How is my little Derek so grown up?? Twenty years old?! He went from being my Santa baby home from the hospital, to being my “tall boy,” who cannot only reach all the high things for me, but is the amazing Elder Brown serving a mission.

We love our Derek so much and for so many reasons. He is an integral part of our family, has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is a talented guitarist, has a great sense of humor, and is never too busy to hang out with his mom. And yes, he and Arthur may drive each other crazy at times, but I feel so blessed that all three of our kids love each other so much and are truly best friends.

With Derek’s birthday being so close to Christmas, it can make it tricky, but we always try to make it a special day all about him. I was not feeling well, since my chemo side effects were hitting me hard, and so Lily (and Arthur) helped save the day and decorated his door and helped me make him breakfast. Then we all went in and sang “Happy Birthday” to Derek.

Derek had actually been awake for a bit and waiting for us to come and get him – what a sweetheart. And yes, he has gotten so tall that I had to hang the sign up in the middle, and he still hit hi head on it – good times 😉.

For breakfast, Arthur made the toast, Lily made the hot cocoa, and I made him scrambled eggs with cheese. He was very happy!

Since it was Sunday, and the Sunday before Christmas, we had church, and it was all the wonderful Christmas music. I wish Derek had performed “What Child is This” on his guitar for us like he did at the zone conference, but at least another elder took a video of it for us.

After church, we had Come Follow Me study, and then I made him a special dinner. I normally would have made fetucini Alfredo, but because we were doing a delayed birthday feast at Olive Garden Monday, instead of that, he wanted pancakes. Good times – and delicious 😋 .

Then it was time for presents!! Arthur had helped me get them all wrapped on Saturday, and so they were ready to go for his present train.

He loved all of his gifts, from a set of Dune books, to new workout shorts and tennis shoes, to special guitar socks. And he gave all the grateful hugs for them.

One of his favorite things was a red electric guitar ornament that I found for him at a Christmas store in Pennsylvania. It looks just like his actual electric guitar that he built with his dad, and it is awesome. I am so glad he loved it, and that he had a few days to have it hanging on the tree this year.

After presents, it was time for cake, which was one of my favorite parts. And twenty candles on a cake makes a pretty big fire – ha ha! I thought it was so crazy how the candles reflected in the picture and showed up on his sweater. Nice.

Derek picked out chocolate cake with a brown sugar buttercream, and I am so glad that I made it the week before and froze it. It defrosted perfectly and was super yummy.

It was the perfect way to celebrate our Derek. We love him so much, and are so blessed to have this extra time with him at home while he is serving as a Service Missionary in the San Antonio Texas Mission.