My Little Kate

Today I sent my little Katelyn (Apparantly there are a lot of Caitlin's. Mine is now "the one with the 'K-A-T-E'.") off to preschool. It is her first day. She has been so excited about this ever since I brought up the idea (she imagines it's like going to Hogwarts), so even though it is a bit out of our budget right now, I enrolled her for the year.

I was up late last night with my mind racing. I checked her temperature three times throughout the morning, secretly hoping for a fever--any excuse to keep her home. But after the thermometer's thrice clean bill of health, I had no excuses left. I took her to the school, walked her to the door and into her classroom...all the while hiding my emotions. She seemed fine...maybe a bit apprehensive. She cried a little before I left, but she said it was only because I scratched her face with the tissue while I was wiping her nose.

So here I sit. Me and Littleman, who just woke up from his nap. I spent the morning organizing Katelyn's closet (i.e. throwing things away that she would never let me touch if she were here) with a pit in my stomach, missing my little Kate. I remember feeling this way in the days before Zachary was born...knowing that things between us were about to change. Not necessarily in a bad way. But change is sometimes hard. It's hard to let my little girl go...even this little bit. And I know this is silly, but I've spent all morning worrying and wondering about how she'll get her straw into the juice box hole at lunch time. She always needs me to do it for her, but I won't be there. She didn't seem too worried about it, though. Obviously this is harder for me than it is for her.

For the Grandmas: More Ballet

Kate's the one wearing light pink with black shoes.

...and perhaps the only one paying attention to Ms Tina.

Teeny-Bopper for a Day

**Maggie showing off her newly-pierced ears

Remember Claire's?

I do.

I remember being about 11, and getting my ears pierced and thinking Claire's was really cool. Now that I'm older and have discovered stores like Anthropologie...Claire's equals not-so-cool.

Nevertheless, last month my sister and I returned to Claire's. Our piercings had closed up, so we were back for more. I had put it off for a LONG time because I felt a little awkward at the thought of returning...but somehow going with a friend, especially a sister, makes you a little braver. At least we would be embarrased together, right?

Well, it was still as wild as ever. There were cheap, brightly colored makeups and accessories EVERYWHERE I turned. Katelyn might as well have died and gone to heaven, though. She was frantic with excitement. I don't think she could have dreamed of a more wonderful place. HSM3 was playing in the background...and I'll never forget how funny it was to see Katelyn's mad dash to pretend to put on just a liiittle more makeup before we finally made her leave the store. (By the way, I thought it might be fun for Kate and I to pierce our ears together, and she was totally brave and gung-ho about it until I pinched her earlobes to give her an idea of what was about to happen. That freaked her out and she now has no desire to pierce her ears. I guess the moral of that story is: don't pinch your daughter's ears beforehand.)

Dear Claire's,

It was fun to venture back within your four walls and take a step back in time, but life goes on. That is why in ten short days I will be removing your studs and replacing them with a pair of much more fashionable and sophisticated studs from Anthro. But don't fret...although you may have lost me, my daughter's heart still belongs to you for another few years.

XOXO, Dana

Hermanas

Well, I didn't "Ooooh Say Can You Seeee..." at the Angel's game this summer. But I had a good reason for not being there. My little sister Maggie was going through the temple for the first time that day. I was able to be there with her. On a sunny day overlooking the Bay. I wouldn't have missed it for 100 Angel games!

And so today, at 12:45pm MST, as I type this post, she will walk through the gates of the LDS Missionary Training Center in Provo to learn Spanish and to train for her mission. I wish I could be with her as she walks in, but alas, I can't. So I am imagining myself there and what I would say. And hopefully she knows I am thinking of her.

While she is on her mission,we can't call one another. Only letters. I'm pretty bummed about that, but rules are rules. Katelyn spent the morning drawing pictures for Maggie.

Be of good cheer, Hermana Maggie.

Enjoy the mish.

We love you!!

Because We All Need To Throw a Tantrum Every Now and Then...

I try to keep all things positive (or at least funny) on this little blog of mine, but for the love!, can I take a moment to talk about something that I dislike?

It's called "student loans". More specifically, the repayment of them.

Because there are so many other things I would rather spend the money on. Like...I don't know...a second car, preschool, retirement...clothes! But that's all I have to say about that.

Anyway...Last night we found last month's payment on our kitchen counter. Apparantly I forgot to mail it out. Once the check goes through there will be significantly less $$ in our account than I thought. I guess this is where faith comes into play...or at least our savings account.

Curse you student loans!!!

Waaaaahhh!

P.S. I have since repented for crying over such trivial things. I just learned that a young mother and family friend lost her battle with cancer yesterday.

Such heartbreaking news sometimes slaps you across the face. Count your blessings, Dana. Enjoy every moment. Live in the present.

My prayers are with your family, Heather.