100 Years Apart

We meet at a crossroads, you and I. I am about to leave, and you have just arrived.

               
Dasil George Mathews ~ 2 January 1920
Caden Dasil Bailey ~ 13 December 2019
              

It didn't take long after we found out our third child was a boy for me to realize how close he would be born to Granky's 100th birthday. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to honor my grandpa by giving Caden Dasil as a middle name. I hope this honor makes my grandpa happy, but more importantly I hope Caden will be proud of this name. I plan to make sure he knows how much his great-grandfather loves him, knows of Granky's testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of the many ways he's been an example to me in my life.

Helaman 5:6-7

Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents...and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.

Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.

 ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

After the new year we headed down to Las Vegas to celebrate Granky's birthday. The morning of the party he indulged me and came with me to my friend Julie's house to have her take some photos of he and Caden. Julie marveled at how Granky at 100 years old could walk into her home studio on his own two feet and hold onto his great-grandbaby the way he did. He's pretty incredible.

I could not be happier with how these photos turned out and it was worth every effort to make it happen. I know it wasn't the easiest thing for him to come with me, especially with a party to conserve energy for that night, but I hope it was worth it for him. I know it was for me because these are an absolute treasure.

*Photos taken 3 Jan 2020

♡ 100 years between these hands ♡

We talked with the boys recently about the First Vision and told them it occurred in 1820. Nolan perked up and said, "If Granky lived 100 more years he would have seen Heavenly Father and Jesus!" We then talked about testimonies and Nolan asked, "What's Granky's testimony?" What was so wonderful about his question is that Granky actually wrote out his testimony and gave each of his grandkids a copy at our family party last week. So I went and grabbed it and read it to the boys. It really was a special moment.

Also, the day after we brought Caden home from the hospital Nolan was holding Caden and so sweetly said to him, "Do you know your middle name is Dasil?" Then he looked at me and said, "So mom, that means the name Dasil is going to be around for another 100 years!" It sure is sweet boy. I told Granky that story and he seemed to like it.

"What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see." I'm grateful for the legacy my grandpa has built and continues to build for his family. It's one of love, faith, learning, and hard work. I'm grateful for the chance my kids have to know him and especially for the moment in time these pictures capture.

Caden - 1 month

Wow! One month with our sweet Caden Dasil and let me tell you he is an absolute DREAM baby! One thing Justin always gets nervous about with a new baby is the lack of sleep and the spit up. So much spit up haha. But Caden doesn't spit up much at all!! #blessthischild. He's doing as expected with his sleep and is waking up about every 3-4 hours to eat. However, the great thing about him is he usually goes back to sleep pretty easily after each feed. Oh, and I'm glad he's figured out how to sleep on his own and not in the crook of my arm :). We toyed with the idea of swaddling and it seemed to work for a few nights, but after that he didn't seem to like being confined anymore. We haven't swaddled either of his older brothers so we weren't dead set on it.

Speaking of older brothers. Nolan and Branson still love their little brother more than anything. Nolan loves when Caden comes with me to pick him up from school and always wants to "look at his eyes." Branson is surprisingly gentle with Caden (surprising considering he's a bull in a China shop in every other scenario). Still, I don't completely trust that he knows where Caden is at all times so we try to keep him in our arms or in his rocker, especially if we're not in the room.

Just like his brothers Caden has a little hint of red in his hair and most people seem to think he looks like a brunette Nolan. We're still not sure what color his eyes are going to be. He's growing so fast and is already sized up in diapers and clothes. What?! I can't believe how quickly he plumped up and doesn't look so teeny tiny anymore :( Why, oh why does that happen so darn fast?!

I can't think of much else to say besides the fact that this little one is so very loved and I hope he always knows that. We've only had him for a month, but already can't imagine our family without him. I can't believe I have 3 kids! Oh, which reminds me. Apparently 3 is the number of children at which going to the grocery store, or anywhere really, just seems like too much work. Enter grocery pickup. Game. Changer. It is a glorious thing that I'm sure was thought up by a mom. I can sit on my couch (at midnight if I want) and order groceries, then when the order is ready I get the kids in the car (in pjs and without shoes if that's the kind of morning it's been) pull up to the store, call the number, and someone brings my groceries out and puts them in the trunk for me! I know, right?! Sanity saver.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Sleep deprived parents people .

His brothers love him SO much. Sometimes a little too much, bordering on smothering haha.

Caden's reaction when I tell him this family situation is permanent :).

Granky's 100th Birthday and Caden's Blessing

Headed down to Las Vegas for Granky's 100th birthday! Our first trip as a family of 5!

With Nolan in the back now it's harder to get snacks or whatever back there to him (and he's not the best catch yet haha) so we tried out this ingenious idea from my friend Myranda. Game Changer!

The big party was scheduled for the day after his birthday, but we wanted to do something to celebrate his actual big day. Thai food at Granky's house it is!

 

GG Hunt lovin' on her newest great-grandbabies.

 

GG and Aunt Susie

Sweet moment between Nolan and Granky

Oh Branson. This kid. He was wrestling with Logan and they fell over, Branson's nose and mouth going straight into Granky's glass coffee table. Luckily I was right there and quickly cupped my hand under his mouth to catch the blood. So much blood. I thought for sure he'd broken his nose or a tooth went through his lip or something. Thank heavens it wasn't though. We got the bleeding to stop and everything seemed to be fine. Poor Nolan freaked out when he saw the blood and was so upset!

 Great Uncle Andy, aka "the baby whisperer"

Gm Mathews with 6 of her 7 grandsons ♡

Two of my favorite guys. I saw them sitting together chatting and it reminded me of a photo I've seen of them sitting and chatting at my parents wedding reception 37 years ago!

The big friends and family party

Gm and Gp Bailey were so awesome and drove down for the party (and Caden's blessing).

Gm Hunt and Grace Stewart.

Logan and Branson - "Best fwends"

Us and Alan's family hung out at my parents house on Saturday and then we had a little family party that night. 

Granky and Nicole

Alan's family

GG and Gpa Hunt showing the newest member of the family some love ♡

Granky sharing some thoughts and his testimony. It was a really special time to be together.

The Mike and Dana Mathews grandkids. Cute bunch!!

Sunday morning we gave Caden a name and a blessing. Justin did a wonderful job and blessed Caden to develop a testimony of the Savior, to understand the gospel and the role of the Savior in his life, to seek a testimony and share it, to be a light to those around him, to have the courage to follow the commandments, to be strong in his convictions, to watch the example of his brothers, to find refuge in the scriptures and seek answers there, and to be grateful for his heritage, especially his great-grandfather for whom he is named. 

I'll never forget that after the blessing Granky stood up to bear his testimony. He was in the row in front of me and I loved how he stood up with such strength despite his age. He bore a wonderful testimony and ended it by saying with a smile, "and besides, one of my great-grandsons got my name today! So that's pretty neat." I sure love him.

A common sight in the Hunt family - checking out guns.

Granky feeding Caden.