Happy Birthday, Matthew

Today is my baby's birthday. Matthew is 13! I thought I'd do a little tribute to him, so, here we go....
What an adorable baby! This was taken right after his first surgery on his eyelid. (Matthew was born with Marcus Gunn Jaw-Winking Ptosis. That's where the nerves that make his eye wink, and his jaw open and shut, are crossed in his brain. He has been through several surgeries - he is my hero. He was such a good patient. Such a happy baby. Hardly ever complained.
Here's Matthew on the bottom of the wrestling pile - like always! Daddy would have to protect him from those rough brothers!
After another surgery - see what I mean about a happy baby?!

One of my favorite pictures of Matthew. He was helping me decorate for Christmas.

At Children's Hospital in Philadelphia - before a surgery.

I found Matthew one day, asleep in his Blues Clues chair. Adorable.
Here he is with his potty chart - he is very proud!
Matthew was not happy that I put padding ALL OVER him so that he wouldn't get hurt if... I mean, WHEN... he fell. I even strapped a pillow to his butt. Haha!
Taking Blue and the rest of his favorite stuffed animals for a ride.

At Chuckie Cheeses


With Dad on the tube at Flaming Gorge.
Yet another surgery. Brave boy!
Visiting Yellowstone - he had a great time.
Matthew always opened his eyes REALLY big when we took pictures so that his left eyelid wouldn't be down too far. His eyelid is hooked to his eyebrow - so that's the way he keeps his eye open. I always thought that was cute.

At the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.
One of Matthew's favorite Halloween costumes.
At Hogle Zoo, in the bird sanctuary.


Holding a school project...
Jumping on the new trampoline.
With his Goofy hat at Disneyland.

A Science Fair project
Yet another Science Fair project (do they EVER end?!)
12th birthday
Waiting to welcome brother, Grant, home from his mission to Japan. He hasn't seen him for 2 years! Matthew changed alot.
6th grade graduation
Playing pool at the Herron Family reunion in Heber.
Latest "Brothers" picture
Matthew Colby Herron - 2010

Matthew, I hope you have a great birthday. I love you. You have been the BEST kid - always helping out, doing so well in school. I can't believe you are a teenager! Here's to a great year!

My Happy List

I've been over visiting a blog called Dandelion Wishes - one of my new bloggy friends. I'm featuring HolleeAnn this week on my Incredible Women blog. Yesterday she posted something she calls "My Happy List", and so I thought I'd tell you what's on my happy list this week.

1. Yesterday I had these two over for dinner and homework...

It was fun to hang out with them. We were celebrating Rick's 47th birthday. They made us a "lava" cake. Wow. It was pretty much to die for. Alyx (Grant's girlfriend) used her Pampered Chef Rice Cooker - microwave thingy to cook it in. They mixed together a chocolate cake mix in the cooker thing, and then dumped an entire container of chocolate frosting right in the middle. They put it in the microwave for 8 minutes. After taking it out, they tipped it upside down into a glass dish. The cake was done, and the frosting poured over it like lava. Oh. My. Gosh. Probably my favorite dessert EVER! We had a little bit of peppermint ice cream with it. *Sigh*

2. I'm really happy that my son, Michael... was able to make it home safely yesterday. He went to Logan to see his cute girlfriend, Ashley for a day, and ended up getting food poisoning and being stuck there for 2 1/2 days. I felt so bad for him. But, he got home last night, and went right to bed. I haven't seen him since.

3. My next happy thing is listening to the guitar music my talented sons (Grant and Alex) play. I could sit here and listen FOREVER! They are so good - even better than good, when you consider that they've taught themselves. Never had a lesson.



4. This week is my baby's 13th birthday. My, how time flies. Matthew will be a teenager at last.

No more little kid stuff. It kind of makes me sad, too, though. I miss my babies. Hopefully, I'll get to be a grandma in the future.

5. I'm going on a road trip this week with my sister-in-law, Cindy. We are traveling to Idaho for some work she has to do. So, I get to hang out in the hotel and take advantage of the exercise room, pool, and QUIET time, so that I can blog to my heart's content. SWEET!

6. My last happy thing right now - I just heard from one of my very best friends from my past - Paula!She found me on facebook. We used to live near each other in North Carolina. Our kids played together - Grant and Brittany, and Michael and Brandi. It is so good to hear from her. I LOVE FACEBOOK. But, just because I can find old friends and keep up with everyone. Otherwise, it's kind of annoying. I'm going to have to find some past pictures of Paula and her cute girls for another post.

Oh, and yesterday was the 3 year anniversary of Grant entering the Missionary Training Center on his way to Japan!



Anyway, that's My Happy List for this week. Thanks to HolleeAnn for asking. What about you - what's on your Happy List?