1 Kitty, 1 Princess

Halloween 2007

While I was cutting Amber's fingernails yesterday she announced, "Mom, you don't really have to cut them. Remember, claws?" "What do you mean?," I asked. "Remember I'm a cat." I comically whispered, "Amber, I hate to tell you this, but you're not really a cat." Her face fell. Moments later she asked very seriously, "Mom, why did you say I'm not a real cat?" Slightly dumbfounded at the simplicity of her question I replied, "Because you're not really a cat, you're a girl." "But Mom, I really am a cat. Remember magic? Magic is real." I commented that she was bigger than a cat. She told me magic cats are like that. I assured her that they don't let cat's go to school. She assured me that they do let magic cats to school. Realizing that I wasn't going to convince her otherwise, I changed to conversation and chose to let her enjoy her childhood. I am surprised that the division between pretend and reality is still vague at age 7.

Ironically, today Kate detailed for me the evidence that she is a real princess. She was unaware of my converstaion with Amber last night. Kate explained, she dances like a princess and she wears dresses like a princess. I've suspected for a while that she must be a real princess. She likes her meals served in courses and insists on clean utensils for each course. She must have a napkin. She's very clean, she prefers classical music, and she is easily irritated by the impropriety of other children (somehow that strikes me as a royal trait, though somewhat of a weakness). She even has a very princess sounding name, Kathryn.

10 years

Rich and I celebrated our 10th anniversary last weekend. Although, I would have loved celebrating in an exotic warm tropical location like Hawaii or Tahiti for a week, our quick trip back to the Manti temple was so full of meaning for me. It's a day I've looked forward to for a long time; and it was perfectly wonderful! The Manti temple is amazing. I was awed by the ornate woodwork throughout the temple, which I know was all completed mostly with simple hand tools. It's simply amazing. Being there with Richard was bliss.

I'm grateful to Rich. He is always supportive of me. He enables me to find time for the things that matter to me. He never says an unkind word. Really, NEVER! He gives me confidence. He trusts me, so I strive to be even more trustworthy. He's a good dad who loves his girls, and supports me in the way I think they should be raised.

It's interesting to look back at ten years. The challenging times have become fuzzy memories. Unfortunately, the good times have too. That's why I journal, scrapbook, blog, and take photos and videos. I have so much to be thankful for. I love remembering the happy moments that fill my life. I'm realizing just how quickly life passes and little ones grow. I'd like to believe that I've gained a small bit of wisdom in the last ten years. I'd also like to believe I'll gain a considerable amount more over the next few decades.

One of my friends from Adventure Time, JoAnne Francis, used to tell us that people have a second wedding shower after they've been married 10 years. I laugh now when I remember her saying that because I've realized she's right! Our things just aren't as bright and shiny as they used to be. But then again, things are just things.

So cheers to ten years of happily ever after.

Lost Tooth

Amber lost her first tooth. Literally. She lost it! It came out in the car while she was eating a chocolate marshmallow egg her grandpa gave her. We've searched the car over thoroughly 3 times. We assume she swallowed it. She went to bed that night without setting out our tooth fairy box or a note. Naturally, the tooth fairy didn't come. I told my mom it was because I wanted to help Amber learn to be proactive with her life; explaining that the next day we would tell Amber she should leave the tooth fairy a note explaining that her tooth had come out and she'd lost it. My mom warned me that I could forget, even after Amber had written the note. I assured her that I'm too task oriented to do that; well, not with my first child at least. Hah! Amber wrote her note to the tooth fairy and left it by the tooth fairy box the next night. Ironically, the tooth fairy FORGOT to come! I smoothly explained that her room was so messy, the tooth fairy probably couldn't see the box.

Guess what! The tooth fairy came tonight!