10 Years Ago...

the doctors place the sweetest little baby boy in my arms.  He was screaming and I just smiled.  I loved that sound!!!  I know what it was like to have a baby not cry...not have the strength.  I prayed for this!!!

Spencer's spirit entering our family has taught me so much!  He lives close to the Lord and is very sensitive to the Holy Ghost and it's promptings/comfort.  I often sit back and wonder how much I teach him but absolutely know he continually teaches me.

Happy 10th Birthday, Spencer Justin Kroff!  I know you're Dad is super proud that you not only carry his name but carry it well on top of looking just like him!

Thank you for being an example to your sisters.  Thank you for bringing a thirst for knowledge into our home.  Thank you for desiring to make good choices.  Thank you for being creative with a new idea or twenty every single day!

I love your piano skills, how you soak up any science book you can get your hands, you enjoy figuring out math problems that are way beyond your years, rules and keeping them bring you great joy, friends are super important to you, you're grandparents and cousins are part of you and you want to know where you came from--taking pride in your ancestry!

My very favorite times with you are kneeling by your bed at night and finding out all the wonderful and unique things on your mind.  I soak it up and love having you as my son!

Minecraft Birthday

Spence is nine years old and one of the things he loves most these days is his "Minecraft." 

I have to admit I have glanced over his shoulder but never knew much about this fabulous game until I planned a party about it.  Best thing a mom can do is dive into her son's interest for sure!  So, now I know all about the creepers, the coal, the TnT, Steve, Skeletons, diamonds, emeralds and it goes on...

We filled two of these baskets full of balloons for the waterballoon fights and obstacle courses...

nobody ended dry! Not even the DAD!

Spence has some awesome friends.  We're learning quickly that with summer birthdays you have to plan on a bunch of buddies being gone on vacation.  But there is also the perks of being home and relaxing all day without school ;)

I love this boy!  He teaches me about empathy, science, love for nature, just to be, calm voices are best, faith, courage to be true, how to volunteer, serving, the power of prayer, to dream, how to plan your money just right, setting goals and much more.  We need him and always will!!!

A Parenting Moment Today

Spencer had three teeth extracted today.  Let's just say I had to close my eyes a few times while I was sitting there by him.  While my eyes were closed at one point I had some thoughts:

There are many of my own parenting moments that remind me of our parent/child relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Today reminds me of all the hard times we go through on this earth.

Often we wonder why God would make us go through something.  I have learned and know that he doesn't "make" us grow through hard things but he "lets" us because that is what our mortal experience is about.  From experience, I know He blesses us and comforts us while we are going through things to help us.

So back to my dentist experience with Spence.  I had to "let" him go through this today but I was right there talking about what he needed me to talk about to keep his mind busy, hugging him when the dentist left the room after his 9th shot!  Giving Tylenol here at home when he needs it.  Releasing him from his job duty and on and on.

No doubt our Heavenly Father loves us experiencing these parent/child relationships!  Each of these moments just adds upon our learning...the very reason we are here on this earth!

Sarah's Away, We Play!

If you feel a bit odd about me celebrating Sarah being away, just back up a post and it's all explained ;) Now for the fun:  we loved Sea World!

Allison smiled a whole lot

felt like a princess

hung out with her buddies

me included

of course spencer and the other dudes

and ate

and thought a tiny bit about how much Sarah would love these baby sea lions!

Justin could finally feel tired...check out that yawn :)

Allison has a new friend to snuggle

Spence has a cool dude to chill with...he he he

we ate at famous places like "Betos" seen on Man vs. Food

their Empanadas will never be forgotten!

we hugged

ate some more...this time famous place "Big Lou's Pizza"and yes that is their pizza pan, folks!

and we're home now.  Enjoying our own beds, sleeping in and still eating ;)