Sneezes, Vacation, and Prayers

Hi, y'all!

Baxter is a crazy cat. For instance, right now I've had to shut him out of our office so that I can type on my computer in peace. When I'm at the computer, he loves to jump up and down on the desk, rub all over my face and neck, get on my lap, play with the mouse when I'm trying to use it, and walk on they keyboard (ie type strange coded messages to my friends in the middle of my emails). I was also interrupted awhile back when Ben announced that our cat had knocked over my drink from Zaxby's dinner which was on our kitchen counter. It had spilled all over the counter and floor. Ok, I know I don't mop often enough, but is it really necessary to go to such means to MAKE me mop the kitchen?!?! Other examples of things a one year old cat does for entertainment: pull on all cords within reach (never mind if this causes phones to fall to the floor, break the battery cover off and spill batteries in all directions), knock the very water spray bottles used for training kitty onto the floor while Mommy and Daddy are away at work and bat them around the floor, jump on anything- including piles of paper that might spill haphazardly on the floor in no particular order, and, finally, hang out in oversized bathroom sinks which happen to be just the right size for kitty lounging. Oh, and anytime Mommy and Daddy enter the house or come out of the off-limits bedroom, follow them around, meow constantly, jump up on them whenever they sit down, and rub, rub, rub all over them. One year old cats are not grown up at all. And, unfortunately, I am very allergic to Baxter. I am not sure what to do. He's a great cat and will be even better when he's about another 6 or 8 months older, but he is seriously affecting my breathing, sneezing, eyes, and the amount of Kleenex I go through in a day. I am going to ask my Mom to brush him a lot while we're gone and I have some stuff called Allerpet to put on him when we return. Hopefully this will help out and I won't have to give him back to the Rescuecat people. I would feel so mean, but I never had this reactions like this with two cats so I can't figure out what's up or what more I can do so Baxter and I can co-exist.

Ben and I are headed to Chicago and Michigan to visit with Linda and Louie (my inlaws), as well as two of Ben's bros and their families. Can't wait! I love being an Aunt, I get to see Wheaton for the first time, and we're going to the Tulip festival in Holland, Michigan! Baxter gets to stay with Grammy and Grampy Julyan while we're gone.

It's a boy! Amie and Ben are having a boy and he's due on 09/19 (I think). They had their ultrasound today. Isn't that exciting?

I get to get our Wedding Album from Dawn tomorrow. She's really excited about how it turned out, and I can't wait to see it. Can you believe our 1st anniversary is on May 21st?

I am expecting to approach my supervisor about going part time when I return to work next Friday. Working at SSA is just too much for me too often. I just don't do well in an office environment for 40 hours a week. It squashes me, stresses me out, and ruins the remainder of my life! If part time isn't an option, and I do really hope it is because it will allow me to stay with the government, I'll probably tender my resignation and follow my instincts toward working with children. That's just where my heart and natural self lie. Everyday I go to work now, even though I am good at what I do and make good money doing it, it just feels like a fight against what I should be doing. Like I'm not in the right place or I'm spending too much time away from where I should be.

God created me to be working with, teaching, and caring for children. I'm just sure of it. When I think of my favorite jobs in my past, they were with kids. I loved babysitting, working in church nurseries, and being a nanny. Going part time would really decrease my stress level and would also allow more time for kids- whether it's helping friends get a little break or volunteering.

Anyway, I'd really appreciate your prayers in the next week as I prepare my heart to follow God's path for me and to trust Him with however that path unfolds. Please also pray for Ben, as the potential changes in our finances worry him even though he fully supports me in all of this. Have I mentioned lately that I'm really glad I married him? He's a sweetie!

Have a great weekend!