase has always bothered me and typing it was even more awkward. Dookie was my first pet outside of my parent's home and I had him longer than I've had my husband. His actual name was Tab, but he preferred Dookie. That was definitely the worst day in my life and considering I've lost some loved ones recently that might seem callous, but he didn't just die, I had to make the final decision. Anyway, I have two other cats, and I love them both too, but they just aren't the same as Dookie. I always told my husband he better be glad I couldn't kiss a cat to make my prince, because Dookie was the perfect man for me:) Little Miss Naughty, one of my other cats, is a precious little thing and her role is to be the baby and her sister BoBo, well that one tolerates human contact, but since the death of Dookie has stepped up and "allowed" us to love on her too. Last Summer we (I) added another cat to our brood to bring the total back in balance. Hey, I like the odd numbers. Cookie Dough is an extra special cat, not only do I have another He, but he comes from my Granma's farm. Cookie is now what I would call a tween, he's not a toddler but not quite an adolescent yet. He has grown into such a beautiful cat and I can already tell he will be bigger than his sisters.
Just recently I realized how much I had missed my Dookie and his special Dookie Lovin. I can't explain the difference really, but there is a distinct difference in the relationship he and I shared and the ones I have with Naughty and BoBo. I always said he was my boyfriend kittie. Nothing sexual or weird, just a purposeful affection he gave only to me and no one else. Naughty craves attention and will rub on anyone that will let her. BoBo still only tolerates people and her love is special in the sense that you feel so honored when she actually acknowledges you, but she doesn't really like to be petted and loved on. Then there is Cookie. I have another boyfriend kittie! My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I don't care. I really like having that back in my life. Whatever THAT is! I just know that Cookie gives me special lovin that he doesn't give the kids or my husband and he even managed to find my special sleeping spot. My pillow! Oh, how sweet it is to once again slumper to the sweet, sweet sound of purring.

PS But don't tell my daughter. Cookie is her cat!

We're Having a Baby

Okay, well I'm not having a baby, my brother and his wife are! But it feels like the "we" extends further than just them. My brother and his wife have been married for 8 1/2 years and each has a teenage son from previous marriages. WE thought they would have more children, but as the years passed the didn't and I actually thought my brother had been snipped to ensure no more babies. So when my brother called me at exactly 10:05 pm Christmas Eve and told me I was going to be an aunt, I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say... my exact words "How? By Who?" Who do you think? "You???" Yeah, really that was me, I'm sure I made him feel bad. Then I asked what the boys thought. He said they gave them a present to unwrap and it was a Razorback onsie. He said Zack kept going through the paper looking for season tickets and Garrett finally said, are we getting a kid? What, your pregnant! And the the boys locked themselves in Zack's bedroom to "discuss" the situation.
I think everyone hearing the news is like what? Really? And then we're all soooo excited. Apparently they tried to have a baby for 6 years even doing fertility treatments and had finally accepted God's will for them and quit trying... well I guss they didn't quit trying just quit hoping for a baby. They were both surprised too! I would love to have been there when Holly told my brother! My family is so excited. I'm excited. I told my sister in law to just get ready bc we really do feel like we're all having a baby. I see this baby as so much more than just a baby. It's something positive to focus on, a shift from the loss of my grandmother. It is also a chance, maybe the last, for my brother and I to become close. Maybe we can share this time and learn to become friends. My own kids are super excited, they love babies especially my son. Yesterday, he told Uncle Darren the new baby would be sleeping in his room! My sister in law will be 38 and my brother will turn 39 a few weeks after the birth. I know they are both nervous. We'll all be praying for them. They went to the DR. today for the first ultra-sound and they were both excited. My brother called me and said they saw arms and legs and the heartbeat. I could hear his excitment. It was nice.