Two-and-Twenty - Annie's Other Smile

I write a "birthday blog" each year on the birthdays of my children.
Today is Annie's 22nd birthday!
As the years go on,  I sometimes struggle to come up with a theme
for the birthday blogs that I haven't done before.  Last night,  I looked
back to prior years in search of inspiration. 
 In 2016,  I wrote about Annie's smile.  She has a great smile!

Take a look back to last year's blog here!
Almost all of the pictures were depicting Annie's "big" smile.

This year I'd like to focus on Annie's "other" smile.

She's had it since she was very young.

As I looked through so many photos from the past,  
I wondered just when Annie uses her "other" smile.

Perhaps when she is being flirty?

Or maybe when she feels proud of herself?

Or possibly she's extremely excited but a little unsure of herself?

Maybe it's when she's surrounded by people she loves.

I know that sometimes it is very mischievous!

Whatever the circumstance,  I love it!

Her smile makes me smile.

Today,  on 2/2 Annie turned 22!

Wow!

There have been many times during the past year
when Annie's smile hasn't come as easily.

I'm glad those times are now in the past.

The coming year will be a time of endings
and new beginnings.  Annie will graduate in May
and move on to a new time in her life.

The best thing about a smile is
she can take it with her wherever
she decides to go next!

Happy Birthday, dearest Annie!
Keep on smiling!

The Second Time Around

When my daughter, Kerry, expressed an interest in getting a brother for her one-and-only cat, Fletcher, she was also torn.  Would she be able to love another cat as much as she loves Fletcher?  Would Fletcher feel betrayed or displaced?  Would he accept another cat in the house?

I remember feeling the same way when I got pregnant with Kerry. After spending 14 months alone with Adam, how could I possibly feel THAT MUCH LOVE for another baby?  How would he feel when I had to share my love, attention, and time with a new baby?

A few weeks ago,  Kerry found a cute little boy at Mary's Kitty Korner in Granby, CT.  He was a bit shy, but she got good vibes from him, and he was also adorable!  She filled out paperwork to apply for adoption and had to wait almost a week for them to check her references and give her the green light to adopt.

There was a little issue with the sex of the cat.   

On his cage, the sign said he was a 3 year old male. 

Then we saw this posting on Instagram...

Ideas for boys names turned into girls names.

But when Kerry went to pick him up last Friday,

she discovered he was, indeed, a boy!

She named him Kevin.

Kevin was quite scared when he got to his new home.

He slinked into the closet for safety.

Kerry is keeping Kevin separate from Fletcher in the spare bedroom

for a while, letting them get used to each other slowly.

This is her first selfie taken with Kevin. 

I'm sure there will be many more to come.

He's not very at ease being held yet.

As grandparents, my husband and I like to visit!

We picked up a new toy for Fletcher and made

sure to give him lots of attention.

We spend time with Kevin in his bedroom, but try not to 

overwhelm him.

It's been almost a week since Kevin came home,

and he and Fletcher have met.

They aren't afraid of each other, and seem interested in spending

time together.  They even played chase for a little while

yesterday in Kerry's bedroom.

Kerry is very patient and loving. 

With time, Kevin will grow to trust her and return her love.

I'm sure of it.

And Fletcher might not be as lonely 

when Kerry is working.

Living Joyfully

Before the holidays,  I came across this decal with the words "live joyfully".

This message is one that I try to live by, but I sometimes

need reminding.  So I decided to put these words in a place

where I will see them frequently throughout my day -

on the window in front of my kitchen sink.

I cherish and value whenever all of my children come home 

and my family is together.

Even more important,  each of us feels the same way.

But especially during the holidays,  I believe we all try even harder

to boost each other's joy and diminish each other's hardships.

We become less self-centered.

We are more agreeable.

We do things we might not choose to do on our own

because it makes another family member happy

or relieves their burdens.

We make each other laugh.

We give comfort.

We "live joyfully".

I'd like to share pictures of our times of "living joyfully" during this Holiday season.

Our annual cookie decorating contest.

Annie won 1st place this year with Charlie Brown and Linus.

She also took 2nd place with the Grinch.

Kerry took 3rd place with the Rainbow Fish.

Popping a champagne cork across the front yard for Christmas morning mimosas...

Catching up with long-time friends...

Enjoying the glow of Christmas lights and candles.

A cold-weather hike with my son and the dogs.

Appreciating our pets...

The joy of "tiny" stocking stuffers!

When my kids man the camera...

Hand-made gifts...

Joyfully anticipating your sister's reaction to your gift...

Opening the perfect gift from your family...

Playing with toys...

And time to rejuvenate.

#blessed