Eighteen

With all the excitement and activity with Rachel's engagement and wedding preparations, everything else on my blog has sort of slipped by the wayside, including an important milestone in Braden's life...his 18th birthday. Time to get caught up!  This birthday now takes on even more significance in light of a certain announcement from President Monson that came just a few weeks ago during the opening session of this past October General Conference...

"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of 19."

I will never forget that moment.  Kent was away watching Stefanie cheer at a football game, Rachel was watching conference at George's house, so it was just Braden and I in the room together.  Those words took my breath away, my heart stopped for a second, and then I started crying.  Wow, more tears again just remembering.  Braden just sat up straight staring at the TV.  Almost immediately his phone started beeping and buzzing with texts, tweets and calls as all his buddies reacted to the news.  Then the same thing happened with my phone as friends and family wanted to know the reaction at my house.  I just sat and cried.  About 20 minutes later Kent and Stefanie arrived home, I ran out to the garage to meet them as they got out of the car.  I asked them if they had heard, and because of my high state of emotions and tears, they thought something terrible had happened--a death in the family??  I explained the news, and then we all came in the house and watched President Monson's announcement again.  We could hardly believe it.  And we all knew that big changes would be coming to our family much sooner than anticipated.  

So...fast forward to January 6th and here is my cute boy on his 18th birthday.

Who is the cute blonde, you ask? She is Braden's GIRLFRIEND who spent the entire day at our house with him that day.  Yes, he is growing up fast which makes me happy and sad at the same time.  So many mixed emotions.  

Anyway, here are a few things about Braden at age 18 that I always want to remember...

*He is a happy, good-natured kid who is so fun to be around.  People are drawn to his positive personality.  He is never without a group of friends following him around.  He is a natural leader.
*He has a lot of confidence in himself.  I love reading his list of goals on his bedroom door.  My favorite is..."I will stay a worthy priesthood holder."  Love that.
*He has some amazing musical talents.  He loves to play the piano and sing.  He even plays the harmonica!  Two weeks ago he auditioned for the Lehi High School talent show and made it!  Last week he performed "Piano Man" by Billy Joel for a packed auditorium at the High School and rocked it!  He was awesome.
*He lives for soccer! Right now he is returning home from Las Vegas where he has been for the past four days at a tournament with his club team. I just saw this picture on facebook, taken last night.

*He can hardly wait for the high school season to begin. Another goal listed on his bedroom door..."Lehi will win State in soccer!"  I so hope that happens for him!
*He has a passion for ping-pong! He has a table set up in his bedroom and is always ready for a match.  He is vice-president of the LHS Ping-Pong club. There are only two kids at school that he hasn't beat and he is on a quest!
*He has wrecked two of our cars in the past six weeks.  Ugh!  The first happened just before Christmas.  He was driving Kent's Nissan with a group of friends in the car with him.  He slid on some black ice and slammed into a curb, breaking the axle on the front passenger tire.  The car had to be towed and we ended up with a repair bill over $500.   The second accident happened last Friday morning.  He was driving his Hundai on his way to school, made a bad turn, hit another car, ripped his bumper completely off.  We never recovered the bumper, because it was dragged away by another car. Lovely. Teenage drivers are so much fun...NOT!
*OK, I'll end on a positive note.  He has a strong testimony of the gospel, and will be such an amazing missionary.  On his birthday he had an interview with the bishop and started filling out his papers.  Oh my, this is really happening!  

I am so grateful to be his mom!  What a blessing he is in my life.

Wedding Dress Shopping

We found her dress!!!  Can you guess which one?

This morning was so much fun!  Rachel made an appointment at a local bridal shop and we had no intention of actually buying the dress today, we just wanted to see what was out there.  Stefanie took the day off from school and the three of us took a little field trip.  The first dress she tried on was gorgeous, we all loved the full bustle-y skirt and simple neckline and bodice.  When our consultant added a red sash and flowing veil, we thought for sure it was the one!  But then she tried on the second dress.  Oh my, it took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes.  Silky and elegant, soft gathers on the bodice, empire waist, a bit of bling on the sleeves and waistband, full smooth skirt, gently flowing train.  I thought she looked like an angel!  I KNEW this was it! Stefanie and I each agreed she was absolutely gorgeous.  She tried on a couple more after that...they were both beautiful, but couldn't compare to the first two.  She tried them both on one more time, and the decision was quickly made.  We all agreed that the first dress was more "prom-ish", the second, completely "bridal". Other than the length, it fit perfectly! No alterations needed! Rachel's future MIL is an excellent seamstress, she had offered to hem if needed so we bought it on the spot with big, happy smiles on all our faces. We couldn't believe how easy it was! And I can't wait to see my baby girl wearing this beautiful gown on her wedding day.