Brayden

My oldest, Brayden, turned 12 last Sunday! I really can't believe he is one year away from being a teenager! I pray over him every day that he doesn't become the wild, rebellious adolescent that I once was :) He has such a kind heart and a sweet spirit that I really can't imagine him causing the havoc that I did. Now is more important than ever that I keep our relationship strong and our communication open so that he will continue to share things with me about his day and the other kids at school and even the little comments about the girl he thinks is "cute!"

                                              He has a very special relationship with Adalynn

                                                               Trinity and Adalynn

                                                   The birthday cake Brayden picked out :)

A couple weeks ago he got a facetime call one evening. My husband & I overheard the short but loud conversation from the living room while several young girls squealed into the ipad. He was cute and just said a couple girls from my english class just called but they overwhelmed me all talking at once, so I hung up. He talks with me often about how all the kids at school use Instagram, more so than Facebook, and how its almost a competition to see how many likes you can get on a photo. I cautiously warned him about putting things on social media and how once its on the internet, it always out there and therefore to try and use good judgement. It's a little scary having a kid this age and all the different issues that you need to prepare them how to handle; drugs and alcohol, gossiping, social media, internet use, their relationship with God, friends, girls and sex! It's all a little overwhelming for me but I have so much to share with him and so many ways to encourage him to stay true to himself.

This past weekend our Pastor gave a sermon on "Why are Christians so...judgemental? Each week its a different trait that Christians are characterized by. He talked a lot about our community and how many tragedies have occurred due to drugs and alcohol. And how we all need to work together to as a community to to help prevent more deaths from occurring. It is our responsibility as parents and as a church to work together with teachers, law enforcement and the the schools to better educate our kids on how dangerous, and potentially fatal, trying something with a "friend" in an effort to be cool or included in the clique can be. He talked about how we all want our kids to have friends that are a good influence and have strong values and morals. Even more importantly, I want my child to BE the good influence and have enough confidence to lead others to turn down drugs, or to stick up for someone that is being bullied and to make choices that reflect who they are and where they come from.

Brayden always talks to me most when I tuck him in bed at night. The other 4 kids have all been asleep at least an hour and I'm usually finishing up all the household chores and so I'm typically exhausted. I give Brayden a hard time asking if I have to tuck him in & can't he just walk upstairs and go to sleep? Then he says NO! Don't you want to tuck me in while I still want you too? That gets me every time :) As tired as I am I treasure that time when he can tell me whatever he wants without his siblings interrupting and he has ALL my attention. The last 12 years have gone by so fast and I don't want to blink and miss these last 6 years before he goes to college. I'm learning to treasure every moment!