To my Boys

Dear Boston (Boss) and Isaac (Zeke),

Don't worry, you boys will still get your individual letters but today I just wanted to write you both a little note of some random but important things I want you to always remember.

I love your Dad more than anything.  He is my rock and my very best friend.  Him and I are a team and I will always support and love him.

You will both have your own unique personalities and interests, but when it comes to the really important things, do your best to follow Dad's example.  You can't go wrong.

I love being a Mom and specifically being your Mom.

I've never been more passionate or more in love with anything in my whole life than Motherhood.

My life is not perfect.  I'm not a perfect Mom, I'm not a perfect wife, I don't have perfect kids (although sometimes I think I do) but I have THE perfect life for me.  It is beautiful with all of its ups and downs and the trials I go through are the exact right trials for me.

I'm thankful for my trials.

We lucked out (you two, me and Dad) I'm pretty sure we've scored the best family around.

We are so lucky to have been born into the Gospel.  It's the number one blessing in each of our lives, even more than each other.

I am a very happy person and I think that's more about the choices I make to be happy, than the natural state of my being.  So choose to be happy and if that doesn't come easy, keep searching, keep working, it will come.

Think about girls and women respectfully and treat them that way.

Whatever you're interested in learning about, pursue it with a passion.

Go on missions.  Remember this is coming from the woman that would much prefer you both to never leave my sight, let alone leave me for 2 years with very little contact.  So if I'm saying go, then you have to know it's because I believe it will determine and change not only the lives of many others, but the entire rest of your lives as well.  A day doesn't go by that your Dad doesn't mention some learning experience from his mission, it shaped him into the man he is.  Go on missions.

Pray.  Pray when you're happy, sad, confused, doubting, angry or hurt.  And when you really don't want to pray, that's when you pray your hardest.

Treat your Grandparents with the highest respect.  Be soft with them, be kind to them.  Always ask how you can help them and most of all talk with them.  They know more about life than any of your siblings or friends and even your parents so learn all you can from them, I promise you'll never regret it.

Be involved.  When it comes to the things you love or that are important to you, be involved.  These things might be church, your family, relationships, school, sports, music, art, friends and the list could go on.

Work hard.  Not much is worth your time if it didn't or doesn't require some hard work to achieve.

Love the Temple and when you're at the right age, visit it often.  It's unlike any other place on this earth and the more you go, the more you'll understand about Heavenly Father's plan for you.

Develop a close relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  There are lots of ways to do this but start by praying and listening, studying your scriptures, and showing kindness and love to those around you.

Listen to good music.  It will have a huge affect on your life.

Read, read, read.   As your Momma I'm already working to help you boys develop a love of reading and I'm hoping it will stick.  Being avid readers will open up lots of doors for you, I promise.

Learn to play an instrument.

Put your family first and someday when I'm not the main girl in your life (tear) and you get married to someone you love, and maybe you have some children of your own, then you put that family first, even above me and Dad and your siblings.  Although make sure you still call and visit often. :)

Lastly, remember that you are both good boys.  Such good boys.  Sometimes little boys (especially energetic little boys) have a hard time sitting still or obeying rules, but this doesn't make you naughty.  All that energy is a really, really good thing and I will keep working with you to figure out the right ways to use that energy. That might involve some time outs and tears, but just know that your Momma knows what good boys you are.  You'll make some poor choices as young men, and missionaries and as husbands and dads and even as old men, but just remember that you are good boys and your Momma and Daddy will always love you.

Love,

Momma