Jack is 11
Another birthday, another sappy blog post. I just dont know how to not be sappy when it comes to these posts, especially when it comes to my number one. The one who started it all. The one who made me a Mommy. No matter how many kids you have, there is the one that changes your life forever. And that's my Jack. My boy. My joy. My...gulp...11 year old.
Eleven? Eleven. 11. How in the world did this happen? No really, can someone tell me, because I truly dont know how it happened.
Sometimes when I look at you, Jack, I see glimpses of the young adult that you're becoming and it makes me smile. But, sometimes when I look at you, still see my baby boy, my little Jackaboo and that makes me smile, too. I guess it's the best of both worlds. I hope the memories of Baby Jack are always so clear because they are some of my most favorite times.
I've gone on and on to various people and on social media and really to anyone who will listen about how much this school year has changed you and not in a bad way. You are a child who struggles. That's not something to be ashamed of EVER and it's something that we work on and take seriously, but not too seriously because thats just how we roll. To watch you go from unsure and sad and struggling with work each and every single day for hours to just missing silver honor roll by one grade? I dont think I could be more proud. You don't let your struggles bother you. You just go with the flow. You are a science and art master, through and through and you got some of the highest grades I've ever seen in my life ( 110? Who does that? ) this school year. Your turnaround this year definitely warrants mentioning repeatedly because it was truly amazing.
But, the things that I'm most proud of were the emails that I would get about your character. About how kind of a person you are. About how helpful you are. And not just at school, from other parents and family members. You were student of the month because of your fairness. Your teachers speak so highly of you, one referred to you as his best friend for most of the year. That's you. That's just the kind of kid you are. Helpful, friendly, caring, generous...
Well...most of the time...ask your siblings and they will probably laugh at all of those descriptions. Being the oldest of the "4 in 5" cannot be easy and being the one that they all want to play with, be near, talk to, hug, etc, can be annoying. Just know that they love you and wanting to be near you always is how they show it. You dont understand it now, and I don't expect you to, but that's just the way it is and how it most certainly will always be.
You love all things Dragons and Star Wars. You've come a looonnngg way from the boy who only would read non-fiction books as now you live in fantasy land. You have a very scientific brain and have a notebook full of invention ideas and business plans for when you get older. You are funny. Like, sarcastic and grossboy funny. Thank you so much Gregory, for that. Your smile still lights up a damn room. The dimples; you know the ones you can probably see from space, yeah those. Those have probably gotten you out of some trouble.
You're into SpongeBob and narwhals and Pokemon and Legos. You have your first legit favorite band, Imagine Dragons, and play their songs loudly on a daily basis. You have a nice singing voice and you love love love to dance. You are sensitive...so sensitive. I love this about you. One day you came home from school upset. I asked why and you said because some students were mean to the teacher and you just knew that the teacher was upset so it made you sad. That's the kind of kid you are, Jack.
In your 11th year I have some words of encouragement and advice for you. The young man that you are growing up to be? Be him. Never be ashamed of him. Work hard. Play harder. Make friends. Be silly. Be confident. Continue not to care about what people think of you. Continue to be unfazed by the bad in the world around you. Be a helper. But, also, look for the helpers...they are everywhere. Hug Sara. Help Alex build the Legos. Take out the trash without being asked. Don't stop giving me hugs. Be present on a daily basis. Pick your battles. Never give up. Tell Emma that she's your favorite person...we all know it's true. Give Daddy a high-five when he comes home from work. Focus. When the going gets tough, go run around. Reel it in when it needs to be reeled in. Breathe. Love big. Love so, so big.
Happy birthday, Squid. My Boy, My Joy. My Jackaboo, JackWilly, JDubs, JustJack...my Jack. I love you too much.
Our 4am Feeding Song
And I thank you for choosing me, to come through unto life to be a beautiful reflection of his grace. For I know that a gift so great is only one God could create and I'm reminded every time I see your face
Eleven? Eleven. 11. How in the world did this happen? No really, can someone tell me, because I truly dont know how it happened.
Sometimes when I look at you, Jack, I see glimpses of the young adult that you're becoming and it makes me smile. But, sometimes when I look at you, still see my baby boy, my little Jackaboo and that makes me smile, too. I guess it's the best of both worlds. I hope the memories of Baby Jack are always so clear because they are some of my most favorite times.
I've gone on and on to various people and on social media and really to anyone who will listen about how much this school year has changed you and not in a bad way. You are a child who struggles. That's not something to be ashamed of EVER and it's something that we work on and take seriously, but not too seriously because thats just how we roll. To watch you go from unsure and sad and struggling with work each and every single day for hours to just missing silver honor roll by one grade? I dont think I could be more proud. You don't let your struggles bother you. You just go with the flow. You are a science and art master, through and through and you got some of the highest grades I've ever seen in my life ( 110? Who does that? ) this school year. Your turnaround this year definitely warrants mentioning repeatedly because it was truly amazing.
But, the things that I'm most proud of were the emails that I would get about your character. About how kind of a person you are. About how helpful you are. And not just at school, from other parents and family members. You were student of the month because of your fairness. Your teachers speak so highly of you, one referred to you as his best friend for most of the year. That's you. That's just the kind of kid you are. Helpful, friendly, caring, generous...
Well...most of the time...ask your siblings and they will probably laugh at all of those descriptions. Being the oldest of the "4 in 5" cannot be easy and being the one that they all want to play with, be near, talk to, hug, etc, can be annoying. Just know that they love you and wanting to be near you always is how they show it. You dont understand it now, and I don't expect you to, but that's just the way it is and how it most certainly will always be.
You love all things Dragons and Star Wars. You've come a looonnngg way from the boy who only would read non-fiction books as now you live in fantasy land. You have a very scientific brain and have a notebook full of invention ideas and business plans for when you get older. You are funny. Like, sarcastic and grossboy funny. Thank you so much Gregory, for that. Your smile still lights up a damn room. The dimples; you know the ones you can probably see from space, yeah those. Those have probably gotten you out of some trouble.
You're into SpongeBob and narwhals and Pokemon and Legos. You have your first legit favorite band, Imagine Dragons, and play their songs loudly on a daily basis. You have a nice singing voice and you love love love to dance. You are sensitive...so sensitive. I love this about you. One day you came home from school upset. I asked why and you said because some students were mean to the teacher and you just knew that the teacher was upset so it made you sad. That's the kind of kid you are, Jack.
In your 11th year I have some words of encouragement and advice for you. The young man that you are growing up to be? Be him. Never be ashamed of him. Work hard. Play harder. Make friends. Be silly. Be confident. Continue not to care about what people think of you. Continue to be unfazed by the bad in the world around you. Be a helper. But, also, look for the helpers...they are everywhere. Hug Sara. Help Alex build the Legos. Take out the trash without being asked. Don't stop giving me hugs. Be present on a daily basis. Pick your battles. Never give up. Tell Emma that she's your favorite person...we all know it's true. Give Daddy a high-five when he comes home from work. Focus. When the going gets tough, go run around. Reel it in when it needs to be reeled in. Breathe. Love big. Love so, so big.
Happy birthday, Squid. My Boy, My Joy. My Jackaboo, JackWilly, JDubs, JustJack...my Jack. I love you too much.
Our 4am Feeding Song
And I thank you for choosing me, to come through unto life to be a beautiful reflection of his grace. For I know that a gift so great is only one God could create and I'm reminded every time I see your face
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