Gavin is {SEVEN}teen

Somehow this just sounds way older than 16, especially when I know he's the youngest, and we are cruising through the final few years of having teenagers at a crazy fast pace. This year has been one with some changes . . . navigating another kid driving on his own (both amazing and terrifying at the same time), seeing him take on leadership roles left in the youth group by a big class of Seniors moving on, and working his first full-time summer job which saw him averaging 50+ hours per week. He's one of the those kids, though, who just handles things with ease, and does not seem to get ruffled by much. He & Ian share a huge love for fishing, so our family vacation on a big lake in Canada was a highlight of the year. They were often out fishing as the sun came up, and would be back on the lake in the evening, trying to grab a few more bites.

He is like big brother Cole in so many ways, and as he gets taller and grows up, he can easily be mistaken for him, especially when we're just out and about. They have the same taste in clothing, look almost identical, and have such similar personalities as well. Both gave up basketball in high school, and honed in on soccer as their only sport. So once the fall sports schedule wrapped up, Gavin's calendar freed up as well, giving him more time to hang out with his friends from school/church. He's got so many amazing friends in his circle, and I love the way they hang out and just enjoy doing life together.

He has never left his love of Lego's and is perfectly content to build a new set, or come up with something just with the thousands of lego pieces he's accumulated over the years.

He's gained a few more inches this year, and is now creeping up on Mark & Ian in height (he passed me a long time ago, and passed Cole as well). Not sure if he's done growing yet or not, but I had to laugh when our former Amish babysitter texted me after getting our Christmas card, and her comment was, "Oh my goodness . . . it looks like Gavin ate some fertilizer!"

He's a kid who loves life and loves Jesus. He pours time into teaching a lesson at youth group, and studying the Bible on his own here at home. Later this month, he is planning on getting baptized, and I just love the way he is excited and growing in his walk with Jesus. Not sure how these next few years of high school will wrap up or what the future looks like, but as a momma, I rest in the fact that our boys' future isn't up to me. God is the One Who is writing their story, and He's way better at that task than I am. I'm along for the ride, and I just get to pray along the way and love on them as much as they will let me.

Happy Birthday Gavin . . . I hope this next year is one of even more growth and that your heart can always land in the fact that you are incredibly loved. Both by your humans and by a God who loves you even more than we do.