Alex got his braces off. Yeah. His teeth look so great. Today he goes to the dentist. Hopefully he won't need his wisdom teeth taken out. I am crossing my fingers.
Alex turned 18 on February 10th. We enjoyed a nice family meal at Texas Roadhouse. He was Happy Happy Happy with all the gifts he received. I guess everyone was thinking the same things as he got loaded up on Duck Dynasty things. What was I thinking getting him a duck call? Now I hear the sound of a poor distressed duck at odd times of the day. Oh well, at least it's better than heavy metal music. We are excited that Alex is preparing for a mission. He will hopefully turn his papers in next month. It's a wonderful time in his life and we are very proud of all the good choices he has made. He graduates in three short months. It's crazy that our oldest will graduate and leave on a mission and then our youngest just begins as he starts kindergarten in the fall.
We love you Alex. We will miss you this summer but know you will be touching lives as you serve the Lord. We are also so excited to find out where you will be called to serve.
We miss you Ryan. How special it will be to have two sons serving the Lord at the same time. I know Alex will feel of your spirit on his mission.
Feb 12, 1014
Ethan just told me he should be in a yogurt eating contest. He told me he just ate an entire yogurt in one second. Wow that is fast. I am so proud of this special talent he has. He is such a cutie. Last night he blew me a hug. I have been blown a kiss before, but this was the first time to have been blown a hug. We figured with Alex leaving this summer we would be saving on grocery bills. Boy was I wrong. Ethan must be going through a growth spurt or something because he can eat as much as a teenager. And with some meals Adam isn't to far behind. Ethan loves to play go fish and war. So, I find myself spending a lot of time with him doing so. It is cute that he is so proud when he wins. I treasure this time with him and am so thankful he is still little and enjoys the simple things in life.
Poor Ethan got a fat lip playing football with Adam.
Adam lost one of his front teeth a few weeks ago. He looks so cute trying to stick his tongue out between it. He had so much fun watching the Super Bowl. He had always loved the Broncos but decided a few weeks before that he wanted the Sea Hawks to win. He has such a sweet heart. The morning of he came to me practically in tears not knowing which team he really wanted to win because he liked them both. I told him he could like both teams and that he should be happy for the team that won and sad for the team that lost. That answer seemed to work for him. After the game he really felt so sad for Peyton Manning. He said he had tried his best. It touched my heart to see such compassion from such a little boy. It amazes me how much my sweet little children teach me. Needless to say, Mike and Alex weren't ok with the out come of the game as they are both Broncos fans as well. Sorry guys, maybe next year. At least we had some yummy treats.
Jaime is still doing excellent in school. It's funny to hear her complain about having an A- and that she needs to get it up. I have informed her that even B's are great grades and that we are proud of her even if she doesn't get straight A's. But, I have to admit as a parent it is wonderful that she is taking her schooling seriously and working towards the future.
Mike and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Monday. It was great the entire country was celebrating with us as it was President's Day. The kids were out of school so we had a laid back day. We slept in and then Mike and Alex made a nice breakfast for us all. We mostly just vegged the day away. It was great. In the evening Mike and I enjoyed dinner at the Melting Pot in Salt Lake. It was nice to have that time together alone. I love him very much and am so thankful to have him in my life now and forever.
I have so much to be thankful for. We all do. When times get hard, when I am feeling sad, I try and remember this and that all is done for my good. I am thankful I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows what I need the most. Prayers are answered. We are just given what we need and not necessarily what we want. It will all work out for our good in the end and for that I am so thankful. I admit I have had to remind myself that over the past few weeks. I always am thinking about and missing Ryan. The last few weeks have been harder realizing he would be 16 very shortly and knowing this would be a fun and exciting time for him. He would be practicing driving and soon getting his license and being able to date and being made a Priest. But it is ok. I know he is doing a much more important work than I can even imagine. I am proud to be his mom and that he was chosen- yes, it is hard, but it is also an honor knowing where he is and that he was so special that he was called home.
Thank you Heavenly Father.
