Nephi!

Nephi, Nephi.  He is a delight.  He turned 7 on June 12. He calls me "mom" and it humbles and pleases me.  He sings little songs to Gideon and calls him "adorable".  Nephi has a crooked smile that's a photographic gem, rarely bestowed for the camera.

 A jaunty, triangular wild grin.

Here are a few of his choicest quotes: 

8/03/12 "I want a knight-sized bed".

8/27/12 "If I just had 5 more feathers, I might be able to fly".

Spring 2012 "It was so good I had to use 2 forks!"

Spring 2012 "You can't have firsts and seconds at the same time.  It's virtually impossible!"

He has the Cox intellect and the ability to hold an audience.  He's a ham and a half with a gravelly voice that makes him sound like Boyd K. Packer when he gives a talk.

At Christmastime, he and I made a precious memory together. He helped me "doorbell ditch" some treats to a neighbor.  He was adventurous enough to run up the porch and ring the doorbell, then rush over to join me, hiding, on the side of their house behind a trash can.  We'd agreed to hide until they'd opened and closed the door, so as not to be seen running down the street.  As we hid together, listening to them opening the door and looking for us, he looked up at me with an enormous, mischievous smile, the sense of fun and excitement pervading his whole self, emitting a quiet laugh.  It was an unforgettable moment- a relationship changing moment- a "we're having a moment" moment that will always warm me in its recollection. 

There is no one else like Nephi.  Bold and smart and wonderful.  I love you!