Birthday Season 2012: Preston turns 6

My Dear Boy Preston,

I have been thinking long and hard about this post since your birthday last month.  My feelings for you are complicated and delicate and beautiful.  I love you more than anything.  You push me to the limits and beyond what I think I can handle sometimes.  What you really want, and have always wanted from me is respect, honor, and love.  You keep me accountable in every word and action.  You teach me continually about what it means to live true to who God made you to be.  You are a precious and beautiful soul.                                                 

I still see this look on your face sometimes!

              I remember the moments of your birth and the wide range of emotions I felt.  Nothing prepared me for the moment I would meet you here on earth.  I knew in that moment that even though I had no idea how, I would do everything in my power to keep you from harm, to guide and love and nurture you and show you the way back to God.  Our adjustment to life as a family of three was taxing on each of us; Daddy and I, but somehow hardest for you.   I cried a lot those first months as you did.  Yet we loved you so deeply.  I wanted so desperately to find a way to calm you and help you sleep.  You made us giggle and laugh so much too.  Your thirst to learn everything and do it yourself was apparent even then. Sometimes you would give me a knowing look and I would literally feel like you knew so much more than I could ever hope to teach you. I think you have always been a deep thinker.  I would look for hours at your tiny hands.  I wondered what they would be and what they would do. 

We did a lot of late night pacing the floors ---and I sang to you --it never seemed to calm you, but it calmed me so I did it anyway.  When I was calm, I could feel what a powerful force you carried and how strong your spirit is.  Sometimes even now in the middle of the night I wake and tiptoe to your bed just to lay beside you.  As I listen to you breathe, I feel the power of who you are and I feel the intensity of your strong spirit.  I feel in my heart you were meant to do great things.  Even if the world never knows of it, I know God has an important mission for you to fill.                           

Where did my baby go?

Getting ready for church :)

I still cannot get enough of your million dollar smile!

You and your best friend are always up to something silly!

Here are a few pictures of some moments from the last year.  I didn't quite get them all in order, but here you go!

You still haven't given up Ted.  I know I will cry when you do.

You outgrew this bike and so here we were getting it ready to paint it up for Sis!

You were SO ready to go to Kindergarten!

Here you were at Preschool Graduation last spring.  I was sitting right behind you and I was glad you couldn't see me wipe away a tear or two.  It is both wonderful and awful to see you grow up :)

Getting bigger!

You take your school work pretty seriously.  Here was a family homework assignment to disguise this Turkey so he would not be eaten for Thanksgiving Dinner.  You thought making him into Santa was the best joke! You have a well developed sense of humor and you love to laugh. 

Checking out the sign in Preston, Idaho.  You were not named for this town, your name came because we liked it and it seemed to fit you.  I wasn't 100% sure until I met you though :)  Now I think it is the most perfect name in the world for you!

With your ever ready partner in crime!

Sometimes you sneak into the kitchen and get yourself a late night snack.  Drives me crazy!

Playing with Dad at Chuck E Cheese.  (I am not sure if you were having more fun or he was!)

Loving the parks as you always have!

Gaining more independence:  This says, "Plees Doo Not Cum in"  

Your clever idea for "Crazy Hat Day"

Another Park Day

Spring Soccer.  So fun to see you grow!

And Now For The Celebration of 6:

Your reading gets better everyday!

The Skype party with Grandma and Grandpa Hill.  You Love the new books!

Getting ready for the Red Plate dinner.  Since your birthday party with friends included dinner on your actual birthday, we did your favorite the night before.  This year you chose Hawaiian Haystacks.

On our way to lunch with Daddy.  He also gave you a tour of the warehouse where he works.  We saw gigantic ropes and shackles and a whole lot of other things.  Rebekah was most impressed (as she always is) with the "Pink Bob the Builder Hat".

Finishing up our lunch and tour with a treat at Daddy's office.

Let the madness begin!  10 kids total: we made light-sabers and did a few "Jedi Training" exercises.  Here you were trying to keep your balloons in the air with the light sabers.

Here you were practicing dueling and popping bubbles with the light sabers.

Thank goodness Dad came home an hour early to help me!  Here you are playing Tug of War!

The Un-freezing Han Solo Relay Race

Building "Galactic Pizzas"

Eating "Galactic Pizzas", and "Force Food" (Carrots and broccoli)

I think I missed taking photos of your Cupcakes and Rootbeer floats!  I was a little busy!

Lots of super nice gifts from many nice friends.  You are special :)

After your friends left we did the final game "Destroy the Death Star" with water balloons.  

It is amazing to watch you grow and change.  I love you with all of my heart.  Thank you for helping me to be a better Mother.  You teach me so much each day.

Love, 

Mom

A Horse named "Michelle"

 Burke's Coworker/Friend raises race horses and had a few new baby horses last month.  He invited us to come out and see them.  We had so much fun!  This horse was named Michelle-- the kids thought that was pretty fun :)  Here they are feeding her peppermint candy.  YUM!

 We are completely city slickers.  Our kids think climbing fences is a novelty!

Beck was pretty scared, this did not last long!

