9 years ago today.

I was sitting in a hospital room scared to death and ready to just have a baby already. JD, you did not enter this world under easy circumstances. In no way was it a horrific birth, but it was scary enough to make your sister’s entrance into this world feel like a walk in the park. Funny. Because although the last 9 years haven’t necessarily been a walk in the park, you have always been the easier child. That being said, 2013, your 8^th year alive, has been one for the books. This year marked a lot of change for you my sweet child. And if I can say anything about you as a person after this past year, it’s that you are one determined little guy that won’t be put into a box by any one person, title, or description. You are also extremely self-sufficient and resourceful. I joked the other day that if I was stranded somewhere I might choose you over your dad. This was after you came in with the “knife” you made using a stick that you sharpened with a rock and an old bike grip. 

During your 8^th year you went gluten free. You weren’t excited about it at all.  But you were determined. Within a month’s time we could see a difference in you. Sure, we saw some of the things we were hoping for - more focus, less headaches, less agitation and so on. But we also saw you open up in a way I hadn't expected. We heard more “I love yous” and received more hugs. And this wasn't just towards your daddy and me, but towards the entire family. It was incredible. And though I’m sure there were moments of frustration, you’ve made the gluten free lifestyle look like a piece of a cake.  A piece of gluten free cake of course. 

Eight years old was also the year you officially became a swimmer. You qualified for both mid-season and end-of-season invitationals and once summer league ended, you jumped right into year around swimming. In 2013 you became legal in all 4 strokes, began swimming 50 yard races, started swimming IM’s, dropped seconds left and right, and placed 3^rd in your age group (4^th overall) at 8 and under champs in 25 yard backstroke!

At age eight you also stopped formal schooling and began homeschooling. Together we have already learned so much. It’s crazy and kind of sad that I have learned more about YOU in the last 3 months than I have in the last 9 years, or at least it feels that way. I’ve learned how your mind works, how you have to be doing “something” while learning in order for you to concentrate, how you don’t. Miss. A. Thing. Though you might be dyslexic and have dysgraphia, you are incredibly bright and have a way of viewing things that is so beyond me. Your math and my