Thursday, April 8, 2010

Happy Birthday, Peyton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, my baby boy is 13 today and so there's 3 teenage boys in my house (19, 16, 13), along with a 2 year old little girl.

As I write, I remember that at this exact time on April 8th, 1997, he was just about to be born and we had no clue as to his gender.  He came into this world weighing almost 10 pounds and when they said we had another boy, everybody in the room just burst into laughter and joy!  I was the blessed mom to 3 boys!  So fun!  What a ride it's been. He is my gentle giant in so many ways.

Peyton, you are a PRECIOUS child, who I love and respect in so many ways.  You came into this world, as I've said so many times "half grown," and it's true not only physically, but other ways as well.  You are mature beyond your years.  You're bright.  You're the most patient person that I have ever met.  You can do anything.  You are a self-teacher.  You can figure out a conundrum like no other.  You are a deep thinker.  You have an analytical mind.  You are not intimidated by the hard stuff.  You invite a challenge.  You welcome a struggle.  You embrace what others would fear.  You amaze me and your daddy.  You are a third son, which makes you tough.  You have been picked on by two older brothers 'til it has made you a strong and resilient young man.  You have had to "fight" to keep up and keep up you've done.  You have soaked it all in, and digested it all, and figured out your place, and who you are, and to Whom you belong.  You know your Maker and you love your Maker.  You have a tender heart toward the things of God.  Speaking of that, you KNOW His Word, and that makes me so proud.  You really do know His Word.  It is hidden in your heart.  It is the well-spring of your life, today and forever. You have the markings of one who knows Jesus.  I love that in you so much.  You are a friend.  A real friend.  It matters not to you whether a person is popular, or an athlete, or is smart, or is.....You just love people right where they are.  For who they are.  Flaws and all.  That sounds like Jesus to me!!!!!!!!!  I know this about you, but it's what your teachers tell me about you as well.  What a gift you are to those around you.  As I'm writing, it just turned 11:13 am and that's the exact time you were born!  What a joy you were that moment 13 years ago and ever since.  Back to being a friend.  You are trustworthy.  You don't turn your back on others when the going gets tough.  You stand for what you believe, even when it's not popular.  You are you, and no one tells you who to be.  You are not afraid of that either.  You are funny.  Actually hysterical.  You are quirky.  You are full of surprises.  I love how you fight off our smooches, when deep down, we know you really do love 'em.  You never cease to amaze us with your newfound talents.  Speaking of newly discovered talent:  tell me WHO just teaches themselves in a couple month's time how to play the piano like you?  Pey-toven, that's who!!  And you're dang good!  I love hearing that piano come to life every time you walk through the door.  Even when it's loud and chaotic in the midst of this crazy, busy house, I still love hearing you do your thing on that piano over it all!  Thank you for blessing us with that!  What a gift.  I love your love for the call to Adoption.  I love how you love all the little children, red and yellow, black and white.  I also love that when anything needs fixing around here, that we all come running to you!  You've got our backs on how everything works. I love that you still have to give me daily tutorials on how all these electronics in our house work...even down to how to get some of these TVs on!  Sorry, get used to it.  Peyton, I really love how you have embraced and loved and cared for your baby sister.  You "moved over" and willingly gave up the title of "baby" in our family with the most loving, welcoming spirit I have ever seen!!  You were a trooper in China.  A soldier on a mission.  You were a champion for our cause and I will admire you forever for the grace you displayed under some pretty difficult circumstances.  You adopted her with every bit of passion and love that we did!  Looked like Jesus to me!!  Never once have you even hinted at jealousy.  Never once.  You've given and given to her.  You've cared for her better than some other moms I know, and I mean that Peyton.  I know a few moms who could benefit from watching you in action.  You are her "Captain Safety."  We all laugh about that in this family and "at" you for it, but you know that it's a worthy title.  I want you to know that it's love in action that makes you Captain Safety.  I would trust you to literally raise Macy Li if something happened to us because you could MORE than do it.  How many moms can say that about their 13 year old son?  Not many.  I love your shoulder-dimples that match my own (see below).  I love how you're a night-owl!  I love how social you are.  I love watching you compete in sports.  You love it and you do it with passion.  You fight.  You love to win. But when the game's over, your perspective about what just went down is more mature than most of the parents' who were watching the game.  That's Jesus in you! You get it.  You've always gotten it.  You know what's important and what's not.  You live life for the moment.  You love every moment for what it brings to your life.  This will probably embarrass you, but I love how you snuggle.  I love it when you crawl into bed and wrap me up.  I looooove your hugs.  Your "embrace" (haha!private joke).  I love your creations.  I love your magic tricks.  Your riddles and jokes.  I love your stories.  I love that you want to learn everything about everything.  I just love you, Tater.  Happy Birthday to my new teenager!  You're a joy!  I'm glad you were born!

Love you, my gentle giant,
Mom







Psalm 127:3-5a
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

12 comments:

Nancy Malone Waynick, M.O.M. said...

He is too cute! (As all your children are) What a blessing from God he is. I love that we celebrate their birthdays to remind us of their precious lives. Enjoy your day!
Nancy

Jboo said...

Oh my goodness --you got me all teary-eyed reading this incredible sweet post to your new teenager! What a sweetheart!! You and your hubby must be so proud of all of your kids, but especially him on his b-day! Great photos as usual!

Janet

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your handsome boy Peyton. Hope he has a wonderful day with all of you.
Sherry
Ontario, Canada
P.S. We have really missed you Rhonda! So happy to see a new post as I was getting concerned for all of you.

Courtney said...

Happy Birthday Peyton. He sounds like a wonderful son and brother.

Renee said...

What a precious tribute to a precious boy! These words are a blessing, Rhonda, that I'm sure Peyton will treasure for a lifetime. Can't believe that baby is 13!!! Happy Birthday, Tater! We love you, too!

Kim said...

Happy Birthday Peyton..
Great post..
Hugs..

Kim said...

Well that seals the deal ... we are moving in next door when this expat assignment is over! So you better keep your ear to the ground for a house for sale in the neighborhood! :o)
Seriously ... born only 3 weeks apart, Tater and JAM would be FAST friends!
Love how our three big boys are spaced exactly the same ... mine are just 13, 10, and 7. You have lots to teach me sweet friend. I admire so much about your precious family and your mother's heart!
Your tribute to Peyton is beautiful. I love how your write about your children. And that 2nd photo of you about to plant a kiss on Peyton is priceless!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
P.S. We hope to be "home" for most of July. Planning to be at CH lake with my parents for the 4th. Hoping our paths will cross often. And of course, we will all need our dental check ups. Sam knocked out his front teeth ... yep we now have matching toothless twins! Glad we know a good dentist!

Bobbie said...

beautiful pics..beautiful family :)

Unknown said...

Rhonda -what a beautiful tribute to your new teen son! Peyton is a precious young man for the Lord.

You are all so beautiful! Love the photos and I'm with Kim the one of you about to plant a kiss is PRICELESS!

Hugs and much love sweet friend!!!
Jill

Unknown said...

Hi there -- I found your blog because we will be going soon to Jiangxi province to meet our little girl from Jianxin orphanage. It was great to see the pictures of it. Is there a way I can contact you by phone or email to ask you a few questions?

Thank you so much,
Pam

Lori said...

Rhonda,
Just making sure you all are okay. Hope you all didn't have any flood damage. We are praying for your community!
Love and prayers,
Lori

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Absolutely precious, and I loved all the pictures, too.

XO,

Sheila :-)