Closure...Peace...

In times of loss...

You learn who your true friends are.

And something I've learned...is that "animal loving friends" are the best kind of friends.

I have received more love and support from other "animal people" than I ever could have imagined.  Some of these kind people, I don't even know.  They reached out to me in comments on a blog I follow.  People I just considered "acquaintances" wrote tributes to my sweet kitty.  Love has been shown in so many ways.

I struggled for days with guilt and depression over the decision that had to be made.

But on Sunday, we had a really good discussion as a family.

We finally had closure and peace during this conversation.

I finally felt...peace.

I still feel sadness and loss...when I see his bowl or a toy...

But the guilt and depression has moved on.

In time, I will put away his things.

I will keep out some photos/momentos.

It's all a process.

And I do believe...after our period of mourning...one day...we may open our hearts and home to another.

There are far too many out there that do not have homes filled with love.

And I know we can provide that for one of them.

So to those who comforted me, supported me, shared with me...
I say thank-you.

It's been a difficult path...but I know with time...the healing process will continue

I love you sweet Oreo Flower!

You will FOREVER be in our hearts sweet boy!

My "Angel" Kitty...

My heart is broken.

I have found refuge only in sleep.

A piece of me is gone.

The hardest part is...he was fine.

We thought we'd take him to the vet and he'd come home with antibiotics.

We didn't think we'd be signing papers to have him cross The Rainbow Bridge.

My heart is empty.  My home is empty.

He is everywhere in our home...his bed, is bowl, his snacks, his toys...he is everywhere I look...except where he SHOULD be...in my lap.

It's quiet and empty.

No one running to sneak into my bedroom when I open the door.

No one jumping on my lap when I sit down.

No one "helping" me fold laundry in the hallway.

No one waiting for a nibble of ham when I make the boys lunches.

No one sitting at the top of the stairway when I wake up to greet me.

No one at the entrance when I come in, stretching from a nap, ready to greet me.

How did this happen?

He was here.

And now he's gone.

We had no time to mentally or emotionally prepare for this.

He wasn't showing signs of illness.

We thought he'd be coming back home with us.

We didn't think we'd be going back and spending his final moments, crying together.

I never thought I'd get this attached to an animal.

He wasn't "just a pet".

He was my sweet baby.

Daily tasks are so difficult...

EVERY minute of the day involved a routine with kitty in some small way...

which is something I never even realized.

He was always there.

I feel...

Deep sadness.

Emptiness.

Lost.

He's supposed to be here.

Maybe had "something" been going on a long time (symptoms), we'd have had time to mentally and emotionally prepare ourselves for this.

But we didn't.

I didn't see it coming.

And I'm lost.

And heartbroken.

I miss my kitty-boy.

They say time heals all wounds...but right now...I feel nothing but raw pain.

I love you and miss you terribly sweet Oreo.

Have fun with Pouncie as you cross The Rainbow Bridge...

Springtime Stuff...(Tulip Time, Mother's Day, etc.)

 Another successful Tulip Time Festival has come and gone.

2013 was a hit.

I have to say, as beautiful as the tulips are, my favorite part is the parades.

We went to all three, as usual, since Evan marches with the ZHS Marching Band...gotta support my babe!

This is Nate and me at the VolksParade.  It was SOOOOO hot!

 Wednesday and Thursday were the VolksParade and the KinderParade.

Both days were absolutely scorching for Michigan springtime.

We were absolutely sweating!

 Of course we had to enjoy some festival food.

Wednesday we got a funnel cake and elephant ear to share.

And we picked up a corndog and homemade chips for Evan to enjoy after marching.

 There's my Evan...see him?

 There he goes! 

 Saturday is the BIG PARADE...the MuziekParade.

And the weather had taken a turn for the worse.

The temps on Wed/Thur were in the low 80s.

By Saturday, the windchill was in the low 30s (33 to be exact).

A 50 degree temperature swing is pretty drastic to the body!

 Not to mention, it was cloudy, RAINING, and HUGE wind-gusts!

It was pretty miserable.

But...

 We stuck it out!

Had to see my babe march!

There he is!

 We hadn't planned to buy anything, but we got some fresh cut french fries to keep us warm.

And a bag of cotton candy to go for Evan.

 I didn't take many pictures of the tulips or floats this year.

 Because, you know, for ME...it's all about the bands...

ONE in PARTICULAR...

