Dear Son,

Happy Birthday!   I can’t believe how much you have grown since this picture was taken!  This is your first car ride home with us, into the arms of six sisters.  You were so young, but I know now, that the size of your heart must have filled up that whole body of yours.  We have tried to bring you love and happiness.  We have worked hard to help you through your fears and sadness.  Dad and I have done everything in our power to make you feel like you belong here, like you are one with us.

What we didn’t realize, is that all along you were teaching us.  You were the one that brought hope.  It was hard to see it during the long sleepless nights and the temper tantrums, but as I sit and type you this letter, I realize that my faith in prayer was brought to my front door along side you.  Each of my children have been a lesson of love, learned in different ways.  Love is complicated.  It is often earned though a lot of hard work and devotion.  Sometimes people expect to just find it somewhere, but that’s not how it works.  We love who we serve.  We love who we think about.  That is why even though family can drive us crazy sometimes, it’s those relationships that make us truly the closest.

Jordan, I know as you grow older you will have questions about where you came from.  You will wonder why your birth mother and NaNa decided to have you come live with us.  Know this my son, it was because they love you more than you will ever know.  Heavenly Father wanted a team of people that cared for you, to take part in giving you life.  We all love you and want the best for you.

You have grown so fast.  Everywhere I go, people comment on your speaking abilities at such a young age.  You have been a student of words, and loved to understand their meaning.  You count in English and Spanish.  You love to name colors and sing “Jingle Bells, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”  You read at night before you go to bed, not the words of course, but you read aloud with your own stories as you look at the pictures.  You love books, music, and snuggling up to a good movie.  You eat like a full grown man in the morning time, putting even  your dad to shame.  Cars, trains, and little figurines are your favorite toys.  You let me know how pretty you think myself and your sisters are all the time.  A few days ago you said, “Mama, you are so Handsome, and you are such a pain in the butt!”  I can only assume that it’s because you hear those things from me all of the time!  We both laugh as we call each other a pain in the butt, someday I will have to break  you of this habit!  You love looking good, with a favorite outfit and your hair done.  You love church, and more than anything, going to “work” with your dad.  You love sneaking off to the train show, gun show, outdoor hunting show, and boat show with your dad. You love driving in the big trucks and pretending like you are much older than you are. 

It actually feels like you are “older” to me at times.  As if you must have an “old soul”, understanding much beyond your three short years. 

You sneak in to “I just need a hug dad.” at least 3 times a night after I have already tucked you into bed.  You fight with Halle, a lot.  You also love her more than anything in the world.  You love all of your older sisters and they all love you.  Some day you will bring home girl friends.  You will have a lot of opinions about if they are good enough for you.  Listen to your sisters.  They love you and only want the best for you, but we aren’t going to worry about that yet.

Remember to think twice before you throw that toy *or whatever else is by you* when you are mad.  Remember to take a breath and realize you will just have to apologize for it in a few minutes, which you are really good at!

More than anything Jordan, know that your Heavenly Father loves you.  He listened to many prayers to help guide your life, in just the right way.  I know when you cried, you didn’t understand.  When I cry, I usually don’t understand either, but Heavenly Father does. He is painting beautiful colors on a canvas.  Some red, some blue, green and yellow….all coming together into a piece of art.  Your life.  Remember to pray, always.  You have some big shoes to fill some day, following in the footsteps of your amazing father.  Work hard, listen harder, give with every bit of your soul, and you will be well on your way!

Have a great day Mr. Three!

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Today we woke up in beautiful St. George, Utah!

We drove here yesterday for several days of Brighton’s soccer tournament.  We drove two cars, and brought three friends.  Maddy, Callie, and Lizzy.  So altogether, we have 9 kids!  I know, we are CARAZZZY! The reason we brought so many kids was because the ONLY place left to rent  in Saint George was a monstrosity of a house.  We thought about camping, but camping for 5 days with a bunch of kids while we are here for a tournament (and have to smell and look decent) sounded impossible.  So, we bit the bullet and rented a house.  We were most interested about the pool because I knew this is what the kids wanted to spend time doing.  When we arrived, the house was unbelievable, and the pool is the size of a large hot tub 🙂  Good thing I invited the whole soccer team over for a pizza/SWIMMING party tomorrow night!  Oh well….We can always play on the arcade, hang out in the movie room, or slide down a twistie slide from one floor to the other!  I will upload some pictures now, and some later….kids are waking up you know!

(the pool looks a lot bigger in a picture 🙂

 (see the yellow slide in the wall? So fun…Jon even went down it and made all the kids die laughing)

And Mr. Three on his birthday!  Happy Birthday little man!

xoxo

Happy President’s Day my blog friends!