To My Son, On Graduation Day

Dear Christopher,

I wish I was one of those moms that know exactly what to say and when to say it. You know, one of those moms who have a pocket full of wisdom and great advice at the drop of a hat, and can transform any event into a learning moment? But I'm not one of them, and here I sit, completely at a loss for words.

I remember sitting and holding you as a newborn, completely in awe of how perfect you were. I sat for hours rocking you and touching every finger, every toe, your perfectly shaped (and yet so tiny) ears and nose; rubbing that surprisingly blonde hair and wondering which ancestor in your family tree passed it on to you - and extremely pleased that they did. I wondered what you would be like in 2 years, 5 years, 18 years, 30 years. I knew that whoever you turned out to be would be amazing. And I was right. In fact, even then, as I conjured up every perfect thing you could be, I couldn't have imagined that you would be as great as you are today.

(This was right before your dad came in to tell me that you were, indeed, blonde!)

Of course, there were times that I wondered what I'd gotten myself into. You were a perfect newborn and toddler... and then you turned three. Luckily, your Grandma had warned me that it was 'the terrible twos, but the worser threes', and you proved her right. Remember telling Katy that "it's raining in the kitchen"? I woke up to the sink being plugged and water flowing all over the floor. And the very next morning you whispered, "Katy, it's SNOWING in the kitchen!", to which I found the brand new gallon of milk poured out in its entirety on the kitchen floor. I was so mad that I didn't dare touch you, so I sat you in a chair on the border of the living room and kitchen and told you that you'd have to sit there and watch me clean it up - because I wanted you to see how much work you'd created for me. I remember taking that very last swipe of the rag, and you exclaimed, "Very good, Tricia!" - and then I just laughed. You were so antsy in that chair, and you were as relieved as I was that I was finally finished. You're still antsy like that, but you're so good to suffer through the things you *have* to do, so you can get on with the things you WANT to do.

You've always been an amazing brother, and I've gotten compliments from people since you were little regarding how cute you were in school/daycare/primary - always peeking into Katy's class, just to check on her. When Trevor and Tessa were born, that brotherly instinct kicked in immediately, and I think that you were sometimes more cautious than I was with your siblings. I remember taking you and Katy to the chiropractor after we got into a car accident. You were about 4 1/2 and Katy was 2. After I was through, the doctor asked you and Katy if either of you wanted an adjustment. You took a giant step backwards, emphatically shaking your head NO. Katy giggled and climbed up onto the table, which completely horrified you, and you said to her, "I wouldn't do it, Katy.... he's gonna POP YOUR NECK OFF!" I've always admired your sometimes-over-protective-love for your siblings. You are such a great example to them!

Even as a teenager, you've very rarely given me any grief. I mean, yes, there have been plenty of times that you think you know more than I do, and times that you've pushed your limits just to see how far you could get. I remember the time when you were 15 (I think) when you snuck out of the house. My motherly instinct kicked in, and I felt the urge to go to your room and check on you before I went to bed, even though that wasn't my usual routine. There were all your pillows, stuffed under the blankets like you were sleeping peacefully, but I knew that trick. I'll never forget the look on your face when you saw me in the car driving up the street. I still say you're lucky I didn't get out of the car in my nightgown, right there in front of all your friends. But your face told me that I didn't need to - you were busted and immediately felt guilty, apologizing up and down. I remember you telling me, "The ONE time I decide to sneak out, and you catch me", and I simply replied, "and I always will". My hope is that even though you're an adult now, that I will always and forever have that motherly instinct regarding your well-being. I'm so glad that you're staying home for a while as you start college, because I get to have you under the same roof, if just for a little while longer. When you're ready to go out on your own, I promise to be brave, but I'm going to savor every moment with you until then.

Now, as an adult, you astound me. You have always loved to be your dad's helper, ever since you could walk, and so giving of your time to anyone that needs it. I don't think there's been even one day in the past year that I haven't heard you say to either me or your dad, "is there anything I can help you with?" - and it still catches me off guard sometimes. You are always so quick and willing to roll up your sleeves and start helping, even without asking, and I can't even tell you how grateful I am for that. I love how thoughtful and giving you are. 

