8

It's great to be 8 lol This last year has been so incredibly fun to watch. Finishing up first grade, was fine, a little bit of soccer, nothing crazy to report. Having fun all summer, going I to 2 grade, wow what a life changing year for you! 

We moved you to Ascent this year and you had the most incredible teacher. Mrs. Tupuola. Seriously my love, if you come to me as an adult and tell me she was your favorite teacher, I would not be surprised. She adored you, you two were buddies. She loved the way your mind worked, how hard you loved and tried and showed up. You were always so thoughtful, kind, loved deeply and wear your heart on your sleeve. (which doesn't surprise me one bit. That is you in a nutshell) You did things like make solar ovens to cooks s'mores and you fell in love with The wild Robot because of her. 

Unfortunately your year with her was cut short because that Christmas we moved back to Cedar. You were thrilled and heartbroken all at the same time. I think if you could have taken her and your friends in that class with us, you would have. 🤣

You loved Mrs. Robinson, she was absolutely darling but I think you were definitely missing your old friends. And crazy enough, wearing uniforms. Lol I was so worried you would hate them but even after we moved, you would still wear your uniform for a long time. Slowly moving to the uniform shirt with jeans or the uniform pants with a shirt. If you hadn't out grown then, I think you would still be wearing them. 🤣

Soon 7 ended with a big finish, go out with a bang if you will lol about two weeks before your birthday, I picked you up from school and you were hunched over. You told me you stayed in from recess and just sat your head on your desk, which was very unlike you, you could be dying and you would still find a way to be at recess. 

We took you hope put you on the couch and figured you actually had a stomach bug. (A few days early we were headed to st George so Dad and I could go on a date for my birthday and when we got there you were having a lot of pain and threw up a few times which we chocked up to car sickness.) So we put you on the couch, friend to help you relax. You seem alright as long as you didn't move too much so I sent Dad to his temple appointment. Not long after he left, you said you were hungry so I got you some oranges and set them next you you, well you wouldn't move your arm to eat them. So I came sat by you and fed them to you. Not long after that, you needed to use the restroom, and the as you tried to move, tears started rolling down your face. I had worries that it might be your appendix but I kept brushing it aside thinking it was just me worrying and going to worst case scenario but after trying to get you to the bathroom, I couldn't deny it any more. I put my hand on your stomach and did one of the tests they recommend.. tears started welling in your eye. Then we tried a jump test, and instantly your attempted brave face, crumbled. I also noticed you were starting to fever. Your dad called me on his way home from the temple and I told him, you were not ok. He called the on call doctor, got home, did some of the same tests I had done while the doctor was on the phone and he told us to go to the hospital. So off we we went.

You tried to be so brave for all the doctors but you were clearly in a lot of pain. We had to wait a very long time and it was very late. The doctor did some tests and sent is for a Cat Scan, and by time the results got back, it was midnight. 

They said it was your appendix. They hoped they could get you admitted, give you some medicine and then do the surgery the next morning.  however they had a full OR schedule the next day and they knew you couldnt wait till the evening so we pivoted and they let us know we would do surgery that night. We called uncle Kirk and he came and help give you a blessing before your surgery which was about 2am. At that point I went and sat in the room waiting for you and dad ran home to check on the girls. 

One very huge blessing in all of this, we were told because this isn't a children's hospital, if the oncall surgeon didn't feel comfortable doing it, they would have to fly us to the closest children hospital, which would have been SLC.  We were so grateful Heavenly Fathers was in the details on this one because the surgeon said he felt comfortable and we could just do it in Cedar. Massive blessing ❤️ 

Your surgery went perfect! Another huge blessing! And you and I just sat at the hospital for the next 14 hours. It was incredible to watch your bravery, strength and I could feel Heaven there with us. From you first waking up, to your first walk to the bathroom to you getting to the point you could walk a lap around the hospital wing, just to prove you were well enough to go home so we didn't have to stay another night. That night with you was so tender and special. I will never forget the experience and how in this place, in this hospital room, it became a sacred place where He sent angels to be with us. I was so tired, I went and almost 48 hours without sleeping but God was my strength. Our Savior was there, strengthening and comforting us. 

