Eleven

My sweet oldest son is eleven today. He is pure delight. We did the usual out to dinner celebration with just our family of five. We went around and each described all the things we love about him. Words like, "unique, funny, kind, good brother, good, honest, smart" were used.
My son is such a joy. He is tender-hearted, quick to serve, and just fun to listen to. He has such insight on all things intellectual and spiritual. He is also a good judge of character. He is a lot of fun to talk to because he has the innocence of a child, but the intellectual and moral insight of a young man. It's really sweet. He is a natural at writing, so it is especially fun to listen to him tell a story.

This year will hold many new adventures for Jackson. He will begin to learn to play the guitar, learn how to play golf, watch his siblings for short periods of time without me, learn to drive the golf cart (better), and he will learn all that fifth grade has to offer. (He is especially excited about reading good books and blowing things up in chemistry!) This will be his last year of elementary school! I remember fifth and sixth grade being very pivotal years for me. We will have to take great care to show him how to guard his heart, while also giving him the freedom to learn responsibility and leadership. Our greatest parenting challenges will not be about learning to share or having good table manners any more. The road of parenting will be getting a little trickier, but it's all good.

He sure is a precious child. I am so thrilled to have him as my friend and son. I am so glad that as the oldest child in our home, he sets a good tone for the younger two. Happy birthday, Jackson! May God bless you and keep you, sweet boy.