A decade old

This month is Cameron's birthday.  Words cannot even begin to express how I feel about this little boy.  I often think of our first few weeks and months together.  Dave would leave for work and I would sit for hours on the couch with Cameron propped on my knees.  I didn't even feel guilty when Dave got home and there was no dinner.  Ladies would ask to hold him at church and I would say "no thanks".  I used to just stare at him.  To me he was perfect.  I used to wonder what the future would hold for him.  I had no idea how fast this little boy would encounter serious trials.  He is faced with intense challenges.  I have had the privilege as his mom to watch him overcome challenges that most children never have to think about.  I get to watch his amazing brain in action every day.  Every day my heart breaks in some way for him but every day I am also amazed by him.  He is truly a special spirit of our Heavenly Father.  When he woke up on his birthday he announced to my brother in law who was visiting, "I am now a decade old".  He is very proud of this accomplishment.  I recently heard him doing complicated math story problems in his sleep. I wish I could make his life easier.  I wish I could take away the challenges he has but then he wouldn't be my Cameron.  I love him and all his little quirks.  I know that somewhere in my life I did something right to deserve the honor of raising this little boy. He makes me a better person.  He makes me more Christlike.  He teaches my how to live the Gospel.  As Cameron gets older there are a few things that I am holding on to.  First...he will still hold my hand when we walk on school property.  second...he will still let me kiss him even in front of his friends.  third...he still likes it when I snuggle with him at night and rub his back and sing to him.  fourth...he will still snuggle with me on a couch.  (I am seeing this one slip away as he is getting much bigger and there is less room on the couch). fifth...He hugs me every morning.  I cannot believe ten years has already passed since he was born.  I am so in love with my little boy.  Sometimes I wish I could go back to sitting on the couch with him propped up on my knees but I will just hold on to the snuggles and hugs that he gives me now. 

 This year it seems we celebrated for a full week which was fine with me. It started on a Monday when I was talking to my cousin on the phone.  He hunts with a Harris Hawk.  Cameron has been BEGGING for about a year to hunt with Palma (the hawk).  Ran (my cousin) told me that Palma needed to eat so we decided that day was as good as any to hunt.  I went and pulled Cameron out of school and we drove to Kingman, Arizona to hunt with Palma.  I mentioned to Ran that Cameron wanted a bird for his birthday.  He insisted we go to Petsmart and Petco.  When we didn't find what he was looking for he took me to a bird shop.  There he convinced me to get Cameron a Cockatiel.  Cameron really wanted a finch.  I had talked him into a parakeet but it didn't take long to convince him to come home with this little guy. 

Cameron named him snowball. The lady that sold him to us was awesome.  She was so good with Cameron.  It was much better than just going to Petsmart.  We then headed to animal shelter where my cousin's dog, Watson was being held because he bit a guy.  He is the sweetest little dog and the guy deserved to be bit but we won't go into that here.  After picking up Watson we headed out with Palma.  

 My cousin with his hawk.  I am not going to lie this was a pretty cool thing to watch.  Palma was very patient.  We walked around trying to scare bunnies.  When we saw one we would yell "ho ho ho" and Palma would go after it.  She got a little confused because the kids were giving her all kinds of mixed signals.  We had been walking around for about an hour and we were going to call it a day when the little girls saw a bunny.  Lauryn yelled "ho ho ho" I don't know how Palma could even hear her little voice but he took off and caught that little bunny.  I was worried my kids would be traumatized but they thought it was awesome.  The girls went to the truck but Cameron watched as Palma ripped that bunny apart.  He said "sorry little guy.  Sometimes you win sometimes you lose" I guess its a good lesson to learn.

The little hunters.  This hawk was beautiful and so graceful.  Cameron told me this was the best day of his life. 

 It took a few days but finally snowball is happy on Cameron's shoulder.  We are a little concerned that Cameron is allergic to the bird as you can see by his eyes.  We are hoping it is just the season. Time will tell.

 The next day Cameron advanced into Webelos.  He is such a great little guy.  His leader got super emotional when she advanced him.  I have never seen her like that before.  Cameron is a unique and special kid.  He touches people right to the core.

 He also received his religious knot.  This is the only award you take from cubs to boy scouts.  This is Cameron with our Bishop, Bishop Pesci.  Cameron adores him.

 This is one of Cameron's leaders, Cathy Torrance.  I wanted to include this picture because she is so good with Cameron.  She is very patient and loving.  She is a special lady who serves this boys with all of her heart.  We love her.

Finally his actual birthday came.  Just before blowing out the candles he informed me he wanted a football field not a ball.  Sorry son...sometimes you win sometimes you lose.  (: