DJ, age 12

I don't know why, but having a 12-year-old boy in the house seems like a whole new parenting adventure! Everything's a competition. :) This year, DJ's birthday was filled with family, friends, and sports - some of the things he loves most!

This is a guy who always wants to do the right thing, and wants everyone around him to do the right thing, too. With his love for sports, we think he will make a great referee someday! He's deeply thoughtful, pretty serious (but not always!), and likes to be organized. He plays soccer, basketball, and baseball, he's learning the saxophone, and he's in the middle school math club. Though he's growing fast, some things never change - this time of year, you can most often find him watching football and playing catch in the house with whoever will throw him the ball. 

Lansing Christian Middle School is a great place for DJ to be; he's learning a ton, has had lots of opportunities to try new things, and has great friends. I am thankful every day that he's surrounded by people who know and encourage him. We can't wait to see what this next year holds as he continues in middle school!

Some favorite presents Christmas Eve

Birthday morning

DJ had a crowd to wish him happy birthday in the morning!

Rainy football with friends

What was your favorite memory from the last year?

When we went to Disney - the car ride there and back, and The Guardians of the Galaxy ride.

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?

Helping me not get injured in sports and do well in school by helping me pay attention and listen.

How do you feel about being twelve?

Good. I feel older and I can do more stuff, like say that I'm twelve.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

Seeing if the Lions can be in the Super Bowl and trying out my new baseball mitt.

Who are your best friends?

Wesley, Ira, Caleb, William, Otto, Eddie.

What are your strengths?

I'm a good athlete, I'm smart, I'm funny even if it's just in my head, I'm good at including people.

What careers are you considering?

Soccer/basketball/football/baseball player, a pastor, a policeman, a football referee, or a baseball announcer. 

Why are you interested in those fields?
I love sports and mom said I would make a really good ref because I always make the calls when I'm watching football. Policeman because we can always use more policemen.

What’s your favorite song or type of music?

Music by the Beatles.   

What's your favorite food?

Chicken pot pie, green bean casserole, and those really good carrots.

Current favorite movie?

Ooh, The Sandlot or Back to the Future, and Cool Runnings.   

Current book you're reading? Or should I say books?

The Last Kids on Earth, Heat by Mike Lupica, and I just finished reading Operation Do-Over. The best book I read this year was The Unteachables.

Favorite color?   

Forest green.

Favorite place to be?

Home, Taco Bell, and Comerica Park.

What are your favorite things to do? 

Play baseball, play basketball, play soccer, play football, do Legos.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?

I'm awesome, even more awesome than Eddie, even though he claims to be more awesome.