Dear Jackson,
Soooo here we are, almost a month after your birthday. Yes, I’m late again. Welcome, you must be new, I run late. Heavy sigh.
Enough about my short comings, let’s talk about your birthday. On May 17th you turned 11 years old. This in the middle of the Em’s dance recital, the end of school… (which meant the end of elementary school for you), and wrapping up the busiest season for DRY Ink Photography to date. Of course, why would it be any other way?

But I want you to know you were a total trooper. You never once complained about being pushed onto the back burner. You is kind, you is smart and you is important. Okay, I may of stolen that from somewhere, but honestly I have never meet a cherub that it applied to more.

Sorry, I forgot how this format goes, I’m supposed to talk about the parting before I get all mushy. Let’s see, I think you set a new record for dragging birthdays out. We celebrated your actual birthday by partying with 4 of your closest friends in a sleep over/all night Cane’s/Xbox extravaganza. Followed up by little gifts all week and ending in the family party with extended family showing up for pizza palooza. Whew, I am tired just thinking about it. Honestly, to refresh myself for this letter, I pulled out my calendar and I am amazed at how disjointed this thing went. Little something for Jax, rehearsal for Em, little something for Jax, shoot a wedding, a little something for Jax, end of year parties at school. And it went on for 3 weeks. I. kid. you. not.
I can’t review your birthday month without thinking about what a sweet, amazing selfless person you are. I usually talk about who you are developing into at this point. But that’s not what’s happening here. This is who you are. This is the person God made you. I have seen signs of it from the time you were born.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately because of somethings that have developed between us lately. We spend a lot of time together these days. Jacob is off doing his own thing and Em has developed a large social circle that she is constantly rotating through, leaving me and you mostly. This has been amazing for me. Of all you kids, you are the most like me. We ride the bike together, like the same movies, sports, etc. We just think alike. You are not a touchy-feely kid. That’s not what I mean when I talk about your big heart. It may even be that I just get you more than other kids because we are so much alike. What ever the reason, I am really happy for and and enjoy our relationship right now. I do however realize this will probably change and that’s okay. I’m just gonna ride this wave for as long as I can stay on it.

Jax, you continue to love all sports, but have begun to focus on baseball. We will see if this lasts. You are smart, you rawked all of elementary school, including all As and Bs and the presidential award for academics. Your favorite TVs shows are Myth Busters, Man vs Wild, Next Top Shot & America Ninja Warrior. You are the perfect combination of brains and athletics. You love to do parkour and shoot your bow that Uncle Josh gave you for your birthday. You still are a huge reader and have added writing to repertoire.
You truly are an amazing person and I’m so glad I get to watch your journey through this world. It’s an honor to be your mother. Thanks for being who you are.
Love,
Mom