to my favorite 12 year old

Dear Ben,

I could not ask for a better son.  I am so grateful for you and the young man you've become.  You have helped Dad and I so much and are THE best example for your brothers to follow.  You are nothing but goodness.

I've loved watching you take your Priesthood responsibilities so seriously.  You will not let us be late for church because passing the sacrament is so important to you.  At least 30 minutes before church, you are asking what you can pack in the diaper bag and if anyone needs shoes or help finding last minute items.  It makes our Sundays so enjoyable.  You are always making sure we have snacks and pens and paper and scriptures before we leave the house... it saves me every week!

On the weekdays, you are usually awake before everyone else, getting showered and dressed and starting on your jobs while the rest of us get as much sleep as we can.  You've LOVED having Dad home and waking up really early to play basketball at the church and you are the first one out the door when it's time to go on a bike ride or family run.  I know you need and want more physical activity and I wish I could give it to you!  You are bulking up quickly and are starting to look more like a Clawson than a Shumway (which means you have some meat on your bones!)  I can't believe how much you've grown in the past year.

You are the worlds best babysitter and our friends and neighbors have to book you early!  I am so proud of you for saving all of your money.  You buy everything on your own and have the coolest Lego sets around.  Since Dad lost his job, you won't spend a penny, since you think we might need to borrow some from you.  Even though I've told you several times that we won't need your money, you want to save it, just in case.  I know you are going to make the best Dad and husband because you are responsible and careful with the choices you make.

You and Luke are going another year without candy or soda.  We started out as a family with these goals, but no one else could handle the challenge and I feel bad you two are on your own again, but you're determined!  You are such a great example to me because out of all our kids, you are the drink lover!  I know you really want to drink soda, but your willpower is stronger.  Candy doesn't seem to be a big deal at all, but every once in a while, I know you'd kill for a box of hot tamales.  Your braces keep you from eating your other favorite treats.  We'll see what happens when those babies come off (in another year!)  You had to get a few teeth pulled last month and I was amazed at how little you complained.  You are such a trooper!

Last week, Dad took you and the boys to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  Dad came home and told me how much you've grown up.  You stayed next to Dad most of the time and wanted to talk instead of play any of the games (although you still collected tickets and gave them all to Simon.)  When Chuck E came out to sing with the kids, you immediately got up and went to the bathroom.  I could totally see it!

This week, while reading The Giver and talking about our special missions, you mentioned you might want to become a teacher because you love being with little kids.  I could see you being an amazing teacher and taking the job so seriously!  I could also see you becoming an attorney like Dad and being 100% honest and we need more of those kinds of attorneys in the world like that!  Whatever you do, you will be successful and good at because you put such great effort into the task at hand.

During the last few months, especially toward the end of this pregnancy, I have been AMAZED by your concern for me and the baby.  Every time I get home from a doctors appointment, you immediately make a point of asking how it went, if the baby is doing okay and how I am feeling.  At times it has made me emotional because you have been so sweet and concerned about me!  Today when I was feeling uncomfortable, you came up behind me and started rubbing my lower back.  I was so touched and told you were a better birthing coach than Dad!  You've expressed your desire to be at the hospital when baby #6 is born and I think that is a great idea, just depending on when it happens.  You also said you're fine with watching the kids at home and I know you're just trying to be as helpful as you possibly can.  THANK YOU so much for being you, for caring so much and for playing such an important role in our family.

I love you to the moon and back!

Mom