Happy Birthday Kaige!  Today makes 4 years since you made me a mother.  I never knew such happiness until you came into my life.  We are celebrating with lots of green and camo today because those are the things you love.  I didn't have a blog when you were born and I wish I had thought to write more details about your birth story.  But I did start a journal after you were born.  I kept it at work and when I brought all my stuff home after I was done working, I found it.  There was only one entry.  A very special entry all about you!

 

March 27, 2009

I began this journal as a mom! I got pregnant in the fall of 2007.  We told everyone on Christmas that we were expecting only to have a miscarriage the next day.  A very emotional time for me.  To our surprise I got pregnant 5 months later.  Because of my miscarriage I didn't tell people for quite a while.  I got very sick.  Some people call it morning sickness but I had all day sickness.  I threw up several times a day and it lasted my whole pregnancy.  I ended up only being about 6 pounds heavier than the day I found out I was pregnant.  So in that respect pregnancy was awful! It was like having the flu everyday for a year.  I never got huge or so miserable that I was desperate to get the baby out.  So that was a blessing.  After a long labor where plenty of things went wrong I had my first baby born.  Joshua KAIGE Hedgecock was born Tuesday February 3rd, 2009 at 4:36 PM.  He weighted 7 lbs 15oz and was 22 inches long.  I had been due on January 31st and so as I became past due we all talked about how large the baby would be.  If he was under 8 lbs I would be shocked and Josh kept saying he wouldn't be 8 lbs.  So I find it quite funny that Josh was right-but just barely! Maybe later I can write about my labor experience and the things that happened in the hospital.  When he was 5 weeks and 5 days he started to smile interactively.  It was absolutely adorable and there was no doubt that he was smiling directly at me.  At 6 1/2 weeks the major blowouts started.  There was one that shot up his back like a volcano.  It got all over me and the chair.  My mom and I got to laughing so hard.  He is all boy and smiles every time he explodes.  On March 2nd after my dad's sentencing, Josh, Kaige, Qadry and I went out to eat at Golden Corral.  Kaige was a bit fussy, so Josh was holding him.  Kaige made some stinkers and started to smile.  We all notices and began to laugh.  As we laughed he smiled more.  We all enjoyed him and his expressions.  He continued to smile and smirk, then we discovered why he was so pleased with himself.  As Josh moved the baby we all saw florescent yellow/green poop all over Josh's white shirt.  We had a hard time stopping the giggles.  It was great!! :)  Welcome to Fatherhood!! My best friend's Valerie and Lauren came to visit when he was 3 weeks old.  It was so good to have them here and all 6 of us girls back together.  When he was 3 weeks old I went back to work for 1 day.  The next two weeks I worked 2 days each week and when he was 6 weeks old  was back to work full time.  Full time is 5 days a week, 10 hours a day.  I am so thankful that I can still be a full-time mom while working, but it had been ore emotional that I planned and until I have a good schedule going it will remain stressful.  Baby Kaige and his cousin Jacob were blessed last Sunday March 29th.  Many people came for this special day.  It was one of the few times our chapel was full and even the overflow was open.  Josh gave a beautiful blessing and our little boy was surrounded by men who loved him.  There were Dads and brothers missing so that was saddening.  Qadry was so excited that he got to hold the microphone and still beating himself up that he hadn't turned it on.  It was really sad because it was so hard to hear him.  I am so thankful that we tape recorded it for my dad.  It picked up everything.  The men in the circle were: Josh, Sean Jenkins, Paul Hedgecock, Tim Hedgecock, Jason Hedgecock, Grandpa Palmer, Grandpa Jenkins, Duane Burt, Alan Jarman, Jamie Booth, Paul Waters, Curtis Waters.  There were so many people who came to the blessing.  I'm sure I'll be leaving some out.  Burbanks, Burts, Jarmans, both sets of my grandparents, Shirlie Guthrie, Rae and Sister Moffitt, Hancocks, Waters, Corringtons, Afton, Lees.  From my immediate family my Dad, Coby and Chad weren't there.  Josh's dad and step mom came in town so the only ones missing from Josh's side of the family were Jen and Dan.  We had a BBQ afterwards.  It was a success despite the wind and having to switch parks because of irrigation.  I am exhausted after this weekend, but it was special and well worth it.  My baby has always been a little man but he is growing much faster than I would like.  I sure do love him and love being a mom. As Josh blessed Kaige and helped with the BBQ I was overwhelmed with the love I have for him.  I am a very lucky girl! :)

Christmas Sunday 2012

All dressed up for Christmas Sunday! They are all smiles now because they don't realize they have to listen to their mom speak at church today. 

