my joy.

Zerin is my joy.  He loves life.  He has so much energy, and he tries hard to put that energy to good use.  He loves his siblings, and is, in my humble opinion, one of the best big brothers in the whole world.  He is responsible.  He is so smart.  He loves to read, and pretty much remembers everything he reads.  He is kindhearted.  He is forgiving.  He's becoming more and more humble all the time :).  He thinks deeply---yesterday he was asking me how "non-prophet" people could be *twinkled*.  That was a fun conversation.  And he would be devastated if I didn't mention, at least once, his affinity for sports.  He tries so hard to be a big help do his dad and me, and works hard to show respect.  He's very empathetic for a 10 year old.  His tough little man-hugs are something I never want to forget.  He has a desire to discover and fulfill his mission here on the earth.  He loves his Heavenly Father.  He is quick to try and lighten the mood when things get tense or stressful.  He is a terrible dancer, but I love him anyway :)

Liah is my joy.  She loves to do things well.  She loves people, and loves to make people happy.  She is a nurturer.  She is tenderhearted, and is especially in tune with those who are struggling.  She loves to play hard, and throws her entire being into everything she does.  She is so smart, and is a dedicated student.  She can be very affectionate.  She loves deeply: sometimes I think she may be part latin :).  She has the heart of a warrior.  She is learning to work through her struggles, and to be patient with herself.  She is learning she "is not [her] body." She has an infectious giggle.  She thinks deeply, but speaks little.  She loves overcoming things.  She always tries her best, always.  She is simultaneously shy and outgoing.   Her sweet smile when she has just figured something out is something I never want to forget.  She tries hard to always choose the right.  She loves the scriptures, and enjoys marking her favorite verses.  She loves to create and beautify things.  She is a beautiful girl, inside and out.

Aeden is my joy.  He loves people.  He loves learning.  He remembers everything.   He loves living.  He loves making other people happy.  He is uninhibited.  He is unabashedly outgoing.  He is unwittingly hilarious.  He is independent.  He has tender feelings, and is always quick to hug.  He makes friends easily everywhere we go.  In his mind, there is nothing he can't do...he's probably right :)  He loves to be busy.  He is a fantastic cook.  He loves to help me, whatever I am doing he wants to be right in the thick of things.  He says some of the most sincere prayers I have ever heard.  He has total faith that his prayers are heard and answered, and seldom forgets to  thank his Heavenly Father when they are.  He has been known to drop to his knees in the middle of the room, in the middle of an activity just so he won't forget to do it later...I'm learning to be better prepared for his impromptu prayers.  His silly faces are something I never want to forget :)  He is very obedient.  He is extremely trustworthy.  He is responsible.  He is a leader.  He makes me smile every single day. 

 Asher is my joy.  Asher loves to make people smile. He is loving.  He is so cute :)  His little fingers on my face are one of those things I hope I never forget.  He loves learning, and has a fantastic memory.  He loves to help.  He is tenderness in every sense of the word.  He is mischievious, but in a good way :)  He is bounding in happy energy.  He finds joy in the details and little things.  He expresses gratitude.  He prefers a slower pace of life, and loves to be home.  He is very content.  He marvels at the earth and it's beauty.  He gives wonderful hugs and kisses.  He's learning to be more independent all the time.  He loves babies, especially his baby sister.  He won't hit girls.  He  tries hard to make good choices.  He's not afraid to tell you he's scared.  He loves learning new things.  He does his best to make everyone around him happy.

Belen is my joy.  Bella is ever-adorable.  She is tenacious.  She is fearless, except when it comes to bugs, that space in the elevator floor, and pieces of cooked spinach that resemble monsters :)  She loves her froggies, which is why we have at least 6 of them.  She loves to be beautiful.  She loves people to tell her she's beautiful :)  She loves nurturing her babies, stuffed animals, and pretend friends.  She loves to sing.  She is always singing.  She loves to jump.  She loves to dance.  She is not intimidated by age, size or gender...she can take down nearly all of her brothers if properly motivated.  She is focused.  She has a very distinct fashion sense, and doesn't like to go about her day without being properly accessorized.  Her squishy little arms wrapped around my neck is something about her I never want to forget.  She loves her daddy so so much and squeals in delight every night when he comes home.  She is happy.

Mandalen is my joy.  She is always happy.  She is content.  She loves her brothers and sisters, and especially loves it when they make fools of themselves in an effort to make her giggle.   She sleeps so well.  She loves food...loves it!  She loves giving kisses...the really slobbery kind :)  She exudes peace.  She loves being the youngest of six and all of the attention that affords.  Now that she's learned to splash, she loves the bath.  She enjoys learning about her new world from the sitting position.  Feeling her cheek against my face is something I never want to forget.  She smiles when I put her helmet on...I don't know if she likes it necessarily, but it helps me not feel so guilty :)  She loves toys with faces.  She loves books.  She loves listening to music.  She will almost always stop crying when I sing to her.  She makes everyone around her happy.