Double digits at last.

While I am into celebrating single digits of time left in Korea, Henry has been anticipating his first double digit birthday with an anticipation that was great. Nerve wracking to be quite honest. Since Henry had a grand birthday party last year, this was his "off" year to just celebrate with the family. And his birthday was going to fall on a Sunday, so the big question was, were we going to be able to make it fun enough? I am happy to report that due to Henry's tremendous personality he turned 10 on a Sunday like a pro.



We went bowling and out to dinner to Chili's on Saturday night. We made him endure the entire waitressing staff coming over to the table to sing to him "happy birthday". An event which we all got a good laugh out of, but which Henry might have wished never happened.

Then he got a traditional Earnest Family 7am birthday party to open Part 1 of his presents. And then a less traditional, "cake is for lunch" birthday party at noon, where he opened Part 2 of his presents. Then to solidify how truly mature Henry really is now that he's 10, his feelings weren't even a little bit hurt when BOTH of his parents fell asleep shortly after the party at noon. It was after all, still a Sunday afternoon, and these parents don't frequently stay awake all the Sunday long. It's how we honor the Sabbath around here!





But never fear for Henry's personal pleasure and well being while we slumbered. He was TOO busy with his various new video game options to even know how long our nap actually was.





Then on Monday, came the event he had been anticipating the most of all, the issuing of his very first military ID card!! We were told when we arrived in Korea that the kids wouldn't get cards until they turned 10. It didn't take Henry very long to realize that that meant he would get his card while we were here. And while I seem to be not fully comprehending what it means to a young boy to receive his very first bona fide ID card, I was sensitive enough to understand that it was very exciting, so I pulled him out of school on Monday, where he met up with our favorite Major who helped make him ID card official. The biggest concern on the young lads mind while he waited in line... "...should I smile or not. Most of the time when I smile it turned out really bad. I think I shouldn't smile. Do you think I should smile?" And so the conversation went, around and around, with the Major and I weighing in with our varying opinions about the age old dilemma that our man had to face at the tender age of 10.

He settled upon smiling. Oh how he loves his mother! What a sweetheart. I am honored to be his mother. He makes me proud on so many levels. I simply don't know what our lives would be like without him. He sets a tone among his siblings and his peers alike that is one of measured and quiet kindness. When he was a baby people sometimes told me that he looked like an old man. And I think it was my Grandma Z. who told me he looked like he arrived on earth wise from the beginning. I think my Grandma was onto something. I am nothing but optimistic when I look at him and think of the future for all of us. My Henry makes me know that goodness is a virtue, and I thank God everyday that he is mine.

Happy Birthday to my 10 year old "little man." We love you.





P.S. It wouldn't be a birthday report without a tiny shout out to the sewing that the occasion inspired:

New fabric streamers in more "boyish" colors. Jane wanted to take photos all day long on Sunday. I like her angle. And oh how I love fabric streamers. I'm about to make enough to stream through the whole house!

Pajama bottoms. I can't seem to make them long enough for Henry! He grows seemingly, every other week. He told me these ones were a bit too long. And I said, "just wait a week, they'll be just right."