At 17, Jamison is simply delightful.
He is funny,
a good sport (He posed for these silly pics to make Joshua giggle),
smart.
His intelligence amazes us lately. As he explains his course work, I rarely know what he is talking about. Precalc, anatomy, AP English . . . in almost every conversation about his classes this year I have to ask him to define what he just told me.
He is fun.
I love that boys always remember how to play. He and Joshua wrestle, shoot hoops, and have nerf gun wars. When Joshua gets out of hand, Jamison throws him over his shoulder and tells him it is "shower time." Then he carries a thrashing and screaming (with delight) JG into the nearest bathroom, turns on the shower, and pretends to throw him in fully dressed. He drops him at the last second. And then Joshua runs to hide behind me. They make me laugh. Jamison says it is his job yo make sure Joshua is tough. He says he was "soft" in elementary school because he needed a big brother. He will make sure JG is not! This whole conversation is hilarious because Jamison is the kindest 17 year old boy ever.
He uses his time wisely - completing most of his homework in his off hour - and also wisely makes time for the things he enjoys like video games.
He is no longer "soft!" He recently played outdoor football with his buddies in -15* for four hours. When he got home his feet were frost bitten. They were numb for days.
He loves to hunt, play his stereo LOUD, hang with his friends, sleep, and run and run and run.
He carries a water bottle everywhere and never drinks soda.
He is lucky enough to have found a group of friends that is NOT into drugs or drinking.
He likes to have several days worth of stubble on his face. And I love it on him.
He tolerates me hugging him every morning.
He remembers to say thank you.
When he doesn't have something nice to say, he keeps his mouth shut.
He has an amazing and admirable way of ignoring drama.
He is fiercely competitive.
He is also a great encourager and team mate.
In staying true to form, he chose pie as his birthday dessert.
Mataya is pretty sure pie is the yummiest thing she has ever eaten! No one likes berries as much as Mataya, so when she tasted sweetened berries in pie filling, her joy was complete. And incredibly messy!
Jamison Chad, I could not be more proud of the man-in-the-making you are at 17. I pray God's continued protection and direction over you as you grow into adulthood. You are a blessing, my son.
Happy Birthday!
I love you so.
