Happy 11th Birthday Tanner, Connor and Sydney

My kids love hearing about their birth.  As they grow older we tell them more and more details about the miraculous way they came to this earth.  We had a few minutes before the bus came on their birthday morning and so I found myself answering their questions as I looked at their amazed faces staring into the distance trying to imagine that when they were born their dad's wedding ring could fit around Connor's arm or that Sydney was the sickest in the NICU or that Tanner was supposed to be born 2nd but they found him inside of me before Connor.  As they left for the bus I found myself thanking my Heavenly Father once again for the blessing of having them in our family.

David and I enjoyed a Chic-fil-A birthday lunch with the kids outside on the school picnic tables.  They chose to go to Wasabi's for dinner, YUM.  An elderly couple was at our table and couldn't stop gushing about the fact that they were triplets.  They are used to this attention, and it's interesting to see their different reactions to it.  We ended our night with cake and presents and a video chat with Trey.  What a perfect day.

Package from Trey with BYU presents!!

That fire is hot!

 Below Sydney's face you can see the missed rice ball

memorial day/Allie's family celebration

Perfect Birthday celebration with the family!

Allie's Sweet Sixteen

Allie and 3 of her friends from church turned 16 in the same month so we gave them a joint sweet 16 birthday party at our neighborhood clubhouse.  The picture above went on their invitations.

Oh and today, on her birthday, she had her first date.  Actually she is on it right now.  Lunch and laser quest with Jared.  (:

Allie had a pretty stressful school year so it is so fun to relax and celebrate with her.  She is such a hard worker (Barber genes). She is my most dedicated child, giving 150% to everything.  I can't wait to see what life has in store for her.  We can hardly believe she'll be a junior next year.  We love you Allie!!!

p.s. I'll blog more later about the family birthday bash at the Langford's yesterday.

18

Happy birthday to Trey!   He had a fantastic 18th birthday!  David and I carried on our high school tradition of checking him out for an Aubrey's lunch.  Then that evening he chose Bonefish grill to celebrate.  We surprised him with orange Hyperdunk basketball shoes that he really wanted but didn't think he was getting.  The best part of the night was the tickle fight that broke out right before cookie cake time.

As for me, I don't like being the mom of an 18 year old.  I know I've been whining a lot lately about it, but I can't help it.  I like life the way it is.  Right now.  I don't want my 10 year olds to be teenagers and I don't want Trey to grow up and leave our home.  Ok, enough whining.

I'm so proud of the truly remarkable (young) man Trey has become  (always has been).  He is an example to me everyday of how to live a Christlike life.  I love you Trey!!!

parties and celebrating

Last year when Trey turned 16 I told him that after 13 birthday parties, this was going to be the last real party. It was fine to have a couple of friends spend the night but no more "parties". Anyway this year Allie and a friend Lizzy gave Trey a surprise party! It was Taylor Swift themed, b/c Trey loves her. Allie and her friend Hannah even performed "Thug story" by Taylor Swift and T-Pain. He was genuinely surprised and was so happy to hang out with the church kids all night.

On his real birthday we let Trey choose where we would go out to eat and he chose Lakeside Tavern. It was so fun and festive this time of year. We then had a family celebration at home with cake and presents. He was thrilled and surprised to get the new Droid phone.

Random arm wrestling

Last night we celebrated Trey's and Afton's birthdays- cousin style. So many cousins, so much love. What a fun night!

Warning: A cousin may have been hurt during this dog pile.

The future

Trey turned 17 this morning. As he was walking out the door to seminary he turned to me and said "mom look at the time, 6:51". His time of birth. Why is it that I've had such a hard time with him getting older lately? I know why. I don't want him to leave us. Everytime I hear the word college or mission I have a pang of sadness. I never knew it would be this hard. But he's helping me see that he'll be just fine as he moves on to his new phases of life. Like when he was loading the dishwasher and I asked him to go ahead and start it and he remembered to run the disposal first. :) Like when he bore his testimony on Sunday and shared what he knew to be true. Hearing my child proclaim his knowledge and belief in the gospel is one of the best gifts I could receive. I wonder if they realize that? As I listened to him I couldn't help thinking he sounded like a missionary. I'm not ready yet, but I see him preparing himself.

Here's to the next 18 months!

Happy 9th Birthday

Tanner, Sydney and Connor enjoyed having their birthday on a Saturday this year. It's just not right to have to go to school on your birthday. I started making them chocolate chip pancakes at about 8:00 in the morning. When it was ready I called them in for their birthday breakfast. Tanner looked a little hesitant and tentively asked, "mom, um, I just had a really big breakfast so I'm really full....but, um, does that make you sad?" Tanner then got to celebrate by going to get a flu shot because he missed getting the flu mist at school.

This year was the 1st ever separate girl and boy parties. Sydney had wanted just a girl party for a few years and I had not gone along with the idea mainly because it just didn't seem right to celebrate their birthdays separately and because it's double the work. I have to say it was so fun to see Sydney in her element at the "groovy pad" with hair, nails and makeup done, dancing with her girlfriends.

The boys were equally as happy with their star wars movie party at home. Success all around!

Trey is 16!

Our #1 son is 16!

Trey (Dwight David Sexton III) is now 16. This is seems very significant to me because this was the age and time of year (Holiday Dance 1985) that I met my future husband. Wow. And within a year of dating him I knew I was in love. Huh? Trey couldn't possibly know what love is at this age, even though I did. Anyway....

- Trey is a great big brother. I think Tanner, Connor and Sydney would be OK if he took care of them from now on.

- Trey is a great friend. I've always admired this about him. He does not care about popularity, or being cool. He just is who he is. He will be the first to include someone being left out, and never talks bad about anyone.

- Trey is a great son. He is always obedient, trustworthy, respectful, helpful and always does what we ask. I cannot remember a time when I have asked him to do something and he has complained in any way. Never a "why do I have to, I didn't make that mess". I mean I can NEVER remember a time this has happened. I have mentioned this before because as a mom of 5 kids I know that this is amazing and incredibly unique to him.

- Trey is a great example to old and young. I am constantly being told be teachers, parents of friends, and acquaintances how remarkable he is and how glad they are to be associated with him.

I say all this because Trey is just special. And he hit a milestone birthday. And because I see in him everyday ways that I can be better.

Happy 16th Trey!