Teenager #2

(Don’t mind the hair. We got it trimmed a few days later.  Poor kid was born with some wicked crazy cowlicks'.)
Kendall turned 13 three days before Christmas.   THIRTEEN!!! I can’t believe we have two teenagers in the house.  Kendall is a kind and helpful young man.  He is a hard worker and I know if I send him to help his grandpa with a project, he will labor all day long without complaint.  He is eager to serve in his youth group and I am proud of his reverent manner each Sunday.  He is a good friend and I am proud of how he chooses to conduct himself when he is around others.  I appreciate how he tries to find ways to help me out around the house.  Yes, he is a sweet boy but gone are the days of a willing hug and kiss.  Instead I have to wrestle a hug out of him and a kiss on the cheek is met with a groan….but there is still the “I’m trying not to smile” smirk on his face and I know he loves it secretly.  Creeping in on his sweet disposition are temper flares and teenage eye rolls but I know it’s all part of the process.
Sometimes I pull out his baby photos and I feel a stab of sadness that my baby is no longer a baby.  My eyes caress the picture of those soft baby cheeks, I remember his sweet face and trusting eyes.  I remember the quiet moments I spent rocking him.  Sometimes I fast forward to the day he will leave for a mission.  Only six years.  I remind myself that six years will whiz by all to quickly.  What do I need to teach him before I send him out into the world?  How do I raise a wholesome young man in these crazy times?  Will we make it through the next six, life changing years in one piece?  What if he makes serious mistakes?  And then I think about all the mistakes I made in my youth.  All the detours I took and the heartache I caused my parents.  But I find comfort knowing he will only grow as a person by learning from his mistakes.  I have found that time heals many things and that no matter what he chooses to do, in the end he will be okay.   
Man, did I get off track from my “Happy” Birthday post! 
Back to celebrating……we gathered for dinner and had a relaxing evening out.  We ate, we visited, we chased our kids around and we celebrated the birth of one really awesome boy.  Happy Birthday, Kendall.  We love you.
It was a fun treat to have Tyson with us.  He is serving in Iraq and was home for 14 days of leave.

Tyson, the great American Hero and awesome husband to my equally amazing sister, Becky. Ya, I like them.