He is a TEENAGER!

I knew the time was coming...the time when Jaret would become a teenager...and that time is here! Jaret officially became a teenager on Tuesday - and he would tell you that it was official at 4:21 pm. His Grandma Laura laughed at his teenage sass and reminded him that it is a birth day, not a birth minute!

The night before his birthday, Jaret was treated to a DQ Blizzard from his sister. She wanted to treat him to ice cream because she loves ice cream but also because she said, "This is the last day that he is a child and now I am the only child in the house." Which for the record, she doesn't like and is trying to grow up too fast for my liking. And since the kids were getting ice cream, we all got ice cream because, "Who doesn't like ice cream?" in Kirra's words.

Jaret has been looking forward to becoming a teenager and what is in store in the teenage years. As he and I were having a Starbucks date (during Kirra's dance class) on his birthday, I told him that some turning 13 are excited to open a social media account. He turned up his nose to the idea, not thinking it is necessary. However, he did bring up that he would like the earned responsibility of a phone. But thinks that time is maybe a year away. I appreciate Jaret's maturity for 13.

Jaret celebrated his birthday with his family over supper at The Keg. We enjoyed sitting in the lounge of the restaurant so that we could watch the Astros game (which unfortunately they lost - no win as a birthday gift for him).

Has learned the game of Kan-Jam in PE and 

was excited to get this gift from his grandparents.

No, he didn't eat all this himself, we all shared!

The next evening was Jaret's birthday celebration with friends where the boys enjoyed mini-paintball. At first, Jaret thought mini-paintball may not be fun as the pellets are smaller and the velocity of speed is reduced compared to regular paintball. However, the boys all had a blast and appreciated the size and speed of the paintballs because when they got hit a couple of times could feel it more than they wanted so couldn't imagine the welts they would get with a regular game. Trent who led the boys through their paintball games was awesome. At the end of the evening, the boys all said thank you and Trent mentioned to me how much fun he had because of how respectful and well-mannered the boys were. It felt good to hear that and I am so grateful for the friends Jaret has to hang out with.

Before

After

His friends pointing out that there is 

one candle not completely blown out...

must be a girlfriend?!?! Haha!

After reading the book, He is Almost a Teenager, I had hoped to do Project 13 with Jaret. A one-time challenge of sorts that is done before your pre-teen turns 13. However, as I read the book in the summer and then we were away most of August, we weren't able to complete this challenge in it's entirety. It did however, open up some communication with Jaret and I about some goals. He did begin doing more regular devotions on his own through YouVersion which has been great as this has also opened up some good conversation as he grows deeper in his faith and what it means to him. He has also set some goals regarding his academics. Although he would like to make the Principal's List, he feels it is more important for him to not spend as much time with some perfectionistic tendencies, and to work a little faster to get assignments done. This is helping him to find some better balance. So proud of him!

Dear Jaret,

You are now officially a teenager. I am so blessed to be your mom and have enjoyed each different stage that has brought us to the teenage years. I remember bringing you home from the hospital like it was yesterday and how Dad and I gave you a tour of your new home. I loved the baby stage, even though the lack of sleep with feedings in the middle of the night was exhausting. There were were many nights that I would just stare down at you, pray over you and thank God for the gift of being chosen to be your mom. The love I had and have for you today is beyond what I could ever have imagined.

Then came the toddler years. You learned to walk early but were such a thinker that you didn't see the need for a lot of words early on. You would sit and play with some of your favourite toys and when you finished playing with a toy would put it away before moving on to the next. To this day, you like things in their place and your room is not like that of a typical teenager. You are a boy after your mom's own heart. During your toddler years, you spent a week in hospital with peri-orbital cellulitis and I don't think I had prayed more over you than during that week. I am still grateful for the Children's Hospital, the staff, and God for walking alongside us in that journey. We also travelled to Europe and Hawaii in your toddler years and you became a proud big brother.

Saving money back then and now taking his birthday money

and investing it in stocks.

My little boy who grew from a toddler into a pre-schooler. As the school years began, you would slip your hand into mine as we walked into school together. Leaving you was never easy but you were ready for this next stage that helped you grow into the boy you are today. You began to read and it became evident even in grade 1 the gifting you had for numbers. You lost your first tooth. You were learning more about who you were and what you were capable of. Over the years, you learned to play sports and your love for baseball and skiing grew. I love watching you pitch and I laugh that I can no longer keep up to you on the ski hill. I am so proud of the young man that you are growing into and I am excited to see how God will continue to mould you.

As you enter the teenage years, I pray that you will always remember that:
1. you are fearfully and wonderfully made
2. you are a masterpiece
3. you are created in the image of Christ and that in Christ you are a new creation
4. God has a plan for you
5. you are loved more than you can ever imagine - by your Heavenly Father and by your parents
6. you are capable of so much because of the work that God is doing and will do in your life
7. being grateful for your many blessings will always give you a better perspective in life than being negative about things that are not going your way
8. it is important to be kind and show God's love and grace to others, you don't always know the journey they are walking
9. choosing your friends wisely is not about how many friends you have but about those who are willing to walk with you and encourage you to be a better person
10. you are not defined about the grades you get, the job you will have, the house you will live in, the car you drive but that your identity is found in Christ Jesus
11. we all need Jesus and not one of us is better than another
12. being vulnerable with others will help you open up your heart to relationships and God wants us to live in relationship with others that are honouring to Him
13. living a life of generosity means that we can manage our finances well so that we can give back what God has blessed us with but also give of our time as we serve others

13 important things to remember and that I pray for you, but so many more that you will learn in the coming years. Jaret, I love you to the moon and back. I am so excited for the teenage years and being able to journey alongside you as your mom. I pray that God will continue to grow you in your faith so that it becomes meaningful to you and that you develop a close relationship with God. I pray that God will continue to grow you into the teenager and man that He has planned for you to be. May you continue to grow in your giftings and your passions as you use them to glorify our Lord Jesus.

Happy 13th Birthday, Jaret!

You are so LOVED!