Power of Personal Conviction

This week being Thanksgiving, I am devoting my blogs to each of my children, the uniquness they bring to our family, and the lessons they have helped us learn. In light of Saturday's trip to the salon, it is fitting to start with my "first baby", Alexander.

From the moment he was born, Alex never fit into the textbook baby box. Babies were suppose to cry...he did not cry much (this was good). Babies were suppose to sleep much and often....he did not seem to ever sleep (this was not so good). I will forever have in my memory rocking him in our large blue rocking chair for more than 2 hours every night, watching David Letterman (who was on til 12:30am in those days), and ending at 1am with Inside Edition (we did not have cable back then!). Alex would happily jabber away all the while, holding a nukkie in each hand, and chewing on the one in his mouth...awake as could be! When he was 2, we secretly put a camera in his room and videotaped him during the 2 hours it would take him to fall asleep. He always stayed in bed and followed the rules like a good boy, but was very creative about it...from bouncing on the pillows, to making up stories, chatting with his reflection in the mirror....anything but falling asleep!

Alex is now in his first year of high school. He is finally getting to participate in activities and classes that meet and challenge his intelligence (science classes, math league, robotics/engineering league), instead of suffering through the boredom of sitting through meaningless courses and generic assignments. He has made it through the toughest middle school years despite moving to Waconia and having not a single friend to begin those years with. He is active in his youth group, strong in his faith, and has been asked to be a student leader...an example for younger kids going through the years he just left. He has maintained relationships with wonderful people, both kids and adults. He is an example for his younger siblings to look up to.

Through all his years, he has maintained his individuality. What other people have thought has never bothered him. He never needed the approval of teachers or peers to feel good about himself. He did not get excited about a good grade on a test or an artwork project done well. All the awards as a cub scout rolled off his back. He simply has always been content with who he is, who God made him to be, and that is that.

Alex knows what is right and sticks to his beliefs in them no matter what. He has searched out truth and has rested securely in it. He will go against the grain without a second thought to be the person he is called to be. He is strong. He is intelligent. He is faithful and loyal. He is independent. He is wonderful. And just as he was as a little guy, he is still a good boy.