The stinky teenager is officially 13. Wilson invited all the boys in his school class out to the lake for some sweet tube rides. An hour into the party I got a call at the house that Tony was needed at the hospital to deliver a baby. I drove like a maniac out to the lake, talked some fisherman into taking me out to the party, and switching places with Tony. Now I was alone in a boat on Rock Lake with ten 13 year old boys. The even greater challenge came when it was time to load the boat onto the trailer. It took me just under an hour to do what Tony does in 5 minutes. I was so impressed with how polite and gracious the boys were. I was more impressed with how responsible and "take charge" Wilson was. For the first time, I felt like we were acting as a team instead of master and subordinate. Sadly, Wilson's birthday present, a video game, was broken. As it was his only gift, it was a little anticlimactic. He did get to go bowling and to see the new Harry Potter movie with his friend Kaleb. Nothing like your first 24 hours as an official teenager to learn the very adult lesson of not letting disappointment affect your behavior.
As of July 25th I have known Wilson for 13 years. He was the most anticipated gift I have ever received. He was the most beautiful baby I have ever held (sorry siblings). Despite teenage acne and a nose too big for his face, he is still beautiful. His body is so strong and balanced. It's nice to have someone around beside Tony who is stronger than me. I love Wilson's clever sense of humor and the way he has learned to poke fun at himself. I love the way he forgives so freely. I don't think he could hold a grudge if he tried. At least once a day for the last 13 years, Wilson has made me crazy, frenzied, furious. At least once a day for the last 13 years I have thanked Heavenly Father with all my heart for sending me the most intelligent, courageous wonderful son. I think the teenage years with Wilson are going to be the most fun part of raising this boy--I can't wait to see what's ahead.