2nd Annual Canyon Trails VT Caroling 2012

 

My Glendale Girl's started the tradition of Visiting Teaching caroling when we all lived in the same ward.  I was very reluctant at the idea, but little did I know it would become one of my most favorite holiday traditions.  When I moved to Goodyear, I started the tradition with my new ward and new friends.  Somehow it has escalated to costumes and more fun than I could ever imagine. 

Ward Christmas Breakfast 2012

 

For months Kaige had been telling us the same things he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.  Green Popsicles, green little car and a green big car.  Every Santa he visited said the same thing. "You sure like green, don't you?"  Yes he does!  I was impressed that his wish list was simple and had stayed the same.  We look forward to this annual breakfast our ward has each December.  This year I think we had the tallest gingerbread house.

Just like Papa

 

There is no hiding that Kaige loves his Papa. 

 He wants to be just like him. 

Hold the car handle like Papa

 Wear hats and fight zombies like Papa

Hang his sunglasses on his shirt like Papa. 

They have always had a special relationship. As a mom you really appreciate the things that make your children's face light up.  Papa Hedgecock is definitely one of those for Kaige.  

Priesthood Blessings

Kaige had been sick with a high fever and just miserable.  We had asked him if he wanted a blessing, and that scared him.  He wasn't interested.  We had planned to go visit Robert in the hospital and since we couldn't get him much more sick than he already was we stuck to our plan.  As we walked the hospital parking lot Kaige asked if he could have a blessing.  I had him repeat to Josh his request and we were excited that he was interested in it, and excited to ask Robert to help.  As sick as he was he was very happy and willing to exercise his Priesthood.  What a special thing it was for all of us.  Kaige was a different kid leaving that hospital and already felt much better.

Robert has since passed, and I am so thankful for the ability he had to give Kaige a blessing.  Kaige remembers it and has brought it up to us several times since his Papa Hoopes has died. 

My brother Qadry is maturing into a great guy even more since he joined the Air Force.  He is on his way from TX to CO and got to come home for a couple of weeks.  During that time he was to be ordained an Elder and receive the Melchizedek priesthood.  We spoke to Kaige about this special blessing, and that we were going to the church to be there for Qadry to get the Priesthood.  He then reminded us about his Papa and Daddy giving him the Priesthood blessing when he was sick.  Little did I know, he really thought they had literally given it to him.

We were at the bookstore buying an oil vial for Qadry and Kaige wanted one of his own.  I promised him that when he received the priesthood, we would get him one of his own.  He looked at me and declared.  I ALREADY HAVE THE PRIESTHOOD! Papa and Daddy gave it to me at the hospital.  REMEMBER MAMA?!?!  Oh sweet boy, I remember.  I'm so glad you do too!  He is too young to completely understand.  But not too young, to forget special things and feelings.  I am so thankful for the Priesthood in my life!

CTR

As I tried to buckle Kaige into his car seat after we left Deseret Book store, I find Kaige had items in his hands that I hadn't paid for.  Are you kidding me?!?  How ironic is it that the first time my kid steals it's from the church book store?  As I asked him about it and told him we must go and take it back I realize that its a CTR ring, and a CTR bracelet.  CTR stands for Choose The Right.  If there can be anything funny about stealing, CTR merchandise has got to be it.  We went back into the store, and he went right back to the displays and put them where they belong.  I then told him, thank you but we still need to say I'm sorry.  He didn't want any of that.  I told him he would have to sit on my lap and we would stay there until he could apologize.  It took a long while, and a lot of coaxing.  After I lifted him up to stand in front of the worker he finally spit out an apology.  As soon as we got out the door he burst into tears.  He cried the whole way from the store to my work.  At least 15 minutes.  I tried to find out if he was crying because he didn't have the stuff or crying because he felt bad.  He was too beside himself to communicate.  When we stopped at work, he said.  I'm sorry mommy.  Ohhh melt my heart! I'm sorry too.  I don't think he really knew what he was doing.  He never tried to sneak it, but I think he knows much better now what stealing is.  I hope as painful as it was, that it truly was a learning lesson.