be loved....: Ryder: 7 Years Old

Yes, I am terrible at this. I am roughly a year behind on these posts. When Ryder's 7th birthday approached, I was thinking about this post. How do I write about the first love of my life that could ever do justice to this amazing little person who is growing up right before my very eyes?

I really am just blown away every day by him. I can't even begin to talk about him without mentioning what an amazing big brother he is. He always has been. So protective, so caring. Avett reaches his little arms out to Ryder (and all he says is "Ryyyy-da") and Ryder is always right there for him. The moment that this was really cemented in was this year at the Arenac County Fair. They all wanted to go on the slide, so off they went as I watched from the gate. Ryder, instinctively, got Brecken and Vance's burlap sack ready for them and helped Breck get on his. He also then tried to console Vance and was even going to have Vance go down the slide with him. Ryder stayed with Vance, telling him he would be ok and rubbing his back until I climbed the stairs to bring Vance down. Then, and only then, did Ryder even think about finally going down the slide. I can't even describe how I felt at that very moment....just completely blown away by this little man.

He is a perfectionist - which sometimes comes at a cost. He is afraid to try new things until he knows everything there is to know about it. He is hesitant to go to a football camp because "I don't know how to play football, mom". Even when he was 2 1/2 years at old, Ryan and I would watch in awe as he struggled to have the most perfect dribble - even more impressive was his determination to continue until he was satisfied. He is the perfect assistant coach. He reliably goes to all of my games, "keeps stats", and "encourges" the girls. He is already an avid fisherman and hunter. His favorite show is Mountain Men and the kid only wants to wear sweatshirts. I am so proud of the person that he already is. I find myself just looking at him and being beyond grateful for this incredible individual that I get to call my son.