The Kid that Started it All

Nolan. I could write a book on this child. What an unexpected bundle of joy this boy has been.

A little back story:

I met Nolan's dad, Kevin, while working at Old Navy in Franklin, TN in October of 1999. I had only lived in Franklin about 7 months and was absolutely miserable, missing all of my friends from my old high school in Louisiana. Kevin had recently moved from Washington state and was dealing with the same homesick misery as me. It was love at first sight...for me anyways. I will never forget how completely, utterly, and madly head over heels in love I fell with him. I wanted to give him anything and everything, and in a sense I did.

Fast forward a few months and picture two terrified teens finding out they are going to be parents. I was barely 16, still sporting braces and a baby face. Kevin had just began his freshman year of college. We were sure our lives were over. However, thanks to my uncanny ability to be optimistic in the face of sure disaster, I quickly became positive that everything was going to be okay because I loved Kevin and that was all that mattered. I toyed briefly with the idea of adopting the baby out but knew that I could never get rid of my child. Especially the child I was having with the man I was sure I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Nine months of morning sickness, uncertainty, and tears flew by. On October 27 of 2000, a short year after Kevin and I had met, Nolan Thomas Conklin was born. I'll never forget the first time I held him. It was if the world had stopped and everything had just fallen into place. I was holding my reason for living.

It was evident early on that Nolan was a bright child. There was something more to him than the special circumstances he came into the world with. It was as if you could see his mind working constantly as he grew. Once he learned to talk, he never stopped. He knew how to engage those around him and was more than a child, he was a little man. Ask any of my family members and they will tell you. Nolan amazed us all on a daily basis.

It was no surprise that when Nolan started school, he excelled at his lessons and learning came very easily to him. Although, in TN, it is recommended that a student not test for giftedness until the third grade, Nolan's teachers recommend we go ahead and test him a year early. He passed with flying colors and became recognized by the state as a gifted child. Kevin, my family and I were thrilled, although we had kind of expected it. Nolan continues to amaze his teachers and make his parents very proud.

My wittiest child, Nolan can find humor in any situation...unless he dubs the situation a disaster or "the worst day ever", which has been known to happen. Typically, however, you will find him cracking jokes, making up silly songs, absorbing you in a mind boggling argument (the kind that makes you stop and go "Why am I arguing with a ten year old? How did this happen?") and of course, picking on his brothers. The way his mind works fascinates me. He can challenge and engage me better than any adult I know.

Nolan is definitely the most emotional of my three children so when Kevin and I told him that we were divorcing, I expected him to fall apart. While he did have his crying spells and was naturally very sad, he truly surprised me with his strength, maturity and understanding. He was always the first to hug me, tell me it would be okay and that he loved me. That boy has consistently gotten me through tough times since he was conceived. I don't think he will ever understand how grateful I am to have him as my son.

My precious Nolan, a friend to all, a beautiful picture of strength, and proof that God can turn any situation into something wonderful. I thank God for the mountains of blessings He has given me these past 10 years in Nolan and my other two amazing little boys.

Kaveman

Kasen. My baby. Living, breathing animation.

What a challenge and surprise this child has been since conception. Once I felt him move inside the womb, he never stopped. He came out screaming and continued to scream, not sleep and spit up for at least two years. He is the messiest, the loudest, and never ceases to entertain a crowd. God knew what he was doing when he made Kasen last. There would have never been a Nolan or Aiden otherwise. I would not change one thing about this child.

We found out last year that Kasen had significant hearing loss. It broke our hearts to realize that his speech problems and spastic behavior were due to the simple fact that he could not hear like other children his age. We had tubes put in and his adenoids taken out and it made a world of a difference in his ability to interact and communicate. His personality, however, never dimmed. He lights up a room.

Kasen becomes Batman in the blink of an eye. He will not be convinced otherwise. When he is not Batman, he lets me know that he "Reedy wishes dat God made Batman". He also wishes that birds wouldn't poop or pee but "Dat's just the way God made dem". His insight makes me smile.

 

My mom dubbed Kasen with the name "Kaveman" after realizing that when he goes potty, its equivalent to turning on a fire hose full blast with no one holding it steady and that when he eats, only 50% of it makes it into his mouth. If Kasen feels like breaking a toy, it will get broken and his explanation as to why he did it will always be "Cuz. I dunno." Despite our efforts, Kasen hangs onto his neanderthal traits. I've learned to find it endearing simply because I have no other choice.

Kasen is turning five tomorrow. I cannot believe how fast the years have flown by! My curly haired, spitfire, baby is not a baby anymore. He keeps up with his older brothers and is one tough kid. I had to get onto him for jumping off the back porch after his foot got stuck in the rail and he landed face first onto the ground. He cried momentarily then proceeded to turn his attention to tackling his 10 year old brother who later came inside crying because Kasen was too rough. It was a bittersweet moment realizing Kasen can take care of himself just fine.

I thank God for my little Kaveman. For the laughter, smiles and warmth (and even for the tears and exhaustion) that he has brought into my life. It has been an entertaining, to say the least, five years and I am looking forward to many, many more!

Middle Man

I told my middle son that I was going to give him a spanking every morning when he woke up, just to go ahead and set him straight for the day. He thought it was funny. I wonder if it would work....

If you know Aiden, you know a sweet, bashful, blue eyed, lady killer. He is slightly impish, however this child has given me little trouble from day one and has by far been the easiest to raise. He was the easiest to deliver, the quitest, the best eater, the most perfect, laid back and happiest baby! He is always tender and loving and a friend to all, always putting himself last and doing what he can to make peace. He is also a verbal punching bag for his brothers. Poor kid. I hope one day he grows into his linebacker build and takes both of his brothers out in one swoop! I know he never would though. He's my sweet one.

Aiden is my pickiest eater. If I left it up to him he would have a well balanced diet of bread, cheese, butter and candy. My family has always joked about Aiden's food selections. He used to respond with a "Nuuuuh uh!!" but has since embraced the humor. At dinner one evening, my oldest, Nolan, asked Aiden if he wanted a stick of butter for dessert. Aiden grinned and said yes. My dad wants to make him a shirt that says "Butter makes everything better..." Aiden would wear it proudly. He's not even 7 but definitely keeps up with our family's off the wall sense of humor. I love that boy.

Animals seem to flock to Aiden. He has a way with them. He's my tiny Doctor Doo Little. His concern for all things living melts my heart...however the moment is often short lived as I'm soon asked to smell his finger or he announces he just passed gas....Boys.

I often wonder what Aiden will be like when he gets older. I hope he maintains his gentle nature and bright, inquisitive mind. I fear he is going to cause me a bit of heartache as he already has little girls swooning over him. I ran across some pictures from when he was in preschool. Every photo was him surrounded by all the little girls in class. He always has a crush, although he's gotten better at hiding it so Nolan doesn't give him grief. It has started young for this one. Thank goodness he is still clueless to the attention!

Aiden is a natural athlete. Perhaps he will take good care of his mother one day with his pro-sport paycheck...its always fun to dream, isn't it?

God has blessed me with three amazing and unique little boys. I don't know where my life would be without each one of them. Today, I thank my little Aiden Clark Conklin for warming my heart and always making me laugh.