Happy Birthday, Kael!

 Happy 17th birthday, Kael! 

We pulled off a fun surprise for him this morning! I truly don't think he was expecting a vehicle- he knew we "needed" another vehicle by this summer when Kylee starts driving but he said he was so shocked when he unwrapped his gifts- a box, inside of a box, inside of a box with keys in it.  He ws so happy!

He took us for a quick spin in the 7 minutes we were all home together this morning. I just LOVE that smile.

Huge shoutout to Kent for making the deal happen and my parents for helping by having the truck at their place for a couple days and driving it over this morning when I gave them the go ahead!

Also he had a super fun surprise from Grandma and Grandpa! Gift cards and money and snacks are the perfect thing for teenage Kael!

I asked him afterwards if he was disappointed when he came downstairs this morning and saw he only had one gift.  He said he wasn't disappointed at all because he "hadn't really asked for anything". 

It's been a big year for Kael, you guys.  His first Homecoming, first Prom, football, track, weightlifting, church- he's been keeping busy. I do feel like COVID robbed him of part of his high school experience but true to his personality, Kael didn't let that bother him. Here are a few thoughts on Kael at age 17!

Kael says he likes his serious face better than his smile.  He's definitely starting to have more opinions about how he looks.

He's now had a full year of driving on his own- in fact, his first solo drive as a 16 year old was to pick Kylee up from Junkyard- what an awesome big brother, right? He has helped us out many times in the last year getting Kase and Kylee to and from places they need to be and it's great having another reliable driver in the house.

Kael got his job at Trailside Tap on his own even though Kent and I had suggested several other places and it's been so good for him. He has a fun group of guys he works with and really seems to enjoy being there. He has done a great job managing his schedule on his own and learning lots of real life skills as far as having a boss, being on time, trading shifts with coworkers when he needs to.  

I love getting messages from Kael during the day.  You just never know what it might be.  He's sent me random funny memes through Instagram- some that I understand and some I definitely don't.  He texted me the other day about an idea that popped into his head about a potential future career path.  No matter what it is, I love, LOVE hearing from Kael.  I am happy that he and I have a good relationship and no topic seems off limits between us and I'm glad he feels comfortable talking with me and Kent about anything and everything.  

He is the most supportive brother.  He genuinely was disappointed he had track practice on the day of Kylee's first meet- he really wanted to go and watch her and cheer her on.  When he found out the results and saw my pictures- he posted them to his Instagram story he was so proud of her. 

He has such a chill personality.  When things haven't gone well for him and some Prom plans fell apart last minute Kael just rolled with it and didn't let it bother him. I'm so thankful for this because it would have been easy for him to be upset about it, which would have made me even more upset and worried but Kael handled it all so well and things worked out in the end, of course. He had a rough time earlier this school year with a friend group changing but honestly you guys, Kael is the most loyal friend ever.  He would give you the shirt off his back and do anything for you if he's your friend.  Someday he's going to make some girl so happy. 

Kael is Kent's very favorite person to take out for dinner because Kael is not picky and literally never complains about anything.  Slow service? No matter, he'll just quiz you on music trivia while you wait. They messed up his order? It's fine.  He may have ordered beef chimichangas and they brought chicken but it's just fine because he likes chicken too. 

Kael hates to be rushed.  He is the most agreeable kid and will do literally anything I ask of him, but one thing I almost never ask him is to hurry up.  He just hates to feel rushed and in a hurry. He also hates being hot.  He prides himself on being able to tolerate the cold so well- I'm not sure he ever wore pants to school this whole winter and would even go out to scrape ice off his car without even wearing a sweatshirt.  But when it comes to hot, humid Iowa summer weather? It's a no thanks for him. 

Kael continues to have the most amazing memory.  His knowledge of sports statistics and also music stuff like band history and when songs were released just absolutely blows my mind.  

Speaking of music, he is getting legitimately good at playing the guitar! I just love this about him.  He's been into rock music for awhile now and we got him an electric guitar almost a year ago not knowing if it would be something he would stick with or just be a passing phase. You guys, he is totally self taught and I am really impressed at how well he is doing and how many songs he can play.  Super, super cool. 

Kael deserves every good thing that comes his way.  Sometimes things seem like the don't work out easily for Kael and I'm just so, so happy for him when things do go his way.  He had a big speech in English he had to give the other day and he practiced it a couple times for me and I know he was so proud of how well it went and what a good grade he got on it.

I can't believe how little time we have left with Kael living at home with us.  He isn't sure what he wants to do after high school but has definitely started exploring some options and I love that he doesn't necessarily feel forced into going to a four year university if that doesn't feel like the right fit for him.  But I don't worry about it at all.  I know Kael is going to find his place in this world and do things on his own time and I just trust that things will end up working out even if it's not the conventional way or the way I would have done things. He has such a good heart and I just couldn't be prouder of the young man he has become. 

We celebrated Kael on Monday night this week since it was the only night all five of us were available.  We had a fun dinner out at Tokyo Steakhouse- I love that Kael picked a place we rarely go.  Dinner was fun- they had Kael wear one of those giant mask things and sang to him and brought him dessert.

It was such a nice night out we went for a family walk and played some knockout when we got home. 

Then Kylee and I snuck inside to set out some cheesecake for him.  I had asked Kael the day before if he wanted a cake or anything and at first he said no but then he started looking at some options and found a cheesecake he really wanted to try from The Cheesecake Factory but knew that there isn't one in town and that we would probably just try it another time.  Well, I had happened to be dropping Kylee off at volleyball practice near there that night so I had time to go in and pick up a few slices.  Anyhow, when Kael came in from playing knockout, Kylee and I had this waiting for him with a candle in it and sang Happy Birthday to him.  He was so happy and surprised and said, "Is this the cheesecake I was telling you about?! How did you have time to get that for me?!" He was so appreciative and it was really, really good cheesecake.

The highlight of the night for me was when we were sitting around talking after dessert and I said, "Kael I'm glad you didn't mind us having to celebrate your birthday a couple days early and I'm sorry that we are all so busy on Wednesdays that we won't have much time to be together on your actual birthday so I hope we made you feel special tonight." Then, in the most Kael way, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "I feel special everyday." Man I love this kid. 

I feel so lucky to be his mom and I just know great things are coming for Kael.  He does things on his own time and I feel like his time is now! The best is yet to come for this guy, I just know it!

***I actually started writing this post awhile ago and waited to post it until now but Kael just found out that he gets to throw varsity on Saturday! Good things truly are happening for him!!! He had a meet last night and in super windy conditions he threw 15 feet farther than any of the Centennial varsity guys so he totally earned his spot!! Go Kael!