Stephen’s 10th Birthday


One thing my brothers, along with almost every other young child, look forward to every year is their birthday. To my brother, Stephen, each year he adds onto his life is another year closer to being a “teenager,” which he thought he already was, until I told him otherwise when he was 8. He is one of the smartest 10 year olds I know, and he is not afraid to let you know. I would have to say that he knows more random scientific facts than I do, and I’m more than twice as old as he is. He never fails to teach me something new that he researched or read about nearly every day.

He is also the strongest skinny boy I have ever seen. Stephen may look a bit lanky, but boy is he strong. He used to play football and soccer, and now he’s into taekwondo-hapkiddo. At one point he had football practice and taekwondo class on the same day… two extremely physical workouts. His ability to just push himself, and his desire to be active every day inspires me. He can also lift and carry me around (until he loses balance), which I think is pretty cool.

Watching him grow before my eyes has been so amazing, and also very emotional! I remember the first day I held him in my arms in the hospital, and the day that we took Christmas pictures and a woman thought he was my child (I was about 13…). I also remember the first day I heard his crackly voice say his first sentence. As he is slowly inching in height, creeping up to soon be taller than me, my heart is slowly breaking as I see that he’s growing up into a young man.

Sadly, as he is growing up in age, he is also growing to be a bit shyer. Especially in front of the camera. But since it’s his birthday, and I’m his photographer sister, I pushed him outside and forced him into a mini photoshoot. You only reach your double digits once! :)

Here’s to you, my little shy boy! Happy 10th Birthday! <3

 

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It’s so funny how kids will always try to hide their teeth in pictures. :)

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I love this so much, because it really shows the sweetness of Stephen’s heart. Since he could walk, he has always been keen to pick a flower and give it to either me, my mom, or my grandma. No one ever told him to, and no one expected him to, but one day he came in and said with his little froggy voice: “Here you go” and ran shyly away! I had originally asked him to sit up on the wall for a picture, but “Wait!” he said, as I watched him run over to this flower patch and pick me a pretty purpley-pink flower. :)

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Where Stephen is a little shy boy, my other little brother is the biggest ham I know. So of course, he jumped in and offered himself up to be included in the photoshoot. :)

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And of course… some of my favorites that make me laugh were the bloopers with Stephen. :)

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Happy Birthday Stephen! Love you so much! :)

Happy Friday!