Shane Plays it Cool

I know I have told the story before of my two year old boy that wanted a violin so bad that he asked for it regularly.  His Aunt Joni found a small one at a museum store that was just his size. It magically played beautiful music with a switch of a button while he moved the bow across the strings. He loved it! When we moved to St. Louis eight years ago we found out that every third grader would have a violin provided for them and all attended orchestra class. Shane took to it like a fish to water. In fourth grade they allowed those that wanted to continue to rent any string instrument they wanted to pursue and continue with orchestra classes. He chose the viola.

Now at the age of fifteen and a  freshman in high school he is in the second highest orchestra and loves the music that they play. Tonight we listened and watched. I was so impressed.
Here is my one and only boy who can play an instrument so well, he cares about the grades he makes in school, he is so close to becoming an eagle scout- his project is in the works, he has canoed in South Dakota for days with his dad and others (boy did he smell bad!!), for four years he has cycled from historic Nauvoo, Illinois to Carthage, Illinois    ( about a 30 mile ride), he has camped in snow, rain and intense sun, swam across the lake with our bishop and young men's president, he is a runner and a swimmer and if you need a guy to hit a solid 3 pointer in basketball, he is your man. He is a Duke fan and can talk the biggest trash to any leader or friend at church that is a North Carolina fan. He is an awesome public speaker. He reads and loves history and says that he wants to run for president some day. He is a thinker and cares about doing the right things.  He is knowledgeable in scriptures and loves early morning seminary. He is a friend to all and is a protective brother to his four sisters. He is an early morning riser and is alert and happy for the day to begin. I just know he is here for important reasons. If it is to become president of the United States I keep him humble by telling him that they dig waaaaaay back in your life to find any and all dirt on you and IF he isn't good to me I will spill the beans on all his mishaps. Right now, in this moment of pure mommy bragging, it is hard to remember that he has had any mishaps, at all, ever.