Tyler

You are eleven years old today. I'm so proud of you. It must be hard to be the oldest kid, you are our debut child. It's a little bit scary, there is no test run. We are trying to figure this parenting thing out as we go. Forgive us for our mistakes, we're giving it our best shot.

God knew you would be the best big brother. I love watching you with the little ones. When you were a toddler, I would try to picture you as a big kid. What would you look like? Who would you be? And here you are. It's so surreal.

Your sense of humor cracks me up so much. A combination of slapstick and sarcasm. Some times you catch us totally off guard. Like last night when we ran into some of our friends at Sam's club. Some how the conversation turned towards money and you said, "My Dad is going to pay for half of my college." Then you looked at me and announced, "And Mom is going to pay the other half."

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the things I need to teach you in the next seven years. But then I remember all the things that I have learned by being your Mom. You have taught me so much about myself, I'm not sure who's getting the better end of the deal. I think we both are.

Happy Birthday Tyler.