Jax,
Only two short weeks ago you turned ten. I stress the ‘short’ to make me feel better for being so late with this letter. I mean clearly this is your fault for the weeks being so short around you birthday. (Really who’s born at the end of the school year???)

This year for you birthday party, well, I wasn’t invited. That was new and exciting. You picked a friend and headed down to New Orleans to catch an LSU baseball game. You see you are too old to have both your parents tagging along with you at this point. But don’t worry about me, I was able to pick a bridal shoot, so while you were having Austin Nola sing you happy birthday at the UNO baseball field, I was working to pay for the tickets. See, it all worked out!

I would love to tell you that you have finally landed on a sport and have selected baseball, (or anything else) but you are still equally obsessed with basketball, football and soccer. It is simply baseball season. And you of course continue to play all sports with a passion that I don’t see in most professional games. On your most recent baseball team, you have begun pitching and even got two strike outs in your last outing. You are of course headed to baseball camp in a few weeks. But this letter would read very differently if you were born in September, football season.

This year you again made honor roll all year long including three out of four semesters being all A’s. Your teachers at both school and church continue to tell me what a joy you are to teach and that you are a leader in the class room. That is nothing new for you, because they don’t get to see your temper at home. No, you continue to save that one all for me! Yay! But we are working on it right? Right? Damn those Rebstock genes.

Okay, now time for your favorite part, where I tell you how amazing you are and how much I love you! No, really this is fun, quit rolling your eyes at me!
Jax, sometimes I wonder if you are even a DeGraff, I mean physically, the way your brain works and attitude you are all Rebstock, accept for your compassion. You have your father’s caring and compassion. Your truly the best of both of us. I never really understood what that meant until I had you. Not only are you amazing, but you help me see the best in everyone else, including myself. Thank you for that. Thank you for being you. Please don’t change a thing, not even that quick temper, (I mean continue learning how to control it…) but it too will serve you well in life. I love you son, and am so happy I get to be your mother and watch your journey into adulthood. It’s been amazing so far and I can’t wait to see the rest!
Happy 10th Birthday!
Love,
momma