Many years ago, a dear friend gave me a plaque that reads:
"There is a special place in Heaven for the mother of four boys!"
That's hung proudly on my wall for many years. I would look at it often when they boys were young and were in the throws of tantrums, fights, dented walls, holes in walls, snakes, spiders, mud, dirt, Nate, explosives, (notice I put Nate and explosives together...) girls, heartaches, cars, tickets, and accidents! Yes, I freely admit, there were plenty of times, I wondered if I would survive. But now, I look at each of them and I am so proud! So forgive me a moment of indulgence...
Congratulations to Bryan, who just celebrated his 29th birthday! He is in his LAST year of Dental School and NYU and will be starting the Honors Aesthetic Dentistry Program in the fall! He also holds down 2 church callings (he works with both the young men and the scouts!) In his spare time he runs, cracks safes, makes awesome Halloween costumes, builds his own lazer tag guns, and loves and adores his beautiful wife, Bre.
Congratulations to Blake, who has grown from a hot headed, short fused little boy, into a kind, humble and compassionate young man. He works full time and continues to work on his education. (Even though school has never been his favorite thing!) His tender heart and insight endear him to both his friends and family. He serves in the Elders quorum Presidency and he loves the challenge and thrill of sports like rock climbing, snowboarding and sailing.
Congratulations to Nick, who makes people laugh where ever he goes! He and Chelsea just celebrated their one year anniversary and are spending the summer months in New Jersey. Although he seems to live by the Larson Motto, "Everyone has to grow older, but you can remain immature forever," he has grown up a lot in the last two years! One of the things I admire most about Nick is his ability to always stay positive. Even if he is down, you rarely know it. His greatest love is his beautiful wife Chelsea and he is one happy boy since she joined him in New Jersey!
Congratulations to Sean, who is one of the hardest working teenagers I know! When he was in 7th grade, he brought home his 1st report card with straight A's. His cousin Brett jokingly commented that now he had no where to go but down! I think Sean took that to heart, and has worked tirelessly to maintain those "A's". Although he is the youngest brother, he is an example to all of us! He's looking forward to summer and the END OF SCHOOL. He'll be working, attending Boys State, climbing the Tetons and if Steele has his way...he'll be doing lots of sailing!
When they were young, I never thought I'd live to see this day! But I not only survived it, I'm stronger because of it. These boys are my life! I am proud of each of them and all that they have accomplished. I'm grateful for their strengths, their weaknesses, their similarities and their differences. Most of all, I am grateful for their love!
