all done growed up...

10 years ago, a brown haired, brown-eyed little boy stood at my doorstep and introduced himself to me as Timmy-bo-bimmy. My heart caught in my throat as I looked at him, knowing he was going to be MINE! That day seems so long ago, but also remains fresh in my memory.

We've had a fun 10 years, haven't we Tim? We've survived the Pokemon craze, a mullet, cowboy boots, rumblings at preschool, lightsabers, 4 different elementary schools, Star Wars marathons, skateboards....LOTS of 'em (they break easy), swimming in the Lehi pool, Disneyland, a house in Kearns, Zach & Belle, Lagoon, the temple, new siblings, a trip to NZ, 2 new houses in Eagle Mountain, Junior High (no thanks to Ms Ralphs!), obnoxious music, a serious girlfriend, and another birthday.

My Timmy turned 15 yesterday. WOW, how time flies! I love you, son! You are truly becoming an outstanding young man. I can always count on you to help, to look out for opportunities to be there for me, and to treat me with kindness and respect. You are a genuinely thoughtful brother to your siblings and I can see the kind of man you will be when you are with Michelle. I know our Heavenly Father is proud of the man you are becoming, and so am I. Happy Birthday my sweet boy! I love you so much!!

A-camping-we-will-go!!

What do you get when you take the Sutton Family, add it to the Farr Family, throw in some of the Stockton Family and take 'em camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Take a look!!

"There's a little guy helping!!..."

Kaleb & Cameron were ordained as Deacons and received the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday, May 3rd. Granty and I have been dying to see them pass the sacrament, and they finally did for the first time last week. Little Kaleb was just barely taller than the pews, but both he and Cameron were very serious in performing their duties. A cute family in our ward were sitting in front of us and one of their 3 yr olds whispered to their dad, "Dad look! There's a little guy helping with the sacrament!" The dad was so embarassed, but Granty and I just laughed. Kaleb IS a little guy, but has OH such a big spirit!!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day has never really been my favorite day. For the longest time it was because I wasn't a mother. Now I AM a mother, but I still don't really like it. Talk about ungrateful!!

This year was different, however. One little person made it an extra special day.

The week before Mother's Day, I found Taylor at our neighbors house quite often pulling weeds. She told me she was earning some money to buy me a Mother's Day present, but I didn't realize just how MUCH money she was earning. I was shocked the morning of Mother's Day to receive not only a bouquet of my favorite flowers, but a bag of my favorite chocolates AND a bracelet!! Tim had helped her buy her presents and hid them until Sunday.

When Mother's Day arrived, I grumbled to Grant how I wished it wasn't Mother's Day and how I hate it. Taylor stood in my doorway, plate in hand, with toast and juice for her ungrateful mom and asked, "You don't like Mother's Day? But I made you breakfast and got you presents!"

One look into her eyes, brimming with tears, and I knew how wrong I'd been. I needed to let my children, my daughter especially, show their affection to me in their own way. How selfish I had been in taking it away from them! Quickly I changed my attitude and ate my burned toast, drank my sour juice and accepted hugs and kisses from my sweet 10 yr old girl.

I'm grateful to be a mom to Tim, Kaleb, Cameron and Taylor--the 4 best kids any mom could ask for. I have been so foolish to not cherish Mother's Day and the opportunity I have to reflect on the reason I CAN celebrate such a wonderful day! I'll never grumble about Mother's Day again. Being a mother is a blessing and I am, REALLY am grateful!

"Dandelizing?"

So, last night, Granty and I were watching the news in our room. That's probably my most favorite time of day...the kids are in bed, and I can relax in my delightfully serene room! Anyway, Kaleb came upstairs to say goodnight. (for some reason my boys seem to think they don't need pajamas because it's more manly to sleep in their boxers!) He stood in my doorway, in his boxers and said, "So mom...do I look dandelizing to you?" and wiggled his little hips. I was completely stumped--dandelizing? It took me a second to figure out what he was talking about when I asked, "Do you mean tantalizing?" "Yeah! Yeah!" Oh yes son...there is no other person more "dandelizing" than you!!

Turning the big ONE TWO!!

Well, today Kaleb & Cameron are turning 12! TWELVE I tell you!! It is so hard for me to fathom that they are turning 12, being ordained on Sunday, will start passing the sacrament AND go to JUNIOR HIGH next year! Holiday-hoobie-whatie? MY boys...MY little twins (well, Kaleb is little!)...MY silly duo, are pre-teens? What the crap? Who told them to grow up so fast??

The day I met my boys still seems so recent. Grant, Tim and I went over to their foster parent's home to meet them and Taylor. Kaleb's chubby cheeks were so squeezable, I had to stop myself from pinching them. I didn't wanna scare the poor kid before he was even mine! And Cameron had these enormous green eyes--the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen! I could hardly believe they were going to be mine!

Despite everything my boys have been through, they have struggled through like warriors. They are both so brave, so smart, so full of enthusiasm, and so determined--it's no wonder the world never got them down, even at it's darkest.

KALEB--I love your personality! You have a way of making anything funny, and even though sometimes you get out of control and have to be reminded OFTEN to settle down, you are a joy to be around! You are still small enough to cuddle and hold (even though you are now 12!!) and I love the fact you like being close to me. You aren't perfect, but you have a heart of gold and I KNOW you try to do the right thing. I love your smile, your laugh, your awesome stories, your hugs and your kisses! I'm proud of you and can't wait to watch you pass the sacrament. You are the best Squonkie! I LOVE YOU!

CAMERON--I love your confidence! I don't think there has ever been anything placed before you that you have feared doing. You don't back down, EVER, and you are determined to see things through. Sometimes that makes conflict between you and I, but the older you get, the less we clash and that makes me SO HAPPY! I know you try hard to get along with your sister, and it makes me happy that you TRY, even though it doesn't always happen! You have beautiful eyes--the windows to a truly beautiful soul. Although you don't want to admit it, you really are a good boy, and I'm so lucky to be your mom! I know you will take your new priesthood responsibility to heart, and will remember to always do what is right. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU Blind Kid!!

You two are awesome--I couldn't have asked for better boys! You are like my own strippling warriors, never fearing the world and obeying our Heavenly Father. I hope I have taught you all you need to know as you venture into the world without me by your side. I'll always be here when you need your mother's arms around you! I love you both so much! Happy Birthday!!