David Turned Seven, Uh Hem, Seven Months Ago

Dear David,

So you turned seven years old, seven months ago! This is how this year has gone for you. It's been a quick one and you growing up is sneaking up on me. You are easy David. Kind. Thoughtful. Obedient. Fun to be around. A good friend. You understand things quickly and like to learn. You are the first to raise your hand in church or school and volunteer to help. You will try anything and give you best when you do.

This year, your favorite sport is soccer, or maybe snow skiing. You've also taken golf lessons and tennis lessons. You do well, because you are athletic but more because you listen to your coaches and really try to implement what they recommend.

You made three best friends at school this year. Liam, Alex, and Logan. Your teacher, Ms. Caronna, said you picked the three nicest kids in class to be your best friends. It is no surprise. You have great judgment, my boy.

David, you are a great big brother. Benji loves you and looks up to you. He shines when you spend time with him. He can be a pain at times, but I'm so grateful he has you to help guide him and show him how to treat others. Claire and Kennedy are your biggest fans. They love watching you play soccer and supporting you in the things you love to do. They never complain about having to hang out with their "brother" even though you do your own thing when they are playing their "girl" games.

I'm trying to be fair and think of your weaknesses too, because that is also part of your story. And you know what, I can only think of one. You have a bad habit of biting your fingernails and toenails, but in typical David fashion you even chew them straight and never too low.

Your dad and I think you are the best, my Davey-do. We are so glad you are ours!

Love, Mom

Promises

Benji came in to my room early this morning trembling from a bad dream. It is the first bad dream he has ever told me about and he was really shaken. He kept saying, "Mama, you lost me." I held him close and told him that I would never lose him and that I will always keep him safe. After he fell back to sleep, I kept thinking about his words and his fear from the dream. I'm sure he was talking about getting physically separated from me, but I kept thinking about him being spiritually separated from me and from God. I thought back to all the promises I have made over his life to love him, to protect him, to teach him about God and his mission on earth and ultimately to teach him how to return to God one day. So I laid there with tears streaming down my face thinking about the consequences to my sweet boy if I ever shirked my responsibilities. Then while sharing a pillow with my now slumbering little boy I made those promises of the heart to him over and over until I fell back to sleep again.

Our Benji Boy is Three Years Old

Dear Benji,

Our wild child, our keep-us-on-our-toes, our most favorite and least favorite rolled into one, our love on you one minute and hit you right in the face the next minute, our keeps us giggling, our never know what to expect boy. You bring all of us such joy, but can also test everyone limits. The whole family adores you, despite your and maybe even because of your unpredictability. 

Three has felt a lot easier than two. You seem to have settled into a much easier state this year. You seem happier and easier to be around. You are safer. Less into stuff. More verbal. Less combative. Smilier. And maybe even cuter. 

You refer to yourself exclusively in the third person. Always Benji does this, Benji wants that. Every time we tell you that you are cute, smart, funny, etc. You state back, "I'm not [insert adjective], I'm a Benji." As if being "a Benji" is superior to any form of praise you could give. It shows just how confident and sure of yourself you are. 

You still love flying around on your bike in the house, which you always call your motorcycle. Motorcycle spotting is always a focus too, but you are too scared to ride one. You adore Power Rangers Dino Charge and every stray battery you locate around the house (including the ones in the remote controls) become your Dino Charges. You thrust them out dramatically in front of you and they become the source of all your power and martial art moves. 

You sleep in a big boy bed (a trundle bed in the same room as your brother and sisters). You are potty trained, except and naptime and bedtime and much to your chagrin during those times you still have to wear a diaper. Which you hate because "diapers are for babies". 

Dad is still your favorite, except when Emma is, or Janie is or even when your swim instructor is (you call her best-friend Tanya). On that note, you also started swimming this summer. You launch yourself into the pool screaming Cannonball, but always hit the water before the ball part.

We sure love you, our crazy, fun boy,

Mom

SZTHDY Grand Alaskan Tour

Boating on the Prince William Sound

The Morgan's came to visit about a year ago and while we were driving along the road one night Dave saw a signature license plate that read, SZTHDY. He said "What do you think that license plate means, shiz-the-heady?" We all had a good laugh, when I interjected that I thought it probably meant Seize the Day. From that day forward, Shiztheheady has become our friendship motto. So this summer when Mark and Shari, Barrett and Danielle and Dave and me, plus all our kids headed to Alaska for a two week tour we dubbed our trip the Shiztheheady Grand Alaskan Tour.

And it was grand. This was our second time to Alaska and nothing compares to its remoteness. Both times we went during the height of the tourist season and practically anywhere we went we were completely alone. We packed everyday of the trip with adventure, laughter and lots of exploring. We left exhausted and fulfilled (from all the salmon we ate, not to mention the 100 plus pounds we sent home) and can't wait for our next Shiztheheady trip.

Itinerary:
Monday, June 26th—Arrive and check into VRBO in Girdwood.

