Since the Child is Practically Twelve...

Reader beware: this may come across as a totally braggy post and it isn't meant to.

I figured it is high time I blogged about Evan's 11th birthday. I could have titled this post, "Evan is Eleven" or better yet, " 'Evan from Heaven' is Eleven". What? Too much with the rhyming? When Evan was born, one of the nurses at he hospital nicknamed him, "Evan from Heaven" and the name kind of stuck. I have always adored that nickname, but Evan doesn't seem too pleased with it as of late. So, let's just parenthetically title this post, "Evan turned 11 on July 2oth and I am just now getting around to blogging about it because I am a lousy blogger."

Evan, my sweet boy, I cannot believe you once looked like this...

(1o months old holding on to the bird cage stand that you knocked over shortly thereafter) Look at that sweet face!!!

and now you look like this...

Seen here with your adorable little cousin, Alex.

One of the many things that we love about you is your wonderful sense of humor. Just the other night you cracked us all up at the dinner table while we were having a discussion about nicknames and where they can come from. You announced to all of us, "I think we should have family nicknames!" Then you pointed to each one of us in turn and said, "Peasant, Peasant, Peasant, Peasant"...and then pointed to yourself and proclaimed proudly, "King Evan". Your father and I looked at each other and shook our heads before I asked you, "Where did you hear that, from school or something?" You replied nonchalantly, with a huge grin, "I just made it up, Mom." I should have known.

Recently, we were walking through a parking lot and you informed me that your name wasn't, "Evan" anymore....you said your name was, "Big Billy" (for readers of this blog, Evan pronounced "Billy" like, "Bill-laay".) You sauntered through the parking lot referring to yourself as, "Big Bill-laay" in the first person. For example, I said, "Okay 'Big Bill-laay', just hurry up and get in the van." To which you replied, "Big Bill-laay can't be rushed." You stayed "in character" the whole evening and I chuckled to myself throughout. When you and your brothers were all in the bathroom brushing your teeth (I was in there trying to force inspire Brian to brush properly) a gigantic thunder clap was heard outside. You screamed, "Run for your LIVES!!", and then you froze for a second and said calmly, "Wait a minute...Big Bill-laay never looses his cool." and you went on brushing your teeth and only started to smirk when you saw me laughing. Seriously son, where do you come up with this stuff?

Last year at the end of school, I was invited to the 5th grade honors assembly where you were going to be getting an award for academic honors and recognition for having held an office in the (mandatory (?) in Georgia) 4-H program. It was a really long assembly and after about an hour my mind began wandering just a smidgen. (I know, I'm sorry...but, I was totally attentive when you got your awards, and I was very, very happy to be there). Toward the end of the assembly, a teacher representing the Spanish program named Senora Escalante got up and was extolling the virtues of one stellar student. She was telling how this child helped others around them and was enthusiastic about the program and was incredibly positive and...

As she droned on about this student I was thinking things like:

"Hmmm...I am so glad Asher didn't have to be babysat today...he would be so bored..."

"I need to stop by the grocery store on the way home...should I pick up romaine lettuce or iceberg?..."

"Romaine...Mike likes romaine better...

All of a sudden the teacher said, somewhat tearily, which at first I found strange, that the child that had been such a stellar student and she wishes she had more like him was:

"Evan Marshman"

I immediately burst into tears and began digging through my bag like a mad woman to retrieve my camera. The award was meant to be a surprise but...I felt some guilt for not suspecting. I was really proud of you, Evan. It made me really happy that your teacher thought you were such a stand out student. When you went to accept your medal I was crying because I am so grateful for the person you are, and the person you are becoming. You continually make Dad and I so proud, and grateful.

Here you are receiving the award for "Excellence in Spanish". Sorry, for the poor quality of this picture. Perhaps, if your mother had been ready with the camera she would have taken a better one.

Here you are wearing your medal with your 5th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Sharon Meaders.

I hope you had a fantastic birthday, and I am sorry it has taken me so long to post this. You are such a funny and great guy and a wonderful example to your brothers.

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