Happy Birthday Haley

She said, "I need a pass port picture." I gladly obliged. I would do anything for this sweet girl.

Haley is a gem and a half. She has the ultimate "CALM" gene! I keep telling her she needs to reproduce it and give me some. She laughs so cute when I say that.

Seriously, I have never seen this girl get upset, I've never seen her mad, or even a little bit angry. I've never seen her agitated or irritated in the even the slightest way. I'm beginning to think she's super human.

Haley is a keeper. She loves sports. She actually loves sitting on the couch with Seth and watching any sport. She loves playing sports. Don't give her a ball of any kind or she'll beat you at what ever your playing. Well, maybe with the exception of golf. Hahahaha.

Haley loves working out ---HARD. If she is doing anything remotely physical, she'll turn it into a work out and make it hard and fun!

She is deeply spiritual and always aligns her ideals, her beliefs, and her actions with that of being Christ centered. That is probably the single most thing that impresses me about this girl, her actions and behavior always align with her devotion to God. And with Haley, what you see is what you get. There is nothing false or presumptuous about this girl. She is thoughtful, sweet, genuine, real, honest to the core, and integrity always precedes her. And besides that she's beautiful, absolutely darling, inside and out!

The other day I scheduled a bone density scan to see if I had osteoporosis. That's what Haley does. She has a Bachelor's degree and is working on an associates in Radiology and then she will go on to get her associates in doing Ultrasounds and when she's all done, she'll have two Bachelor degrees. This girl is motivated to say the least. So I ask her if she'd do my test.

When I got to the clinic where she works every single human being I came in contact with raved about Haley, her personality, her work ethic, and her genuine sweetness. I would mention her name and the next thing I would get was a steady stream of rave reviews of what kind of a girl she is to work with and how everyone loves her.

I came away knowing what I already knew. That to know Haley, to symbolically have her on your team is to have a winning team! That's a given with this girl. Everywhere she goes, without exception, people LOVE her!

So do I! I love her. She is everything good, honest, and true. I'm so glad she's part of our nest!

We love you Haley! Happy Birthday! I hope your day is wonderful, kind of like you, cause I think your wonderful!

One Year Mark

Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. And when it comes to these two kids finding each other, that is exactly the case! When I think of the word perfect, I think of Seth and Haley becoming a pair! There are not two people better matched. Seth got the ultimate in a wife and Haley got the ultimate in a husband. I got the ultimate in claiming this sweet couple as my own!

It's been a year since that beautiful December day when we all sat in the temple together and I got to see these two great kids join hearts for all eternity. Wow, was that ever a happy day! We came out of the temple and it was raining. No one noticed. You couldn't see the rain. Nope there was just to much happiness lighting everything up.

I'm a lucky mom. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter-in-law. In fact I tell Haley all the time, I'd like to clone her and put a giant piece of her in me. When it comes to being calm, Haley invented the word! She is sweet, humble, honest, spiritual, wise, practical, solid, strong, and she loves my son like no other. Well, I could go on and on all day about these two kids. Seth is no different. His qualities match hers exactly. They are like a mirror image of each other. These kids have remarkable attributes that consistantly complement each other day in and day out.

So, now that you are full aware of just how proud I am in claiming these two, all of us here at the Crow's Nest want to wish them a Happy Anniversary. Thanks for being a great example when it comes to the institution of marriage, and thanks for being wonderful in every other aspect as well. You are two of the best kids I know and I'm so grateful you hang on my family tree!

Happy Anniversary! We love YOU!!!

Happy Birthday Seth

It wasn't planned!!! I repeat, it wasn't planned! 

On Sunday there is a rule at the Crowther home. Want to come to dinner? Just call up and tell the cook ahead of time. Gage and Missy did just that. Missy went one step further. She baked Seth a Brown's cake.

Then she called him up and told him to get over to my house and have a piece.

Yesterday was Seth's birthday. Happy Birthday Sethy Boy!

Kelson has been sitting on Seth's gift for months. Eons of time, according to Goose. He couldn't wait. Nope not one more day. The anticipation was killing him. So upon seeing the cake, out came the box.

Gavin and Caroline called us just as Goose was about to give Seth the hand-off.  So we faced timed. Gage showed off the cake and held the phone on Seth while the unveiling took place.

