Wowed By My Momma Cat

Our cat had 4 kittens today and I got to be there to see it. My mind is racing with how amazing it was.

First, a little background.

1.  The cat used to be named “Muffin” until she was given to our boys, who renamed her “Wander Cat” because she wanders around town.

2.  Jodi has never been a pet person. She had a rabbit or two as a kid, but that really doesn’t count for those of us who had real pets.  I’m sure I’ll get a flood of comments and hate-mail now from the rabbit-loving nation…

3.  Wander Cat is our first cat to survive our owl-infested town for an extended period of time. She’s won the hearts of the boys, the neigbors, and even my non-pet loving wife.

That said, I happened to be home today when Wander Cat went into labor.  She got very clingy and wouldn’t let Brock (my 5 year old) or me out of her sight.  I pulled out a box with an old beach towel in it and she jumped right in.  She acted just like my wife prior to labor: she couldn’t get comfortable, she didn’t move a whole lot, and she had a look of “please don’t go anywhere right now” in her eyes when she looked at me or Brock.

Then the magic started.  Her whole midsection contracted 8 or 9 times, then there was a wet kitten.  Wander Cat immediately cleaned the kitten and cleaned up the afterbirth and the kitten immediately started to root around for some milk.  There was about a 30 minute break between each kitten.  Brock and I witnessed the first 2 births, then I had to take Brody to a Cub Scout pack meeting.

After returning home for the evening and putting the boys down to bed, Jodi and I spent about 15 minutes in with Wander Cat and the little ones.  Jodi felt her pain and knew she was hungry, so my wife put about a handful of cat-food next to Wonder Cat, who gratefully scarfed it down.

Okay, now for the reflective thoughts.  Well, it’s really one thought with a set of related thoughts…

1.  How amazing is the God who creates life! That’s the big thought, in case you were wondering.

(Before you read on, you should know that I’m not trying to start a creation-vs-evolution debate at all.  I’m just amazed at how it all works.  For the record, I don’t know how it all started, I don’t think anyone really does… and I’m okay with that.  So please don’t respond with long-winded fact ridden paragraphs from either side of the table… let’s just marvel at how amazing life is.)

2.  How can evolutionary biology explain the motherly instinct? Why do virtually all mammal and bird mothers automatically care for and protect their young while the dads could basically care less?  The motherly instinct is one of God’s most beautiful and amazing creations.  I picked up one of the kitties for about 3 seconds and Wander Cat gave me the look.  Don’t mess with a momma.

3.  How can evolutionary biology explain mammary glands? How crazy is it that mammal babies survive by eating a substance that is secreted by their mother’s bodies?   That’s both crazy and funny! I would never have planned it that way (I’m not sure how I would have planned it, but surely not that way).  Each of those kittens knew that they needed to head for chow right away… and they got that chow from sucking on their mom’s body.  Simply amazing.

4.  This was purely natural. I’ve watched my wife give birth to each of our three sons and each was a very special event.  However, my sons were born in state of the art hospitals, as Jodi was in a specialized bed, coached on by trained mid-wives, monitored by professional nurses, and married to a husband who endured …. I mean willingly attended… birthing classes.  Even now moms that choose “natural” birthing methods do so with lots of knowledge and supportive networks of midwives, dulas, and hippies.  Wander Cat didn’t need any support, or coaching, or birthing beds… she just did it.  God’s creation knows how to take care of business.

Those were the big observations.  There were other cool things too… the way the tiny paws already had claws… the perfectly formed little ears… the way the boys responded tenderly and excitedly at the new baby kitties…

It was simply an amazing day.  Isn’t life amazing!

7 Things About Being A Dad That Make Me Smile

Just a few days into being a father a three boys, I find myself very observant.

Me and my Boys

The boys are absolutely beautiful.  Each is very different in unthought of ways.  They all make me laugh and tear up at the wonder that they are.

There are so many confusing, bewildering, crazy things about this adventure of life that Jesus calls us to.  Much of it is designed to break our prideful hearts and bring us back to a place of trusting in God.  If we slow down, we’ll see that there are lots of nuggets in life that are meant to make us smile… or cry happy tears.  I’d like to share some of those nuggets I’ve seen over the last several days.

Here are five purely perfect things about raising boys that are good any way you look at it.  The things on this list make my eyes light up, no matter how gray the day may be.

1.  Holding a newborn on your chest.

2.  Taking a nap with your toddlers.

3.  Watching your kids giggle uncontrollably on a trampoline.

4.  Realizing that your 2-year old shadow wants nothing more than to be near you.

5.  Listening to your 4-year old talk about his karate skills in his sleep.

6.  Watching your son being born.

7.  Watching your wife give birth.

So here’s a question for you readers out there:  What would make your happy things list?  What are the things that make you smile no matter where you’re at in life?  Is it people, or a person?  Is it a song, or a mountain view?  Is it chocolate?

Remember that God created good things for us to enjoy.  They remind us that God is a good God.  He is a loving father.  He not only wants us to trust him in tough situations, but he wants us to smile and laugh and enjoy the good things he has made for us.

Take a minute and thank him for the good stuff.

A Cop Stopped Us On The Way To The Hospital

Really, we got stopped.  The story is at the bottom of this post.

Big Will is Here

Announcing… William Franklin Doherty was born on June 30 at 3:36 pm.  He weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 21 inches long.  Mommy and Will are doing great.  Brody and Brock are loving their little brother … Brock calls Will “My Baby.”  Dad is back on caffeine with a vengeance.

To our church family in Branson: Thanks for your prayers and support!  We will be returning to Branson on July 7th or 8th.  John Hudson will be preaching again on July 6th.

Who’s he named after? My maternal grandpa is a William and Jodi’s paternal grandpa was named Willis. My paternal grandpa (known in the family as Grandad and known all over the world as Tanky) is John Franklin.

Getting Stopped by the Cop: So Jodi woke me up at 4:00 in the morning with the beatiful words “Contactions are 6 minutes apart – it’s time to go.”  Those are action words.  We got in the car and I didn’t waste any time driving through Evergreen (that’s the mountain town where we’re staying – it’s about 45 minutes to the hospital).  As I was doing about 65 in a 55 zone I notice someone tailing me hard and fast out of nowhere (that’s never good).  The red and blues flashed and I pulled over.  I’m thinking “People joke about using this as an excuse for speeding, but this is really happening.”  The officer walks up with his little flashlight and says “Good morning.”  I reply “Good morning sir.  My wife is super pregnant and our hospital bag is in the back seat.”  His little flashlight shines on Jodi’s belly and he says “Holy crap! Get out of here!”  He was a young guy who wanted nothing to do with helping a woman deliver a baby in her car at 4:30 in the morning.  It was priceless.  As he waved us on he said he actually stopped us because one of our headlights was out.