Motherof3brothers

The last one

This past weekend we celebrated a milestone. Our youngest baby boy turned 12...This my friends means that out of the 6 grand kids

 all but 1 are teenagers. 1 left. that's it. I feel like I can almost hear the clock ticking that this whole childhood thing is drawing to a close. I mentioned it to Alex and his response was "don't say such a thing!" I cannot believe we will have all teenagers in the coming year. It leaves me speechless. I know that throwing a tantrum won't help, but sometimes I think it might be worth a try.

 

So as I said, Ketner Alex turned 12 on Oct. 15 at 3:33pm. It was a different birthday for him I am sure as it was our family's first formal dance later that evening. We did all the traditional things we do to celebrate Ket.....we decorated his place at the table with a Happy Birthday Balloon, flowers and warm Cinnamon rolls. But also we got haircuts, mowed the lawn and cleaned the house...bummer....

Doesn't take away from the fact that I am utterly, wholly, fantastically in love with this boy!!!

 

Man does he ever melt my heart!!!

SO happy Birthday Schmarm!!!!! We couldn't adore you more.

 

 

{homecoming}

We did it, first formal is under our belt. The evening was beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the couple

 

(i know, my eyes are tearing as we speak )

{this is my favorite, by far!!!They just look so darn sweet all laughing and nervous}

 

so MUCH FUN!

And shut the front door...look at this:

seriously??? I have never seen cousins look so fabulous!

 

 

Next chapter...

It has begun. The 2011-2012 school year is underway.

We had a big morning! Ayden was starting high school and Ketner was starting middle school. It really hit me at 9:00 am when I wasn't at Centennial Elementary School enjoying all of the smiles, and shiny shoes and big hugs, but alone at home drinking my coffee. Gone are the days of walking any of my kids into school. Gone are the days of staying up late gluing macaroni to a "100 days sign". Gone are the Valentines parties

, gone are the classroom performances, gone are the individual student -teacher conferences. Gone is a building where everyone knew my name. Gone is a student directory in which I personally knew

90% of the families

Gone are the Friday read -ins. Gone are the mornings signing planners. Gone are the filed trips, Gone are the bazillion pieces of artwork posted to the fridge.

...GONE.... I cannot believe it is all Gone.

I know I was told to embrace it all. Soak it all up. But at the time, i was in survival mode. I wish I could go back sometimes. I wish I could relive some of the parts. The parts when I doubted if I really need to record the whole hour long 2nd grade performance because all I probably would ever need is the kindergarten one. I want time to stop. I am not ready for all of this. I want my babies back. Sometimes.

So here we go. We celebrated the new school year with our traditional Poppy seed cake.

The kids packed their bags, threw some laundry in and headed to bed. The morning went well. I

know there were a lot of nervous stomachs.

At 7:15 piper and Parker showed up to take Ayden to Olympia High School with them to start his

Freshman year.

Oh man, did I really just say that? Freshman Year? sigh...And just like that he was gone..

A bit later I drove Nolen and Ketner to Washington Middle school,

all the while warning Ket that "swooning" begins really early in 6th grade. Be prepared my little man, the ladies are coming :). He promptly reported to me that he was "not going to have any part in all that drama"...we'll see. He is quite a stud-muffin if I do say so myself.

I am sad, yet joyful. Nervous but I know there are great plans ahead of them. My job now is to watch the ride from a little more distance. And still savor it............soak it all in. My babies will be my babies forever.

{Ketner 1st grade, Nolen 3rd grade, Ayden 4th grade}

5th grade camp

 
The calendar says it is spring, but I weather disagrees. Since it is technically spring, i am reminded that my final days of being an elementary school parent are fast approaching. My youngest returned home from 5th grade camp last week. I remember when my niece and nephew went, i was so freaked out that they were that big. Then just 2 short years later, Ayden went. The first one was a bit stressful....they were leaving for 3 days! It was almost like sending them off to Kindergarten. Who's gonna remind them to shower or brush their teeth?

They all come home so excited! With great stories and a new maturity about them! They have conquered the unknown!

 

Ayden 2008

 

Nolen 2009

 

 

Ketner 2011 

 
 

 

11!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to my

11 year old!!!!

Happy Birthday Ketner Alex Young

 

 

 

 

To my sweet boy,

What a perfect surprise you were.  Life is unbelievable with you in it. We pray for big adventures, a happy life, a warm heart,  an open mind and a Love for Christ.

Everyday we look forward to what's to come. We can't wait to see your story unfold!!! The first 10 "chapters" so far have been fabulous.  

We love you my friend!!!!!!!!

 

The times are a-changing

 
This morning, Ketner had a very sad realization. As his brothers were getting ready to go help at 6th grade orientation, he was reminded that his BFF is no longer at school with him.
Ket and Cody became best friends long before they even started school. Ayden and Cody's older brother, Carson became best friends in 1st grade.

 

All along, ketner has been playing every sport with Cody. Not only did we love his family, but it was so much easier on us having our boys play on the same teams. We could carpool together, spend every weekend together at games and tournaments and no matter whose game we were at, the other boys in the family were entertained.

