Sweet 16

Our Baby is 16!

SMART, caring, wonderful, GOOD, thoughtful, Spiritual,

bright, Determined, Steady, Clever, Quiet, loyal, BRAVE 

Why is it that time won't WAIT and allow us a moment to come to grips with the fact that our baby is going to be leaving us soon? .

 

I remember when Gable turned 9 - thinking how sad it was that ½ of the time he would spend at home with us had passed us by. That was yesterday and today he is 16.

It is his lot-in-life as the firstborn to break us in, and with every one of his milestones, so too we experience a “first” as he continually pushes us beyond our comfort level and into the unknown. This year we will have to endure DRIVING and DATING!!...Among other things.

Question: When do you get to praise yourself for a job well done – great kid?

Answer: Never (dang it!) because kids are like laundry - you're never done! They’re always growing and learning and in so doing causing their parents infinite JOY and unspeakable pain.

As Gable turns 16 please forgive us if we indulge in a shameless moment of parental pride and say he is a great kid! He accomplishes more than we could dream of with successes on all sides and remains a well rounded, well grounded leader of our pack. He humbles us with the strength of his testimony and the depth of his desire to do the right thing.

Gable we are so proud of you and we love you so much! You are an example to us all and we are so thankful to have to opportunity to share our lives with you! We wish you the best in this, your 16th year, as you prepare for your future and we can’t wait to see where it takes you (even if it necessarily takes you away from us).
- I take that back, please just stay home and you can help us garden and fix things...adventure is way too overrated!


Last year Gable spent his birthday at an all-day wrestling tournament...not the best birthday.


This year thankfully it was on a Sunday and so it was much more enjoyable except - this is what we woke to in the morning

What a lucky boy to get to clean the yard on your birthday!  (thankfully for him his sister and brother were willing to lend a helping hand).  We're not sure how long it will take for the rest to blow out of the 40' high branches. 

There were dirty diapers on the porch and this was hanging from a tree. With friends like these…HaHa

We had a great day at church and after church there were presents and cake (thanks Momma! - yum) and Grandma Arlene and Dave came for dinner. 

                          

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABLE!