Early Easter Presents-New Pets

The girls wanted a new pet for Easter. We thought about chicks, ducks and rabbits but the care and the size of those kept throwing me off. Now, they really wanted another dog but I just couldn't see it. Roxy is a hand full and I really didn't want another animal that had freedom in my home. I really enjoy our fish and our hamster, mainly because they stay in their homes! I don't mind the maintenance as I am the one who does the care on them.

The other night we watched the best movie. It was called,"Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler. They had a guinea pig named Bugsy and I'll tell ya even though he was animated I simply fell in love with the little fella.

So began our journey.

I began asking questions and was amazed to find what G-R-E-A-T pets they make. How they LOVE being held and having lots of time spent with them. How they bond to their caregivers and they are NOT likely to bite. I read and studied and couldn't find one drawback.

Yesterday we headed to Roanoke and went to the Petsmart. They had 9 females to choose from. Danville only had 3 males and I was sure we wanted females. The girls were so excited! Meadow chose one and Sky chose one. I had read that the BEST toy to buy a Guinea Pig is another Guinea Pig so this is why we choose two.

I also studied cages and the room that they need to flourish and decided the best route to go would be to build their cage. Then Tony reminded me that we had a huge dog cage downstairs that we weren't using and it would be perfect. All we have to do now is get a large piece of coroplast to put in the bottom. We temporarily have cardboard on the sides to help hold the bedding in. The dog cage has a plastic bottom so it'll be easy to clean.

I found out after buying our Guineas that the girls had chosen Abyssinians. Their hair grows in swirls all over their bodies and its really neither short nor long. We had thought when purchasing them that were long haired Guineas but we were wrong. Penny is tortoise and white Abyssinian and Sophie is white and copper Abyssinian. I LOVE the Peruvians and the Shelties but after searching online I found that they cost upwards of $100 and thats just too much for me right now.

At first when we got them home everyone was a little skittish with them and the Guineas were skittish with us. I was a little surprised after reading how much they loved human contact. They do, but you have to spend time with them for them to learn. Catching them is the hardest part! Once you have them in your hands they are fine and they love to snuggle.

Did you know that Guinea Pigs make squeally squeaky noises? I had no idea! In the pet store I thought I was hearing birds! I love hearing them purr and squeal. They say they do this when they are happy. Meadow has them out playing on my bed and everything! LOL! Tony is still a little hesitant but supportive just the same. I LOVE them. I'm having as much fun as the girls are. I am such an animal lover.

So....here they are.....

Meadow and Penny

Meadow and Sophie

Meadow and Sophie

Meadow and Penny

Playing

Bonding

This is Penny. (Meadow's)

This is their home. Plenty big and Tony is going to build me a second story with a ramp running up to it. I can't wait!

Sky has gone to the beach with her girlfriend (very good friends of ours from our church) and will be gone for 5 days. It's been hard for me to let her go but I'm so happy for her at the same time. I know she'll be well taken care of and she'll have a blast. Keep her in your prayers for me. She'll be home next Tuesday.

Odds and Ends with my Girls

Meadow spent the night with my best friend's little girl Lydia last night and I can't believe how quiet the house is without her, nor can I believe how much I miss her. My heart aches with a loneliness but she is coming home today and I'm excited to see her. She loves spending the night away from home it just doesn't happen often. I would rather that my girl's friends stay with us.

Yesterday the girls cleaned the house for me and they done a great job. Everything looks great and I suppose tomorrow we will be packing preparing to go on vacation. I can't wait to go and have time with my family away from all the regular things you have to deal with. My mom and dad are going and my sister who lives in Myrtle Beach is riding down so really it will feel like a reunion of sorts.

Last night my middle daughter Sky went to bed early. She was pooped and bored with cleaning so she copped out by going to bed. How funny?! She'd do anything to get out of cleaning!!

My oldest daughter Heaven and I sat up talking. I love times like that. Times that she opens up and pours herself out to me. The trust that she bestowes to me is touching. I never ever at that age talked with my mom and when I did it was lies, never did I share with her the reality of what I was going through. Not Heaven, she comes to me and shares her deepest struggles and for that I feel honored. She does say before she gets started, "Mom, I need to talk to you about some things but before we get started I need you to promise that you'll stay out of this and let me handle it ok?" *Sigh* with a Big Grin! :) I get the picture and when she is done pouring out her troubles I have to admit it is hard stepping back and allowing her to handle things. She does listen to my opinons which are sometimes more harsh than her own but at least she listens and weighs things out. She asks if she can sleep with me since her daddy is on the road and I say yes...knowing Sky is already in my bed! They love sleeping with me when their daddy is gone and since Meadow was away there was room for all three of us. When we turned in she asked me to say her prayers. Of course I obliged and I laid hands on her and said her prayers. When I rolled over I hid the tears that fell because I was so touched that my almost 17 year old would ask her mommy to say her prayers for her.

I am so thankful for my daughters. God is so good to me and sometimes the blessings that He floods me with are almost too many for me to absorb! I am so grateful... so thankful...to my Daddy upstairs, my heavenly Father....How great a job He does in taking care of His little girl. I'll always be His little girl.

Le 22:29 And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.

Ps 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Ps 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Ps 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.