Oh Brandon

Today my oldest boy turned 16.  A few things I've learned about 16 year old boys:

• they can't wait to drive
• they get their days and nights confused
• they eat their weight at least 3 times a day
• they can sleep 20 hours a day if allowed
• they obsess about driving
• they are very, very strong

Well my 16 year old is no different.  He's actually who I learned most of this info from.  I guess this info could be used to describe 15 year olds better since he's only been 16 less than 24 hours.

Allow me to tell you a little about my Brandon.

 When he was a baby he was born with a head full of thick hair unlike his sister who was bald until the age of two.  When he was older, he would play for hours at a time lining up his metal Hot Wheel cars--or "Go-Go's" as he called them--in long lines around the house.  He was a good baby who threw up all the time.  And I don't mean a little spit up.  I'm talking projectile vomiting across the room.  It was heaven I tell ya.

 He used to grind his teeth at night and probably still does. He was also a cuddle bug and was always willing to give ya some lovin'. 

 As he got older, he developed his own personality.  He took his job as big brother very seriously and still does.  He feels it is his duty as a big brother to torture his little brother's endlessly in any way, form, and fashion.  This in turn drives his mother crazy as her youngest children constantly tattle and battle the older brother's constant teasing.

 The down side to his teasing is he thinks nothing of directing this teasing towards his beloved mother!  Endlessly!  Again...Heaven!  Seriously, he is so tender-hearted.  He is quick to take notice when someone is upset and tries to make them feel better and he is the first to apologize if he hurts someones feelings (well...except his brother's).

 He rubbs my shoulders almost daily (without being asked) and practically does anything we tell him to do.  He takes on a lot of responsibility and hardly complains about anything.  He's a darn hard worker and applies himself to whatever he takes on--even picking up horse poo--which he hates almost more than anything!

 He is very laid back, calm, soft spoken, and relaxed.  He's very comfortable around people and is confident in who he is.  He's not afraid to try new things and is usually pretty good at whatever he tries.  He loves to play the drums, computer games and ride the 4 wheeler.

His new challenge is learning to work with horses.  He has the privilege of working with a very gifted horse trainer who has taken Brandon under his wing. As usual, Brandon has applied himself wholly and doing very well.  For his birthday, he asked for a pair of boots. And an ipod. And a truck. So we bought him the boots. And moments after we got home...this is what walked out of his room:

Honestly, I hardly recognized him!  So can I just say I'm sorry right now?  I'm sorry to all the mother's who will nurse their daughter's broken hearts in the next coming years.  I'm so sorry. 

 

I'm so proud and honored to be his momma.

Happy Birthday Baby.