The Teenage Years Are Here

So, it happened! Last week, Ethan turned 13 years old.....😆 How in the world did we get here already? It hit me like a ton of bricks, but my son was pretty happy about it. So, you go with the moment knowing there's nothing you can do about it and just smile, but deep down in this mother's heart was that moment when he was laid upon my chest and I saw him for the first time! The moment that is engrained in every mother's thoughts with each child they bear, so I know I'm not any different than any other mother, BUT it was definitely an overwhelming feeling for me last Thursday. WOW! I specifically remember being told the day I gave birth, "don't blink, because you'll turn around and he'll be 10." I thought they were crazy, because it just seemed so far away that day.  However, it came and went and now we are starting the teenage years. I love being a mother! It freaks me out that one day I have to let go fully though!  I'm slowly trying to start the process with each passing year, but man I know time is not on my side. So, I have to really learn to embrace each and every moment before he's a full grown man standing in front me, instead of my 13 year old young man! LOL!

Anyway, Ethan had some pretty specific things for his birthday this year.  I was envisioning a big party with friends and family; however, he wanted nothing to do with that.  He asked for time to see family, ice cream cake, a new touchscreen computer, a neck pillow, a guitar, and a day with his best buddy. So, we did exactly as he wished!

A few weeks ago, my mom took him to pick out his guitar and the day of his birthday, she decided to get my whole family involved and have a drone deliver him his birthday card.  That was pretty special!  Ethan had no idea and when it took place, he thought it was the neatest thing ever.  My boy loves surprises and this one touched his heart, because the whole family was on the card and that meant the world.  My mom hit the nail on the head! He loved it!

Also, the day of his birthday, we just had a quiet little celebration at home. We got him his favorite meal, Japanese from the mall, and after track practice he got home to that, gifts, and his ice cream cake.  I had to get all my stuff in, because I knew my mom had her surprise coming and thank the good Lord everything went according to plan. Well, I guess we had 1 little blunder and that was a video of the drone drop.  I asked my husband to do the videoing, BUT he thought I told him to take pictures. So, we ended up with a ton of pictures and no video.😒  Unfortunately, my mom let me know that the drone company had a little issue w/ their video and weren't able to get one either. UGH! I was bummed, but hey, we've got pictures and the memory...which is just fine.

We still had the weekend ahead and that meant that Ethan got to spend the entire time with his best buddy, Caden.  He has celebrated birthdays w/ Caden, since the 1st grade.  These two are the best of friends and Ethan was really looking forward to having the entire weekend with him.  We did go visit grandparents on Friday evening and had dinner with Brenton's parents and then stopped by my parents, but other than that the boys had the weekend to just go and do whatever they wanted.  We usually only do overnights, so a full weekend was something new and it was the perfect time to do it.

Overall, the 13th birthday celebration was a good one.  Ethan, his own words, "had the best birthday!" It was very simple and nothing like I had thought, BUT it was exactly what he wanted and that's what mattered most. My boy is growing up! I know I can't stop time, but I do get to choose to have fun watching him grow and embrace the young man he's becoming!❤