Today I officially received two more grey hairs. Kalen turned 12, and John Paul celebrated eighteen days! Kalen planned out his birthday almost all by himself.

The day started last night with vigil mass for the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. Kalen organized a simple get together today with good friends for a day of Nerf gun wars and legos. He made his gluten free cakes with Grandma, a time honored tradition, this AM to provide dessert. For lunch? Simple hot dogs with gluten free buns for those of us on the dole with him for sensitive tummies was his planned menu. It was his party, followed by a family pizza night where he watched a funny movie about Penguins from Madagascar. Tonight he went to bed beaming with the joy of friends and family being with him today.

All of his actions got me to thinking about when does a boy crossover to become a man? I could only think of the answering: "The man arrives when the boy begins to seek and take responsibility for his actions."

This young man is doing just those actions. It makes me proud to know he will do everything in his being to be a real man as he grows older. It makes me sad to know my eldest is no mere boy any longer. It also worries me, since I know this little man tries to take on more than he can chew or is responsible for.

I am still happy today to keep the promise made 12 years ago today. I promised to always get to church on the Feast of the Assumption and say a prayer of thanksgiving for a healthy child. Just attending mass with him last night was pure bliss in an of itself.

-ehw

P.S. John Paul is not a noisy child...unless he needs momma's special blend. He is also not a huge believer in flash bulbs!