Happy Birthday Luke!

We celebrated Luke's birthday last week.  11 Years Old.  My oh my he's growing fast.  He's eleven going on fifteen, now.  So so independant. So invincible. Ready to take on the world (if you ask him.)  I struggle to keep up with him these days, barely able to follow his train of thought, let alone his trail of dust.  Luke thinks fast, talks fast and moves fast.  He can't stand to waste a single second!   He's still my first to rise in the morning and last to bed each night.  He gulps in life, where I now prefer to sip and savor. But in some ways, I'm just like him.  Passionate about living my one life well.  I understand his fierce eagerness and stubborn pursuit of an exhilarating existence.

He chose to invite two favorite friends to a trampoline house this year.  Big Air trampoline is his sport of choice these days.  I caught his backflip into the foam pit on video:

After dinner at home, a single bag of balloons and a movie entertained this crew for the rest of the evening.

For his birthday, Luke asked for a box of dominoes, a wad of cash, and for his mother to read Harry Potter.  He was pleased as punch to have every wish granted (I'm on Chapter 3.)

Two days later, Luke recieved his Webelos badge and his Arrow of Light award at Scouts. He was aching with joy on our way over to the pack meeting, proudly wearing his new Boy Scout shirt and carrying a pocket knife he purchased with birthday money.  I couldn't help but smile at his bursting boyishness.

The ceremony involved warrior paint on his face, masterfully applied byMom and Dad:

Take yellow from the sun and place the mark of WISDOM on your son’s forehead. This mark stands for his desire to learn wisdom and with it make a better life for himself and his family.

Take blue from the summer sky and place the mark of COURAGE on his chin, just under his lip, to show that he will stand up to any task asked of him.

Take purple from the lilac flower and place the mark of SELF-CONTROL on his chin, below the other mark. This shows that he knows his limits and when to say no.

Take green from the tall mountain trees and place the mark of JUSTICE high on his right cheek to show that he deals fairly and honestly with everyone.

Take white from the winter snow and place the mark of FAITH high on his left cheek. This shows that he has a deep faith in God and acknowledges His hand in all things.

Take orange from a brilliant sunset and place the mark of HOPE lower on his right cheek. With every sunset, we have hope for better things to come.

Take red from the wild rose and place the mark of LOVE lower on his left cheek to show that he loves his family, his friends, his country and Heavenly Father.

Boys, you will find that if you follow these seven virtues, you will be happy. If you are happy, you will be successful.

I love Boy Scouts. 

Happy Birthday Big Boy!