birthday boy

.

Happy 22nd birthday, Andrew! I love you so much!

A little about Andrew, my bebe numero uno, my Honey Bunny Roo-Roo:

• Amazingly independent, strong, and resilient.

• Bought his first car - 89 Camaro - at age 15 with money he'd saved from babysitting & mowing lawns. He then used his money earned from Seven Seas (see below) to fix the car up.  Several years later, I bought him a car as a graduation gift. However, Andrew decided he wanted to finance the car himself & insisted on paying me back.
  
  
  
  
  Andrew's second car
   
• Got his first job at Seven Seas Groceries the summer he turned 15 and worked there year round for the next three years. He was one of their most competent employees and received several promotions over the years. Andrew maintained his job at Seven Seas throughout the school years also. This meant that he also had to balance his workload with his school load - an impressive responsibility for someone still in high school.
  
  
  
  
  Seven Seas Grocery in Jamaica Beach, Texas
• Bought his first CD (certificate of deposit) at age 18 when he decided he wanted to open a checking, savings, and CD account, earning 5% interest.

Andrew graduates from high school
.
• After graduating high school, Andrew left Seven Seas to work for a security systems installment company. He worked there while living in his own apartment, and going to college full time. This was a tremendous undertaking. He managed to pull off a 4.0 gpa (perfect A) and made the school's President's List, as well as was indicted into the college's international honor's society, Phi Theta Kappa. I've provided the link below:
  
  Andrew makes the President's List

Andrew's first apartment
.
• In September 2008, Andrew lost his job and his home due to the devastating landfall of Hurrican Ike on Galveston Island. Homeless for nearly six months, Andrew single-handedly completed his semester at Galveston College, moved his furniture from his destroyed apartment complex and set up residence with a family friend. Unwilling to reside on his friend's couch for free, he began working for his friend's father.
  
  Hurricane Ike

• Shortly after the storm Andrew obtained a job at Home Depot in Galveston Island. Within the year, he was promoted to a position in their bookkeeping department. Just recently he received a Customer Service Excellence Award for his performance, and has regularly been recognized for his strong work ethic.

.
• While many people would allow a hurricane, loss of their home, the added stress of school and work to overwhelm them into giving up, Andrew decided to take only one semester off from school. He returned the following Fall semester and continued to perform with excellence. Andrew's dedication and unwillingness to give up is the reason he is able to do what he does.

• By the end of 2009, Andrew moved in with his grandparents to finish up his studies at Galveston College. He helps with the housecleaning, yard work, and even babysits his little cousin to help out. His grandparents comment all the time at what a delight it is having Andrew live with them.

• In May 2010, Andrew will be graduating from Galveston College with an Associate's Degree of Applied Science, and with high honors. He will be the first in our family to have earned a degree from college. Andrew was accepted into the University of Texas Austin Math Department and will continue his studies in Actuarial Science. His goal is not stop at a Bachelor's Degree, but to go on to get his Master's.

• Aside from Andrew's successes and accomplishments, he is the sweetest kid I know. He has a fondness for animals and is known for taking in stray cats and caring for them. He has a big heart, is great with children, is silly and incredibly polite.

• Happy Birthday Sweetie. I am so very proud of you!

.