Happy Birthday Matthew

So here it is…one more year left of being a ‘kid’ and then Matt will be a teenager! WHAT? I just wrote that right? It can’t be! There is no way my sweet little 7 pounder Matthew is 12 years old! How can this be? It seemed to all happen in the blink of an eye. I have enjoyed most of it. Yes, I said most! There were and there are days I think he is an alien set to destroy my homeland. He can be a wild and crazy kid. He loves to tear things apart and see how they work. But, “Hey, I never liked that toaster anyway.” There are moments he is stubborn as can be and he must get that from his dad; not me. Well he did! Eric is as bullheaded as can be but Matthew is stubborn….. Okay, like me! Yes there is a difference and since I am writing this blog bullheaded is waaaaay worse ;)

Matthew is as ornery as all get out. And his ability to make days seem never-ending is second to none! Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this kid! He can be such a sweetheart. He is never angry, I mean it I really have never seen him mad! He is always looking out for littler kids, he wants to be a big brother so badly he can't stand it. He is a great little brother but Emily just sees him as a pest, no matter how sweet he is to her. He wouldn’t hurt a flea. On rainy days you will find him saving all the worms and snails so they don’t die in the flood created in our driveway. Of course he brings them in the house and wants to keep them.{mom says no on that one!} He is very caring. He acts like my dad and he looks like my dad so much it catches me off guard sometimes! I mean just look at this kid. He is a mini sized….Jerry Leiker! Matthew will hold open doors for you and if he hears a noise near you he will yell, “You okay?” He cares and worries about people just like…Jerry Leiker. I can’t help but wonder what my dad would think of Matthew and how many fun pictures of adventures I would have taken of those two together. One time my dad pulled up to the house and Matthew saw him in his work shirt and hat headed to our door. Matthew ran to his bedroom and grabbed a hat, put it on and opened the door beaming as he matched his Papa! And my dad was so good without me saying a word; my dad scooped him up said, “Do you have a hat on just like Papa does?” Matthew smiled and said, “Matthew's just like Papa!” They were two peas in a pod and so sweet to watch! Boy I wish he was here now to help celebrate!

 I hope his birthday is an amazing one even though he is missing Eric right now. It hit him to the point he got all teary-eyed when we were at the store buying his plates and cups and other party goods. We are gonna try to have a fun day anyway and celebrate by going to his favorite place to eat {CHIPOTLE} yummy!!! We will also have one of his favorite dinners.  He either has goulash or steak. These are his two favorites. I told him I would even show him how to grill the steak if he chooses that! If he can’t decide maybe we will have both! We may just make it a birthday weekend. Why not!

At the moment Matthew is saving for a camera. He tries to get his hot little hands on mine all the time! He loves to mess with the settings. I know quite a bit so I have been trying to teach him what I know. He does have to save a lot so he is being very patient and he will have to wait for any Christmas money he may get. He will try to earn some money around here doing extra chores or maybe anyone else who will let him! So if you live nearby look out! ;)

I look back and recall the day he was born and all the memories in between. When he was little….OK last week….I go up to him and say "I need some chicken soup!"…and he turns his cheek to me and I slurp ‘chicken soup’ out of his dimples and then get dessert which is a smooch! So I am thinking since I am barely getting away with it now I better get in as many bowls of soup as I can. I tend to think when he is 13 next year that this will come to a screeching halt and he will look horrified at even the request… “Geez mom! Just get a can of Campbell’s!" …….*sob*sob* Man it is hard when they get bigger!

So here is to my Matthew, my Chicken, my Stinky Face…… I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo