Our Expanding Family

Our kids and Jimmie have wanted a pet ever since we bought the house. I was able to stall for quite a while since I didn't merit needing to care for one more thing while I was playing single mom. Yes, I've been the mean parent but hey, do I really need something else to feed, clean up after, and take in for immunizations? I've already got four of those I'm trying to deal with. So I promised Jimmie that when he got a job where he'd be around more often, we would get a pet. Let me precursor this by saying I've never really been a pet person. When I grew up we had several pets: a dog, hamsters, parakeets, and fish. It seemed like any stray animal my brothers saw they decided to bring it in until it's owner was found. Maybe it's because I grew up sleeping in the next room to the noisy hamsters, had to vacuum up the spilled bird seed which they always seemed to get more out of the cage than inside it, or having to watch my dad as he cleaned the disgusting water in the fish tank that I really never wanted pets of my own.

A couple weeks ago I was feeling sick when we had to run out and do errands. The kids and Jimmie asked if we could go to the pet store. "Sure," I said sarcastically, "and while we're there let's buy a few things: a bird, dog, cat, fish, turtle, frog, whatever your heart desires." All the kids cheered when I realized the comments I had just made might come back to haunt me. We browsed around when each of the kids "had to have" the pet they fell in love with. Paxton wanted a turtle, Jayden a dog, Gavin a cat, and Alyssa a Ferret. (Who knows, at this rate it may be cheaper to buy all those things instead of a Zoo pass each year.) Well, considering we had nothing for any of those and I didn't want our house to smell like a zoo, we compromised and decided to get a kitten. We found the cutest little kitten named Cinnamon at a local shelter and decided she was the one for us. I have to say it truly has been a lot of fun with her around. The kids get so excited to play with, pet, and hold her. They can't wait to get home from school to spend time with their new friend. She is very sweet and loves to sit on your lap while you pet her. She is very playful and loves to watch her reflection in the glass around the shower or chase her own shadow. It has been so much fun having her around that we're going to get another one too. Now if Paxton will just quit asking when we're going to get a turtle everything will be great.