MY Boy!

Isn't he cute?! I can't believe he is 12 today! It seems like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital. You were tiny and squirmy and full of life. That Monday was a great day. Daddy and I had spent the previous weekend in Gilbert with the FFA kids from Heber, (He was teaching there at the time). I walked all day Saturday looking at model homes and shopping, then Sunday I completely rearranged my bedroom by myself (probably what started the labor!) I went to sleep and then early (5:45) in the morning I got up to go to the bathroom - seems like that is ALL I did for the last few weeks. I got back in bed and rolled over and thought "YOU have got to be KIDDING me... I did NOT just pee my pants, I JUST went to the bathroom!" No I did not, my water broke. So up we got and called the doctor and they said to go to the hospital so we called the Crandell's and they took Ashten for us. We got to the hospital by 7:30 (it was about 40 miles away). They checked us in and made me comfortable, the contractions were barely starting to be regular. This was a very small hospital and I was the only maternity patient there at this time, so I had people asking to help me all day - it was totally opposite of the last baby I had. They brought me a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast - unheard of! Then I got to take a shower - also unheard of! It was glorious! Although as a nurse now, I am not sure how safe all that was as I could very well have gotten an infection or thrown up all over someone! As it was though, I was feeling pretty good. We called Grami and Pops to tell them we were there and Grami talked me through some breathing (she wasn't able to be here this time) and reminded me to relax all over and remember my hands and toes. That really helped later on. The contractions were getting regular, but not quite hurting yet and Daddy was tired of just sitting in the room so we went for a walk. After a little while he got tired of that too, so I put him in a wheelchair and started pushing him around. The nurses all thought that was pretty funny to see the pregnant lady pushing her husband around. But his ride didn't last long as the contractions started getting closer and harder to handle so we headed back to the room. We weren't in there long when I suddenly felt panicked and had to call the nurse. It was about 11:40 a.m. now and she ran out of the room and called the doctor and then came back in and had me breathe through a couple more contractions then the doctor came in and on the next contraction you were here! 11:53 a.m. 6 lbs 4oz 21 inches long! That delivery was quick and I wish I could say painless, but that would be lying, but quick it was.

Then we couldn't decide what you would be named. When I was still pregnant with you and I had gone for an ultrasound to find out how you were doing and if you were a boy or girl, they told me a boy and I was so excited I went from there to the store and bought a little yellow tracker and a blue balloon. Ashten was just two and cute as can be, daddy was teaching class when we got back to town so I had her carry the tractor and balloon into his class and give him a big kiss. It was so fun to see the look on his face! Well from that point on we called you Spencer Chad. However, when you were born, you just didn't look like a Spencer to me. So we started all over again. I wanted David Chad, Daddy wanted Jedekiah Clarence - I said NO WAY! Then he said John Clarence and I said no to the John (there are enough Johns in our family). We battled for a while longer and finally I blew up and said "I don't care, I am tired, you are the dad - go name your son!" so he left the room and went to the nurses and a while later came back and told me Jedekiah was it, and I almost cried. But then he smiled and said how about Johnathen David. It was perfect, and I loved it (I wanted to call you David, but he wouldn't let me - so I was adamant that you would be called Johnathen, NOT John). But, in the end it worked out that we both got a name we liked, that fit you, AND had some family heritage after all - John for your great grandpa on Daddy's side and your Grandpa on Mommy's side, and David after your Grandpa Lewis. I still wish we were able to use Daddy's name, but he wanted to honor his dad and grandpa more than himself.

That night after you were born the hospital brought in a special dinner for Daddy and I. I had a Cobb Salad and Daddy had a steak - they even put a candle on the tray, but wouldn't let us light it for fire rules - talk about hospitality! You don't get that in the hospital today. No way!

Well that is how the story goes. You came home with us the next day and had a really good first 12 days! Of course you know what happened next, but that is another story to tell. All that matters is that you lived through that and it made you stronger. You have grown so much since those first days - obviously, but I mean spiritually as well. I love your sweet spirit and how you are good about following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You try so hard to be righteous and to make sure we are righteous as well. You are a great brother to your sisters and they know you love them. You are funny and smart and SO talented with music and stories. You make friends easily and people like to be around you because you are fun.

I love you, Son. I hope you have a great birthday! Love, Mom