Starting Off Right

So this past weekend, the first of June, was another pretty busy one for us.

Friday night some church staff worked really hard to coordinate a movie and activities on the baseball field for everyone.  It started at six, so family with younger kids were there early and they had jump castles and games so that even if you had to leave before dark you didn't really miss out. They also had hotdogs and hamburgers and popcorn.

Plenty of time to play a round or two of Bocci ball with friends before the movie.

The movie they chose was Parental Guidance, which is hilarious for kids of all ages if you haven't seen it.  The house in the movie is actually the home of one of our church families and the movie takes place right here in Atlanta. How appropriate. And awesome.

That wasn't even the best part of our weekend. (Unbelievable, right?)

On Saturday we woke up early and ran all of our errands so that we could go to PetSmart and get our kitty!

I know I posted pictures of this girl before:

Unfortunately we were told last weekend when we went to visit her that over the course of the week the litter had contracted a stomach virus that really wore out the poor kittens, and this little girl was just too small and weak and never recovered. This was pretty devastating news, as this was the first time I'd ever considered caring for a cat and I never even got to hold her.  BUT, one of the kittens (the only one) did not contract this virus and was happy and healthy, and present that day. She's the first cat I've ever held in my life. And we took her home.

Her name is Rachael, or Ray Ray, or Little Ray of Sunshine, depending on whom you ask (another story for another time). We were told that she had also been the only kitten to test positive for FeLV (feline leukemia virus) and that we must be the unluckiest adopters the rescue organization had ever encountered. But this is not a death sentence for cats, it simply means that they are more susceptible to disease and should not go outside--not a problem since we intended for her to stay indoors, anyway--and that she cannot be around other cats who have not tested positive for the virus, because (since their favorite thing to do is groom one another) it can be spread easily.  It does usually mean a shortened life span, but that depends on the health of the cat and the vet said she wouldn't believe this girl was sick if she hadn't seen the test results herself, so we're certain she'll be with us a good long while. God has a funny way of working things out. I couldn't imagine a better kitty for a first timer like me.

We're already best friends and I'm pretty sure she thinks she's a dog. She follows me around everywhere and loves to be at my side, she also scratches like a dog. She loves to lick me. She watches TV and she can sleep the day away like no one's business, in any position, at any time.

The second we got her into the car to bring her home she was out like a light. She's completely unfazed. And already litter box trained. We brought her home and have not had a single scratch, accident, or injury. I'm very impressed. I'm even convinced she comes when I call her name. 

Did I mention she smiles for the camera? She even taught Michael how to do it.