Scarlett Jane is Eight

Scarlett had some big life events this year. She lost her two front teeth, she dislocated and broke her elbow, and she got baptized into our church. She also had a couple months of pretty intense anxiety. At least that is what I think it was. Any expectation from her parents was instantly overwhelming and she would melt into a strange panic, sort of out-of-body, crazy, outburst. It was so uncharacteristic of her. Sometimes these episodes would last for a couple hours and happen everyday. I hope she doesn't resent me someday for documenting this, but it was a big part of her at this age. I poured over parenting websites and reached out to experts and none of their tips worked. It actually seemed to make it worse. One day, after about four months of this, it just sort of stopped. I don't know if it was a developmental phase, if she finally learned to control it, if it was just a power struggle, I have no idea. But I am happy that it is over because it was intense. She is still wise beyond her years and as curious and precocious as ever. She is really blossoming and I don't know what I would do without her. 

September 28, 2018

"A girl in my class thinks unicorns are real and I didn’t want to make her feel bad so I said, “I like your thinking.” I was going to say I like your imagination, but I was afraid she would think I was saying it wasn’t real."

October 3

After examining my new down comforter and learning there were real feathers in it, she said, "Wait, this comforter is seriously made out of feathers? They should’ve paid those birds."

I complimented Scarlett at church and right then we raised our hand to sustain someone. She thought I was giving her a high five with the compliment and promptly gave me a good smack on the hand. 

October 7

"Every morning when it’s time for school, I just want to stay with you, and every night when it’s time for bed I just want to look at you."

October 25

She was cleaning up like a crazy person tonight and she said, “I want to clean up for you tonight so I’m the morning you can wake up to a nice clean house.” 

November 11

"What do mermaids eat? We should ask Siri."

November 19

This was a text she sent me from Jordan's phone:

What are you going to do tomorrow? If you are not busy can I go to the dollar store and get some stuff for my Christmas tree and stuff for that. If you do have stuff to do then we can do it tomorrow is that all right with you? I am fine With anything I just want to get the stuff to do my Christmas tree. All I’m gonna do tomorrow is go to Angeleah‘s or have them come here or go to Alex’s but I don’t know what to do other than that I just want to make it to the store sometime it is still going to be a little while before the contest starts so I just need to get the stuff before the contest starts. I love talking to you. I mean I still really want to go to the store tomorrow but it is all right if we have to do it the next day I love you I love you I love you I love you you are the best mom in the whole entire world you feed us you drive us to places you I just the best you’re the best mom dad the best dad. you know is there any mistakes in this I’m sorry🏻 Love you. Scarlett.

January 29

"You know how Sylvia wants to get more stronger? I’m gonna make that happen."

May 9

After breaking her arm she needed an MRI to make sure she didn't need surgery. They said she did better than most adults. The only funny thing was they told her to try not to talk unless she had something really important she needed to say and about two minutes in she said, “I need to talk to my mom.” I rushed over to the the microphone and she said, “Mom. I am so excited to tell Austin about this.” The techs thought it was hilarious. 

May 29

"It STINKS that I can’t take a shower. Get it? Stinks?"

June 26

"Where would we be if there were no colors? My brain just started hurting."