calvinator thirteenator

 Thirteen years old today.

 These milestones overall are enjoyable, although they make me miss this stage a little:

 And this (you still hate to smile for the camera): 

 Oh, and then there was plenty of this:

And somehow you broadened and branched out into this strapping manchild, rapidly upgrading your boyish features for more brawny manly looking ones.

You've been developing (and sometimes exerting) your leadership skills, often testing the emotional limits of your siblings. You love to evoke some kind of reaction, especially for humor's sake. (And often for your sisters' benefit.) I like to blame your ornery side on your dad.

 In school you are good at math, don't love reading so much, and you talk about being a someday-videographer (along with having 8 kids and 10 dogs with their own indoor/outdoor dog park). You enjoy making stunt videos and are a huge fan of the Dude Perfect YouTubers. You and your bro are always bottle-flipping, or any-object-flipping all hours of the day, and it's not uncommon for you to calmly warn me (in your most responsible-sounding voice) of some explosive noise happening in the near future on our property for video-making purposes.

I'll often hear junior-highish-sounding boy laughter throughout the day, from the current pranks and tricks you and Jude are up to. You love to be with your friends from junior high group at church (or, more recently, on Zoom calls with them). You still have your entrepreneurial/money-managing edge, and are going to learn more hard-working skills this summer, your first detasseling season.

Overall, you add a lot of spice and personality to the fam with your own special kind of spunk. And we love you for it. We pray that the Lord is working in your young life to mature you in faith, wisdom, and godliness. And that you would apply yourself to work hard and glorify God in every area of life. Without the Lord, life is full of nothingness. May you have a drive to understand and actively pursue the most important things--the things with eternal value. We love you, Bud! Happy 13th.

Proverbs 19:20-21

Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.
 Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the Lord will stand.