Happy Birthday Matthew!!!

Or, as I'm sure he'd prefer, "Happy Birthday, Yo!"

Okay, so, I am really freaking out. My little brother is 13 YEARS OLD today!! Yikes! How did you grow up so fast? Before I know it your voice will change and you'll start shaving...

Oh please. Banish the thought.

In honor of his day, here are a few pictures I managed to snap of him these past couple of years...

^This is him on Easter Sunday this year, looking very handsome...

^ Aaaaannnddd...I think you've all seen this one already but it is one of my all time favorites. :)

Here he is with Emily cooking breakfast on vacation. You'd never know it, but Matthew is quite the chef. Bacon and eggs are his specialty. :)

And baseball. The man loves baseball. You can hardly see his wall because of all the posters and pictures of baseball players. I will also add, he is very patient with me when we play, because even though I love it too, I can't do it. Thanks, man, for teaching me what a "batting stance" is. :)

^This is Matthew building a snowman last winter at the H's. He loves the snow and practically lives outdoors during the winter.

Matthew: It is amazing to see you growing up into a young man. I pray that as you grow and mature that God would mold your heart into a heart after His own. I know we don't always get along, but I believe God is using our differences to change and refine us. Thank you for being so generous with me and for being a gentleman by carrying things and opening doors for me. This is a sign of true, godly manhood! Thank you for being gracious and letting me tag along with you and the other guys when you go play baseball, and for letting me and my friends drag you along into our weird and crazy schemes. :) I don't know what I'd do without you.

I love you very much, Matthew, and may God bless you this first year of being a "real teenager." :)

Beware...I have many hilarious pictures to post of when Matthew was little. And they will, without a doubt, be up tomorrow. Bwah ha ha...