Easter Egg Hunt

 

This is out of order a bit --This cute little video of the kids saying thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for sending the fun party in a box :)

We had a fun surprise a few days before Easter.  We got a package in the mail from Burke's Parents.  They had sent us an Easter Egg hunt!  The kids were sooooo excited.  

Dividing the spoils!

Spring Soccer

 We have been trying out soccer this spring, and Preston has loved it!  His athletic ability/coordination is underdeveloped, so I love that he is starting to have more success with this and is enjoying himself.  He is such a cute little player!

(Yes he is hanging from the goal net while he was being the Goalie.  I was DYING!  He has not done that stunt again since the first game luckily!)

Birthday Season 2012: Rebekah Turns 4

My little darling Rebekah,

You grow each day and fill me with so much joy. Right now at age 4 this is one of your favorite bedtime stories. I want to write it for you so you will always have it.




I remember the first moment I caught a glimpse of you. Your bright eyes looking around and taking in your surroundings as blood dripped from the gloved hands that lifted you high above a blue drape in front of me. I wept-- tears of happiness trickled from my eyes as they whisked you away. It was different than I imagined the moment of your birth to be, but as I looked into your Daddy's face and saw those same sweet tears in his eyes we both whispered our gratitude for you and acknowledged there is nothing like the first moment you meet your child. I wanted to know everything about you right then-- to bask in your presence; I asked Daddy (because he had a better view of you than I did) if I really had seen hair on your head-- "LOTS" was his quick reply. He kissed my cheek, gave my hand a squeeze and rushed away to be with you. I longed to be up and about with him in that moment. I could hear your loud wailing not far away, but I could see nothing-- still strapped to the table but with all my focus on those cries. They were beautiful sounds to my ears. They assured me that you were a healthy strong baby, almost like you knew I needed to hear you every moment I couldn't see you. Not long later Daddy brought you clean and swaddled to nuzzle my cheek and I felt your calm spirit invite me to be still. I remember trying to lift my arms to touch you-- but I was still strapped down and out of touch with my body--so touching your face to mine was enough in that moment. I slept after that. Most of the day. I was so groggy I don't remember the first time I got you into my arms, so I count those moments that I nuzzled your cheek as the first time I held you. What I do remember is how calm I felt with you in my arms. You were straight from heaven and filled with gentle hope, love, and undeniable peace. I continue to feel this peace about you in quiet moments when we are together. It is a gift you carry with you-- to bring peace.


In random order here are a few pictures from the last year and some things that are important to you right now:

You were a beautiful fairy princess for Halloween! You love to dress up like a princess!

You are THE happiest traveler in our family!


You LOVE your brother!

You have a contagious laugh and smile!

I promise you were having fun!! @ Chucky Cheese

One of the sweetest things you often do-- we find you fast asleep with all of your favorite dollies and stuffed toys tucked in next to you.

You are always anxious to help do even mundane tasks (except clean your room-- you don't like to help with that at all!)

A friend caught this moment on camera at the end of Sacrament meeting a few months ago. Yes you were alone. Daddy had to run Preston to the bathroom and Mom was already gone to set up in the Primary room. From my friend who sent this to me:

"Last Sunday during the closing song Heather and I looked over to your pew and saw Rebecca holding her hymnal looking at the chorister. It was so darling. Then we peeked at her during the prayer and this is what we saw. During the prayer I told Heather we needed to capture the moment. So Heather did. The thought that came to mind is how you are doing everything right. How in your home the teachings of the Savior are being taught. Her behavior was so natural."

I think you just came to earth knowing what is right. You keep us on track reminding us to have prayers and scripture study. We are so blessed to have your sweet spirit in our home.

You love to play "Fancy Nancy" and wear costumes and accessories every chance you get!


Now for the Big Celebration of 4:

Four fingers means four years--so you told me. You wore this crown for our morning shopping trip! Everywhere you went you told everyone who would listen that it was your birthday! You got a lot of (favorable) attention.


The "Skype Party" we had with Grandma and Grandpa Hill. They sent you the most beautiful book. You LOVE it (see below) and it is so sweet to hear Grandma read you a story about all the things you would do together IF you were together (it still makes Mom cry every time you play it) In less than a week you have worn out the batteries (I need to swap them out) and memorized it completely. Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa, we wish you were here too!

We did a bit of shopping together on the morning of your birthday. You chose some new clothes, a jewelry box, and a diary!

Beautiful day for a picnic and the park!

You might have been getting tired by dinner! You felt so special to use our red plate and eat your favorite dinner. (Spaghetti which you pronounce "Buh-Sgehtti")

After Dinner we went to the swimming pool! You LOVE to swim!

Then home for Cake and Ice Cream with fun friends!

A few presents:

Trying our your new sleeping bag and mat, holding the Beanie Baby Preston got for you!

Dressing up with two of your favorite friends: Preston and Joshua! You were Spider Man here :)

Then the party was over and we all snuggled into bed after a fun-filled, exciting day. As I lay by you that night I reflected again on what a blessing you are to us. You are a precious treasure. I love you more each day and feel so thankful to be your Mother. I pray each day to live up to this beautiful challenge. That I will be the Mother you need. That I will be the Mother you want. That I will only teach you good things. That I will learn from your example to love everyone. That I will find the way to forgive as quickly as you do. I love you with all of my heart.

Love,
Mom