March 13, 2010
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{One.plus.One}
When Kate and Ben were little, both under two -
“older” moms would tell me to savor those days..
that they would soon be gone, and I’d miss them and want them back.I can so remember just staring at them from my sleep deprived eyes like, “right?”
But they were!
And though I don’t necessarily find myself wanting to “go back” …
I kinda think the older ages are alot of fun too-
I do find myself amazed how quickly their littleness went away,
and get all emotional thinking of how few years they really have left with us.
Then they wonder why I’m being extra huggy and all lovey dovey. I think the neatest thing for me as a mom has been discovering some of the sweetest friendships with my very own kids!!
I mean I always felt that with my parents, but I don’t know.. I’m not sure you truly realize the specialness of it until you’re a parent yourself.And today, one of those best friends turns 11.
My Ben.
There is so so much that immediately rushes to the top of my heart to share about him…
I.love.that.kid.to.death.
He’s absolutely amazing.
And yes.. this word is a good description too -
But I don’t have the of time to write all I’d like cause he’s having a big party this afternoon with a bunch of other lively 10 & 11 year olds…
and I’ve still got lots to do… and it looks like we’re going to get rained on…
so the party planned for outside is coming in!!!
Time to get creative in the entertainment department…
Wonder what they’ll think of ‘The Quiet Game?’
There’s more details and history about my sweet boy here.here.here. and here.
While going through the pictures to stick in this post I couldn’t get over these two shots -
how much he looks like his dad. and I’m glad. cause I think his dad isn’t bad to look at.
So~ haPpY biRthDaY to the second most important man in my life!!!!
You are a gift. and I’ll forever be grateful God gave you to me.
love, mom.
Comments (48)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!!! HAVE A GREAT PARTY!
I will be attending my nieces birthday party/slumber party today too. She turned 14 on the 4th! We’re going roller skating this evening. That should be fun!
What a sweet post! Great photos, too.
Happy Birthday to your little man! Have fun and try not to lose your mind completely at the party!
Those were the days! Enjoy them!
happy birthday to your little man! he really does look like his dad!
Happy Birthday to your handsome young man! and I tend to agree, even though the baby stage slipped past in a blink, sniff, Im enjoying the older stage too. I think it’s great to be friends with your older kids.
Van Harte Gefeliciteerd met je elfde verjaardag, Ben. Je bent zeker net zo’n knappe jonge man als je papa.
Let me translate for you:
Dear & happy congratulations on your eleventh birthday, Ben. You are absolutely such a handsome young man as your daddy.
Have a grat party, and give a dear hug to your lovely mama for me, will you.
Godeliva van Ariadone
Happy Birthday to you you Ben!! Have a wonderful day, and God bless your year to come.
You are the COOLEST BROTHER in the world ben! I love you so much and I like all the fun we have together. I hope we are best friends FOREVER!!!!!!! Enjoy your party since I did all the work!!!! Just kidding!! I love you- kate.
Happy Birthday Ben! Have a great time and save a piece of cake to enjoy tomorrow too!! That’s what I always do.
hope bens party is fun and your not to tired. hes a really cute boy to.
Aww Happy Birthday to your little man. I have two sons that are 19mo. and 4 1/2 and I am learning all too well about how quickly they grow up.
Your children are beautiful.
Happy Birthday to Ben! Hope y’all have a wonderful party…here it’s sunny, 75, and oh.so.nice!
You son DOES really look like your husband! I agree that the years go by way to fast. I pray that I will always have a close relationship with my children. Hope your “inside” party goes well. Wow…all that boy energy indoors….have “fun”.
Happy 11th Birtdhay Ben…hope it was a great day for you!
Happy birthday to the “other man”in your life!LOL *<:)
Any shots of him trying to kill small animals?
@sarah -
I’m not sure who you are or why you keep coming on my site. If you don’t like it – stay away! I’m sure there’s many more blogs you’d find much more interesting. If you have something you’d like to address with me then I’d be happy to do that through email. Coming on and leaving these nasty, rude comments is cowardly. I would like to know who you really are!
Happy happy b/day to Mr. Ben, hope it was a fun filled day!! Yep yep yep……..he surely is the spittin image of his Daddy!! Loved the photo collage………lotsa neat photos there!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Ben — you sure do look like your Dad!!
Happy Birthday Benjamin!!!!! I have gotta say that you are one of the sweetest boys I know!
You have so much energy, and I always love having adventures for you! You have grown to be quite a handsome little man…and I know that the Lord is going to use you in a mighty way some day! 
Keep being the sweet guy that you are! Hope you had a FANTASTIC birthday!! 
Love you, buddy!
~”mommy sarah” ;D
(That name has a story behind it!)
@sarah -
wow wow wow that was a nasty comment, ma’am. You know the Robin Hood cartoon? There is a part where one of the little poor bunnies is celebrating his birthday with his siblings and widowed mother, and the mean ole sheriff stomps in and snatches his one and only present to pay for taxes. -Totally robbing the joy from the celebration. I’m gonna be bold enough to say that you fall into that same category as the sheriff, ma’am.
Amber has been an older sister to me, and her children are just about as sweet as sweet gets!! If you have a problem with her and/or her family…just stay away.
…oh…and don’t use the name “Sarah”….that’s my name. Try “Cruella”
In regards to the nasty comment about a picture of him shooting something- What a sad, sad day when someone can viciously attack the character of a young boy on his eleventh birthday. How unwise to make such bitter statements about someone you dont even know. Well, I DO know this young man and his sweet nature has blessed me many times. I have watched him display kindness to old and young people alike, protect and care for his sisters and obey his parents.
