Rest in Peace, Duchess

Last weekend I lost my dear kitty cat, Duchess, to intestinal lymphoma.  She was actually my mom's cat who I inherited when my mom died of cancer, but I've had her for 9 years.  Duchess was the sweetest little kitty.  She loved to snuggle up on my shoulder and burrow into my hair.  We found out she had cancer about a year ago and the vet said she had maybe 6-8 weeks left.  She survived for almost a year, but the last few months were hard.  I kept going back and forth on a decision to euthanize her, but I just couldn't do it.  She would look pitiful and then start eating again and she was always very social until last week.  The vet said she wasn't in pain and as long as she was seeking me out and eating, etc., that she was probably okay.  On Friday, Feb 5th, Duchess quit eating.  I just knew it was time and I was going to take her to the vet, but Zachary had had a fever for 1 1/2 days and it kept going up.  That night after we got Zachary medicated and down to bed, Duchess just looked awful.  I got ready and was putting her in the carrier to take her to the after-hours clinic and she died right before we got her in the car.  My poor, sweet kitty.  I loved her and I miss her but I am glad she is not in any pain or discomfort anymore.  She is buried in our backyard next to my poor, sweet Princess kitty who I lost about 15 months ago to kidney failure.  It is time for a break from pets in the Bortz household.  I cannot bear to lose another one too soon.  Pets really become part of your family (not like a human child, just in a different way) and there is a hole there for a while after they are gone. 

Fun in Florida

Zachary took is 3rd airplane trip last week.  We went to Tampa/Clearwater, FL to visit Gigi and Uncle Jason (my MIL and BIL) and Mandy.  I was really nervous about how he would do on the flight sitting in my lap for 2 1/2 hours, but of course he did great.  It was a full flight but we got lucky and got a window seat and Zachary played with an Elmo sticker book the whole time.  Gigi picked us up at the airport and we all stayed at Uncle Jason's house.  Jason and Mandy have a big dog named Scout that Zachary just loved!  He liked to give her hugs.  We went to the beach where Zachary chased the gulls and collected shells (the water was too cold to swim).  We took him to a park where Jamin used to play when he was little.  We went to a children's museum and a bouncy house place.  Jamin flew in for the last 3 days of our visit.  We got to meet Uncle Matt and Aunt Phyllis who brought an "Elmo Live" doll for Zachary.  Elmo sings and dances, tells stories and jokes... he's pretty funny.  One night Mandy and her sister made sushi at home and it was delicious!  Better than Sushihana here in Katy for sure.  The day before we left we took Zachary to visit his Great Grandparents.  It was a great trip!

My Little Brother Got Married!

My little brother got married!!!  I am very happy for him and his new wife, Tia.  I pray that they have a very long and happy life together.  The wedding took place on Friday, Oct 9, the date of my late mother's birthday.  It was a nice way to honor my mom's memory.  It was a very emotional night for me.  Chad and Tia had set up a tribute to my mom (a picture and candles) which was displayed on the alter during the ceremony.  Dinah stepped in to fill the mother-of-the-groom role.  I couldn't have asked for a better person to be the MOG for Chad.  When I saw them dancing during the mother/son dance at the reception, though, I got very emotional.  It was hard just knowing that my mom wasn't there in person and it totally caught me off guard.  I didn't expect to have that reaction.  I also got to spend some time with my older brothers and sisters - Terri, Sheryl, Ken and Randy, who I don't see but about every 5 years or so.  My little Zachary was the ring bearer.  He was dressed so cute and he ran down the aisle when it was his turn and everyone cracked up.  It was an awesome night! 

                                                                      Tia and Chad

Zachary checking himself out

Me and Chad

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is always a little bittersweet for me. Having lost my mom to cancer when I was only 27 hasn't gotten any easier, just more manageable. As I celebrate the joys of being a mom to the most wonderful baby boy in the world, I miss having my own mom here to share those joys with. I'm sad that Zachary won't know her as he grows up, and she won't get to hold him in her arms and feel his baby soft skin against her cheek. I think about her all the time and hope she knows how much she is loved and missed. I know that she is looking down from Heaven with a big smile on her face as she watches us.

I know my mom is glad too that I do have two amazing mothers in my life - Dinah, my step-mom, and Kathy, my mother-in-law. They definitely make it a bit easier, and I am glad that Zachary has two wonderful grandma's (Mimi and Gigi) in his life who love him and who he gets to have that close relationship with. So on this mother's day, I remember my mom and all the wonderful mother's who love, nurture, pray for, encourage, teach and cherish their children every day.

Easter

We spent Easter at Honey and Mimi's house with Gigi (who flew in from FL), and Zachary's four cousins and their families. Easter egg hunting was a hoot. Last year Zachary was only about 2 1/2 months old, so this was his first real Easter!

Of course the real reason for the celebration is that Jesus is Risen!