My Son, Cory, 22 on the 22nd!

I grew up with three brothers and no sisters, so when our first three children were girls I found myself at a bit of a loss as to what to do.  I knew nothing of hair bows or hormones and it was quite a rude awakening, to say the least.  You can imagine how relieved I was when our fourth child was a little boy, who we have called 'Big Guy', from the time he was very small.  He helped to level the playing field in our home and gave his sisters something to focus on.  I can't even begin to count the number of times he was dressed up, made up and fussed over.  Cory was the 'toy' his sisters had always wanted and they spoiled him more than we did as his parents.
As a child, Cory was always interested in doing 'Big Work' cause he was sure he was a 'Big Worker Man'.  If there was a screw driver, saw or any sort of tool involved he had to be right in the thick of things.  I love to look back in my mind's eye to see him toting a tool, almost bigger than himself, to help with any type of project.  Putting the swing set together in our backyard stands out as one of those events.  It was difficult to bring down a few years ago because each time I would look at that play-set, I could still see the kids laughing and playing and Cory right in the middle of the fun.
Cory has always been a tender-hearted little guy and never liked to see anybody struggling or sad.  I remember on one occasion, he was at the office with me and a man approached us as we left the mall at Christmas time and asked us for some change.  I had none but Cory had two loonies and insisted on giving them to the stranger.  This example has stuck with me all these years and I can't turn people away because of the actions of my little boy.
I don't know where the years have gone.  Just yesterday he was a skinny little toddler making the whole family laugh with his antics, doing 'squinty-eyes' or the 'funny walk'.  He's always been able to make us laugh with his quick wit and funny perspective of the world around us.  Those years pass too quickly and if you're a parent you know what I mean.  Cherish those years!  My days used to start with Cory shaving right along with me, him sitting on the counter, lathered up and matching me, stroke for stroke, with an old razor with no blade.  He would then take me prisoner and lock me in the imaginary jail so I didn't have to go to work and could stay home and play trucks with him.  Oh, how I wish I could turn the clock back and get locked in that jail again.
We have been blessed to see some modern-day miracles in the life of our son.  For years, we feared that he would be smaller than his friends and we knew this troubled him, but following some miraculous changes to his health and problems with food allergies, he has grown to be taller than myself and is as strong as a bull.  He still worries that he's not big enough but I keep telling him, "Just wait till your metabolism slows down, and then you'll be working to keep the weight off.  Look at me and my brothers."
My boy has always shown only the greatest respect for Holly and I and I love him for that.  He is honest and can share his deepest thoughts and most troubling concerns with us and we love him for it.  Cory is no longer a boy, even though he can be a boy at heart, as you'll see in the pictures below.  He is a man that I am so very proud of.  He has worked to overcome challenges and has the character of a man that I will be proud to have carry my name into the next generation.
Cory is a vibrant member of our family and we are certainly not complete without him.

Story Time with Holly and Sisters

Cory and Grandma Lynn at Logan Zoo

Army Man Dress Up, An Every Day Occurrence

Duck Feet From Nursery at Church

Cory Graduates from Playschool

Cory relaxing with Dad and Great Grandma Verlyn

Big Worker Man Birthday - His mom, her only time as a redhead.

More Big Work - digging holes for new trees.

Cory giving his sisters a quick flight in a chopper like his Uncle Rick.

Cory during his weapons phase.

Still in the weapons phase but more deadly.

Playing with Eli, a nephew.

More fun with nieces and nephews, this time with Lillian.

Cory never passes up a chance to make us laugh!

My pheasant hunting partner - 2011.

Kind of ticks me off that he's a better shot than me!

Boys will be boys, who wants to grow up anyway? Christmas 2012

Trip to Utah 2012, Haley, Holly and Grandma Broby

Driving Hannah crazy, we're quite sure she hates him.

Holly and our children - 2011 Mother's Day

What an amazing and fun 22 years, very much looking forward to the next 22 with my 'Big Guy'.  Happy Birthday Cory!  Know that we love you more than words could ever say!