The View From Here: my eight year old

I took McKay to the Timpanogos temple a few days before his baptism to for a photo shoot. Now you know that I always love a photo shoot, even though I don't know what I'm doing. But I do always love taking pictures. McKay was not so thrilled, although he was happy to be my model as opposed to being home and in bed. I got some great shots of my precious boy- my eight year old.

It's hard to explain how I feel about McKay. He is growing up so fast. It's kind of surprising really. He is forming opinions of his own. He knows better how to challenge Brian and I- not in a bad way, but in a "I am a person too and this is what I think" way. At the same time he is taking some of our opinions to heart more than ever before- which is kind of scary actually.

He is starting to enjoy teasing his sister, Ellery, more...I wonder where he gets that from- but I also see them working together more and really developing their friendship.

Sometimes I see him interact with friends when he doesn't know I'm watching and I am proud of how respectful and kind he is to others. He is friendly to people and I hear him compliment and encourage people. I also hear him get frustrated and hurt by people. I am sure there are times that he frustrates and hurts people too.

I have watched him proudly join the ranks of cub scouts- running off every Wednesday afternoon with his blue shirt on and his book in hand. It has frustrated me to watch him tediously practice the piano every morning, but I have felt the satisfaction of finally hearing him play a song with both hands and sing along.

I have cheered him on when he figured out the Real Salt Lake song on his own, and cheered even louder when he made a goal for his soccer team, silently saying a prayer of thanks because on the way he "had a feeling" that he'd make a goal that day.

I have seen the pile of books on the floor each morning from the last night's reading session, along with a whole day's worth of mess scattered around the room, and I have teased him about being the junk-food junkie of our family- a title he willingly accepts.

He shares a sweet bond with Layla and I am proud when he treats her with tenderness and love. It is precious- those moments between them. I often see him with many friends, running around our backyard- yelling, sweating, playing. I continue to hear him ask me "the plan for the tomorrow" every. single. night. and eagerly and often times annoyingly anticipate what is coming next.

I see how he looks at his dad- his hero- and how he tries to be just like him. I love their bond, and that they have each other. Sometimes I am sad that I can't give him a brother, because he tells me he is sad about that- but I am glad he has a good dad who loves him and wants to spend time with him and be a good example for him.

He still wants to snuggle me at night, and every morning I see a flash of a skinny body in underwear run into my room and settle in bed right next to me. I thought about these things when I was reading with him in his bed the other night. How long do I have when he will still want to snuggle with me? Maybe two years? I don't know. But when I think of that, it sure makes me rethink being too busy to lay with him at night.

I have heard him talk about his family- his whole big family- with pride and love and joy. He loves being a Matthews, and he loves coming from Fuehrer's. He loves his cousins and aunts and uncles and especially his grandparents.

I have heard this boy pray- seen him kneeling on his bed every night- and talking to his Heavenly Father. I have seen him struggle through reading a verse in his new scriptures every night, and wondered how in the world I am going to help this become a lifelong habit and lifeline for him.

I have most recently seen him make the decision to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This makes my heart full, and my tears come to the surface. I am proud of who he is. I am thankful for him in my life. And I am aware of the ever present need to continue to teach him- both by word and example- so that he can learn what he needs to learn, and be who he needs to be in this world.