BRANDON IS 17!!!

It's unbelievable how quickly they grow up! Brandon, my youngest , and now a young man, is 17 today, May 19th.

I can still remember the day he was born. I had to have an emergency C-section and he had a very tramatic birth. The cord was wrapped around his body, cutting off his circulation. He was black and blue when he was born, but no permanent damage was done. Thank you God!

As a baby he was a screamer. There were times I couldn't get him settled and couldn't figure out what the problem was. As moms, I'm sure you know how frustrating this can be. All it would take sometimes, was to be held by someone else who had the patience to deal with him.

As a toddler he was very mischievous. He did not like to stay in bed when put there. We would hear him out of bed before we'd even reach the end of the hall. One night we thought the problem was conquered. HA! No way! About ten minutes later we heard him giggling. When we went to see what he was up to, he was in Jana's room and she was covered from head to toe with clothing piled on top of her. He had emptied all her dresser drawers and had started on his! When we asked him what he was doing, he said that he wanted to keep Jana warm so he covered her up. At that point you couldn't even see her face. She slept through it all and knew nothing until she woke up in the morning and saw clothes all over the floor. Brandon was also the first grandchild to pull the curtain rod off the window at my parents. The crib was just in reach of the curtains. Funny how the next time he was there, the crib was in a different spot, and remained there for the rest of the grandchildren.

As a child he was very lovable and very talkative. One time when going to the Silver Stick hockey tournament in Pembroke, he started talking when we left Napanee and never stopped until we arrived in Pembroke. He talked to us, his hands, the windows, whatever was in sight. Wow! He was also very talented in sports. He played goalie on the Napanee Stars team, and one year he won a trophy for being the shutout champion at a tournament in Kanata, as well as his team won the Red Lobster Cup (which is just like the Stanley Cup to kids). He also won the Golden glove award on his softball team. He played the piano some and had a wonderful singing voice. He sang solos, duets and in groups for school concerts. I know I'm bragging, but who doesn't think their child is wonderful?!? He was also a bright student, and yes, quite often managed to talk a little too much in class.

As a teenager, he faces many challenges. Some that go along with everyday life and some that don't. He still excels in sports, and does very well academically. Although, he has moved on from his singing, he has learned to play the bass and guitar and enjoys playing in bands at the church. He has a very artistic and creative mind. He loves computers and has built a few, as well as fixing ones of friends and family members. He is amazing and I am very proud of him. I pray that the challenges he's facing today, will only help to mold him into the man God desires him to be.

Happy Birthday Brandon! You are a wonderful blessing and I love you!