When a boy turns ten, his whole world transforms.

For starters, his physical body seems to change overnight.  His chubby arms, legs, and squeezable cheeks all slimmed down when I wasn’t looking.  And now I see a boy with a vision to become a man, lanky in shape, and growing so fast I can hardly keep him in clothes that fit!

But when he turns and looks at me…he still has that golden smile that melts my heart.

Pull ups and push ups are on the agenda every morning.  “No more sleeping in,” he says.  “It’s time to build some muscles.  Time to look fierce and show people I mean business!”

He really is doing the push ups and pull ups, but his reasoning is more about making my mom laugh.  He makes me laugh everyday.

But I also see shifts taking place in his heart.

Blaze is unlike anyone else in our family of four.  Brian, Pascaline and I love a BIG adventure.  The more extreme, the better.  Blaze is our homebody.  He loves consistency and predictability.  Blaze loves being in his own bed, surrounded by all his stuffies, reading a good book.  He loves spending the night at Grammie and Papa’s house.  He loves to help me get the home ready for every holiday and longs for the next time the whole family will come over for a big dinner.  Giving our home up to be the Adventure Family is probably the most challenging on Blaze.  And yet, Blaze is allowing himself to be stretched.  Even though he misses home, he is also looking ahead.

His willingness to push through what doesn’t come natural…it blows my mind.

When a Boy Turns Ten…

…he also realizes he is an individual.  He starts to see himself separate from the family and this is both exciting and scary.  Blaze LOVES people.  He loves to feel connected.  Blaze is the guy who suggests we have a group hug when things are stressful.  And if that doesn’t paint the picture, let me just say that Blaze is the only one in our family who still wants to snuggle in 104 degree humidity in Thailand!  Feeling together is one of his core values.  But when a boy turns ten, he can feel more separated than ever.

Traveling as a family, working as a team to build a dream, couldn’t have come at a better time.

Even though I see his heart facing new challenges, I also see his confidence rising.  He not only jumps off boats, he JUMPS OFF BOATS!

And his sense of humor…WAIT TILL YOU SEE HIM IN THE SHOW!!! Blaze is always the one that makes us all laugh.  I’m excited for him to bring laughter to your homes too!

Who knew that there was so many dynamics involved when a boy turns ten.  I remember being in Thailand when Pascaline turned ten.  I remember the letter I wrote to her.  It was a pivotal turning of the tide for her as well.

But at the end of the day, outside of all the emotional stuff mom is processing, Blaze is would like me to relay that most of all, he is happy to finally be “Double Digits!”  One more muscle shot for the BIRTHDAY BOY!!

I love you sweet Blaze.  Happy Birthday to the most wonderful son a mama could ever hope for.  You bring joy to my life every day.

xo,

mama

We are The Adventure Family! We put our sweet home on the market, our belongings in storage, and left the familiar behind to build a dream: a family travel show that takes you abroad and off the beaten path! Follow our journey!

(posts in chronological order)

Dream Linking: Time Share Our Next Chapter of Adventure

Dreaming and Grieving from Taking a Risk with the Kids

One Way Tickets to New Zealand: Determined to Move Mountains!

The SHORTEST Kickstarter Campaign that Helped Us Launch Our Dream (with video)

17 Reasons to Campervan New Zealand with the Family

15 Must Do Family Activities in New Zealand