It was pretty exciting, And I'm going to apologize here to all the other Crowther birds for not making Goose wait.

Seth was pretty happy to have a gift to open though on the real day. And Goose was chompin at the bit. Seth took his time unwrapping the excitement.

Seth is a die hard "Browns" fan. We all are. And now he has a signed helmet to prove it. He was so surprised.

He couldn't wait to try it on. Oh it's not to wear. It's signed by ....Oh I forget his name! That tells you what a sports fan I am doesn't it. Ok, I'll find out and report back. It's early. I'm tired.

It was pretty exciting though and Seth loved his gift. Way to go Goose. You outdid yourelf!

He loved his cake too! Thanks Missy!

Well you can't have a birthday cake without candles, so we stuck 3 matches in the cake, lit them on fire and sang Happy Birthday. It all felt like a birthday party. But it wasn't the real party. We will celebrate again with the whole crew. I still have my gift to give to Seth.

Happy Birthday Seth. I hope you had a great day because you are a great kid! I know you're well older than the normal kid range standards, but no matter how old you are, you will always be a kid to me! And you're the best kid a mom could ask for, I'm so thankful you're mine.

You were the first Crowther boy bird to land in the nest. I have always known why God sent you first in a herd of boys. You are a great example to your brothers and you have always had an extra sense of wisdom about you. You make a good brother to look up too.

I appreciate so many things about you. Your way of being invites people in. It intreats easily and kindess is unfolded there. Your the kind of individual where trust is always present, a trait not found in everyone. Your strong and sturdy like an Oak. Not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Your the kind of guy, everyone can count on. You in short represent all of the qualities I hope to see in all my sons. Everything about you is solid and true. And that's why your first in the line up. So others can see what a great man looks like and follow.

I love you! Dad too! Thanks for being one easy kid to raise and for being a great example and just a down right great person.  Thanks too for always being such a help to me, both physically and mentally as well. Happy Birthday bud! Love you!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Holy crud... Well I can't compete with songs and poems but I want you to know that I love you just as much!! The fact that Goose can sing you a song or Kaedell can write you a poem shows what a great Mom you are. I'm sure I could do something like that if I had time... lots of time! Ha Ha. Well I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you do for me and Haley. I am so grateful I was blessed with a Mother who I knew loved me more than anything else in this life no matter what. I think that is the greatest blessing a child can have. Thank you for giving that to me. You are an amazing woman and I hope you realize that. You made your calling as a Mother your number one priority and I know it has paid off. Me and Haley love you so much and hope you have a great day. Love, Seth & Haley

Happy Birthday Haley!

This year I'm going to try to keep the birthdays short and sweet. But today beings as it's her first of many to come in this family, Haley gets full coverage, it's the first time she's been featured on the blog for a birthday, so I'm going to ramble and rave.

It was funny, I sent out a birthday text stating we were going to be celebrating Gavin's birthday. Haley is new to the family and while I was well aware her birthday fell on the 20th just like Seth, I was not aware it was in March. For some odd reason, I just kept thinking it was in June. When the text message landed on everyone's phone, Haley looked at Seth and said, "Um, is there something missing in this text. Seth decided he would tease her a little, so he read the text out loud and said, "Looks good to me!"

Haley just sat there with her semi sad face, then calmly, she looked at Seth and said, "Excuse me . . .it's my birthday too." Oh, I laughed at that story.  And immediately after Seth told it to me and I realized my blunder, I sent out a new text repairing my mistake. Haley wasn't mad at me. She just kidded me in her cute little way. 

Every time I'm around this girl I have to ask myself how I got so lucky.  

Besides the fact that she is the cutest girl ever, Haley is a winner for a million and one different reasons. After getting to know her I'd like to clone a few of her traits and put them in me. Let me start with the number one thing I love about this girl ----she is always CALM! Oh my heck, nothing riles her. She doesn't fly off the handle, get all excited, worry over things and go nuts, like your's truly. Nope, you can count on her calm demeanor like you can count on the position of the North Star. I don't know how she does it. She is always center weighted though in what really matters in this life and her calm nature is pleasing to be around. I told her the other day I needed some of her in me and she just giggled.

