Happy Birthday, Jackson!

 

 Dear Jackson,

    Have you ever heard the saying, "Babies don't keep"? That's what has happened with you. I swear I've blinked and here we are with you turning 14 years old! It just doesn't even seem possible! 

At 14 years old you are everything I dreamed having a teenage boy would be like. You are funny, mischievous, kind and caring. One of your favorite ways to entertain yourself is to scare the daylights out of us. We've gotten you back a few times! :) You are still enough of a kid that you don't mind hanging out with me, but mature enough that we can have deep heart-felt conversations. It's exactly the relationship I love.

As you begin high school and start to spread your wings I want you to remember a few things: 

1. Keep Jesus first, and he will guide your path. 
2. Family means everything.
3. Make good choices. Everything in this world has a consequence, either good or bad. Make sure the consequence of your choices are rewards.
4. Be kind. Look for the kid that sticks out and be their friend. Open the door for strangers. Smile at people. Always be a ray of sunshine in a gloomy world.
5. Remember that you and your brother are always to do life together. Stay close to each other because God gave you each other for a reason. Even though you annoy each other, you must always love each other, if for no other reason than because I said so.
6. Remember that the internet is forever. 
7. Never date someone that you wouldn't introduce to us. 
8. Stay on top of your grades. They really do matter. See number 3. 
9. Be the kid that coaches want on their team by being coach-able and respectful. You won't always be the best player, but you can always be the best sport.
10. Never forget that we've always got your back. Always. 

Jackson, you are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It's an honor to be your Mom, and I'm so glad that I get to do life with you. I can't wait to see where the Lord leads you! I'll love you always, to the moon and back!

Love,

Mom

Happy Birthday, Anderson

Dear Anderson,

Happy 9th Birthday, Anderson! I absolutely cannot believe that you are already nine years old. How is that even possible? You were just a baby like 2 days ago!

Anderman, you are an absolute joy! You are turning 9 in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and  you have been a light in the midst of a lot of darkness. Being able to spend so much time with you the past few weeks will be something I will treasure forever! You literally keep me laughing all the time, and you are one of the biggest joys and blessings in my life!

You absolutely rocked your way through second grade, and are super excited about starting third grade in the fall. I've been telling you for months now that there are no birthdays in quarantine, and you just won't fall for it. :) I would honestly keep you 8 years old forever, but sadly you are just insisting on growing up! You currently want to be a marine police officer when you grow up. You love boats and you want to be a police man, so it seems like a dream job for you!

Anderson, you love your family, your friends, your teachers and Jesus. You are incredible, and I'm so proud to be your Mama. Have a great birthday, and remember, "Love you, miss you!"

Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday, Jackson

Dear Jackson,

Happy 13th Birthday! I've gone back and forth in mind on what I want to say in your birthday letter this year and what came to mind most often was, "How in the world are you 13?"

How has it been 13 years since you were born? I feel like I've blinked and here we are....looking down the barrel of  high school. You just started 8th grade and are in all honors classes. You are a little nervous about Algebra I, but I know you are going to do great. At the worst, you have to be better at it than I was back in the day! :)

You still want to join the Air Force when you finish school, and currently want to go into Engineering. I have no doubts you will excel in whatever you end up doing. You are smart beyond belief, and I know you can accomplish your wildest dreams.

Jackson, keep on being you...be kind and courageous. Be witty and clever. Look out for those around you that don't have many friends, and make friends with them. Keep making good choices, even when the "good" choice isn't easy or fun. Always trust Jesus and guard your heart. No matter what, you and Anderson have to stick together because God gave you a brother for a reason. That means that you have to be best friends even when you don't get along!

Remember that there is absolutely nothing in the world you could do that would make us stop loving you. We will be here for you always, even when you think you might get in trouble! Always keep your focus on Jesus and let Him guide your path. You are gonna change the world, Jackson, and I'm so thankful I get to cheer you on! Happy Birthday, Jackson. I love you!

Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday, Anderson!

Dear Anderson,

Today is the day you turn 8 years old! Whoo-hooo! You have been counting down for this day for months and today is finally your special day!

Kiddo, I have begged and pleaded with you for you to just stay 7...you just won't agree! It's been such a fun year. You did amazing in first grade and you adored Mrs. Murray. You made all A's for the entire year, and holding you back was the best decision ever. You are so much more confident, and you are ready for 2nd grade. We have no doubts you are gonna rock it! You've really come into your own over the last year. You are funny, witty and just plain silly. I couldn't have asked for a better "baby" for our family. 

