Cows and Guinea Pigs

What a day! It started out with the shower breaking. The cold water would not turn off. Then, in the rush to get two kids and two adults and a dog out the door (the dog needed to use the bathroom) in time for church, our neighbor with whom we've been trying to build a relationship, came over spontaneously to chat. (That was really cool and something that I've been praying about!)

So we finally deposit the dog back into the house and buckle two very hyper kids into car seats and head to church...we were sitting just above empty on the gas tank, but didn't have time to stop...so we prayed the gas would carry us through.  The gas light comes on when the car has 17 miles (or so) left before running out...how many miles is it to church??

As we were zooming along (quite above the speed limit) a lady passes us waving her arm and blinking her lights. We slowed down not quite knowing what to expect.  NEVER did we imagine to come upon this:

Two little calves making their way up the road. (I couldn't help but think of the Shawn the Sheep episode when the sheep leave the farm to go get pizza in the city).  The most funny part for me was trying to pass these beauties.  Each time we'd try to pass they would herd in front of us.  Almost like we were some kind of sheep dog to them. They kept looking back at us and mooing.  Finally we made it to church.  I have to say, this was the most eventful trip we've taken in awhile! (Oh and PJ made it to the gas station as well!)

In other news, we have a new pet!  Abby has been wanting a guinea pig for several months.  The girl LOVES animals.  Even as a baby, she never wanted dolls. She always wanted stuffed animals to care for. So we began preparing her for a pet of her very own. We made up a sticker chart of  "responsibilities". There are some things that we simply expect from her as her contribution to family life such as picking up her clothes and putting them in the hamper.  But then there are other things that we consider "extras" like feeding the dog, getting the silverware out of the drawer for meals, putting the dishes in the sink after meals and helping her brother do things. Abby has really taken off of this new taking responsibility thing. She has done everything on her chart consistently for well over two months. I even came into the kitchen to find her mopping up water that Caed spilled on the floor!! WOW!  This is not to say that we she does it perfectly or without the occasional drama attached...but for a 4 year old, I've been really impressed! 

Abby has even done research on guinea pigs. She wanted to get some books about them at the library and we read them over and over. We took several trips to PetSmart to look at and touch the furry critters.  I have to admit, I was proud when she started telling the PetSmart worker all she knew about handling and feeding a guinea pig!

We were planning to wait until summer to buy the guinea pig, but they (and all the supplies) were on sale this weekend, and Abby has been doing such a great job that we didn't see the sense in making her wait just for the sake of waiting.  And so, "Keat" has joined the Campbell clan!

"Keat" is the name of Abby's favorite male character from an 80's cartoon "Voltron". Abby and her Daddy enjoy Voltron together. At first, she was confused and thinking "he" was a "she", Keat was almost named "Princess Grace". But once Abby realized he was a "he", Keat seemed a more fitting name!

Love at first sight!

I have a feeling that we are about to embark on a whole new set of adventures!

(As a side note, the PetSmart girl that helped us choose our guinea pig, supplies, etc admitted that she is, in fact, allergic to guinea pigs (and alluded to an allergy of cats as well)  Soooo...why does she work at PetSmart?)