Happy Birthday Marcos

Yesterday marked the official close of our family's childhood.  Marcos turned 12 and we are official parents of teenagers and adults.  Marcos will be ordained a deacon next week, will qualify for a temple recommend and will advance from primary.  Marcos is well liked at school, especially by the ladies.   He is the primary guy on the basketball court who knows what he is doing and tells the other teammates what to do.  He struggles with grades at school, but is learning good life lessons about being honest, being prompt and giving best effort.  Marcos continues to shoot no less than 1 million basketball shots a day. He is starting to develop a real style, with his hair, and with bowties and suspenders.  For his birthday he received a "fit-bit" and is serious about fitness.   We also celebrated with an ice cream basketball cake that Coop and his girlfriend Jespicked up.

This is my fourth time raising a 12 year old boy and I am aware that there is a lot that simply has to be endured.  The constant eating habits, the fart jokes, and the cracking voice are just part of the package.  What I love about Marcos is his generally even temperament, his patience, and his intuitive empathy.  Marcos does not like discontent or dissection.  He expends a lot of silly energy to try to make peace, whether it works or not.

Marcos' birth has made Christmas extra special for the last 12 years.  I love remembering the phone call I received early December and knowing that this little baby born in Guatemala was meant for our family.  He has always been the chispa in our family, a tie that binds us together