Happy 11th Birthday Son

The change from year 10 (left) to year 11 (right)

9 - years away from 2 decades
7 - years away from graduation
5 - years away from a driver’s license
2 - years away from the dreaded teenager
1 - year away from a even dozen
A - few months since your first cell phone
1 - year since a decade
5 - years since wanting to cuddle your mommy
6 - years since getting caught trying to knock down your army men with your woot-woo
7 - years since the start of school (pre-K)
8 - years since your first memory
10 - years since your first word (dada) and first step (10 months)
11 years since seeing your amazing face for the first time

Daimen, I remember where I was 11 years ago, today. I was in labor, trying to bring you into the world. I won’t get into all that because you will say “ewww mom that is sick, please stop telling me that stuff”. So, I will just talk about this past year, ok?

Daimen, you are turning into such a young man, it kills me to see how fast it is going by. It seems like just yesterday you wanted to cuddle with me on the couch all the time but in real time it was about 5 years ago. Ok enough of that, let’s talk about this past calendar year.

You became a big brother again this year, that makes 3 younger brothers that look up to you as their idol, and a younger sis that well loves you in a younger sister way. In Kollen and Nick’s eyes you can do no wrong, and I have a feeling Gage will follow suit. When you play with or even just look at him, Gage just giggles and smiles forever. You even learned how to change a diaper and feed him a bottle this year. The other day at the zoo you were feeding Gage a bottle (the first time for you) and doing such a good job I said “you are hired” and in the Daimen, witty past your year’s way, you said “but I didn’t apply”! I did not expect that response but did find it hilarious. You have grown in the sarcasum category this year, sometimes it can get you into trouble but mostly is quite amusing.

You have been to a few places this past year:

• New Braunfels, Texas – Camping at Yogi Bear, Tubing down the Guadalupe River, Slitterbaun
• The Great Wolf Lodge – Indoor water park & resort
• Florida – Visiting your family
• The Villages Water park – which is where you are today with Vic and Deb

Things that have NOT changed this year:

• Your hatred for tomatoes
• Your puppy love for Jocie
• Your interest for catching bugs
• Ability to make me laugh

• The love you have for Salt (below, licking the salt rock walls of the Salt Palace)

• Your love for building things (including this Edible Halloween Castle)

• The picky relationship you have with most foods
• Your kind hearted sensitive soul
• Your ever expanding ways to be a young entrepreneur
  

Things that HAVE changed this year

• Your hate for tomato soup is now a love/obsession
• The dreaded broken bone in April (Thank goodness)
• Your love for computers is ever present
• The new hair growth on your upper lip (wow, already a baby stash)
• Learning to Man-Scape that dark Uni-brow

• Drinking from a bottle for the first time in 10years (rootbear chugging contest)

• As of today, your allowance went up a dollar (darn birthday inflation)

And the most remarkable of all your changes is one of my proudest days.....You were Baptised on March 22, 2009

As this week wraps up, so does 5th grade. I know you are very excited for this summers festivities and new experiences (just thinking about it all makes me tired). This coming Saturday will be your Birthday Pool Party and I am sure you will have quite a few people in attendance.

Son, I could not have asked for a better young man and I am so Thankful God gave me the gift of raising you. You have taught me so much about myself, life, and the deepest of all loves. For that, I want to Thank you. You will always be my first born, the big brother, and of course the Drama king of our family. Happy Birthday Son! I Love You!