Sunny & Quincy

Last April, we adopted two adorable kittens, Sunny and Quincy. Sadly, they don't look much like kittens anymore - now they look like full grown cats but they are still incredibly cute! It had been nearly16 years since I'd had a cat so I went into it thinking "I knew it all." Boy was I wrong!

I always knew that cats were cuddly, playful and full of personality but I never knew just how smart and clever they are. For instance, if I don't put enough food in their bowl, they will make it their mission to get more. As a result, I hid their food in the craziest of places and not only did they always find it but they also figured out how to get into the airtight container. (Thankfully, I have since found a good place.)

I am a very neat and organized person - no surprise there but Sunny and Quincy, well they are far from it. They have a tendency to make a mess, without even trying. For instance, Quincy loves to play with empty water bottles or better yet, the cap to the water bottle. He'll swat a cap around for hours as if it was his very own special toy. (I spent lots of money early on buying endless amounts of cat toys only to be thrown into a basket by the couch) So, inevitably when you walk into my kitchen there are several empty water bottles and plastic caps scattered about, which to unexpected guests may seem terribly odd.

Sunny on the other hand prefers the plastic from our drycleaning and the little tags that are attached to each piece of clothing. He also loves paper bags or even better, just a plain old box. It is so funny to watch him poke his head in a box over and over again, as if he is expecting to find something different the next time and the time after that. He is also without a doubt a hard core cuddler. You could get up off the couch a million times and he will still come back and cuddle some more. Quincy on the other hand has to be in the mood. You can call him several times and he'll just look at you as if he is simply contemplating the idea.

On most mornings Sunny can be found laying by the glass sliding door in the kitchen watching leaves float by in the wind or bird watching in constant awe of their ability to fly. And Quincy can often be found anywhere Leo is. If Leo's in the shower, he's sitting on the bathroom counter. If Leo is in the office, he will lay on the floor just outside the door. And it kills Quincy to see us eating "people food" while he gets plain old cat food. He will literally sit and watch us eat, as if to say, "are you sure I can't have just one bite?" A couple of times I almost gave in but with his appetite I worry that once he's tasted it, he'll never go back to cat food. (I tell myself I am a good Mom for making this choice for him)

I must admit, when I brought them home in April, Leo wasn't completely on board. He was worried that our lives were too busy for us to have a pet. (and rightfully so) but I persisted. It literally took less than an hour after their arrival for cute little Sunny and Quincy to melt his heart and now they are very much part of our family. They have definitely enriched our lives in so many ways. It may sound strange but the word that best describes the feeling I get from them is comfort. No matter what, even if they are tired or hungry they are always there wanting to cuddle or play or just lounge around. And we are certainly happy to oblige.

Our 15th Valentine's Day Together

This was our 15th Valentine's Day together, Leo and I. We spent most of it just "lounging around the house." No busy restaurants or crowded bars for us. (those days are long gone, thank goodness) Just the two of us and heart shaped pancakes complete with candlelight and sweet hearts scattered about the table.

Our gifts to eachother were sentimental as they usually are. The very first thing I ever bought Leo was a tan Nike baseball cap from a weekend trip I spent in Palm Springs with friends. So, I thought it would be nice to buy him another one, this time in black. And one of the first things he bought me was framed art by Kim Anderson - ya know the ones with the little girl and boy dressed up in "grown up" clothes? - in this particular one the little boy was on bended knee handing the little girl a single red rose. Well, I was lucky enough to find a Valentine's Card with the very same image - perfect! (I love it when I find things like this unexpectedly)

When I woke up in the morning, he left a card on my bathroom sink from him and the boys. (a.k.a Sunny and Quincy), which I thought was very cute since this was our first valentine's day since adopting them last April. Later, he gave me a card from just him. He also gave me a beautiful heart shaped necklace and matching bracelet. (One of the first pieces of jewelry he bought me was heart shaped and over the years, he's continued the tradition.)

After breakfast, I ran upstairs to jump in the shower because we wanted to make it to the 10:45am showing of Valentine's Day (the movie.) He knows that I always turn on my stereo and listen to a CD while getting ready - I did just that and this beautiful song called "As Beautiful As You" came on from All for One. I literally had tears in my eyes - he had made a cd with various love songs, including our song and a few others that had meaning to only us. Of course I ran down stairs to thank him before heading into the shower.

Then we went to see the movie - it was filled with lots of laughs, a few teary moments but even more important, it had a great message. The message was simple - When you love someone, truly love someone, you love the WHOLE person, faults and all. Leo and I don't claim to be the perfect couple nor are we experts in the area. If anything, we are STILL learning after 15 years of being together, 10 of them as husband and wife. The point is, I suppose is to do it together; Learning, growing, arguing, crying, laughing, loving and living together.

The other theme in the movie was the importance of friendship and I couldn't agree more. Life and relationships are never easy but sometimes it's our friends who help us get through the rough spots. So on Valentine's Day, or any other day it's important to recognize not only our loved ones but also our closest friends who love, support and guide us through life and love.

My Girls

Sometimes people come into our lives for a reason. I believe that wholeheartedly. A few years ago when I started working at the University of La Verne, I had a large hole in my heart - one that even my husband couldn't fix. I yearned to be a mother - to be able to comfort, offer support and advice - to guide and love another human being in a motherly way. Then God brought me three girls: Donna, Maxtla & Monse. I know it sounds crazy. They already have parents. Good parents, in fact.

But over the past 2 1/2 years I was able to spend a great deal of time getting to know them, learning their different personalities and working with them at various events. They are amazing girls. Vavacious, Smart and Funny. I've heard their stories, offered advice. Given them my support and most of all, had SO much fun. Creating memories and capturing them too. Last May Donna and Monse graduated and this past Saturday, Maxtla graduated. It was hard to say goodbye to them but I am hoping that we will all stay in touch. Whether it's through facebook, email or in person. I will always be here for them. No matter what.

(Thank you girls for healing my heart! I love you three!)