Happy 9th Birthday Elijah!

Yes, I know I haven't written in forever but I've been busy painting the house and rearranging rooms etc....but I had to write and wish our firstborn a Happy Birthday!

I remember before I was even pregnant with Eli that we were going to have a little boy and I was adamant that his name be Elijah. (Our second choice was Evan.) I could feel that his spirit was really sweet and he was and still is!

I hadn't been feeling good a few days before Eli was born but on the 24th of March I felt fantastic so Ben and I planned on going out to Chili's for dinner and maybe catch a movie. I had cleaned the house that morning and was just waiting for Ben to come home from work at Mikasa in Park City. It was around 5:00 and he had just called to say he was coming home when a few minutes later my water broke. I called his work and he had already left so I called Grandpa Miller who laughed and said to call the doctor and so I called and they said to come in. Then I called my sister, Melissa who came over right away. I can remember opening our bedroom window and yelling to Ben as he came walking up the sidewalk that I was having the baby and we had to go. It was a look of doubt and disbelief. Ben was so funny. He was positive I wasn't going into labor (Did he think I was peeing on myself on purpose?!!!) After an hour of waiting and getting things packed we finally went to Lakeview Hospital where sure enough they said I was going to have the baby.

I just realized this is going to be really long if I keep writing as I am....so...Eli was born after a great delivery time of 9 hours and 4 pushes. He was absolutely beautiful. He was four weeks early but big and healthy.

Eli was the happiest baby I have ever met. He was always happy and giggly and smiling. He had the best smile. People would stop Ben and I and say how beautiful he was. Eli had the prettiest curls (you wouldn't know that by looking at his duck hair now!) and chubby cheeks. He was just really easygoing and sweet.

I can't believe how quickly time has past. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking that in another 9 years he will be graduating high school and preparing for a mission. I know if will go by too fast.

Eli is one of the sweetest boys I know. Even though he is very loud he is so kind and truly wants to make people happy. He is not competitive but would rather just have fun with everyone. He is extremely intelligent and loves to learn. He LOVES playing board games with family and watching movies together. He just earned his Wolf badge and finished with 70 electives completed. He is really a family centered kind of boy and would love nothing more than spending time with his dad, Grandmas and Grandpas, and all of his Aunts and Uncles and cousins. Oh and his mom, sisters and brother!

I am eternally grateful for Eli. It's not easy being the oldest and having to deal with a mom that is learning how to be a mom. I know that Eli has a great heart and he loves the gospel. He has brought so much joy and love into my life and taught me how to be a better person. You are (almost always!) kind to Ali, Isaac and Isabella and you are always willing to take care of them. You are helpful and have taken the responsiblities we give you with a good attitude and we are grateful for that. Eli, we are so proud to call you our son and we love you soo much!! Happy Birthday! WE LOVE YOU!!

Side note---I would have put up some pictures but I'm not on the right computer since Ben is working on it (like crazy!!)

Another side note----Eli and I were able to go to the Draper Temple dedication with Debby and Wendell and Jake and Alyssa. Just as the dedication is about to begin, the lights began to dim and from the back of the gym we heard a big, low, burp. I didn't say anything and Eli didnt' either; for about two minutes. Then he leans over to me and says "If that was a burp that was a scary burp" because it sounded like it came from a monster and he proceeds to reenact how it sounded and why he thought that it could definately come from something scary. I can quote that because it was so funny to me that I wrote it down on a piece of paper in the dark! Eli has always made us laugh with his insight, questions and stories. He's great!