My second child to become an "official/legal" adult. This is a major milestone birthday.  This year he can vote. This year, he doesn't need me on his bank account. This year, he can purchase items before that were off limits to himself and make decisions that were off limits.  Becoming an adult in the eyes of the law and society doesn't always make it so. There have certainly been changes in this last year and are seeing a different aspect to him.  I've seen him articulate more of his ideas and why he has them. His views of busy work at school. He explains why he wants to change from one class to another due to his view of relatability to the real world.  In the last year he has figured out that his career that he would like to pursue is more towards actual hands on work rather than the bureaucratic busy mental work. He knows that a four year degree won't serve him and that isn't the direction he wants to pursue at this time. I've always thought all my kids would have a four year degree but he has changed my mind. Why is it necessary if it doesn't provide a means to an end and only debt to pay? There is a staggering statistic that only 27 percent of people end up in careers related to their major for example, my husband has pursued a career in his major but I have not. We are also in a unique time period. Trade careers need people due to schools funneling so many kids to university that may not serve them. And then there are the careers that people are able create that aren't a degree yet or that are able to be self taught.  Job has always gone his own way whether that is how he acts within the family or at school, not changing who he is.  He balks at meaningless stuff and work. He learns quickly but does so with what he's interested in or if it applies to life in his opinion.  He's experienced only a little life and so he has ideas that need to be nudged in a different way but trying to change his mind on something is near impossible.  Gently nudging and waiting is easier than pulling, cajoling, and driving.  Isaac is impressed with how stubbornly he will stick to his principles. He's hilarious at times and makes a lot of things into a joke or he invents ways to make things entertaining to him, such as trying to build the tallest tower of assembled shipping boxes at work. He doesn't care about his popularity or who his friends are, however he does keep some friends seperate.  He has school friends and church friends but he doesn't mix the two.  I have no idea why. He treats them the same and is goofy with both. In fact the other day he wanted to show one of his school friends his costume this year - a blue onsie.  That is my boy.  He's been working in addition to school and soccer. His schedule is school from 8 to 2:30. Home for a snack and then Monday through Wednesday and Friday he works 3:30 to 7:30 at a chocolate factory.  On Tuesday and Wednesday nights he comes home has dinner and then off to soccer practice from 8 to 9:30.  He doesn't work on Thursdays because soccer practice is at 4:30.  He has games on Sunday and has been driving a third of his team each Sunday to out of town games and having a blast doing it. A year ago I would have said no way but he's matured and I'm ready.  This summer he decided to go camping with some friends and so threw some food in a cooler and sleeping bag in the van and he left.  He has become independent. However,he went with a family and so they pretty much took care of him.  Apple juice and sausages just wasn't going to cut it for camping.  He's learning. I laugh but know that he will land on his feet and he will be ready for life.  He isn't afraid of it, just meets it head on in his own way.  So Happy 18th Birthday and enjoy the journey.