Reflections of Ashton: Age 14

I know I say this a lot but I really cannot believe I have a 14 year old. In less than two years he will be driving! In less than four year he will have graduated high school and probably submitted his mission papers. And sometime in the very near future, he will have earn his Eagle Scout award.

My first meeting with Ashton didn't go very well. I was some lady that was trying to talk to him while Shon picked him up for a day time visit. Ashton wasn't even two yet. I remember trying to change his diaper (which I had very little experience with, compared to the many others in the state of Utah), he wiggled and wiggled and we had quite the mess on our hands! I remember after Shon and I got married, I would take him to McDonalds' for a little date to get out of the house so we could get to know each other more and we could earn that bond. I remember Shon would have to drive him around town in the car just to get him to go to sleep. We always said he had gasoline in his veins. The only other kid to do this was my nephew Bradley. Ashton and Bradley are true cousins.

I remember trying to take pictures for our engagement and Ashton wanted nothing to do with me. Shon was still working on his bond with Ashton for all the time he had missed after he was born and now we through another curve ball at his small mind.

Shon and I had moved out of his parents house and we lived in a small apartment. Ashton seemed to have a fixation with dogs, particularly dalmations. And we watched 101 Dalmations multiple times a weekend, over and over. Ashton would walk around saying "Pongo, Pongo..." We always knew he meant 101 Dalamations. We finally told Ashton Pongo was broken because we could NOT watch the movie anymore. We still haven't watched it again to this day!

Fast forward several years. Ashton would ask us when he would have a brother or sister at our house. We never lied to him or kept it a secret that the doctors had told us it wouldn't happen.  When we brought David and Jordan home, we were so impressed with how well Ashton adjusted and accepted them. We knew it was meant to be. He is still very protective of them and always talks to them as a big brother making sure they are doing well in school and making the right decisions.  David and Jordan adore him and they ask all the time when Ashton is coming back home.

We couldn't have asked for a better son. He doesn't have the most idealistic of situations with his family, but he is trying to still adjust and accept the differences.

Happy 14th Birthday Ashton! I truly love you as my own, always have and always will. Thanks for being my son.

Love,
Mom & Dad