Tuesday,June 27th—Guys hit Costco; Moms and Kids do Alaska Heritage Center. Meet up with guys for reindeer dogs at Tiki Pete's food cart. Walk Temple Grounds.

Picnicking on the beach at Bear Glacier Lagoon.

Kayaking in Bear Glacier Lagoon

Wednesday, June 28th—Leave from Seward at 7:10am to fly to Bear Glacier with Adventure 60 North and then kayak the day away.

Winner's Creek Trail

Thursday, June 29th—Hike Winners Creek Trail. Picnic en route then hand cart across river to Crow Creek Mine where we pan for gold.

View from the 26 Glacier Cruise on the Prince William Sound.

Friday, June 30th—Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise leaving from Whittier. Lunch on boat.

Saturday, July 1st—Checkout from Girdwood rental and drive to Coopers Landing. Hike the Russian River Falls Trail to see the salmon spawning upstream. Drive to Kenai and check into historic rental. Explore oldtown Kenai via bike. Play on the beach until 12pm sunset.

Sunday, July 2nd—Mom and kids go to church in Soldatna at 9am. Dads fly fish for salmon in the Russian River. Play at the beach in afternoon. Adults leave from Homer's Spit via boat to Halibut Cove at 5pm. Eat at The Saltry and explore island. 

Monday, July 3rd—Adults floatplane from Soldatna to Wolverine creek with Talin Air. We bear watch and salmon fish.

Tuesday, July 4th—Dads and big kids fish for King Salmon in the Kenai River. Moms and littles go watch the 4th of July parade in Kenai. Check out and drive to rental in Denali National Park. Watch the midnight sun set for three hours.

Denali National Park

Wednesday, July 5th—Bus into Denali National Park. Spend the day picnicking and exploring Denali.

A rare sighting of Mt. Denali.

Thursday, July 6th—Say goodbye to the Morgan's and Thatchers. Drive to Aaron's house in Eagle River. Play with the cousins and drop Dave at the airport. 

Friday, July 7th—Spend the day at Eklutna Lake with the cousins picnicking and playing on the coast. Meet up with Jared and Alexis who are biking to Alaska from Utah.

Saturday, July 8th—Drive to Whittier. Hike in the pouring rain to Portage Glacier. Spend the evening chatting and catching up with family. The kids sleep outside in the tree house in midnight sun.

Sunday, July 9th—See Jared and Alexis off on their North American road trip. Go to church with Aaron and family. Spend the day hanging out with the kids. Leave just after midnight to fly to Portland, Oregon for the Thatcher family reunion.

David Turns Six

Dear David,

And seemingly without any warning, you turned six. I have said more times than I can count from birth to ten I think parents need two years for every one of their child's life. Things just change too quickly and just as you think you have figured out one stage and are really reveling in it that stage has passed and you are on to another stage. This is so true with you my sweet David. I have loved you at each of your "stages" so far, but I just need a little more time in each one. This year you have grown up so much. You started Kindergarten and they changed Kindergarten to full-day for the first time this year as well. With just a month or two of warning, I had to wrap my head around you not just starting school, but starting full time. There was more than a few tears shed over this inevitability. However, just like most things you have adapted and thrived in your new experience. You have learned so much. You started not even knowing you alphabet and you can now sound out words, figure out pretty complex math problem (for a Kindergartener) in your head and write like a champ. Plus, you have made lots of friends.

Kindness is a gift of yours David. It is easy for you. Natural. You think of others. You know you words and actions have meaning and consequences. You remember the names and details about others. You will talk to strangers and make everyone feel comfortable around you. I've told you this before but you are just "good company". You are still a chatterbox. I love the clever and wise things you come up with. Here are a few examples:

David: Dad, who is your favorite person in heaven?

Dave: Um, Grandpa Reeder.

David: I would choose God.


Me: (while talking about basketball with David) Sometimes basketball will be easy for you and sometimes it will be hard.

David:Yep, but when it's hard I'll just have to pull it off.

I think the only person you are doubtful about a friendship with is Benji. You aren't mean to him at all, in fact you are pretty kind most the time, but you mainly ignore him. I told you the other day that when Benjamin turns three that he will be your best friend. You replied, "I'm no so sure about that...". I know that you will figure things out though because you are that type of person. Your sisters on the other hand, you adore them and they adore you. You play all the time which always surprises me because you haven't ever adopted playing with girl toys. You just do your own thing right along side of them. Consequentially, you are always surrounded by the girls. Benji will definitely come in handy once you get sick of this dynamic.

David, you still love all things sporty. You've played golf, tennis, basketball and started soccer this year. You love soccer and improved so much over the season. You also are a little embarrassed by your spiderman obsession now and have moved on fully to Pokemon. You draw jets almost everyday, but your constant talk about your airport and life as a pilot has faded. My boy, you have been skiing for two winters now and you took off this year. You beg to do the big hills and challenge yourself and are Dad's shadow on the mountain. You can outlast pretty much everyone, except maybe your cousin Logan.

