Happy 11th Birthday, Levi!

We began Levi's birthday celebration with his favorite blueberry muffins, bacon, a cup of coffee (only on very special occasions. Birthdays count.) for breakfast, along with reading a 1960's copy of The Lone Ranger (his birthday theme). He finished his schoolwork quicker than usual, went for a bike ride, and counted down the minutes till daddy arrived home to open gifts, eat a cowboy dinner of grilled hot dogs, mama's jalapeño-cheese-cornbread, baked beans, chopped veggies, lemonade, and topped off with a homemade chocolate campfire cake (he helped me make it) and vanilla ice-cream. (We also made a late night trip to Busch Gardens the week before to ride the coasters at night!) It was an incredibly fun family birthday celebration of this boy we love so much!

Happy 11th birthday, to my strong, compassionate, Levi James!

Every morning my big boy greets me with a bright smile and huge bear hug. I cherish every one; knowing that it won’t be much longer till he surpasses me in height like his older sisters. Levi is kind, thoughtful, and full of love. He is brave, will talk to anyone, loves to tell jokes, and isn’t afraid to jump into new situations. He loves living back in America and has especially enjoyed watching sports in real time (gearing up to play flag football next month!)

He is chivalrous and a resolute protector (like his daddy). He is firm in what he believes and makes wise choices, not afraid to stand alone. He spends hours with his Legos, making stop-motion-movies (usually about cowboy shootouts or Star Wars adventures). He does well in school, but would much rather be on the ocean fishing with daddy, riding his bike, hanging out with his siblings (Cora thinks he hung the moon!), or in the kitchen with me, making his specialties - steak & eggs, garlic bread, and salmon.

At summer camp this past June, Levi sang an oldie, “Saddle Up Your Horses”, by @stevencurtischapman , for the talent show (and received a standing ovation!). This birthday I’m praying these lyrics over this incredible boy of mine. Happy Birthday, Levi!”

“We'll travel on, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey
That the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far
Beyond our wildest dreams

Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's Amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the Glorious unknown
This is the life like no other
This is the great adventure”