As I write you this letter, I find myself all nostalgic and weepy. I can't even express how precious you are to me, or how intensely proud of you I am. There just aren't words. I'm excited to watch you walk across that stage today, all handsome and grown-up, and receive the diploma you've been working so hard for. I'm sure that you won't feel nervous at all, cause that's just not your style - but I'm feeling a little nervous already, just thinking about my baby boy crossing this milestone. If you do feel the nerves at all though, I'll tell you the same thing I've told myself this past year (knowing this moment was coming) - just take a deep breath, get up, and start walking - always continue to move forward. This is just the very next thing in a world of adventures that are waiting for you, my son; and I'm so excited for you to go out and explore this great big universe. You are brilliant and wise, and you are going to do great things!

Christopher, I don't know what triumphs and challenges await you in your lifetime (there will be many of both), but one thing I can tell you - without a doubt - is this: My love for you will never change. I've loved you from the first moment I held you in my arms. I will love you at your worst and I will love you at your best. I will love you when you sit right next to me, and I will love you if you're half a world away from me. I love you for who you were yesterday, who you are today, and for who you will become tomorrow. My love for you is eternal, it is unassuming, and it is completely unconditional.

I am amazed and humbled every day that God trusted me and loved me enough to be your mother. I love you!

                                                      Love Always,
                                                                           Mom

The Promenade - 2009 - Photo Overload

Prom night was a huge success!

This is Edynn, Chris's date. I think she has the best name ever, and that her parents were really smart when they named her that... because I think that any boy that dates her will hear his parents say, 'do not partake'. We said that and thought we were funny, Mike and I were giving each other high fives for being so hilarious. Chris walked away while rolling his eyes.

Besides having a great name, Edynn is absolutely adorable and has the sweetest manners ever. She was nervous about drawing blood while pinning the boutonniere on Chris. She didn't. That was a good start for the night. I love this pic because it shows how beautiful her hair looked!

And if we thought Edynn was unsure about it, you should have seen Chris. This is him telling her that he'd never done this before, and wasn't sure what he was supposed to do.
It was a wrist corsage. He figured it out. *Ü*

And they were happy when that part was over:

They both looked drop-dead gorgeous. Chris wore my little brother Jon's cuff links for the night, which was really special to me. They were Jon's favorite and he wore them to church every Sunday.


This is Edynn and her friend Kourtney:


Even though they were bombarded at every house for pictures, these girls were so fun and let me take as many as I wanted WITHOUT COMPLAINING. The boys weren't quite as generous. They moaned a bit... I heard them. And since the girls were so cooperative, I kept shooting:



And then they started getting silly... which was even more fun:


I took a few more of Edynn and Chris. Chris was starting to look bored with pictures already after only a few shots.

So I told him to just act like himself:

He's a special boy. I didn't want him to be embarrassed, so I told Edynn to act like Chris too. She knew exactly what to do:

After all of these pictures, they went to get their 'professional' pictures at prom. Then they came back to our house for dinner. This is Eric and Kourtney. They never met before prom night... Eric is Chris's friend and Kourtney is Edynn's friend... they set them up just for prom. This wasn't really their first glance at each other, but Kourtney may be wondering what she's gotten herself into.

She may even be a little surprised:

But she gathered her emotions... and they looked so cute together:


For dinner, Mike and I made them salad and bread, fettuccini alfredo, cheese cake, and chocolate dipped strawberries. We set a table up in our basement, complete with candlelight and an ipod for background music. Katy, Trevor and Tessa were their waiter/waitresses for the night. I was really surprised at how great the kids did. Katy was really shy and embarrassed about it, but she was so cute. I think Trevor may be a waiter when he's working his way through college, because he had it DOWN... complete with, "may I clear this, or are you still working on it?" before he took their plates. It was really fun to watch. When the dinner was almost over, without my knowing it, Trevor went downstairs and gave Chris a big hug. He started to cry and told him that he loves him 'so much'. He then came upstairs and laid his head on my lap for a while, crying and telling Mike and I how much he loves Chris. We were finally able to find out where these feelings stemmed from when he told us that he's not ready for Chris to move out yet. We all told him that we are years away from that, which made him feel better. I think some of his emotions were brought on because our best friends' son (like a cousin to our kids) had just left for his mission the week before. Trevor cried then too. He's such a sweet, tender boy. But since I'm blogging about him... I have to tell you he's also ROUGH and TOUGH and ALL BOY.

