This past week I have found myself saying over and over again how much I can’t believe that Chris and I are about to become parents of a teenager, and when I woke up this morning it finally happened.
It really is true that you blink your eyes as a parent and time does fly. It’s bittersweet because there is so much to embrace about them as they get older, but also so many things that you have to let go of.
I miss him believing in Santa Claus, but I relish in how sweet it is that he helps keep the spirit alive for Blake. I miss him wanting to get dressed up and trick or treat on Halloween but love watching how independent he has become. I miss him wanting to watch the latest Disney movie, but absolutely love getting to watch more grown up shows with him (I see you Stranger Things). And alllllllll those inside jokes. Even if I’m the butt of them, I don’t care – they are the best.
Thirteen is one of the biggest milestones yet and I’m so happy and proud of the person that Branden is becoming.
He still struggles with all thee school stuff, but is one of the smartest kids that I know. Seriously, he doesn’t miss a beat and amazes me at the information that he holds in his brain and can rattle off at a moment’s notice. I’m not sure if it has to do with growing up during the Youtube era, but the facts he has learned from everything he absorbs online has me amazed every single day. He’s going to go far in life, once he’s able to nail down one thing he’s truly passionate about. The sky is the limit for his boundless skillset. 
So like I do each year, to keep a little digital diary for myself, I’m going to share a few fun facts, likes and dislikes about our not so little man anymore.
- Xbox is still pretty much the highlight of his life these days.
- His favorite show is Hell’s Kitchen and it has even sparked an interest in him learning how we cook.
- He is currently a yellow/red belt in jujitsu and has been working towards that for almost a year. Hower, there’s a good change he’s going to shift things once he hits that one year mark and goes back to rock climbing, a passion that was first started back in New York City.
- He still dislike all vegetables, which drives me crazy.
- Some of his favorite foods are still wings, pizza, but he loves my lemon chicken and dad’s chicken tacos.
- He’s not a big cake eater, so he request birthday slushies from Dairy Queen this year instead, as well as a hibachi steakhouse dinner.
- Branden loves to joke and prank, and jump scare anyone that he possibly can.
- As of right now, he talks often about the Jeep Wrangler he wants as soon as he turns 16 (ahh just 3 more years!) so that he can drive around with the doors off.
- Every time Daddy is out of town, we order Indian food together and have a huge feast…it’s our little “thing.”
- He still has the best laugh (just like Daddy) and it’s totally contagious.
We love you so much Branden and wish you the happiest of birthdays!
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