Happy Tenth, Little Girl

Today is a day of MUCH celebration in our world, for a variety of reasons, one of which is that it's my sister's birthday. Happy birthday, Lori! :)

But it's also an auspicious occasion for this munchkin:

Today she turns ten.

TEN.

How did this happen?????


Ten years ago today, my friend Kari emailed me to tell me her mama cat just had a litter of kittens. I'd been toying with the idea of getting a little brother or sister for Kaegan, my yellow cat who had just turned five. I felt that he would really enjoy a younger sibling. Glares and stares later indicated that perhaps I was mistaken in that theory.

But anyway. Kari said I could have first pick if I wanted. The parents were black and white cats and every cat in the litter was the same - except this one. {The vet later told me this meant she had a different father. Who knew they could do that!?} So I decided she was the one I wanted, and on Father's Day that year, she came to live at my house.

And for the last ten years, she has been a mixture of cute, adorable, irritating, maddening, hilarious, and on her own terms - cuddly. She's been the lone ranger for the last five years, since Kaegan's death in 2011, and this time I've learned to read the clues ahead of the game, and I'm certain that bringing home a sibling of any variety would be tolerated...in no way whatsoever.

She's loved having a dad named Ryan and truthfully could take or leave me, these days. Who cares that I took care of her exclusively for the first seven years of her life. Have you seen RYAN?!?! He's the best EVER! That's why if you need her, you'll most likely find her lurking somewhere around him.

But before those days, it was just the two of us:

 {We've come a long way in a decade, haven't we??}

She was so little back then:

And though he insisted he did NOT like her, they made fast friends.

And she's been a Grandpa's girl from the get-go.

My girl, too. You know. Before Ryan. :)

We've celebrated every year...from the big first birthday bash:

And we'll be celebrating today, as well! {And she's no less possessive of toys as time goes by.}

So happy birthday, Braeya-girl. You make us laugh {and occasionally you make us crazy}. We love you and are excited to have you as part of our new season of Shafferland!

The Shafferland Shuffle

I hope you remembered to change your clocks! If not, you're officially late! Come back to read later and GET UP!!!!

* Last Sunday was my last day of being apart from Ryan, and it proved to be the longest day EVER. I worked the cafe at church and he spoke at the retreat. I was so excited to go get him that I ended up getting ready an hour EARLY that afternoon! It was probably close to 8 that night before I got my  hug and kiss and I cried all the way through them both. SO happy to have him HOME!!!!!!!!

* Monday, Ryan took a vacation day, and we spent the WHOLE day together. I felt like I might be coming down with the flu: running a fever and feeling blah, but I tried not to let that kill our fun! We met my parents for lunch, relaxed with Braeya JoJo, watched TV, went for a walk on IWU's campus {they were on spring break so it was quiet and empty} and I did my weigh in for the next round of working out and learned I hit the 20 pound mark on weight loss! YAY!!

* Tuesday morning, I still wasn't feeling very well, so Braeya and I rested while Ryan went back to work. I felt much better as the day went on, and it was just BEAUTIFUL outside, so we went for a long walk after work! The yucky part of the day? Calling the sewer guys to clean out our lines. It was just time for our routine maintenance that we do every year or so. But I always feel weird when I have to call!

* We had noticed that this week the flu seems to have hit our county HARD. Some friends of ours got hit with it Wednesday, so I did a hydration run for them {and shared some oils as well}. So far we haven't gotten it, but I think we both fought it a bit this week! Ryan and Braeya kicked back to watch some videos that night, and I NEARLY died from my workout. This new one is brutal!!!

* Thursday would have been my cat Kaegan's 15th birthday. He died 5 years ago, and I still miss him! I spent the day cleaning up the house for a showing we had on Friday, and when I waterred the plant, I accidentally spilled some water. Before I could get back with a towel, Braeya had kicked into high cleaning gear. Kinda cracked me up! Know what else cracked me up? Face Timing with Ryan at lunch - the whole family!

* Friday turned out to be a chilly, but beautiful day, and when Ryan came home from work, we went for a walk through campus. I took some pictures to make some memories before we move! And while my picture turned out fuzzy, I was SO EXCITED to see the first real green buds on our lilac trees!! WELCOME, SPRING!!!! Please stay!

