"Don't you know.....

they're all going to be teenagers at the same time?" they said to us in disbelief when we announced that we were expecting our third child...our fourth child...our fifth child.

As of May 3rd at 7:30 a.m, we are three-fifths there.




But they made it sound like we were crazy or something. Well, maybe we are, but not because we had five children in eight years. That was one of the smartest things we ever did; they are the greatest gifts we could ever ask for.

And our latest addition to teendome? A fine young man. He works hard and plays hard every day. He tells great stories, and is our resident Finder of Lost Things, a very important job in our family. His work ethic, outgoing nature, and commitment to service bless our family on a regular basis.

He started his day having breakfast with his oldest sister. She's not one to go shopping for birthday gifts; she prefers to make them. If you are trying to figure out what to make for your average thirteen-year-old boy, food is the first thing to come to mind. I woke up to the sounds of their feast on the deck outside my bedroom door. We had an abbreviated school day in honor of his birthday, filling in the gaps with basketball, baseball, Jamba Juice, the library, and dinner and a movie with the family. It was a day filled with simple pleasures for a grateful son.

One thing is certain: he is a delight to his mom and dad.


Happy birthday, son.