Aden

Kenneth Aden Freeman, you are my little sweet heart. You are currently 4 (soon to be 5). Your little smile warms my heart. When you were born I was sure I knew you in the pre-existance. You were named after your dad, and of course, myself. I see a little of both of us in you. You were 9 pounds even when you were born and such a hungry little guy. You ate, and ate, and ate. A nurse told me I didn't need to feed you so much. You started crying and I believe it was 1:00 in the morning, but I had just fed you at 11:00. I thought, "I'm supposed to wait. He shouldn't eat so often." I delayed for a good 30 minutes trying to comfort you, but in the end I gave you a bottle despite what the nurse claimed and you were totally content. You were just hungry. You loved attention as a baby, and still as a 4 year-old you haven't changed much! You constantly wanted held, and as I mentioned before, you also loved to eat.

You were a very scary little toddler. I felt it was my duty to keep you from seriously injuring or killing yourself. I'm not joking. I'm sure you will hear the septic tank story for years to come, but I'll share it on here for you to have always. I'm sure you'll appreciate it ;)

It was a week before Uncle Terrel and Aunt Cindy's wedding reception to be held at Nanny's house. We were desperately trying to get things in order so that everything would be gorgeous. I was on the phone with dad inside Nan's house because Devri was having a "concert" outside and was "too embarrassed" for me to watch. Nan has a septic tank at her house which is what people have when their house is not connected to a city sewer system. It's basically a huge tank under ground containing the sewage for the home.

Well, the existing lid was made of concrete and had crumbled away and in it's place was a thin square board. We had told you several times to stay away from that board. During Devri's "concert" she stops and screams, "ADEN FELL IN THE HOLE!!!" I dropped the phone and ran outside. I didn't want to believe you were in there I was screaming, "ADEN!!! ADEN!!!" I ran toward the hole and saw it exposed with the board lying on the grass beside it. I looked into the dark hole and all I could see was the faint shimmer of liquid rippling. I knew you were in fact down there.

What happened next was an experience I'll never forget (on many levels;)) I felt angels, and our Heavenly Father whisper to me to get you. I threw my arms up in the air and it felt as if someone pushed me on the back and I leaped forward, feet first into the hole to find you. I didn't know how deep the muck would be, I just wanted to save you. My feet hit the bottom and the muck was up to my chest. I frantically searched for you. I grabbed you and looked you in the eyes to make sure you were okay. You looked at me frightened, and I shouted to Nan, "He's okay, I've got him." I passed you up the 2 ft wide corrugated pipe to your Nan. I tried to get out as well. I jumped and Nan caught my hands, but she didn't have strength and I didn't have any leverage to get out. The tube was too small for me to bend my knees to shimmy up. As I was crawling out I met my nemesis all over that pipe. Nestled in each inverted corrugation there were spiders. When I saw those I freaked out, screaming, "GET ME OUT OF HERE! GET ME OUT OF HERE!" That was really stupid, because all it did was make all of you freak out too. Scared you, Dev, and Nan to death. I calmed down and Nan called my Aunt Roma and Uncle Gary to come help. They arrived shortly and pulled me right out. We both hosed off and went inside to take showers.

That was an experience I'll never forget. And that is what I mean by finding it my duty to keep you from killing yourself. My goodness. You were a dangerous toddler.

You have finally outgrown that. It couldn't have come quicker. I do find you growing at such an alarming rate that it really makes me sad. You get frustrated really easily over silly things, you talk and talk and talk, and are definitely the social butterfly in the family.

I don't know if those things will change in time, but Aden, I find you can channel those things into something really positive. You will be an amazing leader with those attributes. Try to have patience with others, but if you get frustrated with something, don't ramble on just think of a way to fix it. You make people feel comfortable. People are drawn to you. You will be an amazing missionary, I can tell. I love you so much. I would jump in a million "holes" to save your life. You mean everything to me. When you grow older, remember that. Have patience with your mom as a teenager and young adult. I didn't. It's something I'll regret for the rest of my life. Cling to your family. You love friends already, but friends come and go. They used to be everything to me, but I can count on one hand the friendships that will last a lifetime. My best friends now are your dad and my mom. They are all the friends I even need.

You are firey, full of energy, and definitely full of love. When I ask you to do something for me you always say, in the cutest, kindest voice, "Suuure!" So sweet.



Lastly, you are extremely talented athletically. Right now you are playing soccer and are so naturally talented it is amazing to watch. You have rallied your team together and are an excellent team player. You blow almost every team away, and you're only 4. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for you. Just know, that I believe in you. Always.

Heavenly Father has blessed you with many strengths and you can turn your weaknesses into strengths simply by redirecting your frustration into solving a problem. Try not to bully and pester, but build people up. You can do amazing things, young man, I can feel it in you. I love you.