Wow, I got side-tracked! Here are some pictures from while they were eating dinner. I tried to leave them alone most of the time, and only shot these real quick so I could get out of their way.




Edynn said everytime I took a picture, her mouth was full of food. Really, Edynn, there was only one... and I didn't post it. But I think she still questions me.



Then they just relaxed around the table and listened to some guitar. Edynn was embarrassed that I caught her with the guitar... but she was just so cute with it, I couldn't resist.



Chris was up for playing... he's actually quite good on his guitar. One of my favorite things to do is to listen to him play.



They let me take a couple more pics before they left for the dance. From what I heard, the dance was SUPER FUN - it was at Thanksgiving Point. They came back to our house after-wards and watched a movie before everyone went home. Overall a great night!

ALMOST

I think it's a Utah thing. Even though Chris and his date had already talked about going to prom, they had to do the 'official' asking and answering. You know... the fun way with clues and props, etc. I grew up in Texas and never had a big 'to-do' about asking. It was pretty much, "will you go to prom with me?" But when I came to Utah, I realized that this is a big tradition here. I always thought it was fun, and I'm glad that they still do it today.

Chris decided to ask Edynn by freezing several small cups of ice, each with a different 'clue' inside telling her where to meet him, which ended up being at the junior high they both went to in Spanish Fork - the place they met each other. I was the get-away driver, which turned out to be really fun (and reminded me why my Aunt Jan thought it was fun to take us toilet papering - a.k.a TP'ing - when we were younger).

Chris took the bucket of ice and door-bell ditched her house, and we took off in a flash. I then left him at the junior high so that he (and his guitar) would be there to meet her once she broke the ice and figured out her clues. I really shouldn't have been surprised when I was asked to LEAVE, and yet I was. No fair! But I did as I was asked... I promptly left after dropping him off. I didn't get to hear him ask her. But I got to SEE it all unfold... I almost felt bad about driving away and then spying from the car where he couldn't see me. I almost felt bad because Tessa was with me and I was setting an example for her. I almost felt bad that she thought it was fun. ALMOST... but not quite.

A few days later, Edynn decided to 'officially' answer his question. This time I was the 'take-away' car, so I took Chris on a few errands while Edynn and Katy left this pathway to our bathroom:



This cute sign above the bathtub:

I'm thinking the 'planet universe' is an inside joke?

And these IN the bathtub:



I couldn't stop myself from wondering if I had a sign on my forehead that said, 'Wanted: Free Fish' since THIS GUY was free, too. I was also very overwhelmed with trying to take care of so many fish. If you know our family, you know that we tend to get attached to animals. Seriously... our little Yapper actually wags his tail at us and gets all excited when we talk to him and feed him. He's a part of family and we went into panic mode a couple of months ago when he got sick. We put antibiotics in his water twice a day for a week. Seriously. A fish. But he's OUR fish, and therefore part of our family.

So... yeah, I was overwhelmed with taking care of 25 goldfish. I went to the pet store to ask how to care for them, which turned out to be completely different than with a beta. I got them their special goldfish food and the biggest bowl in my house. I changed their water when it got dirty (who knew goldfish were such filthy little buggers?), and I did my best to keep them happy and healthy. But when they started dropping like flies a few days later, it was too emotional for the girls and me. So I called the pet store and asked if they would take them back. When they said they would, we all decided that it would be best for everyone involved - the fish and us - if we took them where they would best be taken care of.

So I almost felt bad when we took the last, living dozen fish back to the pet store. I almost felt bad that the fish water spilled all over Katy on the way over, that another one died before we got there, and that they fed it to a turtle. Mostly I was relieved. Because now those surviving fish will live forever in Tessa's sweet, animal-loving mind because she didn't have to witness them floating the next morning. Because we didn't have to have anymore ceremonies around the toilet for fish that 'get to go live with Nemo now'. Yeah, I almost felt bad about returning the survivors. ALMOST... but not quite.

It's A Date...

