Cherry Blossom

 The cherry blossoms are blooming right now in the city where we live.  They are beautiful this year.  Today was a spectacular day, with a bright blue sky with no clouds, so I grabbed my camera and headed out to snap a few pictures of the blossoms.

 This is one of the few years that we didn't make it to any of the cherry blossom festivities.  The season of life that we find ourselves in is so busy and we just couldn't find the time to go.  But that's ok.  It will be back around next year.

 Ellie's little cat, who is hardly more than a kitten herself, gave birth to 4 kittens on Friday night.  Oh my.  We really had no idea what to expect- and we did not get anything we expected.  I had noticed that Rose (the cat) had been hiding all afternoon and evening.  I assumed she was in Ellie's room, which is usually where she spends her time.  Paul looked under the bed at one point for her, and he didn't think she was under there.  A few hours later, as Paul and I were headed to bed, she appeared and it was obvious that she had the kittens  and it was obvious that something was wrong.  First we called the girls to come home and then tried to find the kittens which we all assumed were under Ellie's bed.  We were so wrong.

 We looked around in a panic and freenzy.  Ben kept getting out of his bed to "tell us something".  We assumed he just wanted to be in on the excitement.  He was insistent, but everytime he got out of bed, we quickly shooed him back to his room.  Ellie, on a whim, went into the kids room, and heard the mewing of the kittens, where else but under Ben's bed.  And, come to find out, Ben heard the kittens and was trying to tell us!  He later informed us that this "famwy owed him an apowolgy".  Ha ha.  He got one.

 The kittens are doing well.  (Who knew such a little creature could make such a loud sound??)  We are not sure the mother is going to make it.  We are headed to the vet in the morning to see if she will make it or if we need to put her down.  She has been such a good little mother, even though she has had complications.

 Sometimes it seems nothing is ever easy in our house!

 Jackson is growing.  I can tell in my belly and I can tell by the increasing forcefulness of his kicks and movements.  I cannot wait to meet this baby!  I am feeling well, just tired, especially after 6 or 7 in the evening.

Goodnight!