He's a Rockin' 8 Year Old!

He's 8!  He's really 8!  My firstborn turned 8 today.  This precious boy made me a mom!  We so love this kid.  Bennett is our sensitive boy with a kindness beyond his years.  His heart aches for those in need.  He's the child that rolls down his window without hesitation and gives whatever he has on-hand to the less fortunate.....including a few school books that we actually still needed.  He just wants to help however he can and I'm so relieved he is sensitive to the needs of others.  I think it's so easy to become cold when you see homeless on every other corner.

 

Bennett is our perfectionist.  We giggle at how tightly he seems to be wound when it comes to some things.  I would like to pawn that quality off on Fletcher, but it's like looking in the mirror at some of his antics.  He likes to make his bed as orderly as he can and just sleep on top of the covers to save time in the morning.  I totally did that!  Combing his hair takes FOREVER!  No hair can be standing up which throws him every morning because he has Fletcher's hair.  Have you seen Fletcher's hair?  It all stands up!  Completely stresses this kid out trying to get all those hairs to lie down. :)  Stresses me too when we're running late getting out the door.

 

Bennett is our overachiever.  I'm not talking necessarily about his ability in sports although he is a great little athlete.  I'm talking more about his commitment.  He can't just play something.....he wants to be the best!  Fortunately, he's willing to put in the hardwork, but sometimes it might be nice to just play or attend.....says the type A mom.  We don't always have to be the all-star.  But then again, it seems we do.  I vividly remember my mom saying to me as a child, "you can just take gymnastics....you don't have to be the best."  Funny enough, my response was, "I think I need to be the best."  Makes for an ultra-competitive child.  I see that in Bennett.  He does find joy in competition and my prayer is that the joy continues to drive him and not the praise of me or others.  I'll do my best to reign it in.:)

Bennett is a leader.  This is a work in progress, but it's my goal each and every day.  If what I see on the TV and the news is mainstream, then Bennett and Beau have to be different.  To be different, they have to be leaders.  Bennett is a great leader in his classroom at school and in his outside activities.  I'm so thankful he has that quality. 

And lastly, Bennett is our little old man in an 8 year old's body.  He dresses like he's 70.  It's pretty common for him to wear a sweater vest to school when his classmates are in t-shirts or sports clothes.  He's funny like that, but it he seems unphased by it.  He wore ties to school until a teacher told him he looked like the president.  He thought the teacher meant our President Obama.  He told the teacher he's not a fan of Obama and has since chosen other less-Obama-ish outfits.....back to the sweater vests.

Today we celebrate this quirky, little boy.   I'm so blessed to get to be his mom.  This brown-eyed snuggler brightens each day with his million-dollar smile and his infectious laugh.  Our prayer for Bennett is that he continue to grow stronger in his faith, always seeking God's purpose for his life, and that he blesses others with his gifts.

Happy Birthday, precious Bennett!

Wait! What? SIX!!!

My reaction to my baby boy turning six is...What???  Wait!!!!  How????  How in the world, in the blink of an eye, can this precious boy be 6 years old?!  I've been asking myself this all week long and I've got no answer except the old saying, "the days are long, but the years are short."  That they are, my friend. 

This child brings laughter and joy to our house, in so many ways I can't begin to list.  I could actually, but I've got dinner going and would hate to burn the boy's birthday dinner.  First of all, let me introduce you to the boy we call Beau-handsome.  It's obvious why we call him that....can you say BIG, BROWN EYES...., but I have to give credit where credit is due.  My dear friend, Britt, gave our Beau that name when he was just a chubby (and already handsome) baby.  He wears it well.  He looks like my daddy in so many ways and he acts like him too. :)  I love that I see Vandygriff in him.  And taking after his Papa, Beau loves music.  He really loves it.  It's in his little bones.  He sings all the time and strums his guitar to the beat.  He feels it even when sometimes his audience of one (his big brother) does not.  In the car to school, from school, to the grocery store, anywhere and everywhere we get serenaded.

 

Beau is like a little old man.  He'd take Bonanza, the boxset of Gunsmoke, and Walker, Texas Ranger over anything Disney.  He wants Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash instead of the radio.  We may not know a foreign language, but we know all the words to Buddy Holly's Greatest Hits in order.  That counts for something, I would think.  My goodness, we love this kid!  We giggle daily at his little observations, and we're humbled by his honesty.....sometimes in public.  He's as tough as nails and always ready to come to his big brother's defense whether he needs it or not.

Our Beau is as smart as a whip.  He told me last week as we walked through the mall passing the Santa set-up, "That guy isn't the real Santa.....he's just a mall worker.....just works for this old mall.  Santa is way too busy to be doing this stuff!"  When his older cousin passed gas this weekend, I heard Beau tell him it was "impressive."  I can't take responsibility for anything that comes out of his mouth, good or bad.  BUT I can laugh!  Beau is my constant reminder that laughter is the best medicine and I'm so thankful he is a momma's boy.  

    

Happiest of birthdays to our precious 6 year old!  My prayer for our Beau is the same today as it was yesterday.  I pray that he know God's purpose for his life.  I pray that he grow up loving the Lord and always seeking His Will and His favor, not the favor of his peers.  I pray the he be a leader and stand for what is right even if he has to stand alone.  I pray for protection over him and I pray that he always know how much he is loved and pray over.  Biggest hugs to our Beau-handsome!!!