13 Years Ago Today...

It's hard to believe because I couldn't possibly be old enough that thirteen years ago at 6:47 in the evening, we became parents.

It might surprise you to know that I started off my career as a parent totally doped up on Morphine.

Not by MY choice, mind you, but because that was what the stupid hospital Jericho was born in decided to give me instead of an epidural like the humane hospitals over the river in St. Paul, Minnesota.

This photo was taken after that horrendous ordeal was over and I was home again with our precious little bundle in my arms.



Here is the birth announcement photo of our little Jer-Bear the night he was born.



As a little tyke, I babysat his older cousins, and it seemed he was always trying to emulate their sense of 'style'. He had a thing for 'spenders in those days. (right click to enlarge)



This was a little excursion taken around the time he first started school. That was a nickel fish-food dispenser that usually only put out about a 1/4 of a cup, but it was old and worn out, and he could work it to fill that entire cup for a nickel, which was half the fun of our little excursions there as far as he was concerned.



Jericho loved having water wars with his cousins on the trampoline (he's the one getting blasted with the hose). This was taken a couple of years ago before we moved out of that house.



And here he was today at the actual birthday dinner (not to be confused with his birthday party which comes next Sunday) which we had at the house.



*sniffs*

A teenager.

The sad part? It went like [snap] that.

The good part? He's a great kid...truly a joy to have as a son.

I love seeing his blossoming artistic talent. I went to art school, and didn't have half the talent he has...he can draw anything, and from memory, too.

He can also deadpan and throw in random humorous quotes from movies at JUST the right time and keep us laughing our heads off.

For instance, the weekend before Father's Day we took our church Youth Group on a weekend trip to Kn*tt's Berry Farm. To help cut down on the costs, everyone brought their own meals and we packed them into coolers.

Chef Jeff had cooked the night before and made some awesome Guy Fieri BBQ recipes from the latest edition of Sunset magazine. There was yummy chile-lime corn-on-the-cob, some fabulous spicy skirt steak (known as Carne Asada in our part of the country) and a jicama-cabbage slaw with dressing made with rice vinegar, lending it a spicy mexican-asian flair. Mmmmmelt-in-your-mouth-delicioso!

But I digress.

Jericho and his cousin were the last to belly up to the tailgate. When they got there, Jeff was dishing up their plates and held up some of that yummy chile-lime corn-on-the-cob, knowing how much Jericho had enjoyed it the night before.

Jericho, with perfect comedic timing, deadpans in an effected Spanish accent, "Get dat corn outta my faaaace", and flags it out of the way. (10 points to whoever knows what movie that quote was from and what actor said it, lol).

Now most dads might get angry if their smart-alecky, almost teenaged son tells them to get anything "outta their face", but knowing exactly what movie that was from and that it was all in good fun, Jeff started laughing hard. Clutch-your-tummy-and-stumble around-while-wheezing kind of laughter.

Jericho continually keeps us in stitches. Not only because he's funny, but because he has a ready laugh and an infectious giggle. It's hard not to laugh if he finds something funny.

He's a great big brother most of the time, too. (Judah DOES get into his 'stuff' a little more than most kid brothers, and finding dismantled lego sculptures you'd worked so hard to assemble can be a real bummer. I know, I was an oldest child, too.)

He's a bit of a night owl like I used to be (before Judah, lol). We joke that some nights he tucks US into bed.

We love that he routinely helps his grandma with her yard work, and that he takes pride in a job well done whatever task he's given. His work ethic is something I know he's seen modeled in spades by his dad. I love that he's already giving serious thought to what he wants to do with his life when he's grown up.

I think the things we love most about him are his fun-loving yet thoughtful personality and that he loves the Lord and it shows both in his conduct and in how he relates to other people.

Today, in honor of his entrance into his teens, I'd just like to say, "Jericho...I love you, maaaaaaan." ;)

While I already miss the baby, toddler and little kid stages of your life...we are proud of you and and are enjoying seeing you grow and mature into a young man, and look forward to all the plans the Lord has in store for your life.

May God richly bless your 13th year, Jericho!

Love,
Mom