Happy Birthday, Bub!

9 years ago today, my life changed forever. I became a mom! I stared down at your sweet little old man face and fell in love! I could swear that you were the most wanted and loved child in the history of children. I am so grateful for that moment. I had been waiting for it my whole life.

I still remember when Dad and I found out we were having you. We were so excited! We didn't know if you were going to be a boy or a girl, we just knew we couldn't wait to meet you. While I was still pregnant with you, Dad and I went to the temple. While we were in there, I heard a little voice tell me that you were a boy and that your name should be Adam. Sure enough, a few weeks later the doctor confirmed that. We knew we were going to be blessed with a very special little boy.

From the moment you were born, you brought such happiness to our lives. You were so funny and sweet. Everyone loved you! You started walking at 9 months old and then you RAN! We haven't been able to stop you since! You loved sports immediately. Your first word was, "ball." By the time you were one you knew the difference between all of the different types of balls. It was so funny! Sports are still such a big part of your life. What a boy you are!

Last year you were baptized. I am so proud of you and the choices you make each day. Your Heavenly Father loves you so much and is pleased with the kid you are. Keep making the choices you make and being the kid you are. Keep defending the kids at school who get picked on, keep on telling people when they do things that go against what you believe in. It makes you stand out and more people will want to be your friends. It makes me smile to think how much you love the things that are right. You teach me so much!

I LOVE YOU, ADAM! Each day you make me more and more proud to be your mom. I'm grateful to my Father in Heaven for sending you to us. Thank you for being my big kid, my buddy and such a great oldest brother. Your brothers and sister are so lucky to have you. You teach them so many great things. I know it can be hard sometimes being the oldest, but it pays off. Believe me, I know! There is nothing better than having younger brothers and sisters to watch and see the people they become. It's nice to know sometimes that who they are has a little bit to do with who you are. Your brothers and sister are lucky because you set such a great example for them to follow. I know your Heavenly Father sent you first because he knew you could be the best person for them to follow!

Keep on being you, Bub! I will love you forever and never for a moment will I stop being so proud of you! I love your smile. I love the funny little facts you know. The way you shy away from my hugs and kisses in front of your friends makes me laugh. I want to kiss each and every one of your little freckles on your face. I love how you get so excited about whatever it is that you're doing right now. Whether it's baseball, swimming, football, or dinosaurs, birds and insects. There is not one thing about you that I don't just ADORE! You will always be my first child and that is so special.

Never doubt your place here on this earth. You are you, a child of God, and you belong. You have a very special place here on this earth and in our family. I can't even imagine the great things that are in store for you in your life! Your dad and I are here for you to help you on your way. Never forget that. Sorry, you're stuck with us FOREVER!!!

We love you, Adam! Happy 9th birthday!

(I almost didn't get this done before the end of today! We had such a fun weekend celebrating!)

Life is TOO busy!

I really miss blogging! I just don't know when to fit it in without feeling guilty!

I have been so busy lately with visitors, school, homework with the kids, volunteering at the school, and just trying to get things done around the house. I am determined to work blogging into the mix, but it must come after exercise. I have never been good at sticking to a regimented schedule, but I think now is the time! It just seems like there is never enough time to get everything accomplished. So, until I figure it all out, you will be hearing a lot less from me.

Wish me luck! I'll post again for Adam's birthday on Sunday.

Happy Birthday, Cam-Cam!

Wow! I can't believe it's been 5 years already! Where has time gone?



I remember the day you were born. I had been in the hospital for about 5 days already, miserably on tons of different medications! The doctors were trying to keep me from having you too early. They didn't want you to be sick. You were determined to come anyway! In the middle of the night, they woke me up telling me I was in labor. I started to cry! I didn't want you to be sick, either. I was so scared.


You came so fast. The doctor almost didn't make it in time. When you came out, you cried so loud. It made mommy so happy to hear you! You were very healthy! Your lungs worked perfectly!!! I cried because I was such a happy mom! You weighed 6 lbs. That was big for a baby born over 5 weeks early! I was kind of glad you came early then! You had to stay in the hospital for a little over a week. I spent a lot of time with you there. I couldn't stand to be away from you. You were so cute and tiny!



