Happy Birthday Hunter!!

(I am warning you upfront that this post is sentimental and a tad mushy...)
 

Wow - it is so hard to believe that our son is turning 17 today!  I can't believe how the time has flown.  I often find myself thinking back at this little boy who was so full of energy and into so many things at one time.  How is it possible that the little boy has turned into such a grown-up, handsome, responsible young man?  I could gush about Hunter all day long.  He has such an awesome spirit about him.

He magnifies his calling, he honors his priesthood and he tries very hard to make right decisions.  He is an example to his brothers and to his cousins. Hunter has always had the greatest sense of humor.  He tries to get us to find the humor in all the situations we encounter.  One of the things I love about Hunter is his tender heart.  When he was a little boy and he saw me cry, he would just start crying too.  This past year, he has risen to any challenge or opportunity to provide service when he has been called on - sometimes to the surprise of those around him. 

Hunter balanced on Grampy's hand

When Hunter was born, he was so amazing.  He never cried like most brand-new newborns.  He just looked between Brian and I.  He made me a mom that day and he made us a family.  In that moment, we realized that we had been given a true gift - one that would and still treasure.  I remember my dad and I talking before Hunter was born.  He told me that I was about to experience a love that I had never known - a love that you don't acquire until you become a parent.  From the moment that Hunter entered this world and I looked at him, I knew what my dad was talking about.   He made his Grammy and Grampy grandparents.  Grampy didn't really warm up to the idea of being a "Grampy" until he took a look at you and he told you that you deserved a Grampy - not a Special Uncle Dave!

Hunter - we love you so much and we are so proud of you.  No matter what you do or who you are, always remember that you are loved and cherished.  We hope you have a very happy birthday!

My New Calling - Guess What It Is?!?

I have a new calling - I am the new Primary Chorister!  They released me from Activity Days coordinator and called me to be the Primary Chorister.  What an exciting and a tad overwhelming calling.  Believe it or not - I have never had a calling in Primary before!  I have substituted teaching classes or as the pianist and once as the chorister but never actually called into Primary so I am so excited.  Thanks heavens for amazing people who have had this calling and blog about it because any idea that I use comes from someone else.  I can't believe how much fun the kids are and how much love I already have for them.
The first week I was called I didn't actually start until the next week - all through Sunday School and Relief Society, ladies (moms) kept coming up to wish me "good luck" - not "Congratulations" but "Good Luck!"  I was quickly wondering what I had gotten myself into.  The next week, I found out that really none of the Sunbeams like Sharing Time/Primary - they miss playing with toys and eating snacks (who doesn't right...?!?) but we quickly found the wiggly worms and did songs that they all knew.  I know that some of the older kids were bored but at least we didn't have any kids throwing themselves off their chairs and crying on the floor.
I am still the ward music chairperson because I absolutely love that calling and feel like that is a calling that pretty much runs itself with a few exceptions so for now, I am pulling double duty.
With Brian's calling, my callings and the boys and all their meetings and responsibilities on Sunday, Sunday is no longer the day of rest at our house but we love serving and feeling like we are doing what we are suppose to do especially since we have been so blessed.   
If anyone has some helpful sites that they know of, I would appreciate any help/ideas I can find!

Happy New Year - 2011

We had a super fun time ringing in 2011 at Scott and Jaqui's house.  Yummy food, tons of firewords, a pinata and playing their new Kinect - what more of a party could one want.  We missed mom and dad as well as Jared, Kim and the kids along with Hunter who went to the New Year's Eve dance with his friends. 

We hope that everyone has a healthy and properous 2011!



Good-bye 2010 - Welcome 2011!