Happy Birthday Gabe!
I don't know how much "pull" we have at deciding when we get to be born, but I often thought you were able to be in charge of your birth. When we got married we were eager to start our family, and figured a two year gap between kids would be good for each of you and more selfishly, good for us! That was our plan, and all the advice we were hearing supported that idea. But your arrival was not bound by those thoughts, you came so close to Jacob that for years people asked if you were twins!
When Jacob was three months old I had the chance to fly back to Utah to visit family. Flying makes me sick so I wanted to make sure I wasn't pregnant (though I didn't think I was) so I could take motion sickness pills. When the Dr. came in with the news I was very surprised! We were still adjusting to being parents, infact I think Jake was still suffering with colic. The cool thing is you and Jake were going to be close, and I knew that you and Jacob would have a special bond because of that.
Blowing Bubbles- you loved the sound and the slobbery mess!
According to your journal, you didn't like to be on your back, you liked being propped up, even to the sitting position, so much more to see.
You hated the feel of grass and kept your belly and knees off of it. Later we found it made you itch, it wasn't just a texture thing.
From your early years we traveled. You were born in Maine, moved to Utah, visited family in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Washington, then we thought it'd be fun to have a check off list to visit all the continental United States, so we started keeping track. To date you need the Carolinas to reach that goal. The trip above was on a summer trip back to Maine. We visited the Great Lakes and you and Jacob were having a fun throwing rocks and sticks into the water. You had a little retriever action going as the sticks were getting harder to find on the shore, so you wanted the one you'd just thrown in. In you went after it, but the shoreline dropped off quickly and you went under fast. By the time I could get to you you had bobbed under three times and were gasping for air and frantic. I was able to grab an arm and drag you back. I was scared out of my mind, but as we calmed down, and I lowered you to the ground... you walked right back into the water. You were challenged by things that beat you, instead of being scared away from them.
But for good measure I asked Dad to be a body guard ! Look at the hold he has on you!
At Grandma/Grampa Phillips house in Maine, your other pool.
Hey you didn't hate pictures yet, it looks like you're having fun!
We lived in an upstairs apartment for your first year and you and Jake loved to ride on the four wheeler, or as Jake called it, the Fudder.
Church time in Maine
Early morning wake up. After moving back to Utah, Dad had a job in Wendover, NV and took us along. You and Jake got to share a nice big bed, and loved all the room you had. Up until you were about 2 you didn't say much, but after that you spoke in clear sentences. Not just one or two words.
You enjoyed the petting zoo, but some of the critters could push you over so this was a better way to see them.
I should have seen it coming that all this exposure to the motorcycles and 4wheelers, you'd build a love of danger and speed.
And did I say danger? Jake often worked overtime to try to keep you safe.
What's a walk down memory lane without some nude shots? Very discreet and it may look like abuse having the cat in there, but this cat loved the water and would actually jump in unaided. Shadow the fluffy persian.
Cutest little stinks!
February 1990
It was time to grow the family and although you hoped for a brother, you warmed to your darling little sister Brittany, and became a protective and helpful brother. You loved babies from a young age and we have the history of you taking the time and asking us to photograph you with your little sisters.
You had another special friend, Uncle Harvey. He would walk you around and sing "go to sleep" and tell you stories. You used to like to wear his watch and mimic things he did. He was your buddy and you really loved spending time with him.
This is one of the perks we got for moving back to Maine, we got a monster dog named Ian. He was your little friend and you took good care of him. Two years later he bit you while he was eating. He also had a need to grab you kids by the leg from a swing, sled or water tube, (he didn't like you to be moving away from him) so we decided that since he could eat you, we had better give him back to his original owners. Sad day, but kids always come first.
Moab area of South Eastern Utah
March 1993
Here come's Brookie- To celebrate the occasion, you cut your own hair. In a video we show the true cut, a window as you called it. You cut a nice chunk out of bangs and it did look like a window. I don't recall the thought process you described, but while I was away going through the hardship of labor, you managed a quiet creative splurge and cut your own hair. Grandma didn't know what to do with you since she was "watching" you, but I think it involved some laughter. When you came to the hospital it was the first thing I noticed. Crazy Crazy boy. I then rounded it off at the highest part and made a bowl cut in vogue again. Well... I wasn't the best hair cutter anyway.
One of the things we loved about Maine is the wet snow. And tons of it fell. We made this Garfield and snow house from a one day storm. And Dad would hitch up a sled to the truck and pull you around our yard and onto the main road.
You loved anytime outside, and after one round of lessons on the bike, you took off and never looked back!
you loved seeing things close up and if the fishing was good (catching non stop) you enjoyed fishing. If not, you'd go find something else to do that wasn't so boring.
You loved bugs,
And frogs, the big and the little.
You loved the ocean, not really the cold water, but the sand and the critters, and the birds and the playing. I think you knew that the better beaches included warm sun, water and waves to ride. But you were always excited to go. The part of Maine we lived in, only the crazy went in to swim (wet suit advised).
