Adoration

The feeling is mutual.

I had this teacher in high school and she was awesome.  She taught 10th grade English.  She was young - just out of college and a former classmate of my best buddy's big sister.  She drank diet coke like it was going out of style.  She introduced me to Jane Austen and even made us all dress up for a day and act all ettiquette-y.  She really cared about her students.

Then she got married.  So exciting!  And then she had kiddos and stopped teaching so she could stay home for them.  My kind of girl!

And then, last week during our terrible rain and flooding, she lost her twelve-year-old son.

I've been heartbroken for her and for her family.  I've wondered how on earth one can go on, continue functioning, after the death of a child.

In the eulogy she gave at her sweet boy's memorial service the other day (read it here), she answered my question.

She has such love for her children and for the Lord.  She has faith.  And she continues, after all these years, to be an example to me.  I will forever remember that a gentleman should walk on the street side of a lady so she doesn't get hit by the trash - and worse - someone might throw out an upstairs window.  And I will forever remember the love and faith of a wonderful mother.

Please keep this family in your prayers.

Shameless Bragging by the Mom

This boy wrote and gave the best talk ever today in primary.

By himself.

I think we may be growing up.

Matty and His Mommy

Granny isn't just a Granny. She's also a mommy. And she's not just Daddy's mommy, either. She's got five other people that call her mommy, too!
One of these people is our Uncle Matt-Matt. And you know what, I hope that when I'm a granny my boys love me as much as Matty loves his mommy.

Yesterday...

Jake was baptized and confirmed a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Eight

Last night, as I stood staring at my little boy asleep in the top bunk, a tear (or two...) came to my eye. It was the last time I would look at my seven-year-old. Because this morning, when we woke up, he was eight.

Eight is a really big deal. We believe it is the age of accountability, when a child is no longer completely dependent on mom and dad to make every decision, but can start to make some of those decisions on his own. He will now be accountable for the choices he makes.

While there is obviously a lot of teaching and guiding left to do - and many years to continue doing it - it's pretty important that by age eight a child has a basic knowledge of right and wrong and of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I looked at my baby lying there in bed, I questioned whether I've taught him what he needs to know by this point. Does he know how much his Savior loves him? Does he know what He has asked of him? And how to follow Him? Is he ready to take on the consequences of his actions? Is he ready to make promises to his Heavenly Father? And to keep them?

As I looked at my baby lying there in bed, I knew that he is ready. (I may not be, but he is!) He is a good boy. He knows his Savior. He knows the commandments and he knows where (and who) to look for the way to follow Him. He wants to do right. And really, what more can there be?

I love this little boy. He drives me nuts and he makes my heart sing. He is brilliant. He is funny. He is kind and compassionate. And honest. He is an artist. He is a writer and a story teller. He is thoughtful. He is loud. He is an athlete. He is my first-born, my little boy. And I can't imagine life without him.

Thanks for being born, Jake. You're going to do great at being eight!

Proof

Indisputable proof that my boys do, in fact, love each other very much. You better believe this is coming out next time they start to fight.

Guess What!

All of my family is on US soil!

My dad and my brother both arrived safely back in the US today!

For the first time in almost two years,

all my men are here in the good ol' US of A!

At the same time!

And I'm pretty happy about it!

This Man

This man rebuilt this 1967 Mustang.

It actually runs and everything.

This man teaches science in a small-town high school.

His students even like him.

This man still finishes his PT runs before the 20-somethings he runs with.

Did I mention he's 55?

This man spent summers in his youth working at a carnival

and sleeping under the trucks.

He lived to tell about it.

This man plays guitar and sings oldies and classic rock.

Even when he can't remember the words.

This man has served in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Repeat.

This man knows his children can do anything.

Even if they don't.

This man is my dad.

I'm a pretty lucky girl.

My Gator

Before we begin, I feel like I should let you know that this post is just going to be me bragging on my boy. I debated whether it was really appropriate to use this forum to straight-out brag. Then I decided that, you know what? It's my blog, and if there's anywhere I can brag, this would be it. So please forgive me. You've been warned.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the First Grade Awards Ceremony at Gatorland. Let me tell you, those kids are cute and fun! And the teachers are sweet and wonderful. It's a good place.

After sitting through many awards, many of them given to our buddies (so proud of those cuties, too!), Jake's name was finally called. He received the GATOR Award, which was given to two children from each class.

Without boring you with the details, this pretty much sums up what we already knew about Jake. He's a really good kid. He works hard at school, does well in his studies, and is consistently on his best behavior.

Dan and I are so proud (in a good way, of course) of this kid. We sure do like him a lot!

Oh, and Jake is pretty pleased with his award, as well. But his excitement is focused primarily on the bright orange pencil and a gift certificate for nasty pizza that came with the certificate. We all have our priorities.

He's Home

And all is right with the world.