Birthday Party Meltdown...

We had a little melt-down here at our home this morning...

The Mommy, who is admittedly still functioning on only half power,

completely FORGOT to take Trevan to a Birthday Party.

And not just any Birthday Party.

A very important Birthday Party.

A Best-Buddy's Birthday Party...

It had been over for an hour by the time he remembered

and asked me how much longer until it started.

Aye Carumba.

He melted...

Poor kid.

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When you are six and you miss your Best Pal's Party...

the one you spent all week looking forward to...

the one we talked about just last night as we wrapped his gift...

Yeah, well when you miss THAT party

it is heartbreaking.

I felt awful.

As he shook with silent sobs,

I held him on my lap and noticed that his big, huge feet

now hang down almost to my ankles.

I took his face in my hands and asked him to forgive me.

He looked at me with those big green eyes and mumbled,

"It's okay Mom. I can go next year."

Ugh.

I wanted to crawl in a hole.

I called Hudson's Mom.

She saved the day.

"Yeah! We wondered where he was!", she said.

I apologized for being such a flake.

"Send him down for a cupcake and they can hang out for the afternoon," she invited.

Bless her heart.

I scraped my tender little boy up and glued him back together with this news.

He was thrilled and had totally recovered by the time he ran out the door, present in hand.

Thank goodness he is resilient.

Thank you, Gina!

And we owe you one, Hudsy!

We'll make it up to you!

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Yeah, so just in case there was any question,

I am definitely NOT in the running for Mother of the Year!

I'm going to hang this photo up where I will be sure to see it... as a reminder... every day...

I have really GOT to pull it back together, uh?

Sheesh!

Happy 5th Birthday, Trevan!

The other day a friend called and asked for Birthday Gift ideas for Trevan,

so I asked him for suggestions that I could pass along.

He thought for a minute and then excitedly exclaimed,

"I know the perfect gift! An extra candle... so I can be 6!"

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Needless to say, he was a little disappointed when I explained that it doesn't work that way...

He is just so excited to be growing up! He loves being the biggest and tallest of his friends and is always comparing himself to Kaden, or his teenage "big-boy" friend Greg.

He can't wait to start "real" school and has been planning and counting down the days to his birthday since just after his last one.

Whenever I threaten to stack books on top of his head to make him stop growing

or tease him that I am going to put him in the freezer to keep him this age forever,

he just looks at me like I'm a crazy person, rolls his eyes and says,

"Don't worry Mom... I'll still love you even when I'm as big as a Dad."

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Oh, Trev... how is it possible that you are 5 already?

It just doesn't seem like it can be real!

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...And yet somehow it seems like you have been a part of our family much longer

and that you are much more grown up than just 5 years could allow...

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Before you were born, I wondered how I could ever love another little boy as much as our Kaden, but the second I met you in this life, I knew my heart had expanded...

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You are such an easy boy to love! How can anyone not just adore you?

Sometimes you just seem too good to be true!

You have always been my sweetheart, our tender Little Man.

Always eager to please and ready to give lots of love to whoever needs a lift.

Daddy and I can't help but smile when we see you or hear your contagious little giggle!

You are such a joy to be around because of your happy, pleasant nature.

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The name "Trevan" means "Gracious" and "Fair".

I can always count on you to be helpful and obedient, even though there might be something else you'd rather be doing. I love it that you are always the first to volunteer!

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It breaks my heart to ever see you sad or disappointed, because you are such a content and grateful person and never want to hurt anyone else or make them feel bad.

We love to hear you pray, because you are so reflective and rarely ask for anything, just saying thanks for all you have.

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We love that you are so thoughtful and intuitive about the feelings of others.

I see you serving and doing kind things for others every day, even without being asked.

You are selfless by nature and always willing to sacrifice for others, especially those you love.

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You are a great friend and a wonderful, devoted brother.

Even as a tiny baby, you were so star-struck by your Big Brother Kaden.

You still light up whenever he enters the room and can't wait for him to return when he is away. We love that you admire him so much and want to be just like him,

to keep up with him and do all the things he can do.

You are truly his very best and most loyal friend!

You are so sweet and patient with Little Dayne

and I think you might be the most excited one in our family for our new Baby Bronson!

You are probably right when you say you are his favorite...