And then came Errin - April 1996
We were in Provo and then American Fork, UT . You were busy with soccer, school, and scouts.
School Dance in American Fork, UT
and you in your shades
Uncle Doug had some fun toys. We'd go out riding with the cousins or boating and enjoyed the great Utah outdoors.
Made a sad trip back to Maine for a funeral for Aunt Kristen's little boy who died at 10 months old.
In 1999 we moved down to Hurricane and we had Amanda
We're finally all here!
Errin's Baptism 2004
FAMILY PICTURE TIME
FAMILY VACATION TIME
Sweetwater Historical Site 1998
2005- Family Version of Church History Tour
Carthage, Illinois
Nauvoo, Illinois
Washington, DC
Smithsonian, Washington, DC
Niagara Falls, NY
Sacred Grove, NY
Niagara Falls, NY
2006 Coming back from Mexico
walked across the bridge from El Paso, TX
2006 The Alamo, San Antonio, TX
Managing the drive on those trips!
2006 Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
2006 Corpus Christi, TX
Braving the Jelly Fish in a churned up Gulf Coast of Corpus Christi, TX
2007 Missouri River Boat Tour
2007 Trip to see the Indian Historic Sites of the Mid West
2009 Trip to Orlando Florida and the Bahamas!
I know you appreciated the chance to get to see all these places, but you did make the comment that we ruined car travel for you. I understand why with traveling in a 15 passenger van covering thousands of miles on a trip that most people would break up along the way; but not us, that van only stopped for fuel. A few times we set up a TV and a comfy bed, and we had a back seat rule that it was for the off duty driver, we had food, decent space and lots of drivers, so it was an adventure!
And
Last But Not Least...
2010-Finally we get to Puerto Rico
This trip was amazing! The country is beautiful, the weather was good, having you to share the best fruit, street vendors, drinks, views, and treats as well as some of the families you loved and served was wonderful. The water was amazing and I fell in love the the Island we stayed on. What a great place to serve a mission! And the best way to visit a new place is with someone who lived there. I'm sorry we took so long to get there, but thank you for the experience, it was better than I hoped it could be.
School
5th Grade
10th Grade
Sr. Year
Awesome Oak Desk and Night stand you made in shop
You and Aaron Pugh
Before taking bags of popcorn to dump on a girls floor asking her to a dance.
Favorite past time
Sr. Picture
Even though you didn't love school, you didn't try to ditch or get out of going, and that's because you loved being with your friends. You had a good bunch of friends, participated in sports and church activities and were very busy, and needed to be busy. We loved coming to watch you and see you in action. One of our favorite memories was of you playing football as a sophomore, You took care of your guy and noticed that someone else missed their's and that opponent was sprinting down the field shaking off anyone who tried to get him, you took off running, crossed the field and ran the guy down tackling him before he made a touchdown. You had that kind of fire and speed, you didn't shrug off an opportunity to give your all, and you were very competitive. People talked about that play for years, it showed how much grit and determination you have.
SPORTS
This was you in 8th- no photos evidence of you in your High School Football days, not your best experience overall.
You started Soccer in 3rd Grade, and that was your driving sport. We had an embarrassing situation early on with being those angry parents who have to say something, I don't recall all of it, but lets just say we learned to be better at observing and not coming onto the field for the rest of your soccer career. Actually for all the sports in the family, you could still hear us shouting in the stands, but never again a confrontation on the field :)
Look at the little mascot by the water cooler, you guys were all so cool to Amanda, and all the boys treated her so well, you loved having her to show off with and it wasn't just show, you have always been great with little kids, if they aren't screaming!
You had a need for speed and balance and took up snowboarding, and in the water you were adept at wake boarding, knee boarding and tubing, then you took up some new fancy water sports. You also played with skimming, long boarding, skateboarding, and I'm sure I've missed a few. Pretty much any board-ing...
Then because that was exciting enough, you took up sky "balancing".
You Brooke and Ivory did it, and it was pretty cool! Never afraid to try something exhilarating.
SOME GOOD 'OLE FAMILY COMPETITION TIME
AND GOOD 'OLE FAMILY TIME
Grandpa Phillips Bag Pipe Party
Our favorite cat, Garfield. Son of the cat Patches you rescued on a cold winters night, who then snuck out and got pregnant! She was an awesome cat as well, but we suspect she died the way Garfield did, poisoned by the city trying to eradicate the gopher population in the cemetery behind our house.
You loved to chase down lizards, and caught most of them.
BIRTHDAYS
2nd
3rd
that chainsaw was awesome!
4th
11th
14th
THE HOLIDAYS
First Halloween I dressed you up
With great Gramma Banks
We did Easter crafts
And had Easter Hunts
I loved to re-purpose material into these great costumes, and anything went!
A favorite activity was to dress up in your batman jamies and dance to the stereo that dad would crank up really loud!
