This Little Girl has some news...

Things have been a bit quiet around here lately, which I'd ordinarily chalk up to being super busy, but we've actually been in an odd season of a lot of junk (i.e. stressful, unexpected stuff) and laying low in response. We're seeing lights at the end of tunnel, for sure, but it's been a surprisingly peaceful time despite circumstances. I can't complain, really (though I think I have).

An exciting development over the last few months, however, has been the news that a new member of our little family is coming to join us soon...

Is anyone really surprised we used Scrappy to spill the beans?

That's right: I'm preggers! I wish I could tell you that is was a blessed surprise and that we never once doubted our Good Lord, but that would be a fib. You see, I had just the month prior decided unilaterally (with zero evidence or good sense) that I was barren. I declared, "No kiddos for Natty!" I sobbed, and I pined, and I prayed...mostly whined. Then we actually tried one month (i.e. payed attention to my cycle and all that jazz), and I got knocked up. What a dummy. 

Please note: I am not trying to be insensitive to those who are actually struggling to have kiddos. I can laugh at myself now, looking back at how ridiculous I was behaving, but the feelings were very real. 34-years-old suddenly felt like the end of time, and I was still struggling to get my cat to like me. So I am not mocking anyone or anything related to the yet-unmet desire to have little ones. I am absolutely mocking myself for letting my faith be shaken so very quickly, despite knowing that God is always good. I truly believe it was a journey hissy fit that needed to take place before Little Nugget came along, and it unearthed all kinds of doubts and fears that I needed to lay straight before The Lord's feet. I'm thankful for it. Now.

So, I won't promise that my posts moving forward won't include a bunch of baby chatter and whatnot (in fact, I already have plans to share my favorite pregnancy crap thus far), but I also hope that y'all can continue to share with me my day-by-day learning to trust and rejoice in Christ. Marriage has been such an amazing, refining gift, and I just know that Little Nugget will be another amazing way for me to experience joy.

And learn to ask for help. 

Precious Little Moments...

Every time I catch Scrappy sleeping with his furry little paw over his face (often), I just want to smoosh him. I'm so going to be one of those moms...

I treated myself to a mani-pedi earlier this week, and it was absolutely loverly. Ever since we got the house (over a year ago now, wow), I have easily given up a lot of non-essential spending so we can nest and still enjoy going out to dinner, etc., but I was blessed with a writing opportunity and decided to splurge. (You can read the published article here.) 

The last few days I've had to commute into the Dallas area for a company retreat (not the kind a retreat spent in a spa robe with champagne, mind you), and while the drive could have started off the morning pretty sour (construction in DFW is bananas), it was hard to do anything other than worship with a view like this.

M's dad very sweetly passed along some Rangers tickets to us for last night's game, and we were positively spoiled by valet parking up by the ballpark, as well as the killer view from the first baseline. And the nachos and beer. All good things.

OPI's Berries in the Canaries makes me quite happy and is exactly what I wanted when I picked out the bottle for my mani. Awesome color for both work and play. My favorite Portland mug agrees. 

Put Your Paws in the Ayer

via Pinterest

Let me just tell y'all about Soft Paws...

(Yes, I am writing an entire post about kitty claw covers.)

(No, I am not getting compensated a thing for this post.)

(Yes, I realize that makes it far worse.)

When our fuzzy son Scrappy made his way into our lives, we found ourselves making many changes to accommodate our unexpected addition. It was all worth it, though, to know that we saved his sweet little life.

But then the terrible kitten phase kicked into full gear. Our spray bottle wasn't doing the trick (thank you, bum spray bottle, for your sad little spit of water), and we found ourselves constantly claping, stomping and yelling whenever Scrap decided to go to town on our fabric furniture (i.e. all of our furniture). Super effective, as I'm sure you can imagine. (<-- sarcasm)

We briefly considered declawing, but after researching it some more, it was very apparent that would not be an option we'd consider further. I thought it was along the lines of a really good nail clipping, but in reality it involves removing bone within the paw. We like our furniture (and, you know, skin), but there's no way we'd go there. I understand that some do, but we just couldn't get behind it.

So now what? Adjust to furniture covered in foil and carry a (properly functioning) spray bottle 24/7, and/or keep the cat corralled all day where there is no good furniture or delicate surfaces to be found? Boo.

Enter: Soft Paws. These things looked ridiculous and I honestly though it would be the silliest waste of $19 ever. But I was wrong. It took some team work to get Scrap's nails trimmed down and slip on the plastic nail covers, but M and I got it done in a matter of minutes. (We did the nail trimming and cover application in two different sessions so as not to inspire total hatred. And, of course, rewarding with treats afterward was a must.) I ordered them in clear because the idea of him walking around with colored nails was just too much, but they're actually quite precious on his little paws and I'm not sure he won't have to endure some sassiness at one point.

I thought he'd hate them. More precisely, I was sure we'd come home from the movie to find the nail covers chewed off, our furniture in shambles, and the cat rolling around in an angry tizzy in our box of invites. But after a few licks at them once we let him relax from the post-application, uber-distracting play and snack sesh, he was fine and carrying on as usual.

If you're a kitty mama or daddy, definitely consider these bad boys. I highly recommend!

Update: It has been over a year since I posted this, and I have to say, keeping Scrap's claws was a great decision. He still gets a little sassy every now and again and scratches underneath the sofa, but we didn't have to keep Soft Paws on him past the young kitten phase, and now we feel comfortable with him being indoor-outdoor. He loves to climb trees and can protect himself from other animals in the neighborhood, neither of which would be as feasible sans claws. Just hunker down and get through the kitten phase, and all will be well. And your furry baby will thank you! {11/7/2013}

A New Addition

Well, hello there, friends. It has been far too long. I'm knee-deep in planning our wedding for November and we just had the blessing of signing on our first home, so my attention has been elsewhere while taking care of bi'ness.

This has been such a blessed season, but one that can also quickly spiral into anxiousness and full blown stress. Mitigating that has been challenging and I find that I'm not handling things as gracefully as I should, knowing that these little things are not outside of the Lord's sovereignty. It's bizarre how much easier it can be for me to hand over the big things, but hold tightly to and micromanage the smaller things. It reflects a lack of faith and ends up making that experience more difficult than it needs to be. I pray that one day I'll truly learn and exercise genuine faith before reaching full tilt hissy fit status. 

Another change in my world: we welcomed a new family member. Shortly after returning from our Pacific Northwest trip, we found a sad, beat up little kitten on my patio. He was attacked by another animal, so when I say he was a hot mess, that is no joke. We couldn't find anyone to take him because he was so sick, and by that point we had seen enough to know his sweet spirit and fall totally in love. Long story short, we are now the proud parents of a fuzzy son, Scrappy. His name isn't as fitting now that he's beautiful and healthy, but he still earns the moniker with his attitude. (He's a trip, y'all.)

It seems like just yesterday he was tiny and meek...

And though he is now super playful, adventurous and sassy, he is still a total cuddle bug and likes being right in the middle of M and I. He sleeps in the crook of my neck (only because I wouldn't allow him to sleep on my actual face) and purrs until he passes out. And homeboy loves his n.a.p blanket.

The rescue experience has been an amazing one and this little guy has taught me so much. It has been so neat to go through this experience with M. Seeing his compassion and dedication, as well as his protective side when a certain naughty feline wants to pull out Mama's hair while she sleeps, has made the process even sweeter.

I imagine my posts will continue to be sporadic, y'all, so apologies for being MIA. I have so much I want to share and gush about, but I'm trying to maintain balance and be present for the day-to-day, too.

Hope y'all are well!