Happy Birthday, Ivan!

My nephew, Ivan, is 15 years old! It's hard to believe that it's been 15 years since I was starting college and he was born! See, my sister, Sandra, is 7 years older than me so we weren't that close back then. She had already been married for 4 years and having a baby and I was just graduating from high school. I went off to Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory and was so homesick I couldn't stand it! I felt like I was missing out on so much at home. I couldn't wait for Christmas because I knew I wasn't going back! I came home and commuted to UNC-G instead. Through the years, we became the best of friends!

Anyway, my little Ivan is taking Drivers Ed. and I can't even imagine it! It seems like yesterday when he was 2 years old and we were laughing hysterically about him saying cute little things like "cyclopedic books" (encyclopedias), "umbelllllla" (umbrella), and "we-v on, we-v off" (tv)! Guess you had to be there, huh?

My, they do grow up fast! And let me tell you, he has grown up to be one of the best teens I've ever known (and I'm not just being biased!) He is such a wonderful Christian who's not afraid to stand up for his faith. That's rare in today's world for a boy his age. He does well in school and he plays baseball and golf. We're so proud of him!

By the way, my sister's family are all Carolina fans, but, as you can see, David converted Ivan early on! They keep saying they're going to pay us back someday! Let's hope not!