Who benefits from such hatred? Surely the Holy Spirit does not lead His child to write such hurtful remarks. Isn’t it time for us to view the body of Christ with grace. I guess in reality if a person can write such things they really deserve one’s pity. How very sad to live such a bitter life and allow that bitterness to poison all around them. My mother used to tell me “if you cant say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Not bible-just common courtesy and perhaps a good rule to live by for all of us.
Happy Birthday to Ben! Great collage of him through the years!
Thanks for the comments about the funnies! We had one at our house too!
Blessings to you and your family!
Mike
Happy Birthday a bit late Ben. . . ♪♪♪♫♫ praying it was special in everyway just like you!!!!
Happy birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Beeee-ennnnn (can you feel the love??!!)
Happy Birthday to you!
Be blessed this next year in all the God has in mind for you!
Your Mom’s friend,
CHERYLYN
@sarah -
Who in the world is THIS and how did you find your way here? This site is about something totally different than cheap shots.
A sweet and Happy Birthday to a dear boy, Ben. I remember when I first met you, Amber, you were pregnant with Ben. You had just come back from ‘da nord’ and ‘da nord’ part of you got into a room about a half minute before the south part
. I’ve watched Ben grow from a baby, to a toddler, through all the little boy stages, and he’s come out a little man who would make any mother proud to be his mom. He’s kind, respectful, and unusually thoughtful for a boy his age. He made me laugh at how much he even ACTS like his dad today at lunch. They share a lot of mannerisms. Shayne is a committed man of God, so Ben has a good model to pattern himself after. Congratulations, Mom. You’ve done well.
*As to the nasty girl Sarah: *
Ick. In Colossians 3:8, God says to stop being malicious and slanderous. In Colossians 3:6, He says that if you don’t put away these evil ways, the wrath of God is on you. I encourage you to find the nearest church, and ask someone there how you may find Christ. For He will help you overcome your evil heart of cruelty.But you must know Him first. And you clearly don’t. I will be praying for you to realize your need for the Savior.
Happy Birthday to your little man. I agree he looks just like his daddy. Wishing him many happy years.
I agree it does go by way too fast and mine are just about to turn 7 and 5!!
I hope you all have had a wonderful time and enjoying this special day! 
Happy birthday Ben!!
He does look like his dad!
~hugs~
Lanitha
Happy Belated Birthday, Ben!! You are an awesome young man in the making!! I am grateful to know you!! Love, love love your adventurous spirit!! =)))
Happy Birthday to your handsome guy!
Happy Birthday to your sweet and Handsome Ben.
Hope he had a wonderful birthday party!
Great post! Such a sweet tribute to a very special young man. Happy Birthday Ben!
Happy Birthday to Ben!!! I really love all the little pictures you put together. Allison is just wondering why there isn’t pictures of him and his cute puppies! =)
About the nasty comment ~ What a sad way to get attention!
Awesome!! Happy Birthday to Ben..and to mom too!!!
Ben, I hope your birthday was wonderful!
Amber, don’t let others opinions bring you down. Hang in there girl. Is this the same person as before? You need to report it to xanga.
congratulations with the little one, I have not been on your site for a while and am so encouraged by God answering your prayer.Your site is just what I needed as my husband is working long hours tonite God bless you and you inspire me as I try my best to take care of our girls
Ben, I’ve actually never met you or your A-M-A-Z-I-N-G mom but she has become such a dear, dear friend to me and I wanted to be sure to wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope one day you and your family can meet mine and you and my Trenton can be great friends! MANY, MANY blessings on your birthday, Ben!!!!
Love love love the photomontage at the end.
He & Payton are the same age now :)
My hubby and I loved looking at the photos of your precious son. I can so relate to the friendship that builds between mother and children, and you will be so blessed as that relationship continues to grow into their adulthood. How precious it is that my grown kids still love to be with me! And there is truly something special between a mother and son. Nathanael brings a joy to me that I can’t begin to put into words. The girls do, too, so I don’t want to seem to feel favoritism. But there is something unique in the bond I have with my “Bo”.
Belated Happy Birthday to Ben!
Wow! He does look like his Dad on those side by side pictures! Hope it all went well and your house didn’t get TOO crazy inside during the birthday party! Loved the collage of pictures at the bottom too!
Happy Belated Birthday to Ben!!!
I can be so especially reflective on the birthdays of my kids…what I was doing when, oh just not that long ago…
), I thought that I had more time with them than this…
I get so emotional (surprise! ~~~not!
so a belated Happy BIRTHday to Ben’s mom too…
Love all the little photo squares, the men in your life DO look related!
and I hope that your Quiet Party went well! 
I am so sorry for the ugly that someone left as a comment.
That’s a cheap shot anytime, but aimed at a boy and his mother on a birthday?!!!
Sheesh.
It’s Wrong. Just So Wrong.
Love to you and everyone who wanted to Celebrate Ben,
those who really know you, your heart and your family, here and irl.
I especially enjoyed the words of “concerned mom.” Sounds like she’s got your back
…and HE DOES TOO!!!
hugs and love.
@down_onthefarm -
Hope he had a wonderful birthday and party. He looks like a really sweet kid. Eleven, a great age. My oldest is eleven. It is amazing how time really does fly. Praying all is well! Blessings ~ Deborah
Sorry this comment is so late. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEN!!! I hope this is an awesome year for you!
how did i mess this?
Happy very late birthday to your buddy! I just know my boys and Ben would hit it off –
They’d love to take you on a hunting trip!
@sarah -
Animals are Deeeeeelicious. The small ones don’t have much meat though.
shane- ben! WOW! that’s freaky! talk about a chip off the old block. (no offense, shane!)
LOVE your “ben” collage! HAPPY BIRTHDAY B E N !!!!!!