Celebrating a DECADE!

June 23, 2010

Dear Canyon,

WOW, your ten today. Where has all the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was learning that I was pregnant with you. I can remember the day like it was yesterday. I was so excited and so scared to become a Mommy.
I read every book I could find to learn about how you were growing in me and I was so excited the day I first felt you kick in my belly. It felt like a butterfly inside my tummy, but it made the reality that you were there overwhelming. I couldn’t believe that the Lord was really growing a beautiful baby in me. But as you grew, those kicks became stronger and stronger … and on some days, I could see the whole print of your foot under my skin. I knew then you’d be some athlete!
I remember the day we named you. Sitting at dinner, a friend of ours shared that he had a little brother named “Canyon”. I immediately looked at your Daddy and we both knew … Canyon it would be! “Canyon Martine” … that would be one cool name for one cool kid!

I can remember the day you were born so well. Your Daddy and I were so excited and so nervous. The middle of the night I awoke, there was no doubt that you were ready to make your entrance into our world, 3 weeks early. As the doctor delivered you and handed you to me, your Daddy had huge tears in his eyes and a smile I will never forget. And you had so much hair!!! I can remember when they gave you your first bath and brought you back to me, they had combed all your little hair into a perfect little boy’s hairdo. I couldn’t believe how much I loved you from the moment I knew about you … and how much my heart swelled the moment you were placed in my arms. All my children are special, but you, Canyon … made me a Mommy.

I can remember when you were a newborn, you would wake in the night to eat and you and I would rock in the glider chair Grammy gave us. I would feed you, and stare at every little toe and every little finger in amazement. I couldn’t believe the Lord had given me you! I remember the night I became overwhelmed at what my heart felt. Daddy giggled as I cried and told him that I never knew I’d love you so much!
I can remember the day Daddy told me “he’d have a gaggle of these” he was so in love with you. I can remember too that Daddy and I would fight (in a fun way) over who got to hold you and carry you into church and into friends homes. We loved to show you off and you were never lacking for love!

Each day when you awoke … 7:00 am promptly, we’d sit on the couch of our first new house and I would feed you. Daddy would have to tiptoe quietly through the room, careful not to make any sound because you were so curious that you’d stop eating and want to see what he was doing. When Daddy would leave for work, I’d lay you on the floor on a blanket and then lay down next to you. I’d just stare at you, sing songs and soak you in. At only a few weeks old I began reading you books every day … lots of them. I’m convinced today that that is one of the reasons you are so incredibly bright and such a great reader!

As you grew, you developed such a fun personality. You loved to run and play outside. You loved “Big trucks” and we would spend hours together outside watching the trucks in our new neighborhood build the houses. As the drivers of the trucks would go by, you’d eagerly wave your hand and say “Big truck” with a huge and excited grin.
I can remember that you learned to talk really quickly and often people were so surprised by how many words you’d say. I would beam in pride … you were brilliant! My favorite though was when you’d say “Where’d Papa do” or “Where’d Daddy do” and then you’d run around the house, searching for them and squeal in excitement when they were found.

When Dakota was born, you didn’t care much about the new baby, you were busy playing with your trucks in the dirt and being all boy. When I would set her in your lap, you weren’t quite sure what to think but you’d hold her … for just a few seconds, give her a kiss on the forehead and then run off to play balls and line up all your hot wheel
cars.

I remember when you were 4 years and 8 months old you started asking lots of questions about Jesus, and what it meant for him to live in your heart. For an entire week, you came up with the most amazing, soul searching thoughts and questions and we had great conversations. At the end of that week, I awoke one morning from being gone the night before at Bible study to learn that you had asked Daddy at prayer time the night before if you could invite Jesus into your heart. You were saved that night, Mommy’s biggest prayer answered!

I love that when we brought Maliah home, a few weeks later you sweetly told me how glad you were that we adopted her … that you couldn’t imagine her not in our family. I also love that as we drove down the road one day, you mentioned that when you can’t have babies from your tummy, you could adopt them. After a sweet discussion of how God called us to adopt Maliah out of obedience and not because I couldn’t have babies from my tummy, I noticed you pondering in thought as you looked out the window. After some time you said “I wonder where God is going to tell me my baby is from”. My eyes filled in tears as I watched you process what God’s plan might be in your life … instead of your own.

