Lucky Number Seven

I am so far behind on all my posts, but this one is important.

Today is a very important day. It's Jack's seventh birthday. I know, I know, I can't believe he is 7 either. So a lot of fun pictures and posts will have to wait. But for now, I have something to say.

I love that punk.

This has been a fun year for us.

Last December we were all settling in to the Kindergarten groove. Yes, all of us. Who among you has felt the excitement and the anxiety of going to school EVERY day. Excitement for him and extreme anxiety for me. First child, last child or both, Kindergarten is a weird and sad milestone.

He became a great reader.

He lost a bunch of teeth.

He got a "bird's eye" view of the life cycle with a pet snake, baby snakes and then no snakes. (Hopefully more about that later.)

Then began first grade. When did all day school become a welcome occasion?

Anyway, Jack turned this couple into a family.

He is loud, messy, often embarrasing, sensitive, kind, smart and loving. He's a great example of how to laugh at yourself, he is sure to make everything a little funner and stickier, and will make sure you get your money's worth at the movies. (Hint: laugh as loud as you want whenever you want and don't worry about spilling your popcorn. If it's funny, it's worth it!)

I love my son.

I'm grateful every day that I'm his Mom.

Happy Birthday.

Mommy


Dad here:

Today is Jackson's 7th birthday. Any parent reading this will understand the feelings I had when I walked through our hallway tonight and stopped to looked at several baby pictures we have of him hanging on the wall. Although every new year with Jackson brings both of us new challenges and joy, I think back on when he was younger and I wish that somehow, we could freeze time so that he wouldn't grow older and we could live in those picture moments forever.

I know that we are all placed on this earth to learn our lessons and face our challenges. Sometimes I wish I could do something to prevent Jackson from having to face his challenges. Protect him from having his heart broken, keep him from ever feeling fear, protect him from disease and illness or to suffer losing the ones he loves.

But I also know I can't do this.

His challenges are for him alone. I only hope that the lessons we teach him today can serve him when he faces them. I love him so much and hope and pray that, when he faces his most difficult challenges, he will face them with confidence and strength knowing that we love him unconditionally and that he will always have his Heavenly Father and his Spirit to guide him.

Jack, if you are reading this many years from this night, know that I love you and wish you strength when you need it most. As you sleep in the other room, cozy in your warm bed, a young feisty boy that just turned 7, I know that in the blink of an eye, you will be a grown man making your own decisions and facing the consequences that come with them. I know you will make the right choices, son.

I love you on you 7th birthday and always.

Love, Dad