Today, He's 16.

Today, my beautiful boy, Ryan, turns 16 and I have to admit to being a bit emotional.  Sixteen feels like a big milestone to me and I know before I blink he'll be moving out of the house for college.  There are definitely still days when I think to myself, "How can I be old enough to have a 16 year old?  Let alone qualified!"  Thankfully, God certainly has a way of easing us into parenthood.

{six months old}

When I think of Ryan over the years, I think of this sweet little boy that had a smile that melted our hearts at a very young age, always wanting to be outside. Standing at our back door, "I go outside, I go outside, I GO OUTSIDE!"  He didn't always understand that just because the sun was shining it wasn't freezing!

{on a family trip to Deep Creek, MD...he was actually really mad at this point...can't remember why!}

A little boy who is social, regularly getting his friends together to play a game of wiffle ball in the backyard.

A big brother (that may have found his little brothers quite annoying at times) whose little brothers admire him.

{Shaw Farm Pumpkin Patch 2006}

A boy with a very special relationship with his cousins.

{after a shopping trip with Madeleine and Elizabeth...the first of many! 2009}

{days of the long hair...with Connor and Jonathon getting ready for a 5K}

An older boy who amazed us with his ability to throw runners out from catcher on the baseball field or who pitched tremendous games of baseball.

{summer 2011}

And most recently a teenager with passion for music.  One who has continued to amaze us with his musical and acting abilities.

{Saturday night performing a duet at the show choir fundraiser}

{Spring 2011...the villain in the school play...Doc Holiday}

A young man who has always had a perspective a bit older than his age. A young man who doesn't hesitate to initiate an "I love you Mom" to me or reciprocate an I love you from me.  A young man who understands the value of family...as he said in my mother's day card, "I know we argue sometimes, but we're family and at the end of the day, I will always love you."

I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming.  Here's to many, more years of birthday celebrations for my oldest boy!  I love you Ryan.

And here's his super CAS birthday card inspired by the CASE this Sketch design for this week.