Double Digits for Roodle Doo

Riley hit the big 10 on June 1st!  He is the sweetest boy I have ever known.  Even when he is upset with me, he'll get angry and say something he shouldn't and immediately comes to apologize for his words, with tears in his eyes.  

This year for his birthday all he wanted was a dog.  What he got was money.  Which he then used to purchase said dog with Richard.  They named her Cali, and they love her dearly.  It is so cute to have Riley run into the house after being with her and tell me how cute she is, and how much he loves her.  It reminds me of a new father.  Every little thing she does is so cute to him!  He tells me he loves her almost as much as he loves me, so I know he must love her a lot.  It has taken me some time to get used to having a dog, but I actually like having her around.  In the morning I'll find her outside his window watching over him.  I like to let her wake him up by licking him.  He loves it, and it makes for a happy morning. Other than the morning wake up call, she is an outside dog, which suits me fine.

Riley played lacrosse this past Summer and is now playing flag football, and loves them both.  He is so fast and squirrely it's fun to watch him play.  I dread the day when he'll want to play tackle football, but I know it's coming.  

Riley has a love of reading and over the summer read all 5 of the Percy Jackson series books...TWICE!  I could usually find him curled up in his bed reading in the middle of the day, oh the life of Riley!   

Riley is also my best student.  He does his homework at school or immediately when he gets home from school.  He is a man with a plan, according to the list he made:

1-get straight A's

2-go to BYU

3-go on a Mission

4-get Married in the Temple and have kids

5-become a heart Doctor

6-retire by 30 (we've talked about that one, he'll be lucky to be out of school by 30 so he's changed it to 40)

It is hard to imagine what life would be like in our family without Riley.  I am so proud of the young man he is becoming, and I am going to enjoy watching his journey through life.

I love you dearly Riley.  Keep being sweet.