And you were still game to wear the costumes no matter how uncomfortable they were. You seemed to recognized the time I put into them, and thought they were cool, but that started to wane as the years unfolded. Truthfully they got more uncomfortable too.
See-from an old bedspread of Dad's and Doug's, wow, they were itchy even though I lined them!
My favorite, A Christmas soldier- you got mad and almost wouldn't wear it. Most of the night you pouted and wouldn't smile. But you did win an award, so.....
Easter Loot.
Christmas at Grandma and Grampa Phillips
Troll Family1994
Dressing up for a Birthday Party for Gramma Stoller
Halloween in American Fork, UT
Grasshopper room guard from Bugs Life
.jpg)
%2B041.jpg)
Easter Egg Hunt Riddles
2012
YOUR MISSION
The Call, "...you are hereby called to serve in the San Juan Puerto Rico Mission..."
Saturday Brunch Farewell and games
WEDDINGS
Brooke and Ben 2013
.jpg)
.jpg)
Gabe you are part of an amazing family! I don't know how we got this fine group of people together but I have thoroughly loved being in this family and being your Mom. You gave me more gray hair moments with your need for danger; from climbing like a goat (fast and curious) on rocky ledges, needing to hang from heights even daredevils are leery of, almost lighting the church on fire, trying to crawl into a tiger enclosure at the zoo, the swimming incident at Lake Superior, needing to go faster, loving the sense of flying and trying to make things you ride lift off the ground, motorcycles, four wheelers, horses in open fields (we were only trying to get a picture, but you took us on a ride of the fear of our lives!) being aggressive in sports (the kind of near fighting aggression, and the giving your all aggression), just to name a few. You are a live wire and have had little fear your whole life. I love that about you, but with wanting to keep you safe, it's been somewhat of a gut wrenching course for me :) You don't worry about what might happen and because of that you've had some cool experiences, and because of that you've broken a few things and been in dangerous situations, but you are experiencing life, not hiding with worry. (So I try not to whine too much about it :)
Thank you for your sense of humor, your kindness, your ability to see opportunity to help or share or listen or give; you look for things to do and do them, and I love that about you. Thank you for being interesting, you like learning and trying new things, you love to see new places and eat new things, within reason! You care about kindness and respect and you are loyal to those you love. You're a beautiful person, I love your sense of strength and the determination you've shown to be independent and self-sufficient. You have accomplished hard things by hanging in there (school) because you knew it was the best thing for you to do. You can do hard things even when you don't want to, and that strength will bless you throughout your life. You're a wonderful kid, and man, and I love you to pieces!
Gabe
Gabriel is my rock. He is not easily moved. He is trustworthy and wise. Though storms rage he is calm and steady and unafraid.
He is intelligent, personable, and curious.
He puts wants aside using that wisdom to endure difficult things, and his decisions are firm.
He is tender, loving, and warm-wanting to share the best of himself to comfort or cheer those he loves.
He is generous and loves to give and surprise people.
He is a leader and believes that he can do difficult things.
He pushes through insecurity to find success.
He is a defender of the weak, and the perfect (babies).
He is an adventurer. He plays hard and expects extra from his abilities to discover what is possible.
He visualizes and creates- and lives his life with gusto.
He was born to achieve.
Our Kids Save Us
We’re supposed to be the guide, the one who teaches and pulls aside, who leads with confidence. As parents we want only what’s best for the child, growing ourselves..our weakness are revealed.
We bring them into this world, hoping on prayer we can do them some good.
We visualize what we hope they will become, We worry over poor choices we make-fearing their lessons might push them away, or worse... that our guidance leads them astray.
They come so innocent, so pure, so clean. Needing us in every way. Smiling upward-their whole soul alive! Shining eyes undaunted by fear, untainted by failure. They trust and believe, trying to make sense of the things we say and the messages we intend.
They skip without care, play with peaceful minds. They laugh and it pulls us in, when we are open. They are grateful. Aware of the magnificence of life and all it’s glories. They express amazement and look for the good all around. They are full of curiosity and thanksgiving.
They grow, with us alongside them stretching under the pressure of teaching, not sensing that they are guiding us. We have it all wrong.... our kids come to save us.
In their innocence they remind us of hope, their understanding well beyond their years. They seek to make us happy. They worry when we aren’t at peace, offering hugs to bring us out of our sadness. They laugh with us to build our confidence. They cry with us to ease our pain.
They inspire us with their choices, many we wonder if we could make, as they require a strong heart. They guide us with questions and reminders of what we ought to do. They pull us into playtime to rejuvenate our soul and ease our troubled minds.
They delight us with their abilities, and surprise us with their creations. They love without question and often without reason, They hold to us and believe in us and expect that there will never be a day that they can’t! The pressure that we may disappoint them is always in the back of our minds, but their forgiveness helps us to keep trying.
And all the while I thought that we were leading them......
-Diana Phillips-
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.