I love you so much and am so grateful that you unabashedly tell me too how much you love me. In fact, you told me a few days ago that you love me and Dad more now that you are six. The feeling is mutual sweet boy. My love grows impossibly for you every year.

Love,

Mom

Kennedy's Baptism

Last Saturday, my sweet Kennedy was baptized. She was nervous, but determined and sticking to her plan in typical Kennedy style. At the baptism, Kennedy's Grandma Cheryl spoke first. I loved watching Kennedy tucked in next to her dad, watching her Grandma Cheryl give the opening talk. My mom made sure that Kennedy knew how many people were there to support her. Kennedy had little tears spilling out of her eyes and I knew that even though eight sometimes seems so young,  Kennedy knew the commitment she was making to be like Jesus Christ. Brooklynn played the violin next and while she played my tears started rolling.

We then went to the baptismal font and I gave my girl a big hug and told her how important her decision was to be baptized. She looked at me with such emotion. She knew. I knew. This was big. She then went into the font and I stood on the stairs and looked in to her eyes as she got settled in the font. She then looked back and forth from Dave to me with such trust in her eyes. The font only had about a foot and a half of water in it, but one try was all it took. After Kennedy came out of the water she said she felt warm every where. The Holy Ghost was so strong.

McKee played some piano medleys while Kennedy was changing and then we re-entered the room. Linda then spoke on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She gave lots of examples from the Thatcher family where people chose to follow the promptings of the Spirit. Following Grandma Linda, my almost 101-year-old Grandma Beth bore her testimony. She started off by saying that she has seen the Savior on the beaches of Galilee, she has seen him reviving the dead, she has seen his accompanying her ancestors as they crossed the plains headed to Utah. I could really imagine her tucked into those scenes, an eye witness to Christ. Her testimony was strong and real.

Dave then gave Kennedy the gift of the Holy Ghost. Mark, Brent, Grandfather Ron, Grandpa Sid and Bishop McRae were in the circle. Dave said that the thing that stood out to him most is that Kennedy should use the Holy Ghost as a tool to figure out who she is. Dave said that he knows that she is a thinker and that he really felt like the the Lord wanted her to learn to use the Spirit to understand her own complex thoughts.

Since her baptism, I really feel like Kennedy has grown up. She has been trying so hard to be a good helper, a good example and a leader. She was asked to speak in Primary on Sunday about her baptism. She got up early five days before and wrote her own talk without being asked to. It was perfect. She said how she had decided to be baptized after praying about it to know that it was the right decision for her. She also said that She felt the Holy Ghost like she had never felt it before.

 

 

 

Benji's Birthday

Dear Benji,

Keeping with typical fashion, I'll write your birthday post months late. Your life is going much too fast for me my sweet one. I keep calling you my baby, but you are most certainly now my toddler. The staff at the doctor's office reminded me of this the other day when I took you for your appointment. They kept asking me if you had been seen elsewhere or had gotten your shots anywhere else. I kept saying "no" and then they said, "Well, it has been quite some time since you have been here". I agreed that I had probably missed his last appointment and then they told me that you actually had not been in since you were six weeks old. I was pretty embarrassed, but it just proved to me once again, that you are still a baby to me.

The staff revealed another shocker at your appointment, you are in the 95% for your height. We had been under the assumption that you were a little thing and always called you our little shrimp. That must have been a result of our own prejudice about you being our baby too.

I had to pick a photo of you as a little baby, to remind myself of how far you've come.

This year has been a fun one with you Benji. You have kept us on our toes for sure. You are such a live wire—always moving, always running, always in motion. So we see lots of leaps, jumps and daily falls too as you explore your world. You fly on your scooter and trike. You love to throw balls and hit balls with your golf club too. You are happiest when you are on the move. You love your naps, but you will gladly miss it any day, if there is an adventure to be had.

Certainly, you are spoiled, but just as certain you are amazingly lovable. We have catered to your needs too much, but it is hard to turn you down because your happiness brings us so much joy. To make sure that you know you can't run everything we started discipling you this year with quick "zips" and time out. Your sisters beg to let you out and hover around you and I find myself counting down the moments until I can set you free too.

Your dad is particularly smitten by you. He loves putting you to bed, watching golf with you and letting your hover around while he works. One day while he was working you were sitting on his lap and interfering with his work. He kept repeating to himself, "It is hard", meaning it is so hard to hold a meddling little boy on one's lap while you are working. You then started repeating back, "I it is hard" when you would work. In your mind "it is hard" means "to do work" and of course we have never corrected this phrase. It has become one of our favorite things you say.

Language development was slow and frustrating for you. You really wanted to get your message across and finally this summer your words just started flying out. You have become so much happier since then and little things that would send you into a tantrum before have completely fizzled. You now fill our days with tender kisses, lots of giggles and a flurry of flight.

I love you sweet one and am so grateful that we decided to have you, number four, our caboose.

Mom