Early Morning Visitors

Certain observations have has led us to believe that Pudge had two litters of kittens this spring and summer. But we never actually saw evidence.

Then one morning last week, Tony was looking out the back door and low and behold, this is what he saw.

They were accompanied by Pudge, thus leading us to believe they are hers. There was an adorable fluffy orange one too but it was more skittish and wouldn't stay put long enough for me to get a picture - even with my 12x zoom :) Nevertheless, we enjoyed seeing positive proof of our suspicions.

This cracked me up...face off between David and Goliath (loosely translated, this kitten and our HUGE Benson. Notice the kitty's ears and stance (this is the first kitten pictured above) :)

Change of Plans

Sunday, we were eating dinner when suddenly all of the phones in the house were ringing one right after another. My cell phone, Tony's cell phone and the home phone. Two of my sisters had been trying to contact us to let us know Dad hadn't been feeling well. That morning his blood pressure had dropped as low as 80/45! The sister from Missouri was making immediate plans to go to Michigan. And so our plans for a nice leisurely afternoon nap in preparation for a busy week - the last week of school - were hijacked. We were quickly thrown into packing mode (getting easier after the last several trips taken just a few weeks apart).
Dad finally consented to see his doctor Monday morning. Guess he felt kind of foolish not to do something when two kids from out of state show up to escort him to the doctor's office :) Extensive lab work, a chest x-ray and an abdominal ultra-sound later, we still have no answers.
I am comforted to know, however, that even when our plans change and things must come to a screeching halt and have to be shifted around...God's plans have NOT changed. He's not taken by surprise at anything that has taken place this week. He's in control and I'm content to let it stay that way.
I will add that in spite of what we may have anticipated during the ride up here - envisioning him being to sick to communicate or be out of bed - we have actually had a very nice visit with Dad. Last night we enjoyed a rousing game of Mexican Train Dominoes (kicking myself now for not getting pictures!) and Dad came in second, only one point below my sister, Barb.