He loves your daily kisses and snuggles to my tummy

and your constant asking, "How much longer until he gets to come out?"

I am sure he can't wait to meet you, too!

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As you grow, we are continually amazed at how capable you are.

You are just like your Daddy... new things come easily and naturally for you.

We love to watch you excel and your confidence increase.

Just look at the absolute joy on your face..!

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You are logical and practical and we love to see your little mind at work!

You are such a problem-solver, always the first to overcome an obstacle with an immediate solution, and even if it sounds or seems implausible to us, you never give up!

We hope that your optimistic, independent spirit will motivate you to do great things and inspire others thoughout your life.

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We are so proud of you, Trev... You are such a great kid!

We know that your respect for authority, your enthusiasm for learning, your unending determination will insure that you are a success at whatever you decide to do!

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We are so blessed to have your peaceful influence in our home and family

and can't imagine it without you!

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Love~

Mommy

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Dear Trevan~

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Happy 5th Birthday, Trev! I cant believe it you're turning 5! You're growing so fast. (you'll love your birthday present) okay lets get back to wishing you a happy birthday. I'm so excited for tomorrow! (its gonna be fun I can tell) you'll get a lot of birthday presents from every body !
I'm saying weird stuff cuz I cant really think that fast. I love that you're so thoughtfuol to us, you're brothers. Okay I love that you're so excitede to see me when ever I get home; and I love how almost every night you rub my back when you sleep over in my room. I love you trevan I wanted to wish you a happy birthday.
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love~
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kaden
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Daddy loves you, too!

He will type a letter here later! :)

Happy 8th Birthday, Kaden!

I can NOT believe that my baby is 8 today! EIGHT years old!

The days may creep past, but how the years fly by!

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.Once when Kade was about 3, I asked him, "Do you know why I love you so much?"

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He answered without missing a beat, "Because! I made you a MOMMY!"

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. . . . . .

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Yes, Kade... you made me a Mommy. And I will be grateful forever and ever!

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Daddy and I were so very excited to finally be parents and we could not have asked for a more wonderful boy.

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We love your spirit and your fire for life.

We love your enthusiasm and your passion for all you do.

You are so creative and have a wonderful imagination and an incredible memory.

You are smarter and wiser than your years... You amaze us every day!

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You are such a great, fun friend!

Your name, "Kaden", means "Beloved Friend" , and that is what you are to everyone.

We are so grateful that you are such a good example to your brothers, and to us.

You have such a strong sense of right and wrong.

That will be such a strength to you throughout your life as you learn to let the Spirit guide you.

We are so grateful to see you choosing the right every day and learning to set good habits.

We hope we can continue to help you learn values that will bring you a lifetime of happiness.

Daddy is so excited you have chosen him to baptize you.

What a special bond you two have had, since the very moment you were born...

and probably long, long before...

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I love this photo of you knee-boarding on Friday. You did soooo awesome!

We could not believe how great you did your first time out!

You are learning to be patient and persistent when you are trying new things,

even when they are hard or scary.
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I also love this picture because it reminds me how grown up you are getting.

It looks like you are saying,

"Look, Mom! NO hands!"

And that is just where your life is taking us...

You are learning to be capable and independent and to do so many things by yourself.

This is the age when you become accountable for your own choices

and I am so grateful that you are the young man that you are growing up to be.

I am blessed to be a part of your life...to be your Mommy.

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I am teary as I sit and think about how my life has changed since this very day...

8 years ago, today...

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I can hardly remember life before you came into our home, Sweet Boy.

It seems an eternity ago, and yet I realize how very fleeting a time we will have with you until you are grown.

It is going so fast... You are almost half way there!

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I love you, forever and ever... to infinity and beyond, Kaden!

My heart is bigger and fuller and I have found joy and sorrow that I could never have imagined...

Thank you, Kade, for making me a Mommy... Your Mommy!

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Kaden: All this blogging stuff can get on ones nerves...

but what a better way to say

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

than this blogging stuff.

Mom always reminds me that we only have 10 more summers with you

then you'll be done with school and ready for a mission and then out on your own.

It seems like yesterday you were born. I still remember the nurses rushing you away

because you were having a hard time breathing. As I looked at you through the glass incubator

I knew you were a very special boy! It wasn't long after we brought you home I knew

I was right. You are an awesome son!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

~Daddy