07/15/2007

I've never thought of myself as a feline lover, but you know, sometimes you just see an animal and fall in love. Happily reduced to being a one-pet home, we couldn't resist taking in our newest family member: Boots. (Like Puss in Boots) I had some concerns about cats...you know, they often smell...or the litter box smells. I hate that! Well, nowadays they have totally odorless kitty litter that prevents odor and isn't harmful to us pregnant women. Still, Nick has offered to take on the task of litter box cleaning. Hooray! I didn't want to fuss with taking two dogs out to use the bathroom, but it is true that cats are independent beings and don't need to be 'let out' at all. Cats are perfectly happy spending the entirety of their lives indoors. What do you all think?? Isn't Boots a doll?

OK...so, really, I found the above picture on Google when I did an image search for 'ugly cat'. I would never invite a creature that mangy into my house. The little guy in the next picture really is Boots. We are fostering him for BARC (a local animal shelter). If we really like having him, we could choose to adopt him. If I decide that having a cat isn't my cup of tea, we can send him back with no guilt and no worries. This sounds to me like an excellent plan!

Aww. So, why 'Boots'? You really cannot tell this from the pictures, but this cat is almost entirely gray. However, every single leg from the toes on up is white. 'Socks' seemed too common a name, and frankly, who wears socks that high? No one. Even old men usually stop with socks that reach the knees. 'Boots' was a much better fit.
Here I am with Boots. He is tiny! Especially when compared to Duke. Duke, by the way, rather likes the cat. The cat isn't sure what to think about Duke. I think they'll get along just fine. Duke isn't much of a threat to anyone--he just looks intimidating. Duke tried to lay down on the floor next to Boots, but Nathan interrupted their bonding when he tried to pick Boots up by the tail. If the cat survives youth, it will be the most tolerant feline you've ever met.
I just thought this picture of Boots on Nick's head was funny. Nick felt strongly that we should have a cat who was a little kitten so we didn't miss out on this fun stage in our newest family member's life. I was fine with that, but I wondered how long it took to litter-box train a cat. Turns out, the cat is already using a litter box. Good thing. I surely don't want to be picking up after a cat!
Here is Nathan with his 'mow mow'. Tonight, when Nick put Boots in the bathroom (where he will be sleeping), Nathan laid down on his side and peeked underneath the door...through the crack...and saying 'mow mow'. Nathan loves to play with cat, but doesn't understand the concept of a fragile animal. I guess that comes with time.

Before all of this cat excitement consumed our day, we tried a new church. I'm left undecided about exactly whether I liked the church or not. They were friendly, the sermon was excellent, and the childcare provider for Nathan's age was wonderful with the kids. The music was really well done, but seemed a bit loud and rock-bandish to me. Don't get me wrong, I like upbeat praise songs, but I wanted...just for a song or two...to slow down, to turn the volume down, and to enter a time that would resonate more as 'worship' than 'praise.' I know the two are related, but I think you can appreciate what I'm trying to say.

Nick and I will soon need to write up our will to have it include Nathan and Nia. We are a long way from LA, where Paul and Emily will be living shortly (they move this month!), but we are so thankful to know a Godly couple to whom we could entrust our children should we both pass away. I know they will never be wealthy and probably won't live in the biggest house on the block. However, we know that they strive to place God at the head of their home, to be involved in a church, to talk about God, and to live for Him. I would rather have my children in the care of God-loving and God-fearing strangers than in a home with everything but Him. This has been on my mind as some friends of ours recently told us that they have no plan for their children should something happen to them. Are our children not our first priority...our ultimate responsibility? I don't want to die young and leave my kids parentless, but in the event that tragedy should strike, I think God would expect nothing less of me than that I had ensured my children would still be introduced to Him. If, as a parent, I fail on all other fronts, may I (at the very least) have pointed my children to a God who does not fail.

This blog has been a smorgasbord of thoughts, but really I just wanted to show off our new kitty! My Mom has had a panic attack just thinking about a cat in this house! Mommy, he is SO cute! I think you really might like him!