Happy Birthday Robbie, 14 years old!!

I can't believe it has been 14 years since I gave birth to the little baby boy who made me a mother.
As I look over the last year...these are just some of the highlights leading up to your 14th birthday:

You made a decision to get baptized
played soccer all year
attended as many youth group events as possible
won soccer championship
experienced disappointment in your favorite sport
attended your first Eagles game
signed up for your first "solo"(without mom/dad) missions trip
grew you hair super shaggy long
attended your first and last ballet "The Nutcracker"(hee hee!)
persistently asked for a cell phone every week
watched sport center for updates
independently constructed your own goals to play soccer
goofed off with your friends...aka "BOA"(Brothers of America)
agitated your siblings
played guitar
worked along side your dad
fished your 2nd shark tournament
went on your first family missions trip
started a new soccer season with a new team with a positive attitude
ended your year by spending your birthday in Africa with your Dad, Nate, Uncle Mark & Eliud.

Robbie you are so special in so many ways.  You have always been a social director, from the time you were in your high chair and could barely talk, you would try to offer people food and tell them to sit down.
You love people, you love life, you love being funny and making people laugh.  You love to be on the go and are always up for doing something. You are extremely competitive(hmm, wonder where you get that?) and love to play games(only if you win), just kidding...well...sorta.  You have a very sensitive side and don't always like to talk about your feelings right away but when the flood gates open, your dad and I couldn't be happier.  You have a deep conviction for what is right.  You share what you learn and experience in youth group, usually late at night and we wouldn't have it any other way.

 I love how you love to be hugged and are so affectionate.  I love how you love being with your cousins when in fact you are much older then most of them, but it doesn't matter...you think they are the best(which they are)  I love that you love to sing and that music speaks to your heart.  It is an absolute joy watching you become a man.  These teen years can be very trying and difficult, you're paving the way for your siblings and daddy and I are learning right along side of you.

More then all the things that you accomplished this year your daddy and I love you so much and want you to know that Life is about so much more.  Making good choices is so important but knowing what motivates those choices is more important.  You aren't going to always make good ones, none of us do, but regardless we love you unconditionally.  You need to study for yourself why you believe what you believe and understand it for yourself not for us or because you are living in a christian home.  You need to own it and live it.  You have so many incredible gifts that God has given to you to use for His glory and we pray that your life would be a reflection of his love.

We pray that you will,
"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  Philipians 2:12b-13


"Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your strength".
Deuteronomy 6:5

1st trip to Africa, hanging with the Massai warriors

Africa 07' with Eliud, slaying, rather mutilating a goat for dinner, personally I would stick with the mangos and skip the protein!

hanging with dad in Africa 07'

your buddy and best friend, Nate

me and my boy

silliness

ewwww an eel

what a special day and privilege for your dad

fishin

The BOA club (Brothers of America)

the "pop-pop face"

So proud of you no matter where or who you play for...you could be the worst player on the worst team and it wouldn't matter one bit!

you go homeschool boy!

We love you Robert Dennis Hirschberg!!