Besides being easy going, she is easy to please. This girl always has a grateful heart! Her expectations in life are simple. . . to Haley everything in life is a blessing. 

I asked Seth the other day what I should get her for her birthday. I'm not sure exactly what she really loves just yet, so I was trying to fish for some ideas. His comment back to my questioning was simple, "Doesn't matter what you get her mom, she will love anything you buy her." The crazy part about that statement is, I know it's true. I could go out and purchase the dumbest thing ever and Haley would honestly love it and use it until it was well worn out. She has a take on life that is a rare thing.  

Well, besides being cute, calm, generous, gentle, happy, purely honest, kind, and sincere in all she does, she is deeply spiritual. Haley is a role model for Christ like behavior, really a great example in how we ought to conduct ourselves. I really admire her and appreciate the influence she brings to my family.

So today I want her to know how much I love her, and I speak for the whole fam damily! Thanks for joining into this crazy group of birds with a happy accepting heart, and for loving us just the way we are!   And from all of us here at the Crow's nest, we wish you a happy wonderful day! Love YOU!

Just The Beginning

Today they begin. A story yet to be written, one that will unfold and tick by slowly; day by day. It will span a lifetime, take up an eternity. I think it will be a beautiful story.

Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day. It's beauty will not be determined by the weather or any other unseen factor.  Tomorrow's beauty rests in two individuals and choices they've made through out their lives.

Tonight as I prepare for the beauty of tomorrow, I'm not working on any pictures. Instead I'm recording a few thoughts. I have scheduled this post to take place at ten in the morning. It's an important hour. I think I'm finally ready for the day, although some lingering doubt rests in the back of my head. I have made all the necessary preparations, there are so many. It's finally late and time to retire. I'm sitting on the fireplace. Laptops and wireless internet are convenient for nights like this. I'm sitting here getting warm. I am taking a few minutes to contemplate a day I've anticipated for some time now. I'm thinking about a little boy who grew too fast. I'm thinking about how sneaky life is, how it slips past when you're not looking. I'm dwelling on all of the sweet memories that make me a mother.

I've only had two or three meltdowns today. I spent the day running around grabbing those last minute items. I stayed in a semi frantic frame of mind so I wouldn't have to think about the part of life I hate to see pass. I started the day of with a bang. I got a speeding ticket. The officer didn't think my pre-wedding day jitters constituted a significant reason to speed. He had no mercy on my heavy foot.

After shopping, picking up pictures, a trip to the garment store, a stop at Hallmark, and Walmart, I came home and went up stairs to ask Seth a question. He and Haley were moving his bed out of his room and packing up everything in sight. I started to cry. Haley immediately gave me a big hug. I love her so much! I went off on a tangent about how I didn't have a clue as to why I was crying. I told them both, I was the happiest mother on the planet. "Really I am," I said between sobs.  My emotions felt strange and confusing, so happy, so sad. I hugged them both, I couldn't love two kids more. I cried a bit longer, hugged them one last time, ranted for a second on how Seth's childhood went by way too quickly, and left the room.

I went down stairs and sat on my bed. My tears wouldn't stop. "This is crazy I thought." Yet I felt it, way deep down inside, that feeling, the one that hints at the notion that I'm losing something. It isn't true, I'm really gaining far more than I'm losing. But still, I know it is a time frame along life's path that is gone for good. I hate letting go. I simply hate parting with the nesting years. I hate not hearing those familiar footsteps down the hall. I miss the goings and the comings. The daily conversations about their day and all they are doing. I miss it all, caring for them, feeding them, and the happy interactions. I really don't like the day my little birds fly away!!! I hate it when they leave the nest. I know they will fly back. I know it's not the end of life. I know in a few days I'll love it. I'll adjust and there will be good in the new. Today however, that is not the case. I don't know what made me this way but I think it grows more intense in me the older I get.

I'm going to bed now. The hour has finally arrived. There is no energy left to think of words that describe this moment. It's after mid-night. I probably won't get much sleep. My heart is too full and my emotions push at the flood gates. Gratitude pours through me. It is like a rushing tide and I am sure it will keep me restless through the night. So I close now with anticipation for the beautiful day to come and with one last simple pounding thought. "My Heavenly Father loves me. And He has blessed me beyond belief."