Twelve

Today, our Jeremiah turns 12.  TWELVE.  It's been an adventurous 12 years.  It hasn't been the easiest thing, being Jeremiah's parents.  But, along with the struggles over the years, we've had a lot of adventures.  Jeremiah seems to have boundless energy.  He wakes up at dawn and is going, going, going until 10pm.  If I could bottle that energy and sell it, we wouldn't need to worry about paying for college (in just 6 short years....EEK!).  He's creative and smart; curious and ambitious.  He's funny.  He's impulsive (almost to a fault).  He's an adrenaline junkie.  He likes to know how things work.  He likes to invent games.  He's still a master with Legos (being a part of the Lego Robotics team at his school).  But, what happened to my little boy?  With each passing year, he is becoming much more like a man.

We have lots of prayers and hopes for Jeremiah in the upcoming year: for growth--spiritual, emotional, and physica; for health; for deep, meaningful friendships.  I pray he learns to control his impulses and check his attitude.  It's going to be an exciting year of change for our firstborn as he ventures into adolescence. Let it begin.

1 month old

12 years old

Interview:
What is your favorite color?  GREEN

What is your favorite food?  GREAT-GRANDMA'S TAMALES

What is your favorite animal?  ORCA

What do you like to do for fun?  READ, ORIGAMI, MINECRAFT, Wii, FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL, BIKE RIDING, SKATEBOARDING, BOARD GAMES 

What is your favorite board game?  MUNCHKIN

What is your favorite book?  THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES

Who is your favorite musician?  FIVE IRON FRENZY

What is your favorite song?  SUPERPOWERS (FIF)

What do you like most about yourself?  I CAN INVENT THINGS WITH LEGOS

What do you want to be when you grow up?  ENGINEER

We had a mellow day of celebration.  We brought brownie cupcakes to his class.  We had cake and ice cream and Jeremiah opened gifts.  Then, we played games.  He'll do some real celebration this weekend when he and Peter go to Magic Mountain with one of his friends.  Plus, he already had a 3-day weekend with my parents this past weekend and had some fun with his cousins.  Not bad for a 12-year-old.  

Really, we should go into the cake decorating business….  ;)

Fire, fire!

Big breath in

All at once

Opening the gift from Grandma and Grandpa F

From Alayna

Reading cards

Shirt from Great Aunt Dalynn

Shirt from Grandma and Grandpa F

Game from Grandma and Grandpa F

Movies from Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday, J-man.  Here's to a whole new year of YOU.