This & That

As Long as You Salute When You Say It

Collin's birthday is always a little bittersweet for me.

He's my most far-away kiddo, so it's a rare thing for us to be together on his birthday.

Several of my children have aspects of my personality, but I think Collin's psyche is the one most generally similar to mine.

Like me, he likes written-down plans and checklists. Also like me, while he doesn't like his plans messed with, he's had to become more flexible as his family grows and changes. (I really, REALLY hate that word, though. Strong language, but there it is.)

He has a powerful sense of what's fair and what's not, what's right and what's not, and he's willing to go to the mat for it. That makes his military attorney choice of profession, fairly logical.

I'm proud of his sense of duty and service, and I love him as I love all my children, and I miss him more than is possible to say. Happy birthday to my Collin!!!

The Magical Age

There have been a rash of family birthdays lately, and our sweet Jude-boy has one today. 

He's 4, and at least for my own boys, that was such a fun age.

There's just so much excitement about the world. Curiosity about everything, and often you get to hear about it as it happens since they're not in school yet.

Jude loves it when we have family dinners and he can play with his cousins, and our ancient collection of Star Wars spaceships.

When I have Jude and Hazel with me, he will often tell me how cute Hazel is. He loves his family.

His mama also tells me that when they go to Target, he loves toys that are like what grown-ups might use...a lawnmower, leaf-blower, or a grill. Since his daddy is a grill master, I can see that. We love this boy so much, as we love all our fantastic grandchildren. Happy birthday to Jude!!!

It Has a Zero

My Eric has a birthday today. It's one of those that ends in a zero, but I don't think he has a lot of anxiety about it.

That said, I might squirm a little thinking about the ages of my children....and how old it makes me. It's also a little weird to think about how old some of my grandchildren are getting. Edward's driving, holy cow!

I go back through these older pictures and can't believe how much has happened between the time they were taken, and now.

Invariably, there's some laughter, and I'll freely admit to a few tears.

Mostly, it's amazing to me to see how my children have become just really good people, trying hard to do their best.

His brothers tell me he was an instigator in a lot of the schemes that got them in trouble. The quiet, behind-the-scenes planner who would watch the results with wide, innocent eyes. They're probably right. He's also patient, content with whatever stage he's at in life, not easily angered, an out-of-the-box problem solver, and along with his siblings, the greatest joys of my life. I love this boy more than I can express with a keyboard. Happy birthday to my Eric!!

The 7-Year Milestone

Our Levi turns 7 years old today!

This is Levi as a tiny guy and Isaac giving him a little love. It's one of my favorite pictures.

Seven is a big milestone in this family, because it's the age when kids are considered big enough to go on the Wind River pack-in trip, and that's a very big deal.

Levi is a builder. He spends lots of time working with the Legos his dad and uncles used to play with.

He also has very selective food tastes, and I love it when I find something he really loves to eat.

He's old enough that he lost one of his front teeth this week while eating a piece of toast. I'm willing to bet the toast had cinnamon sugar on it. Could be wrong, but I think it's a pretty good bet. We love this boy as we love all our wonderful grandchildren. Happy Birthday to Levi!!!!

This Boy

Everyone pretty much knows Bryce's birth story.

It was a terrifying, emotional roller coaster.

And totally miraculous at the same time.

He's a tender, patient boy.

And I am thankful every day for the gift of his life.

I love this boy so much, as I love all my children. Each one of them is a gift to me. Happy birthday to my Bryce!

Is It Possible?

Is it possible that Caroline is 12 today???

Yep, our sweet animal- loving girl has a birthday today.

This is what I remember from her young child years....absolutely up for anything, and totally carefree.

She wants to be everyone's friend, and is kind in so many ways.

She has a sensitive soul, and we love her as we love all our wonderful grandkids. Happy birthday to Caroline!!

Elise's Birthday

It's my girl's birthday today!

I remember when she was born after having 5 boys in a row....I loved the idea of having an ally in the locker room that was my life.

Sure, there was a learning curve that went with having a daughter,

but honestly for the most part, it was pretty fun.

These days, I love watching her be a mom to these two little boys.

She exhibits a patience I have always struggled to possess. Love this girl as I love all my children. Happy birthday to my Elise!

Medicare, Here He Comes

We have another birthday today...

My husband's birthday is today.

On this birthday, he's doing one of his favorite things, and these pictures might give you a clue.

He's a great dad and an amazing grandpa, and we love this guy. Happy birthday to Beepaw!

 

It's Been a Year

Sweet Baby Hazel is a year old today.

And wow, that was fast, right?

She is a little lady who gives her smiles freely, especially from the safety of either her mom or dad's arms.

Her brothers love her and frequently tell me she's just so cute.

They're right, of course, and we love this precious girl as we love all our wonderful grandkids. Happy first birthday, Hazel!!

Another Teenager

Frederick has a birthday today and he's turning 13! He was a very somber baby. I remember both my husband and I really making an effort to get him to smile, and failing miserably.

I always love taking a little trip down memory lane for these posts.

Mostly, it reminds me how quickly time passes, and how my older grandchildren are moving ever-closer to leaving home. Those remaining years pass faster than anyone can imagine.

Frederick is a fan of the Redwall series, t-shirts with slightly snarky sayings, and is amazingly good with the younger cousins. He's one of Jude's favorite people.

He's also one of the first to pitch in helping put my house back together when everyone is here for family dinners. Of course, putting my house back together is usually a condition of getting dessert, but still. We love this boy and we love all our very special grandkids. Happy birthday to Frederick!