My Ben is NINE years old!

May 6, 2003....9:35 am on a really rainy, stormy morning, my second son BEN was born.  Ben is my "heart."  He feels every emotion whether is joy or sadness,  to the fullest.  He has the most empathy of any person I have met...Ben is one of those boys who will have your back to the end.  I LOVE watching him grow.  He is stubborn, whew is he stubborn!  I know God has big plans for my Ben....

Last year, we were in China adopting Florie for Ben's 8th birthday.  He climbed the Great Wall that day.  He was so excited!  Starting one year ago:

The Great Wall on his 8th birthday

Forbidden City

He (and the other kids) were quite a hit in China

He took his bigger brother role seriously

A "real" Mom's cake once we were home

Being silly

Boogie boarding...one of Ben's loves

But finding sea creatures, that is first on his list

Double checking to make sure all his discoveries are safe

Off to third grade!

Seeing the Atlanta Aquarium Whale Shark for the first time...this boy is a sponge for learning!

Field Trip to Cheekwood...he came home with pockets full of flowers from the ground, and taught us about every one!

He loves to run....right at a 7:00 minute mile!

Camping....where Ben would live if we let him.  He loves the wildlife, the plants and trees, the quiet noises, and the FREEDOM

to go explore first thing every morning!

He has no fear of being teased:  " I like myself and really do not care what anyone else thinks or says."  How I pray he never develops that fear. His creativity runs beautifully now!

His first diorama.....completed by himself with a focus on one of his favorite animals.

Planning our Halloween party

Oh yea....ever since he was two, and ate too much candy while out trick or treating in the HOT Halloween night (causing an upchuck in the street), we knew we were in trouble.  He loves CHOCOLATE (like his Mom!).

Serving as Captain at the Memphis soccer tournament was a highlight of his year.  He was SO proud and took the job of representing his team very seriously.  Ben works really hard to never let anyone down.  

CHAMPION!

And, in the spring, a lil' snow cone never hurt anyone!

Ben adores animals

and treats them kindly

loving on each and every one

He wants to help our planet by planting trees

and observing how "things" work

Lego is happy that Ben exists

and the feeling is mutual

Ben is the kid you want in your house on CHRISTmas morning...he LOVES his gifts but he also jumps with joy as everyone else opens their gifts!  His favorite time is when we unwrap his homemade gifts to us....what a treasure!

He spends a lot of time at the library...book worm might be an apt description

MORE CHOCOLATE :)

Silly guy!

He cheers for everyone and truly feels joy from watching others

even though he does get tired of Mom trying to get his pictures

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my creative, athletic, empathetic, animal loving, strong, passionate, friendly, chocolate eating, night owl living, reading under the covers BEN!  This world is a better place because of you, and I thank God for you!!

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory."

Author: Douglas MacArthur