Chris has been madly filling out job applications the last couple of weeks. For a small amount of time, I took a little bit of pride in the fact that I've taught him well, and that he is a responsible, self-motivated teenager simply because I'm a great mom. Ha! That was short-lived! Turns out it has absolutely NOTHING to do with ME. (Why is that so hard for me handle?)

I just got informed this week by Katy that he's asked a girl to PROM and that she said YES. After I choked down the thought that I'm that OLD (to have a child going to prom?!)... I think that put me in a sour mood... and I marched straight to him and asked him if he knew how EXPENSIVE prom is? Why is it that my first reaction wasn't, "oh, how fun!"? (Although in my defense, it did run through my head, I just didn't let it out my mouth.) But seriously... I was thinking about the dinner, the tickets, the pictures, the tux (do they still wear tuxedos to prom?)... and the list goes on. He immediately took the defense (of course he did - I would have too) and let me know that THIS IS WHY HE'S BEEN TRYING SO HARD TO GET A JOB. I couldn't argue with that. I've personally witnessed his attempts... he really has filled out quite a few applications. And he has an interview next week... let's all keep our fingers crossed for him!

So my sweet baby boy is going to prom. That same teeny, toe-headed boy who was positive that girls had cooties just a few short years ago. The same one that used to lift his hands, curl his fingers like claws and sing, "Cwoo-ella Da-bill, Cwoo-ella Da-bill, if she dud-unt cawe you, no e-bill ting will!"

I don't think I could convince him that girls are scary and evil anymore. Or that they have cooties. Especially when his date is such a dolly and I'm secretly really happy she said yes, because she's a GREAT girl. And you can bet that Miss Kodak will come out on Prom Night. He doesn't know what he's in for.

In the meantime, if you need your car washed, or your lawn mown, or.... anything else... you know who is MORE THAN WILLING...

Sweet 16

Happy, happy birthday to my 16 year old... I can't believe you're that old already!

I have so many memories of you, and will never forget the day that you were born.

Although you were nearly two weeks early, I have a confession to make: I took castor oil to see if it would start my labor because I just couldn't wait to see you... and the doctor told me that I was to the point that if my labor started, they wouldn't stop it, since you were so healthy and strong. The castor oil worked. It made me so icky sick at first though. Your dad went to bed because he had to get up so early, but I stayed up and started timing the contractions. They were so far apart at first that I figured it was false labor. By five in the morning, they were very regular at ten minutes apart and getting stronger. 

I figured I should wake your dad up. We decided to go ahead and get to the hospital. We got there probably around six (I'm going from memory here) and by then the contractions were about 5 minutes apart and really hurting. I didn't want an epidural, but I didn't know what I was in for. The pain got so bad that I begged for the epidural. When the anesthesiologist put the needle in my back, he hit a nerve. I was laying on my left side and my left leg started kicking and freaking out, completely out of my control, which really scared me. So he backed the needle out and put it back in, which started to take away my pain within just a couple of minutes. But even today I can feel where he put the needle and sometimes I still get sharp pains there. When the doctor checked me before leaving the room, I was dilated to a five.

After the epidural took effect, your dad decided to go down and get his lunch out of the car since he didn't have breakfast. Just a couple of minutes after he left the room, while I was on the phone with Sena, I felt something completely change in my body. It had only been fifteen minutes since your dad and the doctor had left the room, but I told Sena that I would call her back, and I paged the nurse. When the nurse came in, I told her that I knew something felt different, but that I didn't know what, since I really couldn't feel much. She checked me and asked me where your dad went, because I was dilated to ten and ready to push. From 5-10 in 15 minutes! 

They took me from the 'labor room' that I was in and rolled me into a 'delivery room', and the whole time I was asking them to please find my husband. It turns out that when he went down the elevator to get his lunch, the doctor was on the same elevator headed to a c-section.
But your dad got there in time, while the nurses were begging me not to push because the doctor wasn't there yet. And while all this is going on, they ask if it's okay to have a group of med students watch my birth? I really didn't care, because how else are they going to learn? So about 5 med students then crammed in the room. 

But where, oh where is the doctor? I really am feeling the pressure and desperately want (need!) to push at this point. Then I hear the nurse on the phone with the doctor, 'if you don't get down here, I'M delivering this baby!'  He got there in the nick of time to catch you after only three pushes. 