I can remember how I cried the first day you went off to Kindergarten. I walked out of your room and cried the whole way home. My baby had gone off to big boy school … you were growing up!

Over the past 4 years in school I have continued to be so proud of you and how hard you work. It is such a joy to have teachers and parents tell me how polite, how courteous, and how kind you are. Your teachers have always been amazed at your gifts … both physically and mentally. Your Daddy and I have always been so proud of all your accomplishments at school, but most of all, proud of who God has created you to be!

I have watched you grow a little each year and with each year, you bring our home more laughter, more insight, more joy and more pride. It is so fun to be your Mommy, Canyon. I am so blessed by you. It has also been so much fun watching you grow in your sports. I can’t tell you, Canyon, how much fun I have watching you in baseball or basketball. I’ve never been a real big sports fan … but you have changed my ways and I am your number one fan and can’t wait to follow you to wherever you go, and watch whatever it is your playing.

Canyon, you are not only bright and gifted athletically, but you are also such a leader. I watch you with other kids and around your peers and can see that the Lord has given you a real gift of leadership. I pray each day that as you grow, you will continue to seek him in your life. I pray that you become a Godly leader … with a warrior spirit!

I loved the day I watched you in church as you not only listened to every word Pastor Scott said but you laughed in all the right places. The same day, he spoke of someone missing in the Manger scene at Christmas, and that he wanted to shove him into everyone’s nativity. You leaned over with a grin and whispered “John the Baptist”. I was amazed that you processed that so quickly. It was a marked day that I knew that you were really receiving God’s word.

Canyon, it made my heart overflow this week when you told me that you were reading your bible in the mornings … on your own. That is the mark of such a mature young man. I am excited to think that Jesus is getting to meet with you, not just when we go to him as a family in prayer or in our bible reading … but alone.. just you and him. He has so much he wants you to know. He has so many plans for you. I know that as you seek him by reading his word and having those quiet times with him, that he’ll continue to grow the relationship he has with you and your life will be greatly blessed by his never ending presence and love. It is my greatest prayer … that you would love the Lord!

So, today, Canyon …. You are TEN! A whole decade has gone by. No longer are you a single digits little boy. You have graduated into a young man. I am so proud that the Lord gifted you into my life. I am humbly awed that I get to be your Mommy!

I love you, sweet boy! With all my heart, Mommy loves you!

Happy 10th Birthday!

Love
Mommy

Summer has begun!

Summer is a time of lazy days and swimming pools. Here's us doing our best to make those happen!

horse camp ... a place where dreams do come true!

Dakota enjoyed yet another year of Horse Camp this summer. She definitely has a love of horses and it is such a joy to watch her glow when you talk to her about them or when she is riding! How does a parent put a price on that?
This year, we showed up for the "Closing" ceremony that Mrs. James gives and Dakota had a huge grin on her face. From across a large distance she mouthed "I cantered, I cantered". If you don't know horse language or the mechanics of English Saddle, you may be as lost as I was when she said that. I didn't REALLY know what a big deal that endeavor was until Mrs. James went on to explain during the ceremonies how scary it is to Canter the first time ... it takes quite a bit of courage and skill. So, my girl now Canters on ....
Here's a few pictures of closing out. I don't have any pictures this year of riding. I'm sure I"ll get some new ones when we're at lessons one day.
This is the grin as I walked up ... she was so ready to tell me she cantered!

New friends!

Horse camp ... it's more than just horses!

Dakota looks at the memory book of pictures Mrs. James made for her of camp

Mrs. James and Dakota ... she talks about how quickly and eagerly Dakota would respond during bible study

Mrs. James talks about characteristics she has seen in Dakota

The beautiful horse that Dakota first "Cantered" on.

baseball 2010

This was a fun year for Canyon in baseball. It was the year he ventured into kid pitch. No more Daddy's on the mound, soft tossing the ball in the perfect place to work to assure a hit for each kid. Nope, this year, we were looking for STRIKES!

