Last Thursday night, when my husband came home from work the two oldest boys went outside because Steven had left his notebook in the suburban and wanted to get it. Well only a few seconds later and Brandon came running inside saying "mama mama there is a possum next to Steven and he can't get the door to the suburban open what are we going to do". Well I went to the hallway window and looked out the window at the same time there was a noise. Brandon said, "Did you hear that it's the Possum". I looked and said, "Brandon that's not a possum it's a baby kitten" Well at that time hubby and Steven were walking up the the kitten and Steven picked it up. Steven and Brandon then left the kitten outside (at our urging) and came in the house. Well why they started asking the Daddy to keep the kitten and telling him how they would take care of the kitten and do everything for it. At the same time the kitten had managed to finally climb up the steps of our deck and was sitting right outside the door meowing a very sorrowful kitty cry. Well there Daddy cracked and told them they could keep the kitty. They brought it in and she was quickly named Dutchess. Now this kitten could probably of benefited from a little more time with her mommy. Steven quickly filled those shoes. She was loved on and held almost none stop. Well after finally eating her food out of her dish instead of Steven having to place one piece in her mouth at a time. She seemed to be doing well...or so we thought. Early this morning I found her laying on the bed next to Brandon, she looked so peaceful and happy. I went to touch her to take her to the potty to see if she needed to go, but she was stiff. She had died. We only had her for about 4 days. So just as quickly as we had a cat we just as quickly had none. The older three boys understand and are upset, but Andrew and Marshall don't quite get it. Andrew just tells me "no she is alive" and Marshall says "no she's not died." While chosing the picture for this blog Marshall just kept saying how sweet and precious. HE has been picking her up for the last two days, hugging her and saying, "she is my best friend". It has been so wonderful to see the pure joy and excitement that all of my children (including Katie) have shown because of this kitten and a little heartbreaking to watch there eyes well up with tears. (Of course the boys will all deny crying). Even hubby whom talks alot about not wanting a pet, always loves the pet and pays so much attention to them probably as much as the boys, is missing this little bit of unexpected joy.