* Ryan and I went on a date last night - all dressed up! We went out for dinner, and after I saw this picture, I cracked up, because I thought he looked like Wilson from Home Improvement! LOL!! Dinner, coffee, time by the lake, YES PLEASE!

Seven Years

Ryan attended a class after work last night, which left me with a free evening to accomplish the chores I did not get done the night before that {on account of my meltdown over the house debacle}. I cooked a big dinner, so we could have leftovers for a few days, decorated the fireplace for October {you know, a few days late}, did some cleaning, and fought with Braeya, who insisted upon sitting on my lap while I tried to type. Normally she does this to Ryan, so I'm not used to it. I guess I was her consolation prize last night.

Just for kicks and giggles, I decided to peruse through the blog archives to see what was going on seven years ago. I figure seven is the perfect number, so I was curious to see how life had changed in seven {im}perfect years.Thought I'd give you a peek into the Bekah transformation.

* I was still working at IWU back then, and I had just joined the wellness program. I'd wanted to do it before, but they required a physical to join and I didn't want to go to the doctor. {Okay, some things never change.}

* I was "hitting the floor" in prayer, according to one blog post. {Okay, maybe NOTHING has changed in the last seven years.} But I did find it interesting that my prayers then were about asking God if I was making the best use of the territory He had given me at that time - before I prayed to be given more. Not that there was anything wrong or insignificant about the territory I had then, but to look back and see how God allowed me more territory through writing a book and through transitioning to work at the station makes me so thankful I spent time hitting the floor. And maybe I'll be able {in seven years} to look back and be thankful for these floor-hitting days of prayer.

* I got myself into THE craziest scrapes. {I'm convinced. Nothing changes.} But I cracked UP reliving this night. Check it out! {In which Bekah is hit on by a potentially drunk and/or high old man.}

* According to the blog, our town had just received word that we would be welcoming a Meijer into  our midst, bringing great hope to those of us who couldn't take it at Wal-Mart anymore. I'm happy to report that we DO have our Meijer now and it has revolutionized my shopping experiences.

* In that season, I was remaking my own baby book. {Did that in an attempt to have something in scrapbooking-common with all my friends who were having babies. I did a throwback page to my first bath. Big fan of cleanliness. 

* My sweet baby boy was still alive. I miss him.

Seems like a lifetime ago. Really was if you go back to that bath picture! A whole different life. A good life, to be sure. A comical life, at times. But so different. And even on my quiet evening last night, I was thankful that the silence was temporary. That in just a matter of time, the door would open, and Ryan would walk in. A life I prayed for back then...but had no idea when it would come. And the changes I pray for now - even though I'm not sure what to pray for - will come in time! Thankful for that.

Show Us Your Life: Living Rooms

It's been a couple of years since I linked up to Kelly's home tours, but I thought I'd do it again this time...and use the opportunity to look back on the great memories I've had in this house. I say that in faith that it will actually sell at some point. :)

One of my prayers in this house-selling adventure is that the next person or family who lives here will love life here just as I have! That it won't just be a house, but that it will be a real home that they can love and live in. So my pictures today are less about hey look at my stuff (mostly because it's kind of boring right now in the waiting to sell mode) and more about hey look at the life that has been lived here!

In this living room...I bought my first "big girl" furniture. My cream colored love seat that I'm allowed to have because I don't have kids to get stuff on it. And it almost always has a fleecy blanket on it because Braeya and I both like that.

 The little basket of pine cones, flowers, and Christmas lights...because I love little homey touches like that. The end table that used to belong to my grandparents (whose house I live in)...because I love bits of heritage like that. And it bears the mark of Bekah...a spot with the finish removed because I forgot polish remover eats furniture finish...

 My fireplace, which I found on clearance a couple of years ago and curl up in front of every night in the winter. (Literally DIRECTLY in front of it.) Candles on top because I love them. Coffee because...well...need I explain?

 The fat chair (and fleece), where I spend most of the evenings when I'm lucky to be at home. So comfy for naps and TV watching. And in the background, the picture my friend Amber drew in high school. I love that thing.

 The lamp...my first ever housewarming gift after I purchased the house. Great memories of a friendship I deeply miss. And in front...my Goodwill $3.00 basket holding some ceramic decorative balls I bought up in Shipshewana last week. It's a work in progress. :)

 Shelves of memories. I'd so much rather have a living room full of things that trigger memories than things I bought just because. Scrapbooks, time capsule, pictures - things that warm my heart. This is the room where I've lived for twelve years.

