He's a Rockin' 8 Year Old!

He's 8!  He's really 8!  My firstborn turned 8 today.  This precious boy made me a mom!  We so love this kid.  Bennett is our sensitive boy with a kindness beyond his years.  His heart aches for those in need.  He's the child that rolls down his window without hesitation and gives whatever he has on-hand to the less fortunate.....including a few school books that we actually still needed.  He just wants to help however he can and I'm so relieved he is sensitive to the needs of others.  I think it's so easy to become cold when you see homeless on every other corner.

 

Bennett is our perfectionist.  We giggle at how tightly he seems to be wound when it comes to some things.  I would like to pawn that quality off on Fletcher, but it's like looking in the mirror at some of his antics.  He likes to make his bed as orderly as he can and just sleep on top of the covers to save time in the morning.  I totally did that!  Combing his hair takes FOREVER!  No hair can be standing up which throws him every morning because he has Fletcher's hair.  Have you seen Fletcher's hair?  It all stands up!  Completely stresses this kid out trying to get all those hairs to lie down. :)  Stresses me too when we're running late getting out the door.

 

Bennett is our overachiever.  I'm not talking necessarily about his ability in sports although he is a great little athlete.  I'm talking more about his commitment.  He can't just play something.....he wants to be the best!  Fortunately, he's willing to put in the hardwork, but sometimes it might be nice to just play or attend.....says the type A mom.  We don't always have to be the all-star.  But then again, it seems we do.  I vividly remember my mom saying to me as a child, "you can just take gymnastics....you don't have to be the best."  Funny enough, my response was, "I think I need to be the best."  Makes for an ultra-competitive child.  I see that in Bennett.  He does find joy in competition and my prayer is that the joy continues to drive him and not the praise of me or others.  I'll do my best to reign it in.:)

Bennett is a leader.  This is a work in progress, but it's my goal each and every day.  If what I see on the TV and the news is mainstream, then Bennett and Beau have to be different.  To be different, they have to be leaders.  Bennett is a great leader in his classroom at school and in his outside activities.  I'm so thankful he has that quality. 

And lastly, Bennett is our little old man in an 8 year old's body.  He dresses like he's 70.  It's pretty common for him to wear a sweater vest to school when his classmates are in t-shirts or sports clothes.  He's funny like that, but it he seems unphased by it.  He wore ties to school until a teacher told him he looked like the president.  He thought the teacher meant our President Obama.  He told the teacher he's not a fan of Obama and has since chosen other less-Obama-ish outfits.....back to the sweater vests.

Today we celebrate this quirky, little boy.   I'm so blessed to get to be his mom.  This brown-eyed snuggler brightens each day with his million-dollar smile and his infectious laugh.  Our prayer for Bennett is that he continue to grow stronger in his faith, always seeking God's purpose for his life, and that he blesses others with his gifts.

Happy Birthday, precious Bennett!