Goodbye 8, hello 9

Today marks my son, Anthony's 9th birthday. I share this bittersweet feeling as he gets older. On one hand I am so proud of how far we have come. After a long pregnancy, a scary delivery, and many challenging milestones, my little man is getting older. I remember taking him home and being so nervous. I was only 19 years old. What did I know about raising a child. Not much, but luckily after babysitting the for the Bauvers for a few years and some other families, I knew that I was going to be busy.
I started my Mommy Marine blog when he was very little. I changed over to this blog after some email conflicts, but I'm lucky that everything is still here. I hope he can one day go back and read some of these. For one, he will see how young we all were. Secondly, he will see how poor my writing was (yikes).
So back to my Anthony. Your 8th year is complete.

• During that time we have moved to Alaska. 
• You played a season of flag football with the Fort Wainwright Redskins.
• You attended Ladd elementary with two amazing teachers, Ms Rosevear & Ms. Bartlett.
• You made a best friend named Jack.
• Some of your favorite things are Minecraft (game), Call of Duty Ghosts (video game), Full House reruns(TV show), riding your bike, pizza, hibachi shrimp, root beer soda, junk food, and the Magic Tree House book series. 
• You were my active 8 year old and now my very active 9 year old. 
• You love to be the class clown (to a fault).
• You are the best big brother and mother's helper.
• You kick daddy's butt at Call of Duty.
• You now wear your glasses all the time.

I know you were hoping for a puppy, but you will have to just enjoy Angie and Jake's dogs; Bailey and Boston. (One day, my love bug.)
I hope you enjoy your trampoline. I know you are going to be very excited to open the rest of your gifts from family that thought of you on this day.

For your 9th year of life:
I hope that you enjoy your first year of tackle football.
Make some new friends over summer break.
Love the 4th grade and all it has to offer.
Continue to be the best big brother for Michael
Realize that mommy and daddy love you no matter what.