Mid Oct 2009
Once upon a time...there was a girl who went to Shopko and came back with a kitten. This short story is to tell you how that came about.
Over the years, I have told the kids they have a budget for birthdays and Christmas, so give me their list from most wanted on down so they really get what they want. Katie has had only a few presents the last few celebrations, but you know, hasn't felt less loved. She knew the deal and she got what she really wanted. So, soon after her birthday in August, Katie told me she knew what she wanted for Christmas. If she only got one thing, and she got this, she would be fine and happy. Katie was totally setting me up. "Okay Katie, what is it?”
"I want a cat."
Long silence......"That isn't happening Katie. I don't do cats." My kids over the next few months decided I didn't like animals. Which is so not true. I just didn't want one more body to have to pick up after. 
After days and weeks of pestering, I finally told Katie and Christian, "If you want a cat, you can. You just have to keep your room clean for a whole month, with no missed days." Translation...you will never have a cat while you are living in this house. I know, I am horrible.
Fast forward a few months later. We had mice get in the house and Mike didn't want me to use decon, so it persisted for longer than it should have. One day I said to the kids, "The only way your prayers are going to be answered on getting a cat is if these mice aren't gone in the next couple of days." Katie must have gone on a prayer binge. That weekend we went up to Logan for a wedding of some awesome friends from Oregon. After the wedding we went to Shopko really fast and on the way out I saw a boy sitting outside giving away "Free" kittens. I didn't say a word to Katie and she didn't see. Then, so quietly, I tell Mike that there were free kittens back there. Katie shouted, "STOP THE CAR! STOP THE CAR! I JUST WANT TO SEE THEM!" All while she is also opening the door of our moving car. So we went back. I mean, it couldn't hurt to just look. What a sucker I am. So we pick them up and look at them and hold them. And Katie looks up at me with her big brown eyes that I fell in love with 11 years ago that she got from her dad and I look at Mike who is sitting in the car. We pick out a cute grey 6 week old tabby kitty with big blue eyes. I fell in love with that cat on the hour ride home. Katie named her Mittens, not because she looks like she has any, but because our friends the Ostler's have a cat with both paws that look like mittens and the name to go with it. Hilarious. She is a cutie. Oh, and that free cat. $100 later that day and more in vet fees to get her fixed, yeah, there is no such thing as a free cat. It has been so worth it though.
I am now a former hater of cats. In fact, I love them. I am really a cat person. But I thought I was a dog person. In fact, a few months later in March, we got a second cat. His name is Crookshanks. We decided on the name before we got him. We were planning on getting an orange tabby, but when we got the the animal shelter and sat down on the ground to see who would come to Christian, it was another grey cat. He is all grey on grey though and a Russian Blue looking tabby. He is a cuddler, which we love. 
(Right after a nap, his eyes aren't actually kitty-whompus)
(You will take a picture little kitty! I had nothing to do with this picture by the way. Can you say stolen camera?)
So I guess, the lesson here is, never say never. Oh, and by the way, we haven't had any mice...so it is still safe to come and visit. :)
No animals were harmed in these "films" ;).
