Austin David DeShong AKA "Frogboy"

Austin David was born on June 25th, 1997, which also happens to be the day my parents were married, and also the day that my niece, Emma, was born. So that day is a special one in our family! He was such a happy and easy baby. When he was sleeping, he was out cold. When he was awake, he was happy. Not much has changed! He still remains my most easy going child. He is now 9 1/2 and in the fourth grade. He is always cheerful, very goofy, and is usually laughing or smiling. He has made me smile since the day he was born. He is also a very inquisitive child (if that is what you want to call it)! From an early age, he was a "button pushing, switch flipping" kind of kid. Always wants to know what things do and how things work (hmmmm....I wonder where he gets that from)? Sometimes this quality gets him into trouble, like burning his hand with the cigarette lighter in the truck, pulling the fire alarm at the hospital, accidentally starting a fire in the laundry room, and turning off the breakers to the house! But someday, I know this curiosity will be used in a good way! He has a lot of talent and ability.

Something else you should know about Austin is that he LOVES frogs. It all got started a few years ago when Auntie K gave him a stuffed beanie frog for Easter. That frog was named "Froggy" and he took that thing everywhere he went until it was mangled and destroyed and you could no longer recognize what it was! From then on it has been one frog after the next. The beloved "Froggy" now lives in a box in the laundry room with his descendant "Hopscotch", who was the replacement frog for his first, and has since been mangled into oblivion as well. But only because he was loved and used so much. Austin currently has "Croaks", "Leapers", "Lake Arrowfrog", "Smoochy", "Hop on Pop", etc. who all live up in his loft. "Leapers" is the preferred frog of choice right now, which means it travels everywhere Austin goes. Just as Dave loves motorcycles, Austin loves frogs. It is just a part of who he is!

Austin also loves reading, doing puzzles, playing video games, riding bikes, doing magic tricks, and making stuff work. He also likes driving the dune buggy, and he has only rolled it over once!!! He also has taken an interest in music. We just got him his first guitar for Christmas, and he is anxious to learn how to play. Some of Austin's favorite foods are cheese (especially extra aged Gouda-he knows what's good), butter on anything, bacon, and anything else artery-clogging!

He is a very loving boy, doesn't have any concern about appearances, and is kind and generous towards all he comes in contact with. He doesn't judge anyone or pick and choose who he will be friends with. He just cares for everyone. I also happen to think he is very smart. I can't wait to see what he grows up to be. I just pray he will trust Christ as his savior. The rest is icing on the cake.