It's Great to be 8!

A week later, and I am finally getting around to posting about my adorable Ashton. We have had a very difficult week around our house and poor Ashton had his very important 8th birthday right in the middle of it. He was lucky enough to pull off having 2 parties though. My family came over on his actual birthday, St Patty's day, for the tradition of corned beef and cabbage dinner, which I might add was fantastic! He then had a few of his friends over on Friday for a very out-of-control army party (which happens to be his 3rd army themed party in 8 years!) 7 and 8 year old boys are really obnoxious and super wild, I promise myself every year that I won't do that again, and every year I do. I did make him scale it down this year and we didn't have 28 kids here like last year, still the one kid I said I would never let come back, I nearly strangled-seriously! He had a great time and it is only one day a year, so I just suffer through it and do it for the sake of those I love. Shae turns 11 this Saturday, so I get to do it again with loud 10 and 11 year old girls, but again I do it for my kids. Ashton will be baptized this Saturday and he is very excited. He is so cute about the whole idea of being a "changed man." He said this to me a few days after he turned 8, "Mom, I just did what you told me to and I could feel the Holy Spirit." He is such a cute little guy. I really hope he does feel the Holy Spirit after he is confirmed a member of the Church. He has always been my "challenge" child, and I feel like he is getting better everyday, it will really help him (and me!) if he can keep that still small voice close by and let it guide him, I can't wait!

8 reasons I love Ashton:

He is our comic relief. Ashton has always been funny, before he could talk he was dancing so hilarious, then when he started talking we haven't stopped laughing.

Ashton is always smiling. Sometimes it's out of guilt, but most of the time, he's just happy.

He is a kisser and a hugger. I hope he never changes how affectionate he is to me, unfortunately I think this will carry on into other women in his life and I cringe at the thoughts of him dating!

He is a total man's man. I don't mean a boy's boy, I mean a real man's man. He told me yesterday that he wants to get married right now! What!!? He loves to hunt and shoot. He loves girls and claims to have a "hot" 13 year old girlfriend, honestly I don't know where he gets these things. He is all about guns, girls, and army guys.

Ash is a tender heart. He gets his feelings hurt very easily and cries when animals and babies are sad or hurt. It's good to know he has that soft side to go along with his killer instinct.

He has such a cute little face. I love his gorgeous blue eyes and his cute little freckle nose. His blond hair turns super light in the summer and he has such cute little kissable lips.

He is pretty good at doing what I ask. He is getting better everyday and helps me out when I ask him. I throw in a little guilt and he is happy to help out his "poor" Mom. He doesn't usually talk back to me and when he does, he really feels bad.

Last but not least, I love Ashton because he is my amazing first born son. No matter what my kids act like, or no matter what they put me through now or in years to come, I love them unconditionally. Ashton has raised my blood pressure on several occasions (that started before he was even born!) caused me to swear more than I would ever want to, and have some pretty doozy freak-outs, but no matter what, I love him more than I can describe and I wouldn't change a thing about him. Happy Birthday Ashton!