Isaac's 8th Birthday & Baptism

Isaac had a wonderful birthday yesterday (June 26th) and a great baptism today (June 27th). As I put together a little slide show of photos for Isaac, my mind was flooded with memories of my sweet boy over the past 8 years . . .

Here is the slide show we showed at the baptism (without music, and maybe a touch different)




My Dear Isaac,

You entered this world quickly, in a hurry it seemed to get on with it. How terribly frightened I was when you were not breathing as I held you in my arms and watched you try to cry while your daddy drove the car as quickly as possible to the hospital. The AirMed docs said you weren't well as they cut you from me in the ER parking lot and whisked you away. But you were a fighter, and would not let all of those tubes and wires rule your life. So you breathed on your own right away, and were determined to be perfectly well. We were so grateful for that blessing, for a relatively short stay in the NBICU at the U of U - even though my heart ached each night I was at home (student housing, just five minutes away) without you that long week.

You have been blessed with a unique sensitivity towards people and you notice the details most of us miss in everyday surroundings. Your art expresses these gifts, and your sweetness touches many. Something I haven't talked to you as much about, and which I never wrote about was last year, when our family doctor thought you might have leukemia. I am afraid I was not nearly so brave as you were through the ordeal, as hard as I tried to mask my fear and my tears. Seeing you all bruised and lethargic was frightening, but you were so calm as you asked me what might be causing the little rash-looking bruises on your body. Without complaint, you were patient during our visit to Primary Children's Medical Center, where they did a full CBC and some other tests to make sure you didn't have cancer. Miraculously, your blood platelet count went from about a 7 (or 7000) to over 300 (or 300,000) in the few days after we left the hospital. Since then, you have acted more energetic then ever, not even missing one day of 2nd Grade!

Some of my favorite moments with you have been: having you practically live on my waist in your baby sling for over a year, watching you be a wonderful friend to both of your sisters, watching you build meticulously with Legos and Kapla blocks, sitting with you in church while you quietly draw or underline in your scriptures, hearing you give your first talk in Primary about Abraham and Isaac (especially your excitement about the amount of times the word Isaac was in the talk), listening to you pray, watching you sled down hills with no fear, trying to slow you down as you fiercely ride your bike or scooter, hearing you read out loud, watching you stand on your head during your capoeira performance at YouthCity, listening to your sweet voice, witnessing you eat at least seven pancakes at one meal, singing you your lullaby, saying your dream prayers, and just holding you. You really are much more incredible than you think you are, and every time I look into your amazing brown eyes with the best eyelashes ever given to a child - well, you make my heart melt.

I hope you know how much I love you, even though I make so many mistakes and I'm not always the best mom. Thank you for loving me anyhow, and for caring about me and your sisters, as well as your daddy, step mom, and your baby brother Asher. You are the best boy anyone could ask for.

Love,
Mommy