You just finished your baseball season and loved having Dad as your coach. You finally got to play catcher and you did a great job - even when you were tired of squatting down! You've been going to the Y and have had such a good time. You really love it when Jackson gets to spend the day with you helping in your group. You equally drive each other bonkers, but at the end of the day it is totally obvious that you love each other.

You currently want to be a fireman or drive a big truck when you grow up. Or both! Either way, I'm so very proud to call you my son! You are such a character, and I treasure watching you grow up. You love Jesus, your family and your friends, and I couldn't ask for you to be anything more than you are growing up to be. You are going to do big things in life, and I'm so excited to be on this journey with you! I'll always be your biggest fan! 

I love you, Anderson! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom 

Happy Birthday, Jackson

Dear Jackson,

Happy 12th Birthday! I can't believe that 12 years have already come and gone. I certainly don't feel 12 years older, so I'm not exactly sure where this kid that wears men's size 8 shoe has come from! You are in 7th grade now, and in the youth group. You are loving every second of your new found freedom - especially as you enjoy your new cell phone! As hard as it is for me to let go, I know you are gonna be just fine. Mom on the other hand is doing okay.

Jackson, you continue to make me so proud to be your Mom. You are kind, generous and just an all around great person. You and Anderson still like each other most of the time, and you are a fantastic brother. You just made the 7th and 8th grade baseball team - and your Dad and I are so proud of you for trying out. We hope you love it, and have so much fun this year!

Jack, you have such big dreams for the future, and I can't wait to see where God leads you. Right now you want to enter the Air Force and serve your country. If that is the direction you go, I pray God keeps you safe wherever you land.

I hope you have a great time in 7th grade, and that turning 12 is everything you've dreamed of. Continue to always be kind and to look out for others. Share Jesus with everyone, not just in your words, but also in your actions. Lead by example, and always choose to tell the truth, even when it isn't easy. We are so proud of you, and love you more than you could ever know. Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Love always,
Mom

Dear Anderson,

Dear Anderson,

Happy 7th Birthday to you!!! It seems like I've blinked and here you are - already 7. You have been so excited about turning seven, and I think you've been planning it since the day after you turned 6. :)

Anderman, you have had a great year. You absolutely loved first grade with Ms. Rolle and learned so much! You are kind, sweet and so funny. You have truly come into your own with your sense of humor. You keep us laughing all the time, and your smile lights up the room.

You started the YMCA summer camp this week and you were so nervous. Thankfully Bubba walked you in the first day and showed you the ropes. I knew you were going to have a blast and guess what? You did! You've been swimming, hiking, playing in creeks (with your shoes and socks on!) and having countless other adventures. You are there with your buddies and I can't wait to see what other things you get into this summer.

Little man, being your Mom is one of the best joys in my life. I'm so thankful for you and for the chance to be your mom. You are going to move mountains, and I can't wait to watch and see what God is going to do in your life.

Happy Birthday, kiddo! You are officially my new favorite 7 year old on the planet!

Love, 

Mom

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Dear Jackson,

Happy 11th birthday to you!!! I can't believe that you are already 11 years old. It's crazy how much time has flown. I can hardly believe you aren't a baby anymore. 

At 11, you have just started 6th grade. You are in the pre-honors classes, and this is your last year in the gifted program. You are set on joining ROTC as soon as you can, and want to enlist in the Air Force after high school graduation. You currently want to be a para-trooper because "it would be so cool!" I'd rather you pick a career where you keep 2 feet on the ground, but really, whatever makes you happy! 

You are funny, witty and clever beyond belief. You would argue with a brick wall (maybe you should consider a career as an attorney?!?) but you are a great kid. Anderson gets on your nerves all the time, but at the end of the day, you love each other so much. I catch y'all playing together and you can actually be pretty nice to each other when you want to be! 

Jackson, your Dad and I are so proud of you. You are kind and look out for others. Always stay that way! Be a friend to everyone, especially those kids around you that don't have many friends. As you get older, remember to make good choices, even when the "good" choice isn't easy or fun. Know that your Dad and I will be here for you - even when you think you might get in trouble! At the end of the day, keep your eyes on Jesus, and let Him guide your path. 

You are going to do amazing things in this world, and I'm so excited to be standing in your corner, cheering you along. I love you always, Jackson, and I'm so proud to call you mine!

Love, 

Mom