He's 16!

Carter's bday was Thursday.  I'd been fairly dreading it.  You know, it isn't easy to see your firstborn turn 16.  That is BIG.  We had a balloon and 2 gifts on the table waiting for him that morning.  He opened 1 before school--an Academy gift card.  He isn't getting a big expensive bday from us because we are raising money for his mission trip to South Africa(and God is multiplying our efforts quickly!) --he leaves in 1month and 4 days.  Abby's love language is gift-giving.  She bought one of those long lanyards the boys wear in their pocket with their keys.  It is a Miami Dolphin one(very cool).  She couldn't wait for him to have it and gave it to him several days early.  After school I took him to the Department of Safety to apply for his license.  In our area, you must go on your bday and do the paperwork and photo.  Then, you make an appointment to come take the actual driving test about 6 days later.  Problem...you must have the "green sheet" that shows you took driver's ed.  We haven't a clue where this paper is.  I'll get a replacement one tomorrow and try again.  We had a very nice dinner Thursday night with Mike's side of the family, complete with Grandma's homemade cherry pie.  He got lots of money for his trip, a few gift cards, and a car care bucket.  We had wrapped up the key to Mike's 98 Accord and gave it to him.  That was fun to see :)

Here he is with his Nana

 So, no license yet, but his car is waiting, complete with new Superman steering wheel cover.  Friday night he had friends spend the night and Saturday they played Air Soft wars at an old WW2 factory  in the city. Abby made him a strawberry cake.

  My side of the family is going to have a dinner for his bday next week.  We are stretching it out! My dad made this awesome card for Carter

Now, thoughts.  I handled the bday really well--not a tear.  Friday I was cleaning out my nightstand and came across old cards and letters.  There was a Mother's Day card signed by Mike and a scribble scratch that kind of said Carter.  That made me cry.  He's a great kid:  sensitive to other's feelings, kind, loves the Lord with all his heart, funny, and so talented at music. He is also a typical teen with mood swings, procrastinating on his school work, listening to loud music, and such antics.  All in all, Mike and I couldn't be prouder.  Sixteen years ago, when we slid through the worst ice storm in a decade to get to the hospital, we had no idea what this parenting adventure entailed.  We thought we knew it all!  Now, we realize that we constantly learn and readjust our ideals and dreams.  We pray that God will receive glory through our children's lives.  We also have come to realize that we don't get our sense of worth through our kids(you all know those parents who live through their children and need some of their own life).  Our children are first and foremost God's children.  We have them a short time to nurture, influence, teach, love, and steer up to become flaming arrows in God's arsenal--to shoot at the enemy of this world.  Carter, my only red-head son, you are a joy.  You make me sing and smile.  I wish I had chilled out when you were little and held you more, nursed you longer, let you sit longer with me in the "big blue chair" and hold your blanket with the silk edges that Aunt Emily made you while watching Barney.  I see God shaping you in to a mighty man of valor.  Your talents and passions will lead many people someday.  We love you more than life.
---momma and dad