Family Updates: Tanner Henry

 Tanner is our boy who breaks the mold.

He looks different.

He acts different.

And different is refreshing...

 If everyday was the same and we all looked and acted alike

then wouldn't life be dull?

Tanner was sent to our home to teach us valuable lessons.

He is competitive, passionate, out-going, strong-willed, and a character.

 Tanner was 6 1/2 when Ryder was born. 

I was worried about him feeling sad that he wasn't the "baby" of the family any more.

I asked him how he felt about it.

He yelled, "I hated being the baby!"

This is so typical of Tanner.

As soon as he figured out that no one else had a pacifier, then he gave it up.

As soon as he figured out that no one else had a bottle, then he wouldn't use his.

As soon as he figured out that no one else sat in a high car, then he refused to sit in it.

As soon as he figured out that no one else used the stroller, then he walked.

And as soon as he figured out how to climb out of the crib he surprised me downstairs.

As you can see, he has a mind of his own. 

 Tanner is athletic.

From a very young age he was able to shoot baskets in a real 10 foot hoop.

The neighbors were amazed at his skills.

And I knew that he was just trying keep up with his big brothers!

Last week he asked me why Heavenly Father makes some people tall.

I told him that everyone is a different size and shape, 

and that we can eat healthy but you can't really help how tall you are going to be,

that was left up to Heavenly Father.

He said, "That's funny!  I wonder why He made me the tallest, strongest, and fastest 

person in my school class?"

So... we still need to work on being humble.

 Tanner doesn't love having his picture taken.

For the longest time he would tell me that he doesn't know how to smile.

Now he usually just acts silly when his picture is taken.

On the first day of Kindergarten, Tanner's teacher had her husband come in to help her.

The husband was to take a picture of the student with the parent.

It was our turn to have our picture taken.

He said 1, 2, 3, Smile.

Tanner stuck out his tongue.

The husband wasn't amused at all.

He went home and told his wife.  

In all of his years of helping he had never had a student do that.

Luckily, Cade and Weston had this same teacher so she at least knew our family.

Needless to say I was embarrassed.

 Most people don't know this about Tanner - 

He is very artistic.

He draws very detailed and original art.

He is also a perfectionist.

This can be good and bad.

 Tanner does well in school.

He loves math.

This year he figured out that there was a "smart" group of students in his class.

He made friends with them.

It became a competition to keep up with them academically.

And I say, whatever works!

 Tanner is strong and brave.

When he was small, if he would fall and actually cry then I knew that he was actually hurt

because most of the time he would get up and just shake it off.

Most people know in 2011 Tanner had two major accidents.

The first, he jumped out of the car with out me knowing while I was pulling into the garage.

I ran over his leg.

No injury.

Two months later...

He was hit by a car while riding his bike.

He broke the windshield with his helmet and dented the car and wrecked his bike.

After an ambulance ride and a night in the hospital he was released.

No serious injury... just some scrapes and a concussion.

A miracle for a strong and brave boy.

 Tanner has figured out that I have buttons 

and he likes to push them.

He has figured out that all of his family members have buttons 

and he like to push theirs too.

Sometimes he pushes them all at the same time.

 My favorite thing is when Tanner laughs.

Tanner loves to have fun.

He loves the outdoors.

He loves being busy.

He loves waking up early.

I'm thankful everyday that my Heavenly Father sent me Tanner.

He brings excitement and interest to our family.

I am in awe that I would be trusted with a spirit like Tanner.

I can't wait to see what kind of man he turns out to be.

I love you Tanner!