17 reasons for Andrew

This is probably not the best picture of Andrew, but it is in celebration of his birthday. A few of his friends came over today to take him to lunch and on the way out they totally doused him with silly string.

He loved it! They gave him a plastic bow and arrow and a plastic tomahawk and he immediately whipped out the bow and arrow and started shooting those who kept spraying the silly string. That's what we love about Andrew - his fun-loving personality.
So, in tradition, here's 17 reasons why we love Andrew:
1. He is funny! From his hip-thrusting Elvis-dancin days to his hilarious commentation on things he says (he was two when he said he was thankful for the prophet and his twelve fossils and I think he was 9 or 10 when he asked what a ribbee was when we were passing by a stand on Hwy. 249 in Tomball - the sign said ribeyes.)

2. He is smart! He will do amazing things with the intellect he has been blessed with.

3. He is caring! He has a tender, sensitive side that he reserves for his family that is endearing. He will always help someone he perceives is sad or unhappy and try to turn around their situation. He shoveled a widow's driveway all winter long - without reminders!

4. He is a good friend! This includes loyal, caring (see above), and friendly.

5. He is a natural-born leader! In Texas, he had the whole cul-de-sac of boys always following him around asking what they were going to do next. We called it Andrew's posse. He still keeps a "posse of friends" around our house all the time. He has been president of two of the quorum's he's been in at church as well.

6. He continues to Choose the Right - amid the constant barrage of junk our teens have to wade through at school, at work, on the computer, on the television and in movies and music, he makes the effort and we are so pleased with his choices.

7. He is handsome! $6500 invested in his teeth, $300 in his new fashionable eyewear, and the $$$ the kid spends on clothing all help to enhance his natural, attractive persona!

8. He is responsible! He gets himself up for seminary - 5:00 a.m. folks! He is the only kid in this family who consistently does his laundry, he gets himself to all his appointments on time or early (he is definately not my kid!) He is also the only kid that if he's taking medicine or if he needs to follow any medical regiment - he does it on his own. I will remind him only to hear he's already done it.

9. He is VERY clean and hygenic! He showers sometimes twice a day. He flosses and gargles everyday - what?

10. He is very hip and fashionable! Again, the $$$ he spends on his clothing alone. Each night he has a routine of preparing the outfit for the next day - I always look forward to his combinations and sense of style.

11. He smells good! There are probably three empty bottles of AXE in his room right now to prove it!

12. He is a strategist extraordinare! You name it - he can win just about any game that involves strategy - Chess, Warcraft, Age of Empires,etc.

13. He is a missionary! His school friends go to dances, youth activities, church on Sunday and are given Book of Mormons. he epitomizes the apostle Paul who said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ . . ." We can look forward to fantastic missionary service in the future as well!

14. He will be successful in life! We have him pegged for the law.

15. He is adventurous! Who else jumps cliffs and skis/snowboards/wakeboards with no fear?

16. He has amazing potential!

17. He is a valuable member of this family and we love him!

Happy Birthday Andrew!