On Brevan's 14th birthday, he finally got his own "surprise party." For years he has told me how important he would feel if someone surprised him with a party. I talked to his friend's moms ahead of time, so they would let their boys know the plan. When I picked up Brevan from school on his birthday, his friends suddenly crowded into the back seat of the truck which was filled with balloons. Brevan didn't understand why they were all getting in, but was very happy once he realized the plan. I took the boys (Tanner, Clayton and Jarom) to Pizza Ranch, a new pizza buffet with an indoor basketball court. They were plenty happy to stay there for many hours.
My camera is dying, so I was only able to save a handful of pictures from the birthday celebrations. Most of the pictures turned out so fuzzy the faces weren't recognizable. Not having an operating camera is a big deal for me, so I may be asking Santa to bring me a new one.
After dropping off most of his friends (besides Tanner, who stayed at our house until late), we continued the celebration by giving Brevan his presents. He received a Playstation 3 (which will actually be for the entire family), a board game he's been wanting called Axis and Allies, and a 4-day trip to Utah at the end of this month. Typically a birthday at our house means a few small gifts, but this birthday was larger than usual because we used airline miles for the trip to Utah, making the roundtrip airfare cost only $10.
It's sad that the picture below is so fuzzy. Moments caught on camera are priceless to me.
A few things about Brevan at age 14:
- He checks his grades online daily, because he is determined to get straight A's.
- He wishes he were better at athletics. I tell him no one cares about athletic abilities once you graduate.
- He has a few loyal friends, mainly Tanner and Clayton, who have blessed his life in many ways.
- He is so tender-hearted toward anyone in need. He is also the most forgiving person I've ever known, although he would say that he's forgiving to a fault.
- He can argue any point to the death. He should be on a debate team, because he can (and does) have an opinion on everything in life.
- He is so brilliant, and loves to be known as a "smart kid."
- He hates violence of any kind. He can't watch most PG-13 movies because the violence terrifies him. He can't understand why anyone would want to play a violent videogame.
- He has an INTENSE fear of shots. INTENSE. Since beating up our doctor (and several nurses) the last time he needed a shot, he is now required to take several Xanax before his is allowed into the doctor office. Brevan isn't afraid of the actual pain; he's afraid of the thought of pain.
- He gets himself out of bed at 5:45 in the morning, gently closes our bedroom door so we don't wake up, and gets himself ready. I roll out of bed at 6:25 to help with last-minute preparations, say a prayer with him, and make sure he gets on the bus at 6:39. Next year he will be waking up by 5:00 a.m. for 6:00 seminary at the church building 15 minutes away. Ugh. I don't know how these kids do it, because mornings are so hard for me.
- He attends Chess Club on Monday evenings, volunteers with the Special Olympics on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, attends Game Club after school on Wednesdays, Scouts on Wednesday evenings, and piano lessons after school on Thursdays.
- He is very musically talented. He plays piano for stress relief, so I rarely have to nag him to practice.
- He hates the emphasis put on football in our small town. It ticks him off that he's required to attend assemblies where the football players and cheerleaders are celebrated. He wants an assembly where intelligence is celebrated. I have to agree with him there.
- He is 5 ft 8 in tall and weighs 120 pounds.
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