High Uinta Classic

Last Saturday Tyler competed in the High Uinta Classic or otherwise known as the HYPOTHERMIA CLASSIC. It is an 80 mile race from Kamas, UT to Evanston, WY. For the whole month of June it has felt like we live in Oregon instead of Utah, because of all the rain fall. Saturdays weather was no different

Photo taken by Seth Bradley

At the start line, just barely drizzling, but as they crested the top of the mountain, the downpour came. Tyler's area of expertise is "climbing" and therefore reached the top of the mountain two minutes faster than the chasing group. He thought the group was right behind and slowed up so they could work together, he didn't know that they were so far behind. Had he known he would have continued on and placed first in his category. Instead he placed 5th

Photo taken by Seth Bradley

He said he was so cold that he was actually seeing stars. At the finish line they opened up the building and were giving the riders blankets and hot chocolate. He was shaking so bad that half of the hot chocolate ended up all over him and the floor

But through it all he came away with this sweet trophy to add to his stash

Cutie Patootie

I can't believe it, but this cutie patootie is FOUR MONTHS OLD already! It seemed like it took Caleb and Holden forever to get bigger, and Finley is growing WAY WAY too fast.

Stats:

14 pounds 3 ounces

25 inches long

A Father Indeed

This family lives just up the street from us and are in our ward. They truly are an amzing example to those around them.

I also want to wish a happy fathers day to my dad and to my husband

Sweet

Is this boy just so YUMMY that you could eat him up! I could listen to him all day long!

Angels Among Us

There is only a small group of people in this world that really "get" Caleb. Penny is one of those people. She has been Caleb's teacher for the last two years. I dare say she almost knew Caleb as well as I do. She always referred to him as "her boy." She lifted a great burden off of my shoulders, because I never once had to worry that he wasn't being taught, or most of all loved.

Our school district was way too large and had to be split. 60% of those students at Caleb's school lived on the West side of the Salt Lake Valley. They built a new special needs school for that district, and for those kids to attend. Therefore they needed teachers to follow those kids there. Unfortunately, Penny is one of those. I still can't think about it, without getting tears in my eyes. Especially since I met who he is supposed to have next year and I was not impressed. I hope and pray that things may change, and that we will be able to work out something that will benefit Caleb. He has so much potential, and he needs a teacher that will nurture that, and be able to work with him as Penny did. She was definately an angel in both mine and Calebs life and she will be greatly missed.

Miracles

Music has always been a huge part of Calebs life. Whenever he is stressed and needs to relax we always sing to him and he settles right down. Last week I witnessed a miracle. For those of you who don't know Caleb personally don't know how amazing this is, but just understand that this is coming from a "non-verbal" 8 year old.
Last Sunday I was changing his diaper getting him ready for bed and I usually have to sing to him so he will let me change his diaper. His lastest favorite was the "goodbye" song they sing at school. So I was singing, "Goodbye Caleb, Goodbye Caleb" and then stopped while I was concentrating on what I was doing. All the sudden he "hums" the next notes of the song! I was SHOCKED to say the least, and thought I must have heard it in my head. I sang it again and he did it again. I am so unbelieveably grateful for this quiet little moment that I had to witness a miracle with my sweet boy.
A couple of mornings later I was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Caleb and Finley while we were waiting for the bus to come pick him up for school. As we were walking out to the bus, I thought I heard him "humming" (watch the video and you will understand what I mean by his humming) twinkle twinkle little star. So that night as I was giving him a bath I sang "Twinkle Twinkle little Star" and he hummed the next part.
I don't know where this will lead as far as his communication, but I am so grateful for him and his sweet spirit, and for the joy he brings into my life. I hope that his brain will continue building bridges and allow us to experience more miracles.
Unfortunately you will have to endure my horrible singing voice, but enjoy the beautiful sounds coming from Caleb!