Fantastic Fifteen

Somehow I blinked and my sweet, chubby, blond baby grew up into this handsome, dark, curly haired young man.

Carter turned 15 last week. Got his driver's permit and will be a sophomore this fall. I swear I was just doing these exact same things yesterday!

Carter is so much fun. He and I laugh together and share jokes and music. He is so smart and strives to do what is right. He takes his priesthood responsibilities seriously. He is idolized by his little brother and sister and has a great group of friends. His dimples are the subject of much adoration amongst the mothers of the teenage girls at church and it embarrasses him to know end.

Little do they know how his cheeks used to be so chubby they bounced when he ran.

And he used to call tunnels "the loo," and drove his Thomas train through the Loo and around the figure 8 track for hours.

Ever focused, he could watch a snail crawl along the edge of a bucket for hours in the rain under an umbrella.

He used to puke in the car all. the. time. And still gags when a baby spits up near him;).

Loves to read, although texting has replaced some of that. However he is probably the first boy I have ever met that actually has read every book ever assigned by a language arts teacher. Often reading ahead and finishing before the class. And for those of you who know how hard he has struggled with dyslexia, this is huge. I spent hours agonizing over words with him. Years in the classroom volunteering to build a relationship with his teachers that helped them help him when no services were offered even after his testing showed huge discrepancies in his abilities. More hours reading aloud to him and his siblings every night to foster in them a love of books.

I love you Carter. Happy 15th. I'm so glad I get to be your mom.