But now we have come to a turning point, some of Ketner's favorite people are no longer available to play at recess. He won't see them at lunch. He won't be riding the bus with them....Don't get me wrong, he has some absolutely amazing BFF's in his own class that he LOVES, LOVES, LOVES.

 {kindergarten}

 

{3rd grade}

 
{4th grade}

 He loves having so many great guys to hang out with and play sports with  and grow up with.

But, this change is hard for ket, Cody is like a brother to him........

 

he sent a text to all his 6th grade friends this morning wishing them well.

 

 Thankfully, he has  a lifetime to be friends with them.

 
 
 

 

 

10, ten, T*E*N*

My baby is 10.

 This, I must admit is a hard one for me. In June, Ayden turned 13 and I reflected a lot on that day. But, my BABY is 10.

He is no longer a single number. When you talk to someone about your kids and you say, “oh my youngest is 6” there is that understanding that you still have little ones, but “my youngest is 10” makes me realize time is going way to fast.

This little boy  has showed me how to TRUST.

 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in that secret place. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”-Psalm 139:13-16

 

Trusting was hard back then.. I had 2 babies already. They were babies. I would have 3 in diapers.
Nolen was still nursing, sleeping with us, and barely walking. Ayden would be 3 when Ketner was to be born. Just  3. My oldest would just be just 3!!!.We didn't plan for this!! I struggled through this worry for months. Not because I wasn’t happy to be having another baby boy, but because I worried that I couldn’t be the mother I wanted to be when I was pulled in so many directions. I want my children to know without a doubt that I love them. How could I do that with another baby?

As always, I made it through. We made it through….

When I was in labor with Ket, there was a time when everyone left the room, and I had one last moment of doubt. I sobbed. I prayed for strength and courage and patience and love. I prayed to be loved so I could give love. And boy was I washed over with love. When Ketner was born, Dr. Nelson placed him in my arms and I buried my head to his and cried.
I told him that he would be my joy forever and that I loved him., Without a doubt I loved him.

And we did just that…we carried on.

So today this Joy of ours is 10. Here are 10 things about Ketner that make our hearts sing.

1.     When I tuck him in, he says “I love you mom” and I say “I love you more”. It is our ritual, and if there is ever a time that I forget, he will repeat himself until I say it back correctly.

2. He is a friend to everyone. I love that he has a heart for disadvantaged kids. There are a few at our school and Ket always goes out of his way to high 5 them.

3.     Ketner is awesome at sports. Gifted is a word that I have heard to describe Ketner.
Hmmm…

4. He loves to read. He cannot stand waiting for his gift from Grandma Sally which is the 3^rd book in the

 

Mysterious Benedict Society.

 

(this is Ketner with one of his favorite Authors, Brandon mull, who wrote the Fablehaven series and Candy shop wars.) 

 

5.   Ketner is obnoxiously tall. He was born with the longest baby legs I had ever seen.

6.   Has a mouth full of braces.

7.   Is for the most part super easy going, unless he is tired….then watch out, he may become catatonic.

8.   He loves Sports Center and fantasy leagues.

9.   Ketner is super cautious. He rarely leaves my sight and has a gift for listening to his senses.

10.     Ketner is growing up too fast. Please, please slow down!! I am too in love with this kiddo to share him just yet..

 

 

 
   
 
   

 

Lookie, Lookie

6th sense

 

I have always noticed a bit of a "sixth sense" with Ketner. He is the most carefree, fun, accepting guy I know, but every so often, he appears nervous. It may be anywhere, anytime, but he will either hold my hand, decline going somewhere with his brothers, or just seem cautious.

This happened yesterday. We went to Seattle for the day and visited Pikes Place Market, rode the Monorail and saw an IMAX film. As we were walking the few blocks to the Market, Ket took my hand. Now those of you who know him, this is not usual behavior for him, or many other 9 1/2 year old boys. The streets were not especially busy but there were a few "odd" people milling around. I could tell he was nervous. I passed it off as "uncultured", we do live in a small bubble here in OLY, you know. But he walked with me, hand in hand all day long.

Tonight, Alex and I went for a walk and he told me the he read in the newspaper today that a boy was abducted at Pike Place Market yesterday !!! (The super hero mom ran after the abductor, in her cast and all, and grabbed her son back.) This boy was recovered safe and sound, but it made me ever so thankful for Ketner's "sixth sense".

I pray that he always has ears to hear, always has the mindset to draw near and always takes my hand.

one 2 three four 5 six seven 8 ..................NINE!!!!!!!

                                   

    

Did I mention how much I love this boy?

He is sweet, kind, trustworthy, virtuous, pleasant, joyful, cuddly, wise, brave, kissable, fun to be around, athletic, talented, spirited, compassionate and witty.

The world became a better place 9 years ago today because Ketner came into it. He is one of the loves of my life. I am filled with love and over the moon for this kid.

Happy birthday schmarmalaid!