15th birthday and Easter

Birthday and Easter were pretty low-key this year! Basically, small Easter baskets and an Oreo Blizzard ice cream cake. Ashton has a new girlfriend named Adie, and he loves spending time with her. Ashton's moods have been up and down, so it's been hard to get a read on him.  He spends a lot of time downstairs or in his room texting or talking to Adie.  He started playing basketball on a team, but he doesn't want us to come and watch, so we don't really know how it is going.  School seems okay.  He has been struggling a little bit in math, but it's hard to know if it's because he doesn't understand or if he just tunes out once he figures he's got it.  He has a tutor, and she has expressed how polite and mature he is!  That is always so encouraging to hear.  Also, I was super impressed when I dropped him off for basketball practice for the first time. He went up to the coach, shook his hand, and introduced himself.  For everything we feel like we are doing wrong, we must be doing something, hopefully right!   He's been proudly wearing a silver cross necklace and the fruits of the spirit bracelet.  Not sure where he is in his relationship with Christ, but it's encouraging to see some outward signs of faith even if he hasn't fully internalized it yet.  Lastly, like many teenage boys, Ashton has been obsessed with cars.  We can't drive down the road without him exclaiming, "Check out that...." 

Thrilled for Easter

Celebrating 15 with friends and family

Living his best teen life ever!

 Ashton has officially hit the teen milestone of friends, friends, and more friends!  The weekend before last, he had the weekend of his life.  Sleepover on Friday, date with girlfriend on Saturday, lots of friends over on Sunday, and skiing with friends on Monday.  The funny thing is, he has been to the movies and watched them with his friends, and we haven't been able to get him to go to one in years!  We always assumed it was sensory overload. He has even watched scary movies with his friends and girlfriend.  I guess making out and peer pressure win! Also, he and his girlfriend exchanged initial bracelets for valentines day.  So super cute!

This weekend, he had much more of the same, including getting his first hickey from his girlfriend.  The poor girl's mom was mortified when she noticed. I tried hard to burst out laughing. Although I don't think my poker face was very good.  Oh my goodness, a true rite of passage, and Ashton seemed proud, like it was a badge of honor.  Hopefully his friends didn't rag on him too hard!

Growing and Changing

 Age 14 has been full of growth and changes for Ashton, from growing physically taller to growing a little facial mustache.  From not caring about girls last year, to being obsessed with young ladies.

First, the stache....

Next, the young ladies...Ashton has been chatting with many young girls since his experience at sleep-away camp, but he finally found a girl whom he has been able to meet in person! LOL.  Her name is Grace, and last weekend we drove down to Rockville (she lives in Washington DC) to meet halfway at a trampoline park.  They were so cute. They even planned to match their red and black pajama pants. Her parents were lovely, and we had several things in common, including adoption and faith. It definitely makes me nervous, but I am thankful that she lives a comfortable distance away, her parents are also older and were on the same page, and neither kid can drive yet.