December 14

Today is Brady's 14th birthday.

It's absolutely insane to me that my baby --that cute little blonde-haired toddler who once flashed a huge cheeser grin for me while standing in a wagon-- is already 14. But here we are.

It was --I think, anyway-- a good day for our youngest. When I finally arose after 9, he announced --with an impressive degree of frenetic energy-- that he'd already been up for eight hours, courtesy of both the rollicking wind-and-thunderstorm that rolled through overnight and some unfortunate nasal congestion. 

He plowed through a Krispy Kreme donut and an alarming number of turkey sausages for breakfast before returning to his room for some video game time. Lunch was --after much consideration-- French toast sticks (because he loves French toast in any form) from Jack in the Box, which he ate while Adam fired up the throwback mini Atari system I gave him last year for Christmas. Brady and Isaac found the joystick controllers... what was the word? "So ridiculously low-tech," I think they said. I was amused.

Dinner was at the Cheesecake Factory, and then Abby joined us via video call for chocolate-chocolate cake with mint ice cream and presents. The big gift --which was the unnamed "secret mission" I referenced in yesterday's entry-- was a bike (and not an e-bike; an old-school bike-bike), which Adam and Isaac impressively hauled up from the garage and plunked down in front of him in the family room. He's looking forward to riding with his pals.

I think that last line is the part of him being 14 that's strangest to me: he's looking forward to riding with his pals. To being out and about and free. He's always had friends, but him spending significant amounts of time out with them (and on the phone with them) is new. It's a good thing, of course, because good friends are a blessing and I think his friends are good kids. But it's also weird because he's my baby. And he's growing up and going out without me. I'm not entirely sure how to process that truth just yet. But I'm getting there.

Anyway, that was his day. My mixed feelings about him growing up aside, I'm so proud of who he is and feel so blessed to be his mom. He's intelligent and incredibly funny (when the mood strikes) and sensitive, even if he doesn't often let that last part show. He works hard and always wants to do well, so much so that I'm regularly reminding him that it's okay to be imperfect, because Jesus was the only perfect person who's ever walked the earth. My prayer for him is that he will know what a treasure he truly is and has been since the moment I found out he was on his way.

Happy 14 on the 14th, Brady! I love you.