Fourteen Years!!!

It's been a great year!  I love everything about this age!  I love that you take longer than Sis or me to get your hair just right, I love that you get frustrated when you make a bad grade, I love that you give 100% at everything you do, and I love that you love with all your heart... a true ladies' man!  HA!

You brought your self-portraits home the day we got out for Christmas holidays, and I immediately saw Butch... As much as you are like Daddy, I see Butch in you every day!  You constantly pick, you constantly ask questions, and you constantly keep me on my toes!  Literally, I had a heart attack yesterday when I walked into my office and as I sat down and you grabbed my leg because you were hiding under my desk.  I'm sure everyone thought it was a mouse as they came running... but no... just Ben!  It's who you are!  

 In April we went to the Masters and had a great time!  You continue to fight on the golf course with all your might... and I'm so proud you haven't gotten frustrated and given up! 

 You think you are big too.. driving around and moving cars and making sure everything is lined up just right... a little OCD!

You have finally been invited to play golf with the big guys... keep pushing forward... only a couple more strokes and you are going to beat Daddy! 

 The worst part about moving is not seeing  Jamesy every day... but he got to spend a week with us at the beach this summer and we had a blast! 

 You remind me of Butch, but you also have so much of Guille in you!  This picture right here looks like him to me! 

 You have become obsessed with fishing... we even had to go back to the beach this fall just for you to get to fish some more! 

 You all have finally reached the stage where you are taller than Jane.... I love that you ask her if she is shrinking!  NOPE... it's you!  Your pants for Christmas are already too short... You have some junk in your trunk like your mama, but it's okay! 

 I love that smile... you make my heart happy!

One of the few naps you have ever taken in your life!  Exhaustion had set in!

I can't leave out the deaths of two VERY important men your life this year.  You lost your Butchie and your JMAC.... I'm sure you learned lots from both of them... good and bad!  You have been a strong little boy that has dealt with death better than most.  I love that you talk about them... I love that you miss them daily... and I love that your aren't afraid to ask questions!  For the rest of your life remember that you were loved beyond measure by these two men!  

Clemson games are your favorite... whether it's football or basketball or baseball... you are always ready to go!  

Let's hope in the next few weeks we hear from them about letting Sis in.... I'm sure you won't mind going and chaperoning her on the weekends! 

We were all a little apprehensive in August when the eclipse came through... there was total darkness and you shared that experience at the office with me... y'all enjoyed your day out of school for it!  

 You have followed Sis around this cheer season... I'm not real sure how I'm going to handle her being gone next year, but I know that is going to be an adjustment for you. 

 I never dreamed a boy and a girl so far apart in age could get along so well... you argue sometimes, but I also know when I go to bed at night that hearing your laughs, giggles, and concocting plans makes me smile! 

 I'm sure no matter you will have each others' backs! 

 We loved going to the ACC Championship this year... you experienced obnoxious drunk fans and continue to say you won't ever be like that!  I pray that's true!  I'm so proud of you for taking on the task of reading your Bible in chronological order... You are a much better summarizer than me.  Keep it up! 

I know you are sad you don't ever have to sit through another cheer competition!  

 I'm also guilty of that little sweet tooth you have... We love a little piece of chocolate and a dessert at a restaurant!  NYC was the best! 

 I hope you two will be as close as you have been this year!  And that we have many more airplane rides together! 

 And who knew you would be shaving this year!  That little brown caterpillar across your lip had to go! 

 Christmas in Greer...

Celebrating Sis being 18 and you being almost as tall as me! 

We brought in 2018 with family and friends... OH what fun it was!  

This next year will be busy....

Golf season kicks off Monday... I can't believe that SC lets 7th graders be on a varsity team!  

Let' hope we have many more nights of Breakout!  You probably could create one of those rooms yourself!  

 As we get ready for you to end 7th grade and be an only child with Sis leaving home... I hope that you both remember to look to the SON... those rays beaming down on you were beautiful and I'm sure they were from Poppa and Butch...

Thank you for being Ben... just plain on Ben!  

 And my final pictures are two that bring tears to my eyes... Butch playing  basketball... You scoot up and down the court just like I've heard he did... You are fierce and not afraid of those 6 foot players... and sometimes you have just enough cockiness to be dangerous....

This is you checking in for your first middle school game this year... I could hardly take the picture for the tears in my eyes... I wanted to call Butch and tell him about you... tell him about the points... tell him well you played... but I have to believe that he was there .... and so was Poppa... they are angels among us!  

I love you Bennie Boo Boo... Stay the course and it's going to be hard to top this year, but I pray you will change the world!  

Love you!