We got ourselves a teenager here folks!

Thirteen years ago (on June 20, 2000 to be exact) our first baby joined our little family. It was one of the happiest days of my life. Now thirteen years later, I find myself feeling much of those same emotions. My baby is growing up. In but a few short years I will be attending his high school graduation. Time has creeped up on me so slowly and before I even realized it, my baby was in junior high, running for student council, playing every sport known to man and every instrument he can get his hands on. Reality has set in…I have a teenager…my baby isn’t a baby…he is growing up.

My sweet, tender, Jake has a special place in my heart. He is my first-born and will forever be my baby. I made him promise me that no matter how big he gets, he will always have to give me a hug and a kiss. The best part about that promise is that he loves that promise too. I won’t pretend that we don’t have any days where I want to pull my hair out and sometimes his too, but I figured that is expected and it would be unusual if we didn’t have our challenges.

There are a lot of things I love about Jake and here are a few…

1) I love that he is confident in who he is and what he believes.
2) I love that he is affectionate and loves be close to me.
3) I love that he is overly worrisome about his siblings and is always looking out for them.
4) I love that he is clean. He can’t handle a day without a shower.
5) I love that he wants to be a good person and tries to do what is right.
6) I love that he reads his scriptures when he is upset, lonely or has concerns.
7) I love that he tries to be nice to everyone, even if they are different.
8) I love that he listens to his dad (and my) counsel and tries to be better every day, even when he falls short.
9) I love that he works hard in school and always wants to excel.
10) I love that he looks like me. 🙂
11) I love that he will attempt hard things, sometimes with a fight, but he always does it.
12) I love the example he sets for our family and especially his brother and sisters.
13) I love that he won’t do something he doesn’t want to do, even if it makes him seem “uncool”.
14) I love that he does sweet things for people (leaves notes, treats, etc. for them)
15) Most of all, I love him because he is mine and part of my forever family. I couldn’t be more grateful.

As I began this list, I quickly realized that I could write 100’s of things that I love about this boy. He is just a good kid and I am so very proud of him. Happy 13th birthday Jake. I love you.