Last fall Canyon tried out for a "Select" or sometimes known as a "Club" team that played out of San Antonio. He had worked with the Coach on some hitting the spring before and some dear friends boys played with the group so we ventured out to try outs to see if it was something Canyon would want to do. Very quickly the Coach said he'd be happy to make a spot for Canyon on his team for the spring. As it grew closer to ball time, we began receiving phone calls from the Coach about the upcoming season and if Canyon was ready to commit. After some conversations, Canyon made the decision he just wanted to play Little League at Jumbo Evans. Doug and I were content with his decision so off he went for the "Little League Draft".

After the day of Canyon's draft try out, Doug received a call from a Coach who was also on the board of the LIttle League and had been out at try outs doing his own "Draft". This coach was putting together a team from our area of boys 9U for a "select" team. He wanted to use this season to let the kids get to know each other, give them some experience with a higher level of competition and then be ready for a great 10U year! He had his eye on Canyon and wanted to know if we were interested. Canyon went out to a few practices with the Bulverde Angels and quickly became enthralled with the team. Several of the boys go to his school and even our church ... he felt right at home! Before we knew it, we were playing both places. It worked this year because all the boys on the Select team were also playing Little League and impressively Coach Groves scheduled all tournaments and game times around each boys Little League games ... quite a feat. It was busy doing both leagues but fun is an understatement!

We hesitantly went into the Bulverde Angels not sure if Canyon was ready for the whole Club thing. Actually, I will admit, Mommy wasn't quite sure I was ready to commit to the time and possible travel. I will say, however, the Lord paved a path as we have been so blessed by the families we have met, the coaching Canyon has received and how much fun it has been to watch him bloom ... and cheer him on. We anxiously await January ...

Our Angel season ended a few weekends ago with a tournament in Austin. The final game Canyon hit a in the field home run to tie up the game. That rallied our team and in the last inning they scored 5 runs to achieve a win by 2. I can't tell you how excited Canyon was to get that amazing hit. He's quite a hitter. Coach moved him from the 4th hitting spot to lead batter this year. He also began pitching as well as played Center Field and First Base. The one thing that Canyon has when it comes to baseball (or any sport) is speed and heart! His team this year nicknamed him "Flash" .. you should see that boy run ... and steal! Impressive!

I thought I'd put a few pictures I loved from the season. I print each year of my blog into books to keep. I love being able to go back and look at the pictures and read them so often, they are as much for me as they might be for you!
Enjoy!
Canyon pitching!




Canyon stealing 2cnd ...

Leading off second

I love this one, the pitcher looking back at his 1st base runner, looking for the pick off. (Canyon at first)

Coach Groves talking with the team after one of the games

Listening to his coach

Canyon is so serious before he bats. Concentration!

Coach Groves Coaching Canyon before at bat

Canyon bunts ... so beautiful!

Love this!

Sliding back to third after trying to pick him off!

This next series of pictures is of Canyon when he hit his in the park home run. My all time favorite is the one of him with the huge grin as he came into the dugout with his buddies! Can you tell how proud he was! I was so excited for him!
WHACK! THE HIT!

Running like the wind! GO Canyon, GO!

Rounding 3rd base!

The team congratulates him!

The SMILE!

Lady in Red!

This year was Dakota's fourth year to take dance. As always, her recital was precious and she was the star of her dance. Of course, I'm not even being biased or anything! She's such a little cutie. Enjoy some pictures of her special tap dance this year ... the song "The Mommy Dance".

Dakota's birthday bash!

On the 20th of May, my blue eyed beauty turned 8! In the midst of baseball, end of year activities and Beach to Bay, we celebrated with a special day at Granny's with 3 special friends. Crafts, swimming, cupcake decorating were a hit!
Dakota, you are a doll! I can't believe you are EIGHT! I had so much fun at this party ... dancing to your "Dakota Mix" CD you made of all your favorite songs, helping you make your aprons, watching you be silly as you created the worlds largest amount of icing on one cupcake, and watching you swim with your friends! Special times and special memories!