 Of course, it started out with peach walls (that way when I moved in) and garish Rescue Mission couches (that I loved at the time) - and never ending adventures with my then-roommate, Angela. Ahh, this picture makes laugh - because this is SO Angela - and ache - because I still miss her. I know God cuts no life short on His time, but I sure don't understand why...

 Yep. That's me. I posted it mostly to remind me to NOT GO THERE AGAIN. :) And also - because this room (still in the peach and floral state) was the place I welcomed all the nieces and nephews. This one is vintage Savannah. Pretty sure next year she's a fifth grader. But this was the night of the Friends finale, and she and her mom came over to watch with me. I have loved hosting TV nights. American Idol...Grey's Anatomy...the Olympics...The Biggest Loser...Alias...you name it. Friends came over all the time just to watch TV (and probably eat a snack).

 My dear, sweet Kaegan spent a lot of time in this house (and also apparently IN the furniture). He and I used to curl up for Sunday afternoon naps on the couch, and he spent hours parked by the front door, watching whatever happened outside...slowly swishing his tail in approval.

 And it was where we welcomed a very tiny Braeya home...six years ago almost exactly. (This was from her first night at home. She's so LITTLE!)

 When I purchased the home, I declared the peach walls done...and I went for a lovely terra cotta. I got pink. Two days of painting and I got PINK. So my friend Kristin came over and taught me this faux treatment we did with two shades of brown over the "terra cotta." In the end - a different pink. Sigh.

 Lots of babies crawled around this living room...chasing the long-suffering cats who quite frankly hate anyone who crawls...squeals...cries (except me)...or makes sudden movements. This one is Miss Hannah, who is now seven.

 Hosted a few family holidays here. This picture is mortifying in ways words cannot possibly capture, but it was the only time I ever hosted the official family Christmas - complete with the Kansas family joining via webcam. (So tech savvy before my time. And clearly pretty handy with a fork and spoon!)

 It's the living room where I welcomed tons of college student buddies, including Tom and Olivia, who always brought me breakfast on my birthday and served me "breakfast in couch." (You know, because the whole breakfast in bed thing would have been awkward.) (And yes, they home cooked all that food.) (And, see picture above, I ATE IT ALL.)

 It's the room where I spent most Christmas Eve nights having a slumber party for one under the Christmas tree.

 It's where I signed the first autograph for my book. (Excuse the hair. It was the middle of the desert-journey for my heart. I didn't care about hair.) (Clearly.)

 It's where my friends came to hang out with me - for Bible studies and cry-fests and Anne of Green Gables marathons.

 Twelve years of living. Relationships born (and ended). Meals in front of the TV. Movie marathons. Scrapbooking. Writing. Dreaming. Praying. Phone calls. Blogging. Vacation planning. Teaching. Parties. Naps. Sick days. Slumber parties. Playing games. All of it. Right here.

And I can't wait to make new memories in a new house with a new living room (and...ahem...a new paint color. Again.)

It's the Weekly Recap!

* Last Sunday was the start of evil Daylight Savings, you know. But then you've already seen my thoughts on that (again). I survived the day after two naps, a coke, a caramel macchiato and two iced teas. :) Last Sunday would also have been Kaegan's golden birthday. Eleven on the eleventh. Miss my buddy.
* Monday I was so excited because we had our blogmania show where we interviewed 5 pretty amazing bloggers! I was SO NERVOUS for that show but loved the way it went. I spent the rest of the day rather sick...pretty sure I was just worn out from time change drama. (Laugh if you want, but I stick to my story.) And that evening I went to Lynne's house to spend the night. I was a total bum...starting with gobbling up this amazing dinner she cooked: * Tuesday was our first day of Share Wrap Up - trying to make up what we didn't raise back in January. I talked to some of the SWEETEST people...their stories gave me goose bumps! And it was a lot of fun to hang out in the phone room with my co-workers throughout the day. (Iced tea break!)


