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!