Normally, he starts his day with a stack of hot pancakes, spreads peanut butter on top and then drizzles them with syrup while jamming out on the "best birthday song" on YouTube. Normally, he would go golfing with Mike in the afternoon and eat BBQ Chicken Wings. Normally, Matthew would pick out a restaurant for us to eat supper at. Usually, it's DJ's 50's Diner and Matthew loves, loves their burgers! But, this year it was different.
Matthew's "Daudy Lapp" passed away the week of his birthday. Dad Lapp went to be with the Lord on Wednesday and so that meant the funeral would be on Friday. On Matthew's 12th birthday. Honestly, Matthew was not impressed about this at all! He asked us, "Who set the date for Daudy's funeral? Why does it have to be on Friday?" As we explained and gave a short sermon on how it's OK if things get changed up a bit for this birthday ... he understood!
Matthew still requested hot pancakes for breakfast and I told him I would make that for him if he would get up early enough to eat them before heading off for Dad Lapp's funeral. He agreed! And he enjoyed his breakfast while I played happy birthday songs on the Internet.
We arrived at Mom Lapp's around 8:30 AM for Dad's funeral. Many people wished Matthew a happy birthday. Then at the lunch/supper meal after Dad's funeral, we all sang Happy Birthday to Matthew and he blew out candles from a whoopee pie cake Aunt Carol provided for him!!! (Thanks Merv and Carol) There must have been 50 plus people singing for Matthew! He smiled!!! And, it poured down rain on the way back from the grave yard and Matthew said, "This would not have been the best day for golf anyway!" That's my boy!!!!
And when we got home on Friday night, after the funeral, my sister Jody had this on the counter for Matthew!!! Thanks Jody! (Plus she cleaned my house and babysat our children all week and had my laundry done!!! XOXO!!!)
Matthew is taking golf lessons this summer and so Mike purchased Matthew a new set of clubs earlier in the month. He was so delighted to have this set and that was his birthday gift!!!
But, because it was still Matthew's birthday by the time we got home exhausted from all the viewing/funeral arrangements, we still agreed to order pizza and watch a movie with Matthew that night yet! Mike and Matthew relaxed downstairs while they munched on pizza. By the time the movie was half over, Mike was snoring. Matthew and I sat together and watched the rest.
We will never, ever forget Daudy Lapp's funeral date because it's now the same date Matthew was born.
We love you so much Matthew and we are so proud to have you as our son!!!
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Matthew plays first base for the ball team called Tigers! And he's a home run hitter!!!
He set up the sprinkler under the trampoline for him and Ashlyn to get wet on.
Matthew loves tools!!! Here he helped Mike cut a chain when they hung up the porch swings. One night when we were at Dad Lapp's, Matthew went out to Dad's tool box and came and said, "This place is awesome!!!" :)))
Ball Coach Mike and great player Matthew!!!
Brothers!
Trying out the water slide in the back yard.
Matthew got a torch a few weeks ago. He's been burning medal and making things so hot ever since! He has the grill that don't work anymore, all set up for his working station. Mike took him to a blacksmith close to home just to see his tools and she what he does. Matthew loved that!!!
And he's got someone really watching every move he makes! :)
Matthew is my helper around the house. He took apart Austin's crib the other week and now Austin is in a big bed.
And the day Austin training potty got shipped to our front door, Matthew got it all set up for Austin. EXCEPT it does not belong in our bedroom!!! :/ Now we have potty training on the list of things to get accomplished this summer!
Mike brought home a bunch of palates from work and Matthew is taking them apart and cutting them in little pieces for firewood. He's hit his knee a few times with the ax and actually cut it once but again, he's got a little helper right beside him!!!
Cool hat "Little Man". :)))
Love you Matthew!!! Happy 12th Birthday!!! Thank you for making the best out of your 12th birthday!!!
