Can this really be happening?

I have a 12 year old!

Jack turned 12 years old a few weeks ago. And it's a BIG deal! Apparently life changes at 12 . . . he went to Boy Scout Camp in Canyonlands for a week without any of his parents, he received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Deacon in our church, he got braces the day after his birthday, he graduated from Primary and now goes to Young Men's (which makes me a little emotional because I am in the Primary Presidency and miss having him in there with me) and he is on his way to Junior High. It's hard to believe my first born is a tweenager!

On his way to scout camp. He could barely get this on his back.

He earned his Faith In God award in Primary

Birthday morning. He opened a new camera (his broke from his last bday), ripstick, clothes and the Harry Potter DVDs.

Birthday Party on the lake

Ben, Scott, Jack, Matt and Ryan

Jack wasn't too excited about trying to wakeboard but he did get up for a few seconds!

Before braces . . .

Waiting to get braces cemented to his teeth

and after . . .

In honor of his 12th birthday, here are 12 things we love about Jack:

1. He is an amazing brother who gets along really well with all of his siblings. He and Ryan used to fight and have a hard time sharing when they were younger and then Jack turned 6 years old and he stopped fighting back. Ryan realized it wasn't fun anymore and also stopped. They became best buds and still are!
2. He is self motivated and never asks for any help with his school projects or homework. And always gets his projects done and turned in before the due date.
3. He is a smarty! School and learning has always come easily for him. He loves reading non-fiction books, Encyclopedias and his Dictionary was his favorite book when he was 6.
4. This is one of my favorite qualities about Jack -- He is honest. I can't remember a time when Jack has ever been caught telling a lie, even when he knows he may get in trouble and we would never know the difference, he tells the truth.
5. He is athletic and loves sports. He enjoys running and doing 5K races with his dad, basketball, soccer, and biking. He tried football last year and decided that wasn't his thing.
6. He is a great babysitter. Gavin and I have loved having a child old enough to now babysit. We have discovered a new freedom of being able to go out to dinner or a movie on a whim. The house is usually a disaster when we get home but all the kids are safe and happy.
7. He is strong, not just physically but spiritually.
8. He loves music and his ipod. I think he knows all the lyrics to every song on his ipod and he chooses to not listen to music that has swear words (and by swear words, I mean the "H" and "D" words).
9. He always says "I love you" on the phone before he hangs up with me.
10. He always does his jobs and piano practicing on the first request. I know . . . he makes up for all the other kids in the house!
11. He is a class clown and how can I not love that? He's just like his dad! This is his 6th grade award from his teacher, "Most likely to stir everyone up!!!!"
    
12. He is a great example to his siblings. They all missed him so much when he was at camp for the week and couldn't wait to have him home again.

Happy Birthday Jack. We love you and are so proud of the young man you are becoming!