You're healing went pretty well! Another huge blessing. You were a little restless because sitting and watching shows or playing video games really isn't your thing. But another tender blessing, Mrs. Lisa and Mrs. Sherry sent dinner and all sorts of fun games, toys and Legos for you. We also bought some Lego sets for you to build. 

With moving, life, work and all the things I am writing this later than I wanted to. About 6 months late lol But I am actually a little grateful because I can also include your vision therapy. Before we moved, you were constantly having headaches and saying your eyes hurt. We took you to a specialist and we found out you have convergence deficiency. Essentially, your eyes don't want to work together. The treatment wasn't covered by insurance and was a very very huge amount and we felt like we needed to wait. Fast forward to the May after you turned 8 and we had your annual eye check up. We learned that not only did you eyes not like working together but your left eye would just start turning off to stop the double vision. We talked with the and we found out that this was covered by our insurance (we changed providers when we moved) and it was significantly a different cost. - Another incredible blessing. You've done your first round of vision therapy. You Loved Mrs. Carly! She has been amazing! She is such a good teacher and has really met you where you are. She leaned into your love of science, engineering and 3D printing and really just connected with you. It wasn't always easy but after just the first session I can see how much you have grown. 

I think what I have learned the most watching you this last year and a bit, is that we can do hard things, and that even in the midst of hardness, God will be with us. He will send blessing and help us all along the way. He love you so much! He knows this life will be hard but He promises to be with us. He will be your strength and support through every piece off your life. Lean on Him. Trust Him. When life gets messy, dark or confusing, trust that He will always help you know the truth. I love you so much my Cooper! I am so proud of how hard you have worked, of your strength and resilience. I know He is with you. He is with us. 

I am so proud of your decision to be baptized and follow your Savior. It was so tender that you also had the opportunity to do it over Easter weekend. The whole week was so full of the spirit and I cannot thing of a better way to Celebrate and remember our Savior. 

We love you sweet boy! I can't wait to see what this next year brings. 

7

The fact that you are 7 is absolutely blowing my mind. How did that happen?! I feel like it was just yesterday we were bringing you home to our little basement apartment in Orem or just us spending the day together while Quinn and Kynzlie were at school. 

It has been an absolute pleasure watching you learn and grow this year. You have one of most tender and kind hearts. You are always the first to check on your siblings if they are sad or hurt. Even though I might not see it, you are always paying attention and taking in the world around you. I have loved watching you lean into your role of big brother and truly start being a friend to Cole.

You are so silly, fun and full of life! I don't think a day goes by that I don't smile at something you do or say. Your dancing, victory dances especially are unmatched!

I love watching your mind at work. You love science, engineering, building, creating. I love to see the towers, robots, figures and creations you come up with. 

I hope you never lose that! I hope throughout your life you let that curiosity and creativity fuel your decision. Don't let the world turn it off. You are so talented, smart, kind, generous and original. Don't ever forgot that you are special and wonderful just because you are you. You have something to offer this messy world, don't ever, ever let fear be your driving force. Its ok to be afraid, it's ok to feel hopeless, worried, nervous, those are all normal emotions but Satan will try and use those emotions to keep you stuck. He will try to use those to debilitate you from progressing. He will try to use those to get you to forget who you are and whose you are. You are a son of God. You are great already you just have to remember and trust that your Father in heaven will help you remember who you are and all you are capable of becoming. Trials in life are messy and frustrating and sometimes down right heart breaking. But if you can remember, even when you can't see it, that those trials are shaping, molding and refining you to be the very best version of yourself.

I once heard a story about a man who ran a company and his son had the potential to take his place as the head of the company but the father knew he couldn't just give him the position, that wouldn't set him up for success. He wouldn't be prepared for the job if he wasn't trained, coached and learned in a way that he had true understanding of how to do the job and how he needed to be to succeed. 

