golden

he's 14 on the 14th...

so on this golden birthday, here are 14 things i love about tater:

1) he is thoughtful. (as a preschooler, he was forever presenting me of love gifts consisting of weeds or leaves or pieces of lint.)

2) he is hilarious. (i tend to playfully tease the kid quite a bit. on one such occasion he said, "mom, i'm gonna get you back someday. when you are in the nursing home, you better sleep with one eye open.")

3) his hair is soooo soft. he has better "bieber hair" than justin himself had.

4) he accepts me for who i am and loves me despite my flaws.

5) he is way smarter than i'll ever be (but doesn't flaunt it).

6) those dark eyes and that year-round tan.

7) he is an "old soul".

8) when he runs, he looks like poetry in motion (with that perfect hair blowing in the wind).

9) he is loyal.

10) he loves happy endings.

11) he has a photographic memory.

12) he thinks deeply about life and god and purpose.

13) he is cautious, but up for an adventure.

14) he is amazing with little kids.

are you thinking what i am thinking as i look over that list? yes, this young man is going to make a fine husband someday. not that i'm rushing into that, mind you. i am fully prepared to beat off girls with a broom. but it's not because i want to remain the woman in his life. i'm not anymore. i was dethroned on july 27, 2009 when he met his baby sister. he recently told me, "mom, i'm never going to be able to get married because i'll never love a girl as much as i love lulu."

and so i sigh for the tenth time while writing this post. he is growing up. they are all growing up. and that is exactly what i want them to do. but it's just so weird. i've seen him through every stage: bob the builder, thomas the tank engine, skateboard skills, a space obsession, making art from trash, star wars, pokemon, the warriors books (aka itty bitty kitty) the office, the deepening voice, the ipod, and now he is on the verge of high school. seriously?

i know i tell you that you're on restriction every time you show signs of growing up, but here's the real truth, tater...i am okay with you growing up. i loved you as a baby and i love you as a teenager. wait, is that a mustache? you're on restriction!

happy birthday, golden boy. you are loved.

"he has showed you, o man, what is good.

and what does the lord require of you?

to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your god."

micah 6:8