~Happy 21st Birthday Clayton~! My "Baby" Is 21....

Wake up, Brother... you don't want to sleep through your birthday....

(not really, that was yesterday... Sebastian he is already at the gym this morning...)

Happy Birthday ~ Clay-10~!

Clayton as I wish you the "happiest" of birthdays today ~ you are 21.

Very hard for me to believe.

As a very proud Mom, we have certainly been through

a lot together.

I thank you for looking our for Lindsey and I ~

back in the days

when you were

our "man".

I thank you for giving me 7665 days (can you believe that...)
of having you for our "Son".

Good, Bad, Indifferent, controversy, happiness, tears, joy

all these memories ~ make you "Special".

If I had it to do all over, You bet... I would do it all again.

With you and Lindsey, by my side. Sure I would do many

things much different, skips some steps along the way.

But, I can not fathom life without you...

Today, we have "special plans" ~ a "special meal" with your family.

I can not wait to spend many more years as your "Mom".

To say that I am not proud of you for many things would not be true....

here are just a few.

1. Your constant

2. Your honesty

3. Your diligence (good or bad)

4. Your devotion

5. Your unshakable "wit"

6. Your service to our great country (worries me just a bit...)

7. Your steadfastness with life

8. Your energy

9. Your desire to draw closer to your family (even in bad times...)

10. Your love ~ for us, for country, for friends

Now, I could go on and on, I'm a Mom remember. But, I'll save the boring stuff.

As with everyday ~ I'm here to you... I've always been here for you...

and, I'll always be here for you....

Now, realizing that this is your favorite... here's to you "Clayton"...

From a great favorite of our family ~

movie that you can glean many life lessons "Coach Carter"

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves,

Who am I to be brilliant,gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

Fun in the snow... you have had. Football with your friends in 2002 at the Park.

Was so impressed that you made the local paper

wearing that favorite

UNC tarheels hat.

Bet you don't remember this, but "Butch" rode the motorcycle with all of

you at one of Lindsey's birthday parties ~ at

"Chuckie Cheese"~ way

back then, you were just a "little guy"...with a bowl cut and the blondest

hair ever...... with those big brown eyes.


What a "handsome Son" ~ met him for dinner with a "date".... funny stuff, huh ~Clay10...

our son has a "never ending wit" ~ charm too, of course...

he is so funny~!

And, is always up to something....

Works hard at our Chick-fil-a ~ busy young man. Class, Gym, Work, Study...

not in that particular order...

then, hanging out with friends.

Now, that is his favorite.

Shew... tennis shoes get a workout, always...

Loves "seeds" ~ especially, Sunflower Seeds... not a bad treat

since he is losing body fat with all this working out...

Loves listening to music, MP3 player works out well for him for commuting to GSU on Marta, or when he works out... getting really conditioned and strong for this "military life" he is beginning.

He's enlisted in the Army National Guard ~ he will serve our country with "honor". August 19, 2009 he will leave for Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for Basic Training, then AIT.

then, the plan.... to finish his education at "Ashford University" in Iowa, not really,

he will take online classes from home with this university.

He adores UNC basketball especially. My Daddy was so proud of that....

Pretty much, all grown up.... wow, doesn't seem possible that he is grown.

A caricature of Clayton ~ the ultimate "sports nut" ~ and of course his "coming home outfit" ~ 21 years ago tomorrow we brought him home....

Clayton with "Nannie" ~ High School Graduation

So, you have these little babies and it seems like the second you turn around they

are all grown up... doesn't take but a minute. Enjoy your babies...

I certainly have enjoyed mine...Yes, special music you love, just for you today...

Love Your Man ~ Mom

"Make yourself a blessing to someone.
Your kind smile or pat on the back just might pull someone back from the edge."

~one vintage hag