Happy Birthday Guido...

Okay so I'm a little late. However, this isn't really a Happy birthday post. It's a look how much my baby boy is growing up post. I swear he was just a little guy last week. Where does the time go.I sure do love this kid and am so glad I can finally get him to start semi-smiling in pictures. I am paying enough for it, he better start showing it off.

2011

2012

I hope they call me on a mission....

Today we were told by the stake presidency that numbers rivaled that of stake conference. The young women and men in our ward went out like a great army to share the words of the gospel in a real world experience. As I dropped Guido off, I was so excited for him to begin this experience and I couldn't wait to see what our day would bring as well.

Ready to Serve

Our first set of missionaries were to come for lunch and then teach a discussion.They were wonderful and polite young men.They read most of the lesson out of the manual but both had a testimony.
Once they left we waited for the knock on the door for our next group of young men.This set of young men we were supposed to turn away. However, when they showed up they were actually the third group. Which were supposed to be a cold call but we were to allow them in the home and listen to the lesson. So after they gave their introduction, I told them I wasn't interested. Then I looked at their chaperone who signaled to me that they were the third group. So I asked the boys "Tell me why I should let you in my home?" Then one boy said, "Wouldn't you like your family to be together forever? We can tell you how to make that possible." I said, "Okay, come on in." The second we did introductions there was something different. I realized that one of these young boys had a disability. That didn't stop him at all, the lesson they gave was amazing. He didn't use his manual at all, he spoke from the heart, and the spirit was strong.
It was such an incredible experience. As we went to pick Guido up it was as we were in the presence of greatness. Guido talked and talked about his experience with such excitement. I was so proud to know that he was so edified by it and is looking forward to being a ready missionary each and every day, until that day he is called to serve.

Called to Serve.....

Our Stake is having a mini-Mission over the next several months for the young adults in our area. I am so excited for the young men and women in our ward to be able to have this wonderful opportunity. Each "Missionary" will walk through all of the steps that a missionary does from submitting their papers, to getting the call, to preparing each step of the way until they leave on their missions in November. I am excited for Guido to have this opportunity and cannot wait to support him each step of the way. I am so proud of him and his willingness to participate in this special lesson. He is looking forward to going on this mission now so I can't wait to see him in 4 more years.

My little artist'...

Guido wanted to draw a picture for the raffle that we do every year at the reunion. I told him okay and we found him the appropriate picture to draw. It is one of the old store and cafe my Grandmother and Grandfather Jensen owned. The picture has great meaning to all and Guido did a great job.

He did a wonderful job on it and there wasn't a dry eye when anyone looked at it. I was very proud that he took some time from his summer to do this. They left this for one of the very last things to raffle which has a place of honor. Guido is very self conscious about his art although he has no reason to be. So I think this was a great boost for him.

Good Job Guido, You did an Amazing job!!!!!

Growing up....Guido style

The boy turned 15 on Sunday. In the past year he has grown up so much, but in the past few months he has changed. Not only physically but I am noticing other little changes. That make me smile and make me cringe.

He got his braces on March 3rd.I think I may be totally grey by the time these two years are done. He broke off a bracket 30 minutes, yes less then half of an hour after we left the orthodontist office. Most kids go the entire time without breaking off any. We are at two in two weeks. It is my fault though. He is a fiddler and gets it from his mother. Whenever I have stitches or anything of the sort in my mouth I fiddle and play with them until they are gone. So braces would never have happened. Luckily I never needed them.
He just measured at 6'0" and wears a size 12 shoe. It is insane. I tease him I am going to have him start smoking to stunt his growth. Because once he hits a 13 shoe size that's it he will have to start wearing the ugly custom made orthopedic shoes. No nice looking Toms, Sunuks, or Converse for him.
He made his first comment about a girl. Actually this girl...

Eric and I were watching American Idol when he came into the living room. He stopped and said. "Wow, she is only 15." He then kept watching while she sang and they judged her. He never watches American Idol.
He came upstairs around 9 ish last weekend and asked if he could go hang out with his friends. I asked how he was going to get there. He said"Oh, Jordan will come get me. He got his license today." I have to say my stomach turned a little, actually a lot. All of his friends have their learners permits, 2 have their drivers licenses. I know its a passage of life but I just want to skip that step at least until he goes to college.
His Grandmother Rose went into the hospital for knee replacement surgery this week. He asked if he could help pay to send her some flowers.
 He had the option to go wherever he wanted to for dinner and he once again chose our favorite Japanese place.We were joined by Mike and his family, Nana and Grandma Sherrie, and Aneliese and Katyana. They were excited that he had chosen to celebrate his special day there. I think he has gone there for his birthday for the last five years and of course treated him like a king.

Not too old to play with fire, and notice they gave him and extra bottle of Martinelli's to take home all for himeself

Guido's are to cool to smile

Me and my handsome men

So my Guido turned another year older. He has changed so much from 14 to 15. I cannot imagine what the next year will bring.

Sweet Child O' Mine.....

I don't think I could ask for a better son. As I watch the young man he is growing into I cannot be more proud of him.
He is the oldest grandson on my side of the family and has nine younger cousins that look up to him so much. He has twice now in the past few months had my brother Mike's boy come and spend the night. He is so attentive with him. He interacts and is so sweet to take time away from his own friends to spend time with his family. Mikey says Guido is his best friend. How sweet is that? I tell him all the time when his cousins are over that he can still have his friend over but he says no he doesn't want his friends or cousins to feel left out.
Today he showed me how mature he is becoming. I was already up when he came upstairs, fully dressed and ready for church. A little weird because any other day I am usually dragging him out of bed.He was disappointed that I was up already because he wanted to make us our traditional Valentines breakfast in bed. He went ahead and made breakfast. He then cleaned everything up and said he was headed to church. I asked him why and he said he now had to be at church 30 minutes early to set up for Sacrament. I told him okay and asked if he wanted a ride. He said no he was going to walk, it was a beautiful day. So why waste gas.

That's my boy!!!

Thank you Mrs. Cleaver...

We had Parent Teacher Conferences for Guido on Thursday night. Every one of his teachers had requested that they would like to speak with us in person. So of coarse I was a little worried. I kept asking Guido what was wrong, he said nothing, I would check his grades, no problem there.
As we began to meet with his teachers each one commented on how mannerly and nice he was. That he was a kind boy and was respectful not only to his teachers but to the other kids in his class. Several of them commented that they had not had a student that was so proper. Now I am by no means complaining. There are worse things we could have all of his teachers having to talk with us about. I was just a little shocked to learn we have raised Eddie Haskell.