The Firstborn

He doesn't get much blog time. My firstborn. Maybe b/c he's not at that ridiculously adorable stage anymore. But he still cracks me up. Everyday. In a roll your eyes-what on earth have we done to this poor child- first born of 2 firstborns kind of way. Examples from this week.

The air conditioner is broken on our family car. We tell the dealership that we have 4 kids so we need a big car. They give us a four door boat called a grand marquis or something. Not exactly what I had in mind, but who am I to complain? So I pick Owen up from school and tell him he's riding in the front seat. He freaks out. Goes on and on about breaking the law and "juvie" ( where did he learn that word? ) etc, until I convince him that I don't think it's a law that children under 12 ride in the back seat, just a recommendation.
The next morning on the way to school I pat his leg and say-
"It sure is weird having you up here with me"
to which he replies
" It sure is weird knowing that I am more likely to die if we have a car crash." 

Same week... I start to serve up dinner on some styrofoam plates that I found in the top of our pantry. He looks horrified.
" Mom, don't you know that these are bad for the environment?!"
" Yes, I do "
" So why are we using them? "
" Because your Dad is out of town, it is a very busy week, and I don't have anyone to help me with the dishes" 
" But, ( complain, complain, argue, criticize , etc )
" Owen! Are you offering to do the dishes tonight before bed?! "
Nothing, just silent disgust now.

Next night at dinner. I tell Addison " no, mam " as she does a back bend in her bumbo while eating a cracker. Owen looks shocked that I corrected her. He tells me " I'm afraid that you are going to have a hard time disciplining her, b/c you think she's so special "
I assure him that I think ALL my children are special and I don't like to discipline ANY of them , but I do because the Bible tells me that that's my job, and I want them to be kind, loving people.
Then I mumble  "anyways, it's your Dad you better be worried about!- sometimes Daddies have a hard time disciplining their little girls! "
And he says, (I kid you not) , " Yeah,  he can't even handle you "
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Owen came home from school last Friday with his "Friday t-shirt" signed by his friends in his class. The hilarious part to me is that 2 little girls added their phone numbers in sharpie next to their names. As if my son is going to whip that shirt out this summer, and dial up one of these girls. Cracks me up, where do little girls get these ideas? ( now Dawson on the other hand.... ) 

He will be 10 this Fall, hard to believe that I 've been a momma for a decade now. (It's all I ever truly wanted to be, I have to remind myself of that about 100 times a day.)  He acts like a preteen already. Alternating between extreme self confidence ( Mom, I don't think most 3rd graders can sing that type of song as well as I can) to self depricating misery ( Why can't I ever remember anything! )
Owen has been such a sweet help to me since his new sister came home. Head over heals for her. Toting her around. Rushing to meet her needs. Defending her. Declaring her a baby genius, convinced that she is saying "DaDa" and "All done" intentionally.
God has big plans for Owen. I know it. I just pray that he gives us the wisdom to shape this little (BIG ) personality for His glory.