Sweet Sixteen

I was forty-five years old.

 I wasn't ready to be a grandma when I heard this unexpected news.

 The thought of it made me seem old...something that I thought I'd never be.

 I was the eternal child, remember...the "baby" of that big family.
I was also the Queen of DeNial :)

~ 

That was then...back in 1998...before he came along.

 

He changed everything.

The moment I laid eyes on him—that moment in the hospital—that's when it happened.
All of those selfish feelings..."it's all about me"... left immediately.
~
I had a precious, healthy grandson...a wonderful blessing from God!
 

  

Here he is with his Mawmaw, at just a couple of weeks old.
Oh, how I miss those days.
(although I don't miss that double chin I was sporting back then :)

~ 

What a blessing it was to be able take care of him a couple of days a week.

And what joy...that first time he spent the night at Mawmaw's house!

This grandma's heart was overflowing!

 

He was a little more than two years old before he got that first "little boy" haircut...
...I think his blonde curls were nearly down to his shoulders...
...well after this was taken.
~
Today he turned sixteen...SIXTEEN!
I can hardly believe how fast the years have flown by!
He'll be getting his driver's license soon...and he's a good driver.
This grandma has let him drive her several times and she didn't even have a heart attack :)
~
I wish I could have found a more recent photo of him.
But when you get to be sixteen, you don't want just any photo out there circulating on the internet!
Your hair needs to be just right and you must have on the right clothes.

So, this is one the most recent photos of him with his brother and cousins (from last year).
 I think this one would meet his approval.
~
We will be celebrating his big day later this week along with Thanksgiving.
He has already put in his order for a red velvet cake :)

Happy 16th Birthday, Dacey Ray!
You will always be my little Thanksgiving Blessing...
...even though you are now W-A-Y taller than me.

And you will never let me forget it!


Thanks for bearing with me while I reminisce.