I've got a Teenager?!?!!

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY, RYAN!!!

For Ryan's Birthday, I thought I'd write "13" random facts about him. Unbeknowst to many of you, there IS more to him than just his L.O.V.E. of THE UTES!! (Shocker!) Although, that part was still INTENSE enough that it caused some of our BYU neighbors to move out of town!! :) - I promise, she even wrote it in her Christmas card!! hee hee, Angie.

1. Ryan has a "photographic memory." (is that what you call it?)

Once he reads something, he remembers it! Whether it's WWII stories, song titles & their artist, world countries (location & names), book plots, movie release details, sports stats, etc. This especially comes in handy when he's had lines in plays!!

2. Ryan is "Accident Prone."

Taking an ax to his foot, getting concussions at recess, knocking down things, 4-wheeler rollovers, getting hurt at parties, Young Men's, the park - ANYWHERE! If I didn't think it would be psychologically damaging, I'd still make him drink from a sippy cup because he just CANNOT seem to keep his beverage from spilling - EVER!!

3. Ryan is a diligent shower taker.

He really took the Maturation Program speech to heart! Ever since then, he WILL NOT miss a day. (Must be his father's son!) He is also known to shower multiple times a day if he has exercised, worked, gone camping, eaten an apple (that's a messy job w/ him - see #2). Man, that speech was soo impressionable, I think I need to request that guy to deliver some of MY speeches about Saturday jobs, practicing the piano, noticing a mess - and doing something about it, etc! :)

4. Ryan has two volumes.

Loud and LOUDER. Matt blames this one on the Fowers side! :)

5. Ryan is a Science/History/Geography/Social Studies/Math WHIZ.

I'll claim passing down the Math part, but I DO NOT have anything to do with the others! See #1 and that explains a lot of his success, I bet!

6. Ryan is a bit a of Risk Taker/likes "living on the edge."

He gets such a RUSH from roller coasters and "rocket-type" rides. He always tries to be the one shown up on the JumboTron when the "Dance Cam" is on. He finds some sort of thrill in holding out on doing homework until the night before it's due. OR in getting ready/arriving somewhere THE MINUTE he is supposed to. I think he thrives on seeing if he can beat a deadline!

7. Ryan is a "Sports Buff."

He can read, watch, play or talk about sports anytime, anywhere. He has become keen to the fact that his father also like a good sports chat, and Ryan will engage him in one around bedtime and thus, get away with an extra 1/2 hr. or so that he doesn't have to go to bed! (Matt is oblivious to this "tactic.") Ryan would say his favorite place to be in the summer is at the Ball Park here in town. A few years ago, the Reflections theme at school was, "My Favorite Place" and Ryan just wanted to take a photo of the Ball Park - that says it all for him. He hopes to get a job UMP-ing there this year!

8. Ryan has an intense fear of sharks.

This is very valid seems as we live so close to a shark-infested body of water and he goes swimming there all the time! :)

9. Ryan is extremely social. (Must be his mother's son!)

He completely welcomed the opportunity to go to Jr. High and meet/make friends with new kids from the 3 other Elementary Schools that feed into his. He stays after events (and is one of the last ones there) to talk to people - much to his father's dismay! He yells, "Hi, ____!" out the window to people we pass in the car. He delights in attending activities/social gatherings. He actually likes doing the Fast Offerings & passing out fliers as part of his Deacon duties because he wants to "be out among the people!"

10. Ryan is a "picky eater."

Only Haylee beats him in this category. Once he was staying at my brother's house and they grilled hamburgers. My SIL was utterly flabbergasted that he wouldn't eat one! Seriously. What kid doesn't like hamburgers? Ryan. I am happy to say that he is finally eating cheeseburgers (not hamburgers) and steak now. He continues to pick out black beans, green peppers, peas & the such out of my home-cooked meals.

11. Ryan has never watched a PG-13 rated movie.

Because he has never been 13 yrs. old. Until now. (It will still not be a PG-13 "free-for-all." All movies are still subject to Parent's approval!) He has been carefully weighing the options over the years as to what PG-13 movie he will watch first on his 13th Birthday! The winner? Star Wars Episode III ~ Revenge of the Sith. In fact, when we announced to our children that this year we were taking them to Disneyland on their birthday (you get in free on your B-day in 2009), Ryan looked a little glum. The reason? "I was planning on watching Star Wars on my birthday," he said. Really? Disneyland. Star Wars. Disneyland....hmmm...(We will be taking a lap top & DVD with us!)

12. Ryan likes earning money!

When he was about 9, he set up a "Snack Shack" in our front yard and drummed up some good business. With the money he made, he first paid for the cost of the goods and then paid his "Buyer/Supplier" (me) a "kick back" for my work - and still made a handsome profit. Now he relies on babysitting to earn his money (since the Tooth Fairy always forgets and his allowance is meager!) He likes to dream up ways to earn money. Lately, he especially likes the perk at the Credit Union where he gets "free" money deposited into a Savings account for his good grades!

13. Ryan wants to do "something fun" for a job when he grows up.

Like his Uncle Brett. He is in Marketing and gets to "wine & dine," entertain, and play with prospective Reps. And then takes the Top Performers on cruises.

WE LOVE YOU, RYAN!!!

(Any advise - or sympathy - from those of you who've done/survived the teenager thing?!?)

I'm still denying I'm old enough to have a teenager!

Check out "This week's Gratitude List" on my sidebar - it is dedicated to Ryan.