Zeeland High School Marching Band!

And...as luck would have it...

We (ZHS Marching Band) WON the "Text To Vote" People's Choice Award for bands!

Congrats ZHS!

 Mother's Day sneaked up on me this year!

Maybe it was the weather.

It didn't feel like spring.

I was looking at pictures from last year's Mother's Day and my boys had on shorts and I had on a skirt with bare legs and sandals with a short sleeve blouse!

This year, the boys are wearing jeans (and jackets when we went out) and I had on jeans, sweater, and boots!

Brrrr...we had a chilly stretch mid-May!

 And to end this post...

Just a few random shots of my favorite boys...

...and cat...hehe!

Evan.

 Nate.

Ev holding Oreo.

Hope you're having a super spring!

Looks like the warm weather is headed back our way this weekend!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!

Until next time...

Melody~

Our Springtime...

 Well, we are all happy to report that kitty made a full recovery from his UTI and is back to his usual frisky, stinker-of-a-self.  He is back to playing, lounging in the sun, getting into mischief, hanging out with the boys, and sleeping...a lot. 

He also has a new habit (as do I)...Candy Crush.

I have become quite addicted to this new game on Facebook, LOL!

And it never fails...as I sit down to play...kitty is on my lap.

(I secretly think he enjoys playing too, hehe!)

 And then he usually konks out fast asleep on my arm...

 In other news...

We got rid of our sectional.  It took up so much room in the living room/daycare room.

And we never used the sleeper sofa in it.

And so...we sold it on Craig's List...and bought these two new recliners!

I love them!

 I did some cleaning, rearranging, and organizing in the daycare as well.

I can't wait until it's warm out and I can haul everything outside for my annual spring cleaning.  Everything needs to be deep cleaned and aired out in the sun!

 The weather has been completely unpredictable.

One day it will be sunny and in the 60s...the next day will be pouring rain...

(or even SNOW!)

Yes...we're still getting snow flurries here and there.

Kitty enjoys the nice days that he can get in the window and get some fresh air!

 I can never resist snapping a picture when kitty is relaxing/sleeping in his bed that Nate made him all those years ago.  It still amazes me that he sleeps here after all these years!

 In other news...

I have been consumed by a large baking order.

I have baked, decorated, bagged, heat-sealed, tied ribbons, and added thank-you tags to...

Wait for it...

1400 mini cookies!

 A bride contacted me and asked if I'd be willing to make favors for her wedding.

I was hesitant at first...I had never taken on an order this size.

But I agreed to do it.

It has been a massive project.

And you are getting a sneak-peak at the finished project...even before my baking customers!

I haven't even posted it on my baking blog yet!

I will be sharing the whole process/journey on my:  
Sweet Ivy Confections blog 
in an upcoming post.  I will let you know as soon as it's ready.  I think those of you who enjoy special desserts, creations, or baking will enjoy the post.

Well that about wraps up what we've been up to this spring.

Until next time...

Melody

A medical scare with kitty-boy...

 For those who don't follow my blog on a regular basis...

This is Oreo...my "third son"...ok, he's my pet kitty...but I am so in love with my kitty, he might as well be my third son, hehe!

We had a little HUGE medical scare with him last week.

He stopped going potty.

He'd go into his litter box...and come out with only a tiny dribble left.

It got to the point where he'd meow these horrible sounds when he'd come out.

I was so worried!

I did my research online and of course they gave me everything from "a minor UTI infection that antibiotics will simply clear up" all the way to "serious disease with deadly repercussions".

OMGOSH!!!

 Of course this happened on Saturday night...Easter was the next day...and so we had to wait it out until Monday morning.  We called the vet first thing and they told us we could bring him in immediately, thank goodness.

Turns out, it was indeed, a UTI...very severe...but antibiotics for two weeks would most certainly clear it up.  Can we say, "WHEW!"

(big sigh of relief)

Well, he came home and he was not a fan of taking his pills...but Jam and I got it down to a science and reward him with Friskies each time he takes them.  He got one full day of pills in and was starting to show some improvement...but by night 2...he was acting like he was on his death-bed!  He wasn't showing any personality or emotion, didn't look at us or respond to us, he quit bathing, eating, and drinking.  We seriously thought he was going to die.  Then came the vomiting and diarrhea.  I talked with a friend who works at an animal shelter/vet and she told me that he was possibly having a reaction to his antibiotics.  She told me to keep close watch on him and call the vet if he didn't snap out of it soon.

