Spencer Turns 18

It's unbelievable that it was 18 years ago that we brought our first born home. I remember being pregnant and seeing a cute blond baby boy on a book I had and thought how wonderful it would be to have a blond, blue eyed little boy. He was made to order. He has brought so much joy into our life. What an adventure the last 18 years have been and what a sweet son he is. I guess I'm feeling a little melancholy because we have been receiving college acceptance letters and he'll be out in the real world. I remember the first day he went to kindergarten and I thought have I done enough to teach him whats right because I have no more control over him now that the outside worlds influence is upon him. I wanted to do this a month ago so here goes.

18 Things We Love About Spencer

1. We love Spencer because he is our first born. This makes him extra special. We remember everything he did because it was all new to us.

2. He is best friends with his dad and the relationship they have is envied by several fathers in the ward who have gone on camping trips and high adventure with them and seen how well they get along and enjoy each others company.

3. He adores his grandfather and always goes to his grandfather for wisdom and mechanical advice.

4. He is easy to talk to and is not judgmental. Everyone who knows him seems to like him. When I go shopping with him there is always someone who knows him bumping fists with him saying "Wood or Woody what's up?"

5. I love Spencer for his taste in music. He has always had music before it's time and we always hear it first from Spencer.

6. He's an Eagle Scout. I am proud of his efforts in receiving this noble title. I am proud of him for going to cedar badge for three years and being on staff for two of those.

7. He is not afraid of work. He will do anything you ask. Always helpful around the house.

8. Very determined! He wanted a hockey rink in his backyard so every morning he would get up at 5:00am and turn the hose on to smooth out his rink.

9. He has a sensitive heart towards others. He has been a peer tutor for challenged students at school and has become well liked by them that they have gone so far to make him gifts.

10. He is very curious and mechanically inclined. He use to take everything apart and not always get it back together but now he can fix just about anything in the garage or anything that deals with a computer.

11. Is grateful and appreciates all that his mom does.

12. Tells and repeats stories in the funniest way that we are always laughing when he is around.

13. Loves the outdoors and enjoys snowboarding and motorcycling and camping. He wants to live close to home again some day. Knows how to load, hitch, and haul a motorcycle trailer,pitch a tent, build a fire, Carry a 54 lb pack for a week live on cliff bars and fish for a week.

14. Spencer knows the importance of family and loves his family and loves his extended family and loves to be around family and have get togethers. As much as Spencer teases his brother and sisters deep down he would do anything for him. This past Christmas he saved all his lunch money and allowance and bought nice gifts for all of his siblings. He won't let any of his friends date his sister and any guy that asks him if they could ask her out he says no your not good enough. He loves to brag about who he is related to and loves to talk with people who know or grew up with his aunts, uncles and cousins.

15. Has the prettiest hair even when it was long and people around thought he needed a haircut.

16. Has always had to try hard, nothing has been easy for him. This is a blessing for him though he may not see it now but he will be able to do anything he sets his mind to do, because he's had to work for everything and with his determination he will get what he wants.

17. Is truly a loyal friend, when maybe he shouldn't have been at times.

18. Last but not least we love him because he is Spencer and no one else is like him and we love him for who he is!