Eight is Great!

Jackson, this post is for you. I'm sorry that it is November 22nd, and I'm just now getting this post written. I waited until after your baptism so I would have more to post. You know, pictures and the like. And then, I realize that I am not the mom I wish I was. Because, I didn't take hardly any pictures of your baptism. It's not because I don't love you and want to preserve that memory for you. Life just gets in the way and that day, at your baptism, things got busy. It's interesting how my family means more than anything to me, but somehow it's all the little things that distract me from you. What I would have wanted more than anything was to spend time with you at the church, taking pictures and capturing the moment. Instead, there are 10 people that stop me to talk and before I know it, the moment is gone. I missed getting pictures of you in your white clothes. I missed giving you that one more kiss or hug before the whole thing started, letting you know that indeed I am so proud of you. Those moments got filled with small things of little significance that I cannot now remember. I'm sorry I let those things get in the way. I promise to try harder in the future. I promise to tell that well intentioned well-wisher to please "Hold that thought" because I need to be with my son. I promise to prioritize the moments in life that will be important forever. I guess this is just my way of saying "I love you", even though I don't have much to show for it.

Okay, with that out of the way, I want to share with you what makes you great! Here are my 8 favorite things about you:


1. You're such a great big brother. You have so much patience when it comes to Addie. When you get home in the afternoon, the first thing you want to do is find Addison, and if she is asleep, you are bummed. You make breakfast for Delaney in the morning and help unbuckle her car seat. You sit in the third row of the car without complaining and you watch Tinkerbell to make your sister happy.

2. You amaze me at how well you build things. I can't believe the Lego sets you are able to do. You're much better at it than me. Your teacher says Math is your best subject and you do your homework most nights with very little complaining. I love how you enjoy learning and I hope you always have that thirst for more.

3. You were beaming at your baptism. Several people commented to me about that. I am proud of the decisions you've made. I can tell you are trying hard to make the right choices. You are proud to be one of Heavenly Father's children and you work hard to let Him know that.


4. You've never met a stranger. You can talk to anyone, anywhere, at anytime, for any length of time! You don't have a shy bone in your body. Last summer when you flew by yourself to visit Grandma and Grandpa Clark, when you got off the plane, everyone leaving the gate kept saying, "Bye, Jackson". It was apparent that you'd gotten to know many people on the flight.

5. You love your family. All of your extended family. You want to know what is going on with who. You are the oldest cousin on my side and all those little boys look up to you. You also have some little boy cousins on Dad's side. I hope you continue to set good examples for them.

6. I love that when the sun is shining, there is no where you'd rather be than outside. Riding your bike, playing at the park, golfing, baseball, you name it. There are so many things to entertain you on the inside of a house, I'm so glad that you still choose to be outside. Now that it is getting cold again, you even love to be outside in the snow. Grandma and Grandpa Critt gave you some ski gloves for your birthday and I love that you ask everyday if you can wear them, even though we haven't gotten any snow yet. Wishful thinking! You definitely don't get that from me, your dad is the one who loves the cold and snow!

7. You are a loyal friend. You and Steven are such a pair. One hardly exists without the other. I think most visitors to our home have met Steven on at least one occasion. I love the friendship you have and hope that it lasts forever. Your very first best buddy was Corbin. He called you on your baptism day. And you two talked for quite a while. How great that you have a friendship with so much history. It's not easy to find great friends, so when you do, I hope that you put in the work that it takes to keep them. I hope you always remember that a good friend is one who makes you a better person, not one who expects or allows your worst.

8. You are patient and sensitive with your mom. Yep, me. Last year for your seventh birthday, I was newly pregnant with Addison and super sick. So, I forgot to send treats to school on your birthday. When you came home and told me, I felt awful. I started to cry. And then you were the one consoling me, letting me know that the package of Red Vines that Mr. Cronin gave you to share with the class was sufficient. (For the record, I remembered this year!). Not too long ago I sent you to school on a field trip day without a sack lunch. You ended up having to eat hot lunch with the Kindergartners once you got back. Again, I felt terrible that I forgot. But once again, it was you telling me why it was alright. And then, when you went on your field trip to the flag factory last week, you were nice to remind me to send a sack lunch.

I can't believe I've been your mom for 8 years. I don't feel old enough to have an 8 year old! I don't know how I feel about you now being accountable for your actions. Some days I'd rather take the "blame" and let you go on - free of accountability. But then I remember that's not how it's supposed to be. I know I joke that I'm going to make you eat nothing but junk food and not let you sleep at night so you won't grow any bigger. But, deep down, that's not what I really want. I have loved every second of the past 8 years, and I can't wait to see what the next 8 hold!

Happy Birthday, Friend. I love you.

Mom.