Well...this lasted one night...by next morning...it was as if he got the will to live again!

He started eating and drinking.  His personality was back.  He was cuddling with us.  Giving us kisses.  He was using the litter box again.  It was like night and day.

And ever since...he has been back on the road to recovery!

It was a long, stressful, exhausting week.

Sometimes I think taking care of a sick pet is as exhausting as taking care of a sick child.

We are all very thankful to have our healthy happy Oreo back!

Yay!

He's mellowing in his old age...

The poor thing is mellowing in his old age.

He puts up with so much from Nate, LOL!

Nate just loves that cat to pieces.

He seemed to think Oreo needed to be "in the Christmas spirit".

So hence the Santa hat.

Poor cat, LOL!

Oreo seems to think he is the third brother to my boys.

He's so funny. 

He goes to Evan for "quiet"/down time.

He'll go lay on the couch with Evan and sleep for hours.

He goes to Nate for playing and rough-housing.

But he does like to snuggle with Nate too.

We sure love our Oreo Flower.

I'm so proud of him so far this holiday season!

We put the Christmas tree up yesterday and he hasn't even ONCE tried to climb into it!

He hasn't knocked any ornaments or garland off.

He hasn't taken off with any candy canes.

Such a good boy.

He's definitely mellowing in his old age!

The ferocious beast!

You know that sweet little adorable kitty we have?

Well...we no longer have him...

He's been replaced with this ferocious looking beast!

LOL!

Just kidding...

I just happened to get this cool photo right "mid-yawn" of him today, LOL!

Doesn't he look scarey?!?!

Pretty sillouette of my precious boy.

I don't know why I adore this cat so.

I never wanted an adult cat.

I never wanted a tuxedo cat.

But somehow...he is the one that attached himself to Evan that week at Kritter Kamp.

Thankfully...

He was the perfect match for our family.

Isn't he precious?

Yes sweetie...you're a peach.

We love you so much!

Our precious "baby"...

Yes, Oreo does think he's the "baby" in the family...baby brother...that's him!

LOL!

Give him a soft place to lay...there he'll be.

I know I am a complete and total nut when it comes to my kitty...but I think he is so dang precious when he sleeps!  Teehee!  He curls up into a tight circle and then covers his eyes with his paw!  LOL!  He's so stinkin' cute I can't stand it, LOL!

Who says cats are independant?

Alright...whoever said cats are independant...and like to be on their own...and aren't social...obviously never met any of OUR cats.  I tell ya...that Oreo...he's ALWAYS butted right up next to one of us.  Especially those boys!  LOL!  Last night, he was sleeping next to Ev while he watched tv.

And tonight...he napped right next to Nate while he was having a snack and watching a movie.  Pouncie was the same way when we had her.  I think it's all in how you raise a cat.  Our cats have ALWAYS been snuggly and ALWAYS want to be RIGHT in on the action...right where everyone is and where everything is going on, LOL!  We love our little "Flower"!  LOL!

Random fun w/ cat...

They say a cat will never sleep on anyone he doesn't trust...
I guess he trusts all four of us a WHOLE lot! LOL!
He sure loves those boys...
And I sure love my fur-baby!

And again...here's Prince Oreo...wearing another one of the crowns sweet Natee made him, LOL!
We love ya Oreo!

Peek-a-boo!

Peek-a-boo!
I see you!
Guess who?
Yep...
Oreo seems to find comfort in tight squeezed places.
He crawled in Nate's marble works box and fell asleep yesterday.
Was too cute not to get a picture, teehee!

Catchin' some zzzzzs...

When the boys are home...and sitting still for any length of time...
This is where you will find Oreo...
Asleep on their lap...
On their legs...
Draped across them in some fashion...
That cat loves those boys...
They say a cat has to feel COMPLETELY safe with someone before he'll sleep on them.
Well...I guess our family...all four of us...have passed the test...
That cat will sleep on any of us!
Ah, the life of a kitty...

This is what I deal with...

Each day, as I try to browse through my facebook...
Here he is...

As I try to catch up with friends...

Here he comes...

As I sift through e-mails...

He climbs...

Ok...now THIS is getting ridiculous Mr. Oreo!

I know you love me...and I love you...

But please buddy...

This is really pushing it.