9 years ago ...

this little guy rocked our world!

And he's not so little anymore.

From the beginning, I knew he was a boy. I can't explain it, I just knew it.  After 14 hours of hard labor, we had to pull this little guy out of his warm abode and into this crazy world. Finley was the sweetest little guy, patient as I learned the ropes of being his mom. More than willing to just snuggle with me from the get-go. We spent a lot of the first couple years like this. Even today it melts my heart when he snuggles up with me. I love it.

One year old...

Second birthday ...

Third Birthday ...

Seriously ... what is NOT to love about this kid? He has the best smile. He was and still is such a funny kid and he has brought much humor and laughter into my life.

Fourth Birthday ...

Fifth Birthday ...

Sixth Birthday ...

Seventh Birthday ...

Eighth Birthday ...

NINE YEARS OLD!!!

He is such a good big brother, always protective of Berlin. Watching over her at home, at school - helping her up when she falls down trying to keep up with him. He always has a silly joke or story to tell her. Finley is a tender soul. Always has been. Even if he is mad at you or frustrated, if he sees that you are sad or hurting, he will take notice and do something to make you feel better. It's one of the things I love about him. He is so smart & bright, loves school, and loves to read. He loves his friends and is always angling for a playdate. One thing I really truly love about him is that he marches to the beat of his own drum. It's this quiet confidence that he has, that I envy a little bit. I didn't have that as a kid. He is not easily swayed and he stays true to himself and his belief of what is right and wrong. I hope he always stays that way.

The last few months have been hard with me going back to work. This has meant new chores for him around the house, helping more with the pets, having less play dates with his buddies, and putting up with my own lack of patience, etc. He has been a trooper through it all. Ryan and I always comment on how glad we are that we have the kids we do. It's the truth. I am so happy that this guy came into our family. Ryan and I were in love with him the second he came into this world and even though he knows how to push my buttons, I will always love my snuggle buddy. This little guy opened my heart in ways I never thought possible, and has taught me more about myself than anyone else. 

Birthday Boy - the BIG 9!

Finley turned 9 this week. Our last year in single digits. Next year, he'll enter the world of pre-teen. Not sure how I feel about this, but I will get back to you tomorrow morning after I've cried myself to sleep.

I came home on my lunch break and filled his room with balloons. He didn't seem to impressed when I got home. Little Stinker! Guess that's the new phase we are entering with being 9. Oh joy! But we had a fun night none the less. We had sushi for dinner, his favorite of course. Then presents.

Playing his Zelda Ocarina (flute). Berlin doesn't look too impressed. Probably cause she was a teensy bit jealous.

And of course the Zelda video game he really wanted. Why my kids love things once they are discontinued and no longer made/saved I will never know. Ebay saved the day again.

Now that he is 9, he gets to move up to Bears (he earned his Wolf Patch a few months ago) and he can't wait to join his buddies Logan and Alex who are already Bears. Here he is with all his new gear: kerchief, Bear book, and Pack number patches (he apparently felt jipped that he didn't have these when he was a wolf and had asked for them so I saved them for this occasion).

His first set of nice scriptures. Everyone seemed surprised when I didn't get him scriptures when he was baptized at 8. The honest answer is that he never asked for them. He had is paperback BOM and DC Combo and he seemed fine with them. Turning 8 was so crazy with family in town and all the baptizm fun stuff that I kinda felt I would wait on a nice set until he really wanted them. About 4 months ago (in January) when he went up into his new Primary Class, they switched to studying the Bible. One Sunday as I was talking with him about what they learned he told me that he didn't have the bible and he didn't like not being able to read and participate with the class. He then asked for a full set of scriptures. That is what I was waiting for. He was so happy when he opened these and loves that his name is on them. Worth the wait? Yep!

 

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for giving me such great kids. I love them so much and they bring me such joy. That's not to say that some days are hard. You need the hard days to appreciate the good. But I love this kid so much. Wish I could turn back time for a bit and enjoy them at this stage a little bit longer. 

A visit from Flat Stanley and a trip to Goblin Valley

Flat Stanley came all the way from California to our house for a little visit. We took him all around Utah. He went with us to the Utah Symphony where we heard all sorts of music from Harry Potter. We tried to get a picture of him with Professor Snape, but he kinda freaked out. 

 

Flat Stanley helped out with all our chores in taking care of the bees, collecting eggs from the chickens and feeding them, taking care of the hamsters and fish. He even helped me move the chicken pen from the field to the back of the barn. What a trooper!

 

out with the old, in with the new...

 

 

To reward him for all his help we took him camping down in Goblin Valley over Spring Break.

 

 

 

 

The above hoo-doo was the favorite. Pouting frog. Berlin looked like this most of the morning. Luckily, she snapped out of it and I was able to enjoy the remainder of our time down in the Valley of Goblins.