What I love about…..Dade

What can I say?  I have the most amazing teenager EVER.  Why would I say that, you ask?  Because it’s true.  Here’s what I love about…..

My Dade is 14 1/2 years old.  He’s about 5’ 10’’ and 135 lbs.  Thanks to him, I get compliments on my youthful looks on a weekly basis.  Most EVERYONE is shocked to find that he’s my son and not my brother or even girlfriend (yikes!).  3 nurses at the hospital looked at me and thought I was his girlfriend or sister…..  But that’s not the ONLY reason I love Dade. :)

Dade is my oldest baby.  He was quite the handful, walking at 8 months, climbing at 9 months, etc.  He was kind of grumpy and very active and I wondered if I was going to survive this kid….  By 4 Dade was ruling the house and I was at my wits end.  Then came Corben & at the same time a new behavior modification program called 1-2-3 Magic.  Within a week, Dade was a different child.  I’m not sure which thing brought about the change but am so thankful for it.  People everywhere started commenting on the new Dade….and he’s never looked back.  Now, I’m not saying he hasn’t had his moments or that he hasn’t tested his boundaries, but what kid hasn’t and I feel that he’s handles most situations maturely.

Dade is FANTASTIC with little kids.  FAN-TAS-TIC!  I can always trust him with the girls and he is the babysitter of choice for at least one family in our ward.  I can fully trust him if I need him to get the girls up, dressed, and fed.  He even changes diapers.  It’s so nice to know that I can run out really quick to the store or something and he has the house taken care of and the kids are safe. 

Dade is so well spoken and respectful to adults.  I have people tell me all the time what a great young man he is and how funny he is.  When he was in the hospital getting his surgery, he laughed and talked with all of his nurses.  They even got in a battle over who he liked best.  He learned all of their names and I noted that even when barely out of anesthesia and with his face all bandaged, he thanked the nurse who was cleaning him up by name.  I was so proud of him.

Dade handled having major surgery on his nose better than most adults.  Never once has he complained.  Not once.  He even wore his bandages out in public like they were the latest trend after I told him he didn’t have to.  He insisted it was for the best.  He was even SUPER kind and sweet to his entire family for days after the surgery, a time I was sure he’d be cranky from pain but he proved me more than wrong.

Dade’s a teenager now and we’re dealing with teenager issues.  We’ve had some situations come up lately and I was concerned he was going to start hating this prude of a mom that I am.  A PG-13 movie said to have only been a little action packed was skipped without complaint.  I actually had set up an entire layout of why I was saying no and when I pulled it all out he stated that all I had to say was no, and that he knew why.  He also has been waiting for a certain computer game to come out for almost 3 years.  When the big day arrived he rushed out to buy it.  When he pulled it from the bag I took one look at the box and knew it had to go back.  It was rated too high.  The previous version hadn’t been like this so I was surprised and disappointed.  He was very disappointed but willingly took the game back for a refund.  He was then happy to announce that Korea had rated the game Adults only so the company was making a clean version and Dade is hoping to get his hands on one…..and hoping it won’t be in Korean…lol.

We also had a recent incident where when Dade was out somewhere he accidentally broke something that didn’t belong to him.  It was quite pricey and the adult in charge never even told me.  They spoke directly with Dade who willingly agreed to pay for the item and set up a payment plan.  He claimed complete responsibility and has been working to get additional babysitting jobs to pay his debt.

Dade loves his family.  He is always talking about and spending time with cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and loves his Great Grandparents.  I know he prays and fasts for the health of his Great Grandpa.  While in the hospital he had a moment where he let out a laugh and then stopped and said, That sounded just like Great Grandma’s laugh!  He claims that the two people he loves to hear laugh the most are Great Grandma and Aunt Erin.

    Dade is also a huge help around the house.  He mows, he cleans, he can reach the pans in the top of the cupboard that I can’t reach, and he as starting to do his own laundry.

Oh, and did I mention that he’s super smart and writes computer programs for me when I can’t buy what I need?  I just love this kid!

And last, but far from least, is the fact that Dade is worthy priesthood holder and fulfills  all of his responsibilities at church.  He’s also working on getting his Eagle in scouts.  I am so proud of him!

Also, Dade is HILARIOUS, a Great Friend, Get’s good grades, and keeps his room clean…most of the time.  I’m sure blessed to have him in my life!!