Happy 7th Birthday Brenn!

Isn't he so stinking cute?!?

I can't believe that my little baby is 7 today. It's a bitter-sweet day for me, I hate seeing my boys grow up, I want them to stay little, but it is SOOO much fun to watch them grow up. As I sit here and think about the last 7 years, there is no way I would go back and change anything. We have had so much fun with this little guy, he means so much to our family. This kid is as tough as nails, and I'm not joking.

As we have been getting ready for Brenner's birthday, I have asked him what he would like to do for his birthday, his reply... "go to school, duh!" He loves school, and he loves his teacher. I had mentioned to Aaron a couple days ago something about bringing Brenner lunch to school. We thought it would be fun to have something different other than the bag lunch he gets everyday. So tonight I asked him what he would like to have for lunch, his reply "Well, could I maybe have school lunch tomorrow?" I was totally expecting something like "Oh Chick-Fil-A", but no, he wants to have school lunch. Having school lunch is a treat for Brenner, since he's been in school we've learned that the carb counts aren't exactly right, so that messes up his blood sugar readings, so instead of making a big deal out of it with the school, we've decided to send Brenner with cold lunch. He never complains about anything, as long as he is with his friends, all is well. I should add, every day Aaron and I go and sit with Brenner at lunch to make sure he eats everything in his sack (he didn't one day, and his blood sugar dropped insanely low), but he doesn't mind having his parents there to accompany him at lunch, even with his friends around. I asked him one day, if it bugged him that I came to lunch every day with him, he shook his head "no" and said "I love it!" Man, I am so dang lucky to have this kid that doesn't mind his parents looking over his shoulder (ha, ha). Tanner all of the sudden has become independent and "too cool" to hug his mom (ha, ha).

I had asked Brenner a couple days ago, what we should do for his birthday. His eyes got really big, and said "how about we invite all our friends and family for cake and ice cream?!?" Yep, another reply I was but wasn't expecting. The kid LOVES Boondocks and I really thought that would be the topic of conversation, but then again I remembered that I was talking to the boy that also LOVES to have his family (Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, you get the point) around. He loves to laugh, and he has some pretty awesome cousins and uncles that fulfill that love Brenner has. So after Aaron get's out of school, we're gonna have a party! Wahoo!

As I sit here and think about the life Brenner has had so far, I am so blessed to have such an understanding little boy. Since his diagnosis with diabetes we've had our up's and our downs, and through it all, even when the little guy is in a serious life threatening situation, we can always find a smile on that little guy's face. Tonight I took him to pick out his cake, and as we looked at cakes, I said to him "Well, which one do you like?" He looked at me and asked "Can we get cake without frosting? I just don't want to make my blood sugar crazy." That right there broke my heart, this kid is constantly thinking about his health (which is good, but it makes me sad that he has to think about that). He is really responsible when it comes to his diabetes, he will ask how many carbs are in something, if he can have a treat that will help his blood sugar, or he will defer a treat because of how much sugar is in it. I look at him and think (and say) "Wow, I don't think even I have that kind of discipline." I learn so much from this little boy (and his brother) EVERY day. I am so lucky to have this little boy as part of my life, and I am thankful that Heavenly Father trusted us enough to send him to us.

Brenner, we hope you have a fabulous birthday. We hope you get to do whatever you want to do today. Thanks for being the best little 7 year old Brenner we could have. We LOVE you to the moon and back, more than chocolate, and to infinity and beyond.

Happy Birthday Brenn!

Love,
Dad, Mom and Tanner