It's still surreal. We have officially begun a new chapter in parenting- the teen years. For this reason, I was very emotional going into C4's birthday. I was partially grieving the sheer speed with which the past 13 years have flown by. That little guy made me a mother 13 years ago. Since then, it's been an honor to be his mom. Those first couple years with him were divine. He was our first and the first grandchild on both sides. To say that he was loved and spoiled would be a gross understatement.
He didn't slow us down a bit! We took him everywhere and he was just a sweet joy to have. He taught us a lot about ourselves. He's made us laugh, cry, worry, wonder, stress, rejoice, dance, sing, play.
The other very emotional piece to this particular birthday was the fear elicited by one word- teenager. This is uncharted water for us. I've had lots of experience with babies and toddlers, but am quite intimidated by most of the issues that come in the teenager package. So many gray areas. It's a dark abyss with whirlpools, sea monsters, and boiling seas. Sea of Darkness. But if Columbus was successful in finding the New World, I suppose I can be hopeful. Many others have sailed before me and I will be leaning on them for sure!
We started his big birthday celebration Saturday night, the eve of his birthday. We went out to The Outback for dinner after church, just the seven of us.
His only request for Christmas was a new Bible. Although I bought it before Christmas, I decided to give it to him on his 13th birthday. I thought it would be more memorable. He was very happy to open it. A good start to the teen years.
A new hat.
His birthday book.
Have an Aussie Awesome Birthday! May all your dreams come true.
Praying with the kids and tucking them in, I hugged Colombo and very unexpectedly burst into tears clinging to him, overwhelmed by God's goodness wrapped in the gift of Colombo and once again uttering my silent plea to God to please slow time.
On Sunday 1.15.12 he got one more special gift from his dad.
His 7 sleepover guests arrived at 6:00 for pizza, cake, games, movies, and little to no sleep. It's a great group of boys, though. All turning 13 over the next 6 months. Huge height and weight discrepancies between them, low voices, high voices, squeaky voices.
Cash was the common theme. What else do you get a 13-year-old? With Christmas and birthday money he finally had enough to replace his stolen iTouch.
Monday was MLK Day and after pancakes and a football game in the freezing cold, by 10am, everyone had been picked up.
A couple of days later he got a special treat from Gramma and Bobbi who came up just to take him to lunch. He also has a special trip to NYC planned with Pop and Kiki. I think it was a special, memorable birthday for him.
an excerpt from his birthday book:
Dear C4,
We are so proud of the young man you are becoming, even if it is seemingly happening far too quickly. From the very moment we laid eyes on you we were not only madly, deeply in love, but we were forever changed. Your life gave us new meaning. The highest of callings. To parent, nurture, train, and above all else, to love. You have made it fulfilling and rewarding and easy to love you. You are honest, trustworthy, witty, enjoyable, smart, handsome, affectionate, respectful, and kind.
As we embark on this new chapter of the teen years, remember this is new for all of us. Just as new to us as the day we buckled you in that blue and white infant seat and left the hospital with no instruction manual.
Inevitably we will make mistakes. Certainly you will make both good and bad choices, learning many life lessons along the way.
I pray that as we seek God for direction and understanding that we will continue to hold your heart and that you will never doubt our unconditional love for you.
We love you,
Mom and Dad