Over the years you have grown very big. I have loved every minute of watching you grow. Now you love to play with your brothers outside. You love sports and video games. You build such cool things with blocks for your cars to drive in. When you play trains, you make such neat tracks and villages. I love your imagination and how you talk when you play with your toys! I know your name is hard to write, but you do such a great job at it. I love how hard you try. You will have so much fun in kindergarten this year! I will miss you while you are at school!



You have been a great helper to mom & dad. We are still so happy to have you in our family. I love your little voice and the funny things you say. I love how you help me take care of Abbie. She is so lucky to have you as her big brother. You're such a good boy, my Cam-Cam. When I am sad, all I have to do is look at your happy face and you make me smile.




I will love you forever. You will always be my little boy, no matter how big you get. Thank you for the happiness you bring to me and for coming into my life. I can't imagine a world without you!

Bye Bye Summer, Hello School!

Summer has been very busy for us here at the Duke household. We have had fun with family, friends, and swimming lessons! Here are a few pictures from the summer and it's events.

Since we're done with all of this, it must mean it's time for back-to-school! Here are a few pictures of the boys from their first days of school! It's so weird to have them all in school now. It's just us girls in the afternoons now! CRAZY!!!

If you're wondering why I have no pictures of Adam in his class, it's because he was too cool to even look at me! When I left and said, "Goodbye," he just gave me the cool guy head nod!!!! Oh joy! I was lucky to just have him acknowledge me, I guess!

I got a little carried away with Campbell's pictures. I just couldn't help myself! He was just the cutest little kindergartner! I can't believe he's so big already! Monday is his 5th birthday! He's just such a great kid!

Last night was back-to-school night. I met all of their teachers and learned about what they would be doing this year in school! I feel like we are just so lucky to go to this school! I don't know if there's a bad teacher in the whole place! My kids love it and that is more important to me than anything!

I am grateful for the priesthood.

It's back-to-school time. Life gets so crazy this time of year. It is so hectic trying to gather school supplies, get your schedule back in order and mentally prep your kids (and yourself) for the new school year. This year, we have the added chaos of returning to school ourselves!!!

We got a phone call the other night from our home teacher. He wanted to know if he could come home teaching and help Lain give the kids their back-to-school priesthood blessings. I had almost forgotten!!! I am so grateful for his diligence in remembering. We really like the kids to have those. I think it's important for them to see that the blessings of the priesthood extend beyond being sick or injured.

They came on Thursday, looking all sorts of snazzy in their shirts and ties. The boys were excited. We visited for a while, then called each boy in for Lain to give him a father's blessing. It was so special. Each one of them received a personal message from their Heavenly Father to bless them throughout the year. What would we do without it? I can't even fathom it!

When the boys were finished, they turned and asked Lain and me if we would like blessings to help us, too. Hmmmm... now there was a thought. We were going back to school. Why not? I sat and listened while Lain received his blessing. It was so comforting. I knew we were doing what our Heavenly Father wanted us to do right now. I know we can make it through these stressful times. Of course, I also know it will not be easy. When it was my turn, I was nervous. I am a private person and really didn't want these people hearing what my Heavenly Father had to say to me. I always cry. I really hate that about myself. But, I knew I had some nerves that needed calming. Lain gave me a very special blessing and I was instantly comforted. Am I still nervous? Yes. BUT, my insides aren't turning inside-out anymore! Baby steps. There were things addressed in the blessing that I hadn't even discussed with Lain yet. I knew this was a message to me from my Father.

Do we even recognize the great opportunities provided to us through the priesthood? I have been thinking a lot about it lately. This is the same priesthood that blessed the lives of so many people in the Bible. We are fortunate enough to have it in our homes! That is amazing! As a member of Christ's church, even if the priesthood is not available to us in our homes, we know someone who can bless our lives through it's power. And those blessings are without number or limits. I have seen miracles in my life and in the lives of many people. Things deemed impossible by the world have been made possible by the power of God.

The boys started school without drama. Lain and I have been trucking right along with our stuff. Would it be possible without receiving blessings? Maybe. But, I know that the peace I have right now could only come through the power of the priesthood and my Heavenly Father's enduring love.