That is just like this life. God wants to give us all that he had and be as he is. There is no way he could just give us knowledge and feelings he now holds. I'm order to truly learn anything, you have to experience it. So to become as He is, we have to experience and overcome this life. But we don't have to do it alone. He planned and prepared for you. He prepared a way for you to be strengthened, comforted, magnified, guided, forgiven, refined, everything, every support you could ever need was made possible by our Savior. Turn to Him, lean on Him, allow him to be your best friend and walk with you through this life. You cannot fail with him by your side. 

I love you so much Scotty boy! Happy birthday 🎂 🎈 

6

This has already been such a big year for you! Within just a few weeks of you turning 6, you have gotten glasses, signed up for machine pitch baseball and moved to the top bunk. We're just hitting the ground running this year ❤️ 

I can't believe how much you have grown in the last year. It is jauch a blessing to be your mom and get a front row seat to amazing things you are doing. I am so proud of who you are and all that you are growing into. You are truly a noble and great one. But I am also so grateful you are still my little cooper. I love that you still love to cuddle and talk about the world. I am in aw of how your mind works. 

Please never for get who you are and how special you are. Make sure you take time to slow down. Look for opportunities to serve and help all around you. Dont be so busy that you can't take time for compassionate detours throughout your day. Put God first and keep a constant communication with him so he can continue to support, strengthen and guide you. Hold tight to him as Satan is continually leading this world into darkness, confusion and despair. He will make it seem appealing and desirable to follow him but don't be deceived. Those paths may seem easy and desirable but I promise they will never bring lasting peace and joy. If you find yourself on one of those, that's ok. You've never gone too far. You are loved more than you could ever imagine. Your worth is not predicted on your choices. You will always matter and be deeply loved, no matter what you do. You always have a place with me, dad and most importantly, your Heavenly Father. You are a son of God. With infinite potential. There will be times in your life where it might not feel like it. Times of heartache, sadness, confusion, pain, etc. But hang on. Pray on. Lean into your Savior. Lean into your covenants. Lean into us. We are here to support you and will always be here for you. 

We love you my darling. Happy birthday! I hope this year is full of fun, adventures, growth and love 😘

big old 5

Oh my Cooper man, you give me all the feels. You keep growing up and I can't seem to stop it lol I love seeing you hit all these knew milestones and having new experiences but man there are times I wish I could keep you my little boy forever. Before I know it there will be hair on your cute little face and your darling voice I love so much, will deepen. 

Sometimes I look at the world as it is now and am worried for how your teenage years are going to go. The world is a messy, dark and confused place and I wish I could stuff you to the brim with my testimony of truth but that's not really how it works. I will do my best to teach you truth and where you can look for real and eternal answers. I will teach you that you have worth and are so very loved. I will teach you who you are and who you can become. I will do my best, but I am far from perfect. 

I am so Greatful for or Heavenly Father and our Savior. Who loves you perfectly and can lead and guide you through the world perfectly. He knows exactly who you are and who you can become. He knows every strength, weakness, every hair on your head. He will lead and guide you. He will walk you through the refining trials in your life. He will be your greatest strength and ally. He will cheer and celebrate the good and mourn with and comfort you in the heavy and heartbreaking. He will take the trials and consecrate them for your gain, to set you on a path home to Him. I pray you let him prevail in your life. 

We love you so very much and will be here every step of the way. I can't wait to watch you grow this next year. For all the joy, laughter and love you bring ❤️

4

Oh my sweet Buggy. How in the world are you 4? I'm 99% sure I probably say that every year, but seriously. Time is just flying by. I need to find a way to slow down time so I can just absorb every second with you. It just not enough. 

