March: James Turns 12!

My handsome Sweet Baby James turned 12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His cake may look more like cornbread because that is what it is. We kindof got caked out for Valentine's Day. 

He got the telescoping fishing rod he has wanted for years. 

We love him so very much. James is growing up much too fast. 

His birthday meal! All he wanted was to have a whole Cafe Rio burrito to himself (he usually has to share) Cafe Rio opened back up just in time to serve us. 

He did manage to eat the entire thing.  Luckily his belly did not burst. :D

Anna has discovered the mirror in the sunroom!

Daddy brought home a special gift for the girls. Meet Flopsy(the light brown one) and Thumper the darker lazier bigger rabbit. :D

Favorite play thing, the wipes container. 

Learning to read. Catching on real quick.

This little girl. LOVES LOVES LOVES her baths. It was her first non Mom and Da word. Bath Bath Bath. I am happy to oblige her. 

Trying out the new chair.

4th month checkup. Growing like a weed. 

James went on his first camp out for young men's ..(since he has been officially in Young Men's) and his siblings made him a welcome home poster because they missed him so much. These are Owen's art work.

Lucious lashes.

Ellie taking her Mom for a peaceful drive through the country.  She passed her driver's test! Now for the road test. 

Tried my hand at cutting Lauren's hair. Turned out better than I expected. 

Solid foods for the WIN!

Sunday best.

I asked the kids to keep and eye on Rose while I was getting ready and what should I find when I returned Anna with her very own crown made just for her. 

Emma's writings about Easter.

James' fish he caught on his camp out. 

night games! this sweet girls has smiles for me even in the middle of the night. 

Eating James' catch from his campout. 
 

February-ish

Buhl. Enjoying the warmish weather and sunshine.

Owen's generous valentine gifts to his siblings. 

Before Valentine's Day Treats and AFTER.

Breast -feeding hunger strikes again. The frosted jam-filled are my favorite. 

100 percent done by Emma without any help. Didn't even know she was doing it. :D She is one impressive 1st grader. 

my favorite onesie ever.

Learning to sit up on her own.

James and Ellie playing ball out in the field.  They can both hit the bath pretty far.

 

James's Talk

 Recently James and I were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting. This is a terrifying experience for me. I have to write down every word that I am going to say, or I can't remember anything. 

Because we were both asked at the same time. Barry was able to convince James and I to accept. I spent many hours writing a mediocre talk. James wrote a very nice talk, and practiced it a few times before Sunday. 

It was his first Sunday to pass the Sacrament as a new Deacon. He did an amazing job, my mommy heart was bursting. It was his turn to speak first and he headed up to the pulpit, set his talk down, looked out over the audience and opened his mouth but couldn't speak a word, the bishop came over to try to help him, but it was to no avail. As tears started to whel up in his eyes I headed up to the stand to see what I could do. I didn't really understand why he didn't just go sit down, he told me later his feet were frozen and he couldn't move from his spot. Before I could even get to the stand, Barry who had taken the baby out, walked up to the stand and read James talk for him as they both stood there. 

When he was done, James and he were able to walk out. It was one of the worst cases of stage fright that I have ever seen. Apparently, it runs in the family, But I was so proud of him for trying.

What happened next was remarkable. I gave my talk and as we were leaving sacrament. Many people came up to me to tell me what a good talk James had written and how it had touched them. 

We we got home the doorbell didn't stop. People dropping off kind notes and treats for my James. We even got a couple in the mail. 

He had a couple friends bring over his favorite dessert and draw pictures for him. 

I am so grateful to the sweet people in our ward who care about my little boy. 

They turned what could have been a very bad experience into a positive one. 

Some one even sent us this photo with a sweet note for James about his parents coming to his rescue.