Happy Birthday William - March 23, 2015

March 23, 2015

Happy Birthday William

I think William has been down lately as he realized that his 15^th birthday would be celebrated on the road. I do not think he was looking forward to it. I was praying for some way to make the day special for him as he is so special to me. He is my responsible one. The one I can count on when something needs to be done. He has shown such leadership ability. He is so creative and the Lord has passed on the writing gene from my mother and I to him. He is a wonderful young man and I really wanted to make it special for him.

First of all, we finally reached Florida. The kids were so excited. Carl was able to get us the very last spot at Anastasia State Park for two nights. We arrived just before dark and were able to enjoy the sites of downtown St. Augustine on the ride to the park. It was a very tight spot but we got in and the kids got their first taste of …the hot and muggy air of Florida. Shorts and t shirts immediately were found and pants and long sleeved shirts put away. Bug spray was also found …fast. We slept to the sounds of the leaves hitting the camper. It was quite windy as we were very close to the beach.

The kids were disappointed this morning when we awoke to a gloomy, dreary day with a forecast of rain off and on all day. I was kind of bummed. We still planned on going to the Castillo today and walk around St. Augustine. I wanted to take William out to breakfast and so the search began for a breakfast place. It went on…and on…and on… and on. We finally just got in the car and started driving into town. We started to look for a place and actually found a waffle store but it was more dessert waffles. By this time we were very hungry and decided to just go to a place that the ranger at the park had recommended, Cruisers. They opened at 11 so we figured we would just walk around for a bit.

We walked and decided that St. Augustine is by far the most touristy destination we have been to so far. You can tell when the weather gets warm too as the clothes disappear off of people. Even the little old ladies were wearing less clothing that I thought appropriate for women their age. The men were all smoking and it was generally not very family friendly. We finally stood outside Cruisers. The person who I assume was a waitress came to unlock the door. I took one look at her, glanced at Carl, and proceeded to suggest the pizza place that was right next door. She was wearing only what I can describe as what you would see on the “streets.” I do not think I need to go into further detail. Let me just say that I was not going to allow my husband and 3 teenage sons and 3 impressionable young boys view that “outfit” for any length of time.

Al’s Pizza is was for William’s birthday lunch. We had a very nice wait staff who was very accommodating. It was excellent pizza. We allowed William to get a calzone which was excellent and Carl and I got a Greek salad to supplement the pizza. It was a very enjoyable lunch especially when the heavens opened up and a deluge of rain started. We were safely inside the second story of Al’s Pizza happily watching people run for cover and stuffing our faces with pizza. Thank you Lord for perfect timing.

After lunch we decided to head over to the Castillo since the rain had stopped. We spent several hours doing the Junior Ranger books and getting their badges. They even did the entire book which earned them patches too. William then decided that for snack he would like to go back to that waffle place we had found earlier that morning. We had a hard time finding it since I was leading the way. I have always told Carl that I geographic dyslexic. I get lost quite often. As soon as Carl took over finding the place we were there in no time at all. I went in to order. William and I ordered something with coconut ice cream, espresso drizzle, and homemade whipped cream on top of a waffle. Carl ordered something with cinnamon and apples and whipped cream on a waffle. The other kids got waffle bites. Now these weren’t just any waffles. They were by far the BEST waffles I have ever tasted in my life. They had some coating on them that made them delicious and so suitable for dessert. It was heaven in my mouth. Carl barely got any as William and I devoured ours and then William started eating Carl’s with Tirzah by his side. Carl was outside dealing with little ones who were being ungrateful. It was his birthday so I did not mind letting him eat them.

The rain started as we were headed back to the van. We then went in search of a grocery store. The meal for tonight was spaghetti, garlic bread, and cake. The cake was a compromise. Every year for his birthday William requests my apple pie. It is not just any ordinary pie. The recipe is actually entitles Sublime Apple Pie. The Smith girls have been making it for years after Kellie found the recipe in a Woman’s Day Magazine. It is the pie I make for Carl every year for his birthday and for dad every Christmas and Thanksgiving. It is the BEST apple pie EVER. This year I told William that I could not make it due to the constrains of my teeny tiny camper kitchen and my horrible, never cooks anything even, burns the bottom of everything camper oven. Boo!

William settled for a carrot cake which I finally found at the only grocery store in St. Augustine (I think). I got supplies for dinner and a movie to rent and we had a great birthday dinner in the camper watching Annie. It was actually a very funny movie. So, happy birthday my sweet William.

My prayer for you is that you always be the sweet young man that God made you. Never stop reading your Bible and never stop growing in the Lord. Please Him and all you do and say. Keep your priorities straight with God at the top. Do not let anyone tell you to stop being the creative soul that you are. Your stories are wonderful and I cannot wait to read your first book. I would love to continue to be your “editor”. Keep coming to me with ideas and please know that I love the times that we spend talking. Know that my door is always open to you and you can talk to me about anything. I love you and your sweet spirit. God has incredible things in store for your life if you follow him. Whatever you do in life, remember to serve God always and trust in him no matter what happens. I love you and pray for you daily. Never forget that and never forget that God loves you so much more.