Carter is 19!

I know, I know... maybe I should start a little birthday blog on the side. January is a busy birthday month for us! Brother's was the 12th, then Hannah and MacHenry's on the 19th, and now it's Carter's turn.. He's 19! 

19? NO, SERIOUSLY? Nineteen! As in: only one more year until he's 20?? Surely I'm dreaming. 

It seems like yesterday that mom was checking me out of Mrs. Walden's class so I could go visit little Carter-baby in the hospital. I was in 1st grade and oh-my-gosh, I just adored him. I was mesmerized .. I wanted to brush his hair, dress him up. I pranced around with him on my hip like a fashion piece and I jumped at any chance to show him off. He was my little baby.

My little 7-year old world just revolved around him. I think I even made up a routine to Barney's 'I love you, you love me..' and forced him to perform it with me for our family. We were born to be stars, people, and I was ready to take our cousin show on the road. Now he's all grown up and off at college (Auburn, duh!)  and he's not the little boy I chased around our grandfather's store. 

 
He may not be the little kid I tortured with my ridiculous antics, but every bit of me still adores him. I know that might seem like an obligatory statement, but it's so far from it. He is funny, smart, and incredibly kind. He really does have the biggest heart of any 19-year old I know. He calls me to check in, to make sure I'm not homesick or sad. We have spent many days chatting on the phone about where we want to go and who we want to be. He wrote me the sweetest little message on facebook not too long ago telling me how proud he was of me for living out this adventure called 'New York'.. it's tacked on my wall for the hard days. I don't want to embarass him, so I won't keep ranting.. but, Carter, I am so proud of you and I am thankful for the friendship that God has blessed us with. You are a gift to me and so many.

Happy Birthday to my Carter..

 I love you! 

{check out my sweet denim jumper... and lawdy, would ya look at that headband!}

i promise no more family birthday bloggin' until June,

lee