* Wednesday was day two of our Share Wrap it Up! day....and we not only met, but exceeded our goal for the year! That was a pretty amazing faith booster! After two days of working extra long hours, I was a little bit tired-ish, but it was so fun all at the same time.
* Thursday evening I went for a walk/run after work...and who EVER would have thought that on March 15th, choosing capris instead of shorts would have been the WRONG choice? I about died of a heat stroke, but I made it! Then I went to a jewelry party at my friend Lara's house. Faith (you remember Faith) started selling jewelry last fall and I've been invited to a ton of her parties but I've always been working or gone...so this was my first one! FUN!!
*Friday was THE BEST MADHOUSE OF A DAY. So good, in fact, that most of this coming week's blog posts were born of it. It all centered around the huge concert featuring Mark Schultz, Bebo Norman, and Point of Grace. What. A. (Beautiful). Day. Here's just a little picture to get you going.


* Saturday I went for a walk/run outside and it was SO beautiful out! Then I opened the grill for the season...inaugurating it with some lime chicken and...yes that is asparagus on my plate. Lynne Ford, what have you done to me??? I ate outside while listening to birds chirp and watching the sun go down. Love me some spring!


One Thousand Gifts. During the Share wrap up days, I had the privilege of talking with some listeners who had the most beautiful stories of what God was doing in their lives through the station. As I listened, I remembered something I'd prayed while still working at my old job. I prayed that God would take me somewhere that made a Kingdom difference. And that's what I heard coming through the phones...Kingdom difference. That's a gift.

Pinterest Inspiration. This week I went the route of the recipes...and I made this amazing strawberry smoothie: I will be making this again (and again and again) - and I think the only change I would make is to cut down on the sugar. Not that I don't love sugar...quite the contrary! I think it would just help make it healthier. Here is the original:

Source: allrecipes.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Christmas 2011

You l.o.v.e. reading Christmas recaps, don't you? Well, hang with me. I'll try to make it worth your while. I call this...a Christmas photo essay.

Lori, Jeff, and Cassie didn't get to come home for Christmas, but Tom and Julie made it up from Indianapolis, so the five of us had Christmas together. Last year I was teased for stacking up gifts high enough to prop the camera for the self-timed family photo. So Tom and Julie donated their unused tripod and this year:
Yes. I was wearing sleeveless. I knew between church and Mom and Dad's house, I'd be sweating before the day was done.

It's not Christmas until....

I've loaded up on Mom's homemade chocolates. YUM YUM!!!!!!

You know it might be a long day when....

...you feel like this and the meal just started. LOL! I don't remember what they were talking about, but this was my feeling toward it.

We had a fantastic lunch (Mom is a good little cook!) and then we dove into our gifts. Tom's new hoodie and gloves.

Dad's new windchimes. I finally had to say "Perhaps this is more of an outside toy." (Parent/child role reversal has begun...)

MY NEW RAIN BOOTS!! I'm so excited about them! Aren't they the cutest ever?

Julie's gift (one of them) from me. It says "I'd like to help you out. Which way did you come in?" Hee hee hee. It's so her.

Mom's sign: "I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford; then I'll move in with them." LOL!!!!! Or not!

There's Tom without most of his face hidden in a hoodie. :)

I feel like such a grown up now. Seriously.

So. Let me tell you about this gift. Mom wanted to get us all personalized key covers. So Julie opened hers that said "Julie." And somewhere out in Kansas were personalized ones for Lori and my niece. But as I've known for 33 years, with a name like Rebekah, your chances for personalized ANYTHING is slim. Apparently key covers are no exception. So you know what she got me instead? Can you see what it says??

FLIRT! My own mother got me a keychain that says flirt. Are you KIDDING ME???
Another grown up gift: my very own waffle maker. Isn't it fun?

Mom succeeded in finding a sweater for a girl with a broken thermostat. Lightweight, short sleeves, works well!

So then it was photo opp time. Me with the parental units...

The Freelan clan (minus Lori). So basically you have, from the left, Flirt, Dad, Mom, Julie.

The sibling photo.

And then it was time to come home and have Christmas with little Braeya Jo Jo. She was so amused about the camera.

Inspecting the gifts: two bags of treats, two new balls (which must have catnip in them) and a laser mouse.

First Christmas without my boy. Miss him. He loved opening his stocking so much.

She's part dog. Carries her toys around in her mouth.

And that was Christmas! Now, as I told them at the family gathering...the only thing more perfect than the new knife set and waffle maker would be having a new kitchen in which to place them!