Carson Is 8...Now Watch Me Hyperventilate!

~Photography by Jamilia Jean (Jamie does it again! She's amazing!)~

Our favorite second child turned 8 on October 16th. I don't understand. I swear I've been around most of his life and I just can't come to grips with the fact that he's actually 8. I remember feeling really weirded out when he turned 1 and 4 and 6. Those were hard to wrap my head around. He will always be my sweet 2 year old, despite the fact that I have another sweet 2 year old in the house.

Carson and I have always had a special bond. I can't explain it. It's just between the two of us. He was always a mama's boy and I could always count on my little shadow not being too far away from me. Speaking of sweet 2 year olds, that's where he was when I was pregnant with Abby. When 5:00pm hit, Carson was done with the day. And I mean done! Tantrums, crying and the whining, oh the whining!!! It was epic. Only I knew how to calm and comfort him. I would play "Bad Day" on our little CD player in the kitchen and lift him on top of my huge belly and sing in his ear while we danced. It was the only way I would ever get dinner ready.



Carson is my most unique child. Looking back now, I think that's why I've always been drawn to him. His quirkiness made me want to be around him, so I didn't miss a laugh but to protect him as well. Blogging this down is creating an epiphany about my relationship with him. I've always felt that need to watch over him. Without realizing what was wrong or why I felt that way or that I was even doing it, I was always there to defend him or to pacify him or just stand back and watch. He was never very far from me.

I love all my children, they are awesome. But the other 3 are naturally more independent. Trevor and I both knew Carson was going to force us to hone our parenting skills. Over the past year, we've seen dramatic changes in him, both at school and at home. I'll credit fabulous teachers with the school end and credit Carson with his success at both ends. He's matured. He still gets frustrated and flustered but it comes without anger now. He's more nurturing to Abby and William and has decided to rise up to the calling of "big brother". That's another thing about Carson. Life has always been on his schedule. From when to walk (which he could have done several weeks earlier than he did, he just didn't want to), to riding a bike (which he could have done several months earlier, he just didn't want to), to having a conversation with his grandparents (which he could have done several years earlier, he just didn't want to). He moves at his own pace, like it or not. Patience has never been my virtue, but Carson has taught it to me.



Turning 8 is a big deal in our family. This is the age that we have the opportunity to be baptized members into our church. Being baptized is one of the biggest decisions to make, and one that has to be Carson's and not ours. I know many people think that the only reason children are baptized is because of the influence of their parents. I can honestly say that this is not the case with Carson. It wasn't with Preston either, but that's another story for another day (that, let's be honest, it's a story I probably won't ever write about). In his own words, he wants to get baptized, "because it'll be so fun". I thought that was pretty Carson-esque, but pried further. "I want to get baptized because I can swim in the water...and feel the Holy Ghost." Ok. I guess I don't feel like all our Family Home Evenings have been a complete waste. He knows that along with getting baptized he'll receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It fills my heart with so much joy to hear the testimony of such a small little man.

In all honesty, I am proud of his choices. He does his best. He works hard...ish. He's a good boy. He's my boy.