Matthew's Birthday!

        In January we officially became the parents of a teenager. Can you believe that? I certainly can't. I promise, I just blinked... for real this time.

       Matt's birthday, as always, was super fun to celebrate. We kicked off the celebration by meeting Nana for dinner. Matt chose Red Robin because he had a hankering for a big burger. Got it. :)

             Matt and cute Nana.

     His birthday was a school day and he also had jazz band practice after school, so it felt like we waited all day long for the "birthday man" (as Bailey called him all week). I decorated his room the night before with a whole lot of balloons and birthday confetti, so he'd be surprised when he woke up. Apparently it was still so dark when he woke up and without his glasses (and in his tired stupor) he couldn't see well and the balloons kind of freaked him out for a minute. Tee hee.
    I had asked him what he wanted for dinner on his day -- whether he wanted to choose something special for me to make or we could go out. He thought for a few minutes then presented the plan. Since it was a school night he opted for homemade tiny spicy chicken, THEN he figured we could go out to dinner the next night since it would be Friday night. Now, that's my kind of thinking. We're total suckers, so that's what we did.

  This year Rachel bought Matt a birthday gift with her own money. It was very sweet. She took her little baggie of change and tooth fairy money to the store with her. We had a close call because she set it down at one point, but thanks to an honest and kind mom who was in the store, Rachel and her baggie were reunited.   She picked the gift all by herself - she chose a Webkinz 'Mazing hamster. :) Matt was very sweet and almost over-appreciative of her gift.

   So here's the 13 year old and his homemade chocolate birthday cake of choice. He sure is a great kid. I've spent about 13 years being a little apprehensive of this whole teenage thing, but I think we're going to be okay.

  I really can't fathom how the last 13 years have passed so quickly, but I do know one thing - and that's that I sure love being this kid's mom. Matthew is a fantastic boy. He was such a sweet baby and a blast as a little boy. I love that his favorite toy as a one year old was a shopping cart that he put EVERYTHING in - like a homeless man. I love that as a two year old his favorite outfit was shorts, cowboy boots, and a tool belt. I love that at four he opened his own America First Credit Union in his bedroom. No joke, he had "coming soon" countdown signs and everything. When we realized he was totally serious, Steve brought home balloons on that day and a toy ATM machine. I love that he could count to 100 forward and backward before he went into Kindergarten - because he loved counting money. I love that he was so strong and brave during a frightening year and a half of a blood disorder. He became a favorite patient of the lab workers at the hospital. They knew our boy so well, that they had special jobs for him and sent him home with bags of goodies.  I love that he prayed for over 4 years for a sibling. He never once doubted nor wondered why it was taking so long for his prayers to be answered. I love that he proved to be such a kind and tender brother to both of his baby sisters. I love that he is such a good student and loves to learn. I love that he has a sharp mind and an awesome sense of humor. I love that he is such a whiz on the computer and is always willing to help his mom catch up to speed. I love that he is a kind, smart, fun, friendly, strong, and good kid.
   Happy Birthday, Matthew! I am so proud of who you are and who you are becoming. I am so grateful you are ours!