The Proud Owner of a Teenager

Today my firstborn turns thirteen.

I am now in possession of a teenager. And I couldn't be prouder.

I don't know how this all happened so quickly but I am so grateful that this teenager is the same lovable, cuddly, funny, kind, weird, smart, talented, goofy, bossy, hard working, dramatic, analytical, silly, serious, odd, and sweet boy that he has always been. I look at this young man before me and I'm so thankful that he is the same person he was as a little bitty boy. He makes me laugh so hard. He tries so hard to be good. He works so hard to do well. He puts other's feelings above his own. He is an amazing young man. He brings me so much joy.

Joe has just about caught up to me in height. Soon, probably mere weeks, he will be taller than me. Yet he still wants to sit with me, give me hugs, and tell me about his day.

I am so proud of this boy. I am so proud to be his mama. I can't believe this baby of mine is now a teenager. But I am certain of one thing. No matter how old, Joseph, you will always be my baby.

Happy Birthday, Joey! I am so proud of you and love you so much!

Ben

Ben. My baby boy. He is nine years old today.

We celebrated Ben's birthday yesterday with pizza and cake and his grandmas', his godmother, and cousin at our house. It was a good birthday. Ben said it was his "best birthday EVER". I swear he says that every year. Sweet boy. 

This year Ben got a new bike (I think he gets a new bike ever other year, the kid grows so fast). He also got a BB gun and a few other small toys. He was extremely pleased. He had a pretty awesome Minecraft cake (if I do say so myself) created by yours truly. Of course, I took a million pictures but because my computer took a huge dump on me I can not even turn it on much less upload all the beautiful birthday pictures. Hopefully they will follow shortly (either when my computer is fixed or I spring for a new computer- right now I'm borrowing my hubby's work laptop).  I just couldn't let this day pass without acknowledging this amazing boy and his 9th birthday.

Ben is an extraordinary person and such a young age. The first week of school he received the "Compassion" award. The next week he received the "Responsibility" award. Much of the same has continued throughout the year. The kid is a gem. Let me give you an example. Ben's class gets "sand dollars" (his teacher is from California and went with a beach theme for their room this year) for good behavior. Ben earns sand dollars VERY quickly and has then bought many toys and treats (many of which he has chosen for his sister- a ring, etc., or his brothers). Last week Ben told me that he saved up 20 sand dollars (the maximum amount for the top prizes) and chose a pizza lunch with his teacher. For the lunch he was allowed to pick a friend to join him. Ben picked the new kid in class (brand new- he just started a few days earlier) because he wanted him to feel happy and comfortable in his new school. Ben wants the new kid to know he has friends. This is par for the course with Ben. I swear, this kid has such heart it brings tears to my eyes. I could not be prouder. What an absolute gift he is. Not only to me, but to this world.

Happy Birthday, my dear, sweet, kind, loving, and gentle Ben. No matter how big you get you will always be my baby. You are such a wonderful boy and I am so proud to be your mumma.

I love you more than you will ever know!

(Yay! Finally got some pictures in the post!)