my week.

1. This week I stayed home a lot. Ollie and I made this bustling metropolis from bristle blocks.

But don't be too impressed with our architectural skills. We just followed directions on the label.

Here is Twain's addition to our city. Looks more like that robot Wall-E. But don't tell him I said so.


2. The boys have taken to plastering pictures on their walls with my washi tape.


Hm. Wonder where they got that idea from.


Oh my word, this literally pains my eyes (kitties + dala horses= no). But what am I supposed to do? I don't want to hurt Ollie's feelings.



3. This winter has been unseasonably cold. There was frost on the ground for over a week straight. I don't know how some of you guys survive the snow. Tell me. How does your body adjust? I think my body went into shock. I feel stiff and slow.

I wear this hoodie 24/7. I get strange comments when I walk into trader joes, looking like an eskimo. But I care not.

This picture was taken a few weeks ago when my dearie Jessica was out visiting. Every visit with her is always special and requires documentation.

4. My sister Jessica lent me her Pride and Prejudice and Emma DVD's. Finn actually sat and watched Emma with me. He's at such a fun age where we enjoy many of the same books and movies.

I have come to a conclusion: Girls these days don't really look like girls anymore. (Please don't take offense at me... I mean no insult to anyone).

It's just that...they used to wear fun girlie dresses all the time. And dress up and go to balls. Even though I have two left feet, I imagine that even I would enjoy dancing at a ball. My only consolation is that I would most likely look pretty mousy in one of those fancy gowns--you kind of need a fabulous full figure to pull that off. And I am also consoled by the fact that I love my jeggings too much to wear a dress every day. But it would be fun for a while, no?

And I'm so fascinated by all the manners that took place in that society. I had to ask my sister a million questions like "Why was Mr. Collins not supposed to introduce himself to Mr. Darcy?" And "When boys called on girls, why did they just stiffly sit there and make awkward conversation?"

5. I went to a very special funeral this week. This is my beloved beautiful friend Megan and her husband. Megan's mama went to be with Jesus, after fighting a courageous battle.

Megan(and her mama) and Jason are my heroes. They have taught me so much through their sufferings.

It was a bittersweet journey, walking alongside them as they faithfully took care of Megan's sweet beautiful mama. Bitter in that I hate to watch my loved ones suffer. Sweet in that it's such an honor to be with my dear friends in both their joys and sorrows.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn" Romans 12:15.

Our pastor Eric did the service. I think he was the perfect person. He never ever sounds like he's reciting from a text book. In fact, you never know what Eric is going to say. He speaks directly from his heart and is very authentic. At church he always says things like "Wrinkles are beautiful because it means you smiled your whole life and worked hard outdoors". Love that.

At the funeral, he somehow made me feel glad to be mourning, if that is possible. He said,

"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting" Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Let's face it. Most of us would rather not go to a funeral. I know I would not. Our bodies would much rather go to a party. But in reality, our souls actually need to go to a house of mourning...without all the noise and distractions of a party. Because at a funeral, we actually sit still and think about what is really important: our eternal destination.

And he encouraged us not to fight our sadness and to just go with it. Which is a good thing, because I was blinking back tears as soon as I drove up. It was a relief to not have to pretend to be brave.

At the same time, he reminded us that we don't mourn like the rest of the world, because we have the hope of Jesus.

It's still hard though(Pastor Eric on the left).

Dear friend Barbie and I. She has been such a consolation through this all.

6. John was looking for recipes on Pioneer Women's blog tonight. I find this slightly disturbing.

And then he emailed me a link so I can make her sloppy joes.

Is this normal behavior for one's husband?

7. Finally. And I've decide that 3 cats is too many cats(I know, I know. Some of you are probably thinking "I told you so!" Go ahead. Rub it in).

However, like Marilla said when Anne got into so much trouble in the early days: "But I've put my hand to the plow and I won't look back."

Because even though I'm tripping over cats (and boys) , I love these kitties so much it's ridiculous. I could never get rid of any of them.

Not a day goes by where I don't tell Blue "you are such a great beauty". I'm am simply in awe of her.

And I'm convinced that Moo has social anxiety disorder or some type of kitty spectrum disorder. He scrambles away as fast as he can whenever anyone so much as glances at him. But when you are all snuggled up in bed, he comes and nestles in...and I find it so endearing.