Best Summer of My Life.

This summer was the best summer of my life.

I spent it with these three guys and we just had a ball.

We played, we laughed, we swam, we ate and we played some more.

We spent almost every weekend at our lake house. We spent almost every moment outside swimming and playing basketball and baseball, chatting with our friends, watching outdoor movies, making smores and taking naps.

But what I loved most about this summer, was watching these two strengthen their bond as brothers and actually become friends. They adore eachother. 

This family we have created....these people....make my world go round and I am so thankful for each of them and I look forward to many more summers spent just like this one.

My letter to Jackson on his 7th birthday.

My precious Jackson is 7 years old! 7! That's like...really really really old sounding. And he is in First Grade. "The Grades" as he calls it. OH. MY. LORD. How did this happen so fast???

Here is my letter to Jackson on his 7th Birthday:

Dear Jackson:

As I write this letter to you, you are either (a) running up and down the hallway yelling and not wearing a shirt showing your muscles and/or (b) running laps in our cul de sac because you "wants to work on your fitness for when you are drafted number one pick in the first round of the NBA." and/or (c) persuading your little brother to play whatever game you want to play at the time, all the while wrestling him to the ground or letting him win sometimes. Either way, just know I am happily rolling my eyes and grinning from ear to ear at you.

Let me tell you just a little bit about what you mean to me.

You continue to hold my heart in the palm of your hand. You challenge me daily. You bring such joy to my face and joy to my heart. You wear me the freak out. I would do anything and everything for you.

When you were born, I remember holding you and praying over you. Praying that I "wouldn't screw this up," that I "would be the mom God wanted me to be." I had no idea what I was doing, yet I felt like I knew everything. And then we left the hospital. Ha!

I love this verse: "Make him a man among men. A leader among leaders. Make him strong, resilient, brave, loving and humble. Make him a good man in a storm."

My responsibility as a mom is to show and teach my sons a life filled with the Gospel. A life filled abundantly with the Lord. I need to teach them to stand on their own two feet, but make sure they know that they are never alone in anything they do because God is with them always.

I want you to know Jackson that you are gentle, yet firm. Kind, yet full of leadership. And empathetic beyond all comprehension. You just KNOW people. You just understand feelings. And you just KNOW how to interact and teach people and love people and bring people together...you are just so amazing.

I just know, Jackson, that you are a game changer. You will do great things. You will move mountains. You will lead others to greatness through your ability to adapt and really SEE the world around you. My heart bursts with pride every time I see your face. No matter what you choose to do in life, just know that I will always be there to cheer you along. 

Your dad and I went to a Nickel Creek concert a few weeks ago. When he and I were dating he used to play their music for me all of the time. What's funny is there is this one song that I always thought of as a "relationship" song...but as I heard the band sing it at the concert it hit me that the song had evolved into a song about my children. Here are some of the lyrics:

"When You Come Back Down"

-When you're soaring through the air

I'll be your solid ground.

Take every chance you dare

I'll still be there

When you come back down.

When you come back down.

-And I'll be on the other end, To hear you when you call

Angel, you were born to fly If you get too high

I'll catch you when you fall

I'll catch you when you fall.

My sweet buddy. I love you so! And I wish you the Happiest of Birthdays. 

With all of my love,

Mommy