A Graduation and a Birthday

Last week my oldest graduated from the 8th grade. The whole year I really looked at it as no big deal, but it WAS a big deal.

My child would be leaving the school that he so dearly loves. He has had the exact same teachers for the last three years. These teachers spend more time with him than I get to. They have built relationships my with my child, and they love him, and he loves them.

That day was a very tearful day. I was crying, the other moms were crying, and all the teachers were crying. These students were the 26 faces and hearts that the teachers were used to seeing daily. I had never thought about the teachers "losing" these students, and how sad it must be for them. After graduation they probably wouldn't see most of the students again.

Casey has been a true blessing to me. All of his life teacher's have approached me, and told me how much they truly enjoy Casey. That he is special and that God has great plans for him. That he is one of a kind, and that he has a heart of gold. At graduation, his Bible teacher told me that what she loves most about Casey is that he is so good and kind to the younger students. She said that everyone in the school loves Casey, and he is friends with them all. That he acts as their protecter, and stands up for them.

Do you see the manilla envelope Casey is holding? In the sixth grade Casey and his Language Arts teacher had an inside joke about her buying him a Dallas Cowboy watch. It has been a three year wait for this watch she said was in the mail. At graduation she gave Casey this envelope, and inside was a Dallas Cowboys watch. She started crying when she gave it to him, and said she was really going to miss him. I was so surprised, and so was he. I think we are all going to miss this school.

Two things you can always count on Casey to have on him is a thick book, and a pen. He is passionate about both of them. He can talk your ear off about pens and the latest books he's read.
I take a lot of napping pictures of the little ones. Rarely does Casey nap, so the other day when he did I snapped this picture. When did he get bigger than the couch? I love All of this boy!!


Three days after graduation Casey celebrated his 14th birthday. We told him he could choose to do anything he wanted to, or do something with friends. He chose to go to the Natural History Museum. Yes, a museum. I was surprised he didn't choose to go play laser tag, or go to a shooting range with Dad. The whole family had a great time, and learned a lot about Dinosaurs...Trin's favorite.

Later that night everyone (most everyone) ;) enjoyed cake that Casey picked out... German Chocolate...yum!

He wanted a basketball goal for his birthday, so that it what he got. He picked a birthday celebration that everyone could enjoy, and picked a present that the whole family could enjoy. We all have had so much fun playing basketball, and Casey is really good. He's even contemplating trying out for the school team next year.

SWOOSH! :)

Happy Birthday Bub! I love you!