Our little 7 pound 4 ounce bundle of joy. I'll never forget the feelings that overwhelmed me when they laid you on my stomach. There are no words to describe the love and joy and happiness I felt to finally meet you! I turned my tear-filled eyes up at your dad, and his face was streaked with tears also. As I looked up around the room at all those med students, it made me laugh... they were crying too. 

As I started to rub my fingers over your head, I realized that your hair was blonde. That was one of the first things I said to your dad, 'he's blonde!?!?' and your dad's response was, 'no, that's just that lotion stuff'. But lo and behold, after your dad went with them to get you all cleaned up, he rolled you in and proudly announced to me, 'he's blonde!' We just couldn't believe that WE got a perfect little blue-eyed and blonde little baby boy.

Chris, you bring me so much joy every single day of my life. I'm so very proud of the young man you are today and the man you are becoming... you amaze me! I'm floored that you're sixteen already... and that we will be going to get your driver's license soon! Thank you for being such a wonderful son and brother - we all love you so very much!

Please Share Your Love with My Newbie

When the new semester started at school, the kids had a few of their classes change, which is always good to mix things up a little and make the school year not seem so long. So a couple of days afterwards, Chris comes in to me and begins the following conversation:

Chris: 'Mom, you're not going to believe what I did at school today!'

Me: 'Well, no one called me, so it can't be THAT bad.'

Chris: 'Oh, you're hilarious. No, seriously... YOU, of all people, will be so proud of what I did today!'

Me: 'What?'

Chris: 'You're gu. na. love. it.....'

Me: 'TELL ME already!'

Chris (nonchalantly): 'I started a blog.'

Me, in a squeal of delight: 'Reeeeally?! OH! What's the address? I'm so gonna FOLLOW you!'

He was actually quite excited to show me what he's accomplished, and I am so thrilled that he wanted to share it with me... especially because it took months for him to finally accept me as his friend on Facebook (and that was after denying me once)! I couldn't stop laughing when he told me his blog address, and laughed even harder at the picture in his header. So, please, go over and warmly welcome him into this blogging world... he won't know what to do with COMMENTS! Go to 'BLOG?' at:

www.theverybestbloghahabetterthanyours.blogspot.com

Vacation - Days 3 and 4



Whew! It's been so fun... and busy... and exhausting! Here are a couple of swim pics of Trevor and Tessa... Katy didn't want to go swimming again after they had been about 4 times that day. I felt bad for housekeeping, since they grabbed a new towel every single time, and this morning there was a mountain just outside our door because I was so sick of tripping over them, or stepping on them wet.





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Meanwhile, back on the field....


Tuesday morning, Game 2:


The boys played one of Colorado's best teams, Rush Pikes Peak Nike 93, and really brought their game. We were able to put three in goal and hold them from scoring, earning the shut-out, 3-0.



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Tuesday afternoon, Game 3:

Our team played a team from New York, the Ossining Falcons. We're thinking that they were more than likely altitude sick, and possibly were playing up a division - but they had a tough stretch of games while they were here. We were able to hold them and earn another shut-out, winning the game 10-0, keeping us in first place so far. They all played with heart and good sportsmanship, as did our boys. Their goalie was awesome, making some great saves... he definately got some good playing time:







Here was a great run by Chris:





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Wednesday, Game 4:


Today we got to play Minnesota's State Champions, Sting. We knew it would be tough going in, and we lost a goal shortly into the first half. But we were able to come back, putting in five of our own and holding them from more, winning the game 5-1. Their keeper was awesome too... if you look at this bottom pic, you can see him on the ground from diving for the ball, but you can see the ball hitting the net - it was awesome! You can also see that Chris and the ref were 'friendly' at one point, when Chris was getting warned for a slide tackle. Tomorrow we play semi-finals in the morning, and if we pull a win there, we will go to the final championship game in the afternoon. I can't believe how well these boys are playing, given that they are so extremely exhausted. Chris took 3 ice baths today, alternating from ice cold to warm, to try to get his muscles to heal up quickly. He says it really helped... right after his game it was painful just to walk, but he can feel a huge difference already. Now, if we can just get a decent night's rest...