Conner's 17th birthday!

It's so hard to believe how fast time can fly by.  It is just hard to put into words how amazed I am that my second child is 17 years old today.  It feels like it was just yesterday that we were walking up the steps to find his name on Miss Patty's door on that first day of preschool, or the day of his baptism when Grandma Anderson gave a talk using string to demonstrate our time here on this earth, or starting junior high when I had to sit down with a counselor to pressure her to let Conner go into Algebra 1 (at Conner's insistence) yet he became mute in the meeting and it looked like I was "crazy, pushy mom".  :D   So many memories that feel like they were only yesterday.  

I am so proud of Conner is so many ways.  I don't think I tell him often enough how much he helps me since most of the time I know it feels like I'm nagging him to help more, be more mature, be nicer to his younger brothers and sister, and take more responsibility and initiative in his school work.  He's had to follow in some really tough footsteps (Jessie!) and it's really neat to see Conner coming into his own.  We are starting to see some real maturity from him and I couldn't be happier!  It's so strange but you can actually see that maturity increase daily right now.  He's been so much more helpful with his sibling and especially Evan.  I will find Conner sitting with Evan watching "Veggie Tales" clips or movies all the time.  I know Conner is getting as big of a kick out of them as Evan is which is so cute!  Conner's been so much nicer to his brothers which I know has been something he's had to really work at.  He's been trying harder in school and has shown a real interest in computers which seems like a good fit for him.  He's showing  maturity in his friendships and his testimony.  He's been asking me about FHE and family scripture study and it is coming at a time when I really am struggling with keeping all of that together.  As far as friendships...for the first time, probably ever!,  he actually told us that he wasn't going to a friends house for their monthly/weekly video game all nighter because he didn't feel good about it.  He's just shown us some real maturity and I just love him so much and can't explain how proud I am of the young man Conner is and of the man he is becoming.  We haven't hit perfection yet but we're on the way.  haha!  He's a joy to have in our family and I am so thankful he is a part of our family.  

Happy birthday Conner!