13 Years

Yesterday was Jace Michael's 13th birthday - so crazy that he's officially a TEENAGER now!!

In honor of that, here are a few throwback pics to celebrate the 13 years I've known and loved him, starting with this one from exactly 13 years ago today, the first time I held him in the hospital room and he wrapped his tiny hand around my finger! ❤

From the beginning, the Jaceman has had a lot of personality!!  He has the makings of a strong leader, and I believe God has great things in store for him!  He is adventurous and entertaining, a fun-loving outgoing extrovert who feels things passionately and cares about people deeply.  And he's a funny one, laughing here about "tricking" Rachael into sitting on a whoopie cushion, which he called "a fart machine!" lol

Much like his friend (and hopefully role model) Chettles, he loves his birthday!!  He's pretty comfortable being the center of attention, and this pic of his 5-year-old b-day makes me happy! =)

He loves his big brothers, Triston Michael and Carter Lee!

"Aww, I'm so handsome!" -his reaction at that age to seeing this picture =)

We all need an encourager like Jaceman in our lives!  This was him telling me I should write a book about eating pizza with lions. lolol  It was random enough that I remember it well!

He was the very cutest baby/toddler!

This = him sneaking up on this woman in his Hacker mask at Rick and Connie's wedding...  "She's gonna think I'm really actually the hacker!"  He laughed so hard at the big reveal taking off the mask. lol  He's the best!

Him disapproving of my prayer pic on Thanksgiving day. lol

Our first parking lot driving lesson! lol

Just wrapping a baby python around his neck, like you do!

Oooh, the hand signs phase. lol

Grinch mood under a festive Christmas hoodie! lol

After one of his early football games last year!

He loves Hawk from Kobra Cai and went all out with the red and purple look through the summer!

He also embraced the perm trend when it was all the rage. lol

High fiving his sister after she made her first goal!

So excited to get his first cast! lol

Our Spider-Man movie day... he was in this pose when the elevator doors opened, and it made me pretty happy!

"Hey, watch me do a backflip!!" (x10,000)  It is impressive, though - throwing yourself backwards takes extra courage!

Proudly befriending Triston's classmates at the high school games! lol

Posing it up with his favorite golf cart!

Making it rain! $$$$

The king of the world, obviously!

Not letting eye therapy get him down!

Hugging Grandad after his stroke - Jace is really great at connecting with older people and little kids... it's a gift of his, and I love seeing it!!

One of my fav summer pics of him doing a cannonball!

Fall photos at Woodward Park with his siblings!!

Looking extra mischievous when his coach was talking to him! lol

Laughing about how he was "SO MAGIC" because the cracker wrapper kept clinging to him. lolol

❤❤ A quiet Christmas Eve moment.

Summer swim for K-Faith's 4th birthday - love this pic of all of them!

Easter Sunday at Mama Roja's - piggyback ride with Grandpa!

And finally, this random cute pic of him happily playing in the grass in their old neighborhood!

Happy 13th Birthday, Jaceman!! ❤

May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the light surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

And may you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

And may your song always be sung

May you stay forever young!

~Forever Young, Bob Dylan

(Parenthood theme song)