Happy, Happy, Hayden!!!

Today, my baby boy turns 11...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAYDEN MILO!

It sounds cliche, but I can remember like it was yesterday, when he was rushed to the hospital with RSV at 9 months old. He had this little struggle for life so early and has continued to progress and succeed in whatever he truly desires. I have been wanting to do a post highlighting all of his special qualities, so this is the perfect time to do that.

Hayden is funny. He is always making us laugh with his antics and impersonations. I have picture after picture of him (future blackmail, we tell him...) as Santa, sitting upside down, in a dress....

Hayden is loving and kind. In surprising tender moments he'll come over and cuddle next to me on the couch. And, he has made it his life's mission to make sure McKenna is happy and comfortable. He carried her on his back all through Paris and Italy. He has put on a Snow White dress and regularly gives in to pleas from her to play Barbies or Little People. What a great big brother! He also often takes new kids, or socially struggling kids, under his wing to help integrate them. All on his own.

Hayden is highly logical and black and white. He is responsible, follows rules, and generally follows through with what is expected. He will go far in a career in law enforcement. He has always been a leader, and his own person. He knows who he is and what he wants and is not easily swayed by others....well, except his sweet spot for McKenna.

Hayden's favorite outfit is his suitcoat with a bow tie....it makes him feel a little like a spy. He loves to play with his motion detector, booby traps, and other spy gear. He still collects Bakugons and is a big fan of the Lego Wii games.

As much as he likes to dress sharp, he has embraced his new surroundings, deciding to keep his "sweeping bangs" haircut. His tan is coming along, and he's enjoying the sun and outdoors.

Hayden is a great athlete...putting his whole heart into it, or not at all. He is wiry and fast, a little ball of speed and determination. This past year, he has played AYSO soccer, achieved both his Webelos badge and Arrow of Light, and was instrumental in helping me teach McKenna to ride her bike recently.

Hayden is a loyal friend, an amazing boy, and a fun addition to our family. I can't wait to see him grow and become a young man we know we can count on. Hayden have a great day...may all your wishes come true!

Facebook Redux...

Some of you may recall my initial post about my Facebook qualms. Still not a huge fan, but I am finding some entertainment value to the thinly disguised "stalking" that FB allows. This isn't a tirade about FB itself, but some of the posters. I know it's meant to connect people, so I don't understand why some can't take it at face value (pun intended) and use it as a force for good instead of negativity.

First of all, it's the INTERNET, whatever you post will remain there forever. It could offend someone, or hurt someone, or, on the flip-side, brighten their day. It's your choice.

Someone I've been following just posted to stop posting negative posts, "bragging, whining, complaining about sickness, looking for sympathy," etc. One of her friends took it personally and commented that she had posted for prayers for her ill father. The original poster commented back that she didn't mean her. Really? Who then?

Isn't Facebook set up to post your current status? And, trust me, not everyone's lives are full of sunshine. Some people genuinely struggle in their day-to-day lives. Should they keep their "status" to themselves? Can we only post the happy days?

About every other day I scan my friends' posts looking for funny anecdotes, a way to connect long-distance, and news of their families, good and bad. I wouldn't be a very good sister, daughter, or friend, if I didn't have a listening ear for someone I care about. If you are tired of being drug down by someone else's pain, give them a call, send them a message, or take yourself out. Don't read their posts..."hide" them and they won't even know. But, I sure as heck wouldn't do an open post at selected people to stop posting negative. Isn't that negative?

I don't think she was talking to me, but maybe she was. When I posted that I was heading to a morning out at the beach, am I bragging? Or when I posted Sabrina lost another pair of glasses, was I whining? When I posted that I unsuccessfully attempted a pajama day, was I looking for sympathy? I don't think so--but then again I don't care. I get some funny comments and some "wish I was there"...and when my grandma recently passed, quite a few sincere condolences.

I just wanted to defend the posters right to update their status's with what is really going on...good and bad. We all should consider what we are trying to accomplish with our posts and be aware of any impact. And, if it's about someone you truly care about, (not the crazy shoppette lady) try to see their perspective and deal with them directly. If it's not someone you care about(i.e. crazy shoppette ladies), vent away...cut all ties...and RUN in the opposite direction.

NOW, if I may really complain about FB posts, what's up with the cryptic messages? If the poster is the only one that knows what it means, why post it?

And, all the "cut and paste this in your status if you have..." Doesn't that just make someone who doesn't have a loving husband or a beautiful daughter feel lacking?

Yes, I do realize I'm posting on my blog, complaining about a "negative" complaining post. But, I hope that I've made some points that will make us all think before we put something out there, and what kind of people we want to be.

If any of this resembled you, I'm sorry. I'm sure it was just coincidence and not intended to offend you. It's about someone else. Really.

Easter Blessings...

This Easter will be a little different for our family...I can't remember the last time we didn't have church services on Easter. This year, Easter falls on General Conference, so we'll plan to watch a session of conference in the morning (4 hour time difference, will be the live 2pm session). But, that means the kids will get up to hunting for eggs, we'll have a yummy family breakfast, watch conference, and finish the day with our traditional Easter dinner. From sun-up to sun-down, we'll be celebrating together.

Tonight we followed tradition and decorated eggs. Every year, the kids try to get the darkest colors possible. I took extra dye out of cups and ended up with this cool grey color. Hayden made this egg that looked like a rock.

During some decorating downtime, I opened a discussion about Easter and Christ's resurrection, probably not the best idea, because it ended up in fits of laughter and me stepping out of lightning strike distance as Hayden and Sabrina painted a picture of a modern-day resurrection. (Probably didn't help that Sabrina finished watching the "modern" rendition of Romeo and Juliet this week at school.) You know those moments when you wish your family was reverent and wise like a seminary video?....yeah, not today...

While they were pretty clever and having a good time, I want to make sure among all this fun and treats of spring that we remember Christ and how we can take His example into our lives. I found this short video on YouTube that is a great Easter testimony of Christ.

So, as we are yet again separated from our families by water this Easter, I'll count among my many blessings my faith and my funny, sweet family, and the time we share together. And, I'll leave you with a cute video of McKenna and a funny gift from her Oma. Enjoy!