Autism...my Dream

I dream of the day you will be able to tell me with your words where it hurts, when you are sick.
I dream of the day you stand at the end of the driveway waiting for the school bus with your sister.
I dream of the day you graduate high school, as I shout, "Thats my boy! " while they call your name and you walk across the stage.
I even dream of the day you come home and tell me you have fallen in love and are marrying the girl of your dreams. And if these dreams are not meant to be, my dear son, then I dream of the day i greet you in heaven and meet my son, whole and complete and perfect for the first time.
You will never disappoint me, my son, even if these dreams do not come true. For your value to me is not in these dreams, but in the blessing og having known and loved you.

written by Carol...

I think i have shared this before, but i just found the paper so i wanted to share it again. for those of you who know Ben and our Family. you will understand how much words like these mean to me. And how very honored I am to be Ben's mom...
need a tissue ?

sorry Celeste...but i love this pic....so sweet !
dad with the Grand kids... at the Best place in town !

Rachel with Grandpa

We were lucky to have Aunt Joan and

her family join us for dad's 60th !

Dad with... you guessed it. German Chocolate cake !

Is there any other kind? I think Not !

The local bakery working hard

to bring the finest cake for dad !

Lindsay and Ben

what beautiful faces ! :)

Dad and Ben..treking up the

mountain

ok...this is on the edge of the cliff

so having Bryan and Rachel up there

made me nervous.... but they had fun !

dad and rachel taking a break...phew !

are we done yet...lol !

this is the result of hiking and sweating all day !

dont i look amazing.... NOT !!! LOL !

Father and son !

Gotta love the plaid !

dad and all the grand kids !

i am amazed how great all the kids did

getting to the cave ! They did

awesome !

dad and his girls... its amazing im still breathing.

and im pretty sure Celeste doesnt sweat...LOL

She always looks great !

my little family !

Ben and vanessa chillin together !

me and my kids..they all left me in the

dust... but they didnt complain once.

I'm pretty they are part mountain goat..

just like thier dad !

What good looking kids !

but I'm not biased......

the view from the trail...
that little white dot is my house...

LOL !

seriously...whats with the rock climbing ?

so happy !

at least these rocks are on the cliff...

I feel a little better...lol

Bryan...leader of the pack !

where is everyone ?

what a handsome guy !

Joel And Celeste.. Good thing he was there

to keep the tunnel from falling on her ! LOL !

Joel, vanessa and Lindsay....

me and my honey...

dad and us girls !

We had such an amazing time with dad, Celeste, Joel, Eric, Vanessa, Colton, David and my family. I never knew you could pack so much fun in just a couple of days. But we did. On dad's actual 60th birthday we went to Timpanogas cave. who knew that could be so much fun. I was a little worried about the kids, but they left me in the dust... and never complained once the whole time. WHich just goes to show..never underestimate the revliance of youth !

a little timp cave info... you climb 1,092 feet in just 1.5 miles. up a steep zig zag trail. but well worth the effort ! The whole trip took about 3.5 hrs. Then we drove the alpine loop and headed to sundance. At this point my family...me feeling the worst...was exhausted ! So we went home to shower, nap and get ready for round 2. Dinner at Porters PLace.

Ended up with a a party of 18 people to help dad welcome a new decade of his life ! And it was a blast. Doesnt he look amazing for 60. I think he does. It was so wonderful to just be with family and do everything we could to make dad feel loved. I think we succeeded.

The only people we missed was Brittney and her family..who couldnt make it up and Cherie , who is in England visiting her family. But i'm sure they were with us in spirit ! This was definitely a bday that wont be forgotten. We had good food, good company, and good attitudes ! It was the best ! And we got to meet Joel and his kids... who we love ! It was great spending time with them and getting to know them better. I look forward to future visits...(sorry Celeste..Hope that isnt to embarrassing)

Anyway... I love my dad. i feel very blessed to live close enough to him to see him often and build this great relationship . We have alot of good times together ! Look forward to many more years of memories with my dad ! Love you dad ! your the best !