Happy Birthday Ammon

Ammon is 2!

Now, last year I threw a rockin' awesome Pirate party for his 1st birthday (see here for details)but with the move and the new baby and us being sick this past week-I had a very low key cake and presents with the family. Who cares? He was thrilled! I just love this little boy!

What I love about Ammon:

• Ammon has a love of life! Everything is new and exciting to him. He's up and ready for anything.
  
• Ammon loves his brothers. He worships them. I love the way he says "Deck? Deeeeck? Babiel? Baaaabiel? Nom here!" translation: Zech, Zech? Gabriel, Gabriel? Come here!
• He smiles and waves at everyone he sees.
  
• Ammon makes friends easily.
• Ammon gives great hugs and kisses.
• Ammon loves to sing. When he wakes up in the morning-I hear him in his crib singing "A numbeam, a numbeam, a numbeam, a NUuuuuumbeam!" translation: A sunbeam! A sunbeam, A sunbeam, A suuuunbeam!
• Ammon LOVES his dad. He is the 1st one who has had Gary around his whole 0-2 years and it shows. He can be soothed by him and even prefers him over me sometimes. He adores Gary and is his little shadow.
• He loves to go with me anywhere I want to go. Grocery shopping, walk to the school, the mall etc. And he's sooo quiet in the car! (unlike my oldest)
  
• Ammon can entertain himself or play with others.
• Ammon loves to learn. His vocabulary is growing and he is talking so much better. He can count to 20, say his ABC's, and sings TONS of primary songs start to finish!
• Ammon loves me and I love him!
  

Playtime with Daddy

Here's a video of Eli being tickled by Gary. I took one of me doing it too but this one is just cuter cause it has all the kids in it. I love my little crew! Eli is growing so much. He just smiles and coos all the time now. It is so fun!

My parenting philosophy

Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign, May 2008, 7–10

In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter.

How can we best teach our children? The Lord has given us specific instruction:

“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.”20

When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, “What can I say or do that would persuade him or her to choose a better way?” When giving necessary correction, do it quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly. If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so that seeds of resentment may not remain. To be persuasive, your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine doctrine and correct principles.

Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.

I love this article. I have this part printed up and posted on my bulletin board in my kitchen. I especially like the part about correcting privately-not publicly. This has helped Zechariah when I have taken him aside and quietly talked his behavior over with him. He is much more willing to listen and accept discipline and change his actions. I have also needed to hear "do not try to control your children". I like control. I like it A LOT! But my children are not my own. I do not want to be like Satan and force them to choose. I want them to learn that making good choices brings happiness and that is why we should obey God's laws. I've got a long way to go but I am happy to be on the journey. I just love being a mom and everything that the title entails. Sure, I have my bad days but mostly I have good days with beautiful and loving little boys that shower me with love and affection. I love them with all my heart and soul. I thank God for them everyday.

I just thought I'd share. :)