Birthday Dinner

As I write about my cute son, every now and then I have to pause to wipe my tears away.  We are just so blessed!  Jared loves seafood and I think for the last three years we have ended up at the Red Lobster to celebrate his birthday.  He likes the captains feast (I think) because it has a variety of fish.  He was hesitant this year to go there because he realizes that it is kind of expensive.  I reassured him that it is fine on his birthday.  I love our one on one time with our kids for their birthdays.  I love just looking at them and seeing how well they have grown up.  I love thinking back over the years and remembering their little journey to now.  Being a mom has been my greatest desire and blessing.  It's all I ever wanted and I have enjoyed the kids that were sent to us.  I love every stage of their progress.  Some stages are harder and cause anxiety but even those stages are worth it when they make it through.  Oh my word....I love my family!  I'm thankful for every single birthday we get to celebrate!

Breakfast with the Birthday Boy

This will be our last birthday celebration with Jared for a few years.  When I realized that I got a gut ache.  I really wanted to make his day a little more special.  We decided to go to breakfast since the afternoon was packed with things and he should probably stay in school.  We got up early and headed to Village Inn.  He did open his birthday present before we left our house.  We got him some nice binoculars for hunting.  I think he might like those better than the luggage I was considering.  I think it's going to be hard to sent this boy our on a mission.  The first was hard and I think my last will be.  The others were hard to but I was good at focusing on the positive and good since they overlapped each other.  I want to cherish the time we have left and for the first time in years I will say that I am glad we have one more year of school.  I pray that my son will believe in himself.  That he will be kind to himself and realize we all make mistakes and no one is perfect.  I hope he knows how much he is loved and cherished by our family.  I wish he could see himself through my eyes and better yet our Savior's.  Jared is a Great Kid!

Jared is 18

This cute son of mine turned 18 years old today!  I find it hard to believe that my baby is that old but let me just say it's been a pleasure watching him grow up.  He was a fighter as a baby and needed to have a strong will to survive.  He has always been so cute and when he was little even men spoke of his cuteness.  As a toddler he cracked us up.  I remember him egging on one of his brothers saying..."you want a piece of me?"  then when they came towards him he rolled right under their feet.  He had quite the imagination.  He would start his stories with "Remember When?"  He had stories of owning dogs and changing Justin's diaper...which he realized wasn't true and corrected himself.  Gramps could always get him started and Jared would go on and on remembering things through his imagination.   As he grew he became more sensitive and tender hearted.  He doesn't like to be corrected and kind of thinks he needs to know how to do everything on his own.  If someone tries to critique him he feels bad about himself.  I feel sad about that.

Jared is a hard worker and Larry loves having him close by to help him.  I think Jared enjoys working with his dad.  Jared is the best uncle ever!  Little kids love him and he is just super fun and loving.  Jared is affectionate and still likes hugs.  He often lays his head on our shoulders to express his love.  He trusts me and tells me things or asks me things that he isn't sure about.  I love that!  Jared is just so kind.  I'm so glad he is ours and that God knew we needed this little guy. (no so little anymore)  Jared is truly a blessing to our entire family!