Happy 16th Birthday Will!!!

Will, you are 16! Oh my law! How did we get here? You would probably say that we got here because I never let you do anything even the slightest bit unsafe so there is no doubt how you got here. You were probably covered in bubble wrap! You think your brothers get to do all kinds of things you didn’t get to do, like play with knives and such😉 Little do you know how much I didn’t know when God made me your mama. You started the 10th grade this year. As usual, you took it in stride. You had already done 9th grade so this was old hat. Ninth grade was a bit of an adjustment. You started high school at Independence just across the street. It’s a big, beautiful school which I don’t think you appreciated. You were more annoyed that many of your middle school friends went to Heritage HS down the street. But, it didn’t take you long to find your way. You began running cross country. It wasn’t really something you were itching to do but we told you that you had to do something active so it is what you chose. You took to it quite naturally. You really only practice when you are required, and you still do really well. We keep trying to get you to do a little extra to see your full potential but that’s not of interest to you right now. And, that’s ok with Dad and me. You participate and have made some very nice, new friends. Cross country really helped you transition into high school. Practices began in the summer before your Freshman year so you walked in the first day of school with some familiar faces. Of course, you still have Braden and Conner that you are friends with from middle school. Those are still your best friends but they don’t run cross country so you don’t get to see them much. It’s a big school! You have run your second season of cross country now and continue to get better. I don’t think you enjoy it any more this year than last year but you enjoy the friendships so you don’t complain much about it. I feel bad for you. You have practice every morning at 6:30 am and have to be on the bus on Saturdays around 5:30 am. It’s harsh but you get up and get it done. That’s my Will. You got your license this year. You don’t have a car yet. I think Dad wants you to practice on our cars first. I would like you to wreck mine so I can get a new one but you never seem to want to drive the minivan when given a chance. I guess if you are going to break one, it will likely be Dad’s😊 . We are working on a car for you though. Strangely, you don’t seem to mind not having one. None of your friends have their license and school is too close to drive, so you just walk when you need to get somewhere. I am sure when you get a car of your own, you will find places to go. For now though, I’m ok with you just hanging out here. School is not at all your favorite. You don’t enjoy the pressures and are not driven by grades. A “B” is the same in your book as an “A”. I think a “C” is the same for you too. Sadly, your parents are wired differently so we prefer A’s but we have come to just appreciate you instead. Will, you are awesome but you are a bit challenging. You aren’t challenging in a normal teen way though. You are challenging because you are so different in the way you think about things compared to Dad and I. We are totally type A and you are more of a type B. We are driven by results, and you are not. We are stressed out, and you are not. So, you are definitely not a bad challenge. You just keep us on our toes and require us to try and think in a different way. You are a wonderful kid and I’m super proud of the man you are becoming. Your laidback attitude makes you easy to get along with. You rarely have conflicts with your brothers. They think you’re pretty incredible. You are kind and helpful. You are sweet to your momma, and I appreciate that. With four boys, many days I just need an ally. Thanks for being my ally. I love you Will. Happy 16th Birthday!

Happy 13th Birthday Sam!

Wow Sam, you're a teenager! I cannot believe that we are here. It feels like time creeps by until you look around and see that one of your kids is already 13! Ugh!!! This past year you began 6th grade, middle school. Of course that was a bit of a stressful adjustment for you. It is for most kids but you especially. You had a locker to be able to work, eight classes to find and keep organized with, and then the whole puberty thing. It was alot for a year:). The first couple of weeks were rough but you got to know the school counselor and realized that God put special people in every place to see you through this new journey. Your teachers weren't all favorites but you loved Coach Swanson for ILA. You were not a fan of your gym teacher. Your dad started calling him Coach Up-downs because you were stuck doing Up-downs on a regular basis in class. Apparently your friend Jason was a bit of a rebel rouser in class which got the whole class in trouble. He was not your friend for long.:( Karl is still your best friend. You played soccer with him on The Fighting Irish and had a few classes together at school this year. Although you didn't get to see him as much as you did when you were in elementary together, you still made lots of memories. You have lots of close friends so your social circle is wide. Tyler, Baby Tiger, moved away this summer so you miss him and the fun he brought to our house. We miss him too! You played your last season of soccer in the Spring. You were fast and furious. I am not sure you were a lover of the game but you gave it your heart and were ready to move on. This year you plan to use your fast beetles to run track in 7th grade. Thankfully, Coach Up-downs moved to another school and so did Jason so hopefully PE and track will both be pleasant experiences. You are a pleaser and rule follower. You don't like getting reprimanded. You work hard to do as your told and hate getting in trouble. The idea of it gives you anxiety. Anxiety is something you struggle with from time to time. It doesn't hold you back but causes you some discomfort now and again. Dad and I are working hard to help walk you through it but you are managing it pretty well on your own. Sam, you are a homebody. You would generally rather stay home than go out. You love playing with your brothers so you are content to just hang here. At times you squabble with Isaac and sometimes Mac. Lately I've noticed that you are a wonderful sounding board for Will. You allow him to vent and take his side as a great brother should. I love your heart and your fight. You want fairness and a black and white world. I do too buddy which is why I appreciate those qualities in you;0 You're finding that this isn't always the case, bummer, but you're growing up and adjusting. You're a kind, thoughtful friend. You can still cry big crocodile tears that break my heart but you also have an amazing laugh that fills me up. I love you Sam. Happy Birthday!

Happy Belated 7th Birthday Mac!

Happy Birthday Mac or Happy Belated Birthday Mac! Of course, this is late but filled with no less love;) Year six was exciting for you. Then again, you are an excited kid so probably every year is exciting, year six included. You kept busy for sure! You spent your free time playing soccer and basketball and you were quite the baller. The basketball team parents continually asked how much basketball you had played before this season. Your dad and I played it cool when we told them that it was your first time playing and that you have three older brothers so that makes you competitive. We wanted to brag about your natural abilities but we didn't because we're nice like that.:) The soccer parents were the same calling you the soccer star! You are a natural athlete and you hustle so you take care of things on the field or on the court. You are fun to watch! You started Kindergarten this year. You were very excited and loved making all kinds of new friends. Jihoo, Grant, and Affan were some of your best friends. Ms. Carlton was your teacher, and you loved her. She was a born Kindergarten teacher with a tiny voice and silly personality. You really enjoyed kindergarten except for the fact that you had to go everyday;0 That was an eye-opener and hard adjustment. Thankfully, you managed to make it just about every day and your classmates were happy about that. Apparently, you were quite the entertainer. Your teacher gave you the end of the year laugh award because you could always make the whole class laugh. She said that even if you came in and just said, "Hello", you had the kids in stitches. That does not surprise me. You are hilarious at home too. You have such a joy for life. You laugh big and smile even bigger. Of course, you get angry and frustrated at times, mostly at Isaac, and that anger or frustration is big too! You just emotion big;0 You are game for anything, anytime. You just seep joy and others want to be around that. You have a blast with your brothers and they are your true best friends. You call them "your boys" sometimes, and that makes me smile. They look out for you and you look out for them. You work hard to not get left behind by them but honestly, I don't think they wanna leave you behind. You're Macadoodle. Mac, you are the youngest of four boys. Some people would get lost in so many shadows but not you. You make your own spotlight. You are my snuggle buggle. You are witty, creative, and full of life. I love being your mom and experiencing life with you. You make me smile everyday. You are a precious gift and I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. I love you Macadoodle! PS - This is the year you created the "Aye Chihuahua song" and would have lived at Chik-fil-a if they would have let you;)