You just have my heart in a way I can even try to express. I love the way you say "I love ya" or "you're my best friend. I love how good you are at problem solving. I love that you love to sit and cuddle and read. I love that you are getting so good at playing pretend. I love that you love trucks, paw patrol, octonauts, plants, marble runs, robots.. so many things. The things you like, you are passionate about. Its so sweet. You love singing and dancing. You love to help with everything. If I am ever cleaning anything or doing anything in the house, you are right there helping in an way I will let you :) 

I have been in awe of you this year. It was a year and a week or so ago that we started this covid stuff. Shut downs, quarentenes. You should have been transitioning out of suu early ed. and starting at the preschool but instead it just all stopped. Everyone was home, all the time. You were amazing. You handled all the change and craziness like a champ. You were so kind and patience while I worked with the girls for school. You loved participating. It really did go so well. 

Soon after that, you became a big brother :) Man did that make my mama heart melt. You are the cutest big brother. You are so sweet, caring, gentle and protective of Colton. You spend the summer playing and just loving on your little guy. 

Heading back to preschool was rough. After only being around us for months on end, it was really hard on you to be away from us. You had some serious separation anxiety. I'm sure all the masks didn't help the matters. We started making you puzzles of a toy you could earn. Each day you went to school you earned a piece. We did this for about....3 months, till you finally started feeling comfortable. You still had days where you were shy or nervous. You would tuck your head as they checked your temperature at the door and shuffle your feet. 

You were in speech therapy at school for about, 8 months. It has been incredible just watch you really come into your own this year. You have learned and grown so much. That's not even touching how much your personality has really started showing itself. You make me laugh and smile, every day <3 There is always something you do, say, come up with that is just so funny or so sweet.  It truly has been an honor watching you grow this year. You are such a brave, sweet, talented, darling boy. I am so excited to see how much you grow this year. If its anything like this past year, we are all in for a hilarious, adorable, awe inspiring adventure. I love you my Cooper boy. 

 

Birthday Boy

Happy birthday my cute buggy!
I cannot believe you are three! this has definitely has been a strange month! We are currently going through the corona virus quarantine. so we have been home a lot. We were suppose to having you transitioning from SUU early intervention into the district preschool, but with everything going on, everything is closed down, schools, sports, tv shows, concerts, church. We aren't leaving the house unless really needed, and when we do, we are supposed to stay 6 feet away from other people. its surreal to be quite honest.
So before the order to stay home as much as possible we had picked up cake, frosting, and a few presents from the store. we got you a little people car set. so it had a train, dump truck and an airplane. you are in love. its been so cute to watch. you did great blowing out your candles, and have been singing happy birthday all day, which is my favorite. we played with sand, which is your other favorite activity. you liked eating a cupcake, as long as it didn't have frosting on it.
the day was pretty relaxed, since we had to be home. you played and watched shows while I helped the girls with their homeschooling. we took breaks and you would exercise, dance, play sand, etc with us. it was great. We just did McDonalds for dinner, so you could have chicken nuggets, (you love those)
It was definitely a fun activity, celebrating a birthday when we are trying really hard to follow the guidelines that have been put forth. Over all, its been a pretty good experience. I have felt so much peace and comfort. I have so clearly been able to see the hand of our Heavenly Father in our lives as we go through this. Its fun to be able to reset and focus on what is truly important. To see all the evidences that God has been preparing us for this, from food storage, to home centered church, and so many things in between. It has also been amazing watching "the helpers" people helping one another during this hard time. people being a little kinder, a little more thoughtful, a bit more Christ-like. there are a lot of people focusing on the bad, hard and scary. and there will always be times in our life when it seems so much easier to see those things, and there will always be bad in the world. But if you focus on the Savior you will be able to see the blessings, the helpers, the good that is going on in the world.
I am so blessed that you came to our family. You have such a special place in my heart. you are so smart, silly, such a problem solver. You make me smile every single day. You have been learning and growing so much the past few months, and it has been such a blessing to be a part of it. I love you so much. I hope you never stop being your sweet, big hearted, goofy adorable self! I love you cute boy!
happy birthday!

pizza

So daddy has a video game that has a door bell sound every once in a while, and every time you think it's our door, and automatically you say "pizza is here!" Very excitedly, and run to the door ❤️