CAUTION: Teenager in Vicinity

Well, it's here...the day I have been dreading. An unavoidable day that will bring happiness and celebration with just a hint of nostalgia and the desire to freeze time. My first born is officially a teenager. I'm a little bit in shock!
We have a had quite a year, haven't we, Raley? 

• You have had to leave everything you knew and were comfortable with and trade it in for something brand new. You've done a fantastic job! 
• We have asked you to pick up the slack when Daddy isn't home and you really have. 
• You went through the first of life's losses when Luke died in October and even with a broken heart of your own, you helped the rest of us through it with funny stories and hugs timed just right. 
• 7th grade is supposed to be pretty tough but you have seemingly breezed through with straight As all year. 
• A bout with the flu didn't keep you down for long, even when it teamed up with strep throat. 
• You have outgrown many of your older family members and wear your dad's shoes. 
• You stay up late on Friday and Saturday nights watching old Star Trek episodes on TV, then you sleep until someone goes in to wake you up. 
• You have figured out how to take your trombone music and play it on the piano.
• You are learning to deal with new emotions in a way that both keeps you out of trouble, and prevents anyone else from being upset.
• You are so funny! I love your sense of humor and the way you see things.
• You finally got your own room and you have proven to us that it really was mostly Clay messing up the old one! Your room is not always perfect but it takes you about 3 minutes to get it that way.
• You have gone to several band competitions and received a medal in the solo contest.
• You are growing every day into a wonderful young man and your dad and I just can't wait to see what the next few years bring!

Ready for the pictures?

Shooting off rockets in the cow pasture

First day of 7th grade

In the hayloft at Grannie and Pop's

Last picture with Luke

School picture 7th grade

A boy and his dog

Bonfire fun

Texas/USA border marker

Halloween

Oh, my

Bat-clones

Ready to cut our Christmas tree

Band uniform

So sweet to "share" your bed with Ginny

Christmas morning

Monster Jam

Before Solo Contest

Serious love from Ginny

My three clones

Ginny's pillow

Lunch with Mommy

His favorite dinosaur at the museum

Thanks for slouching enough that you aren't taller than me

Your dad and I could not be prouder of you, buddy! Happy birthday my boy!! We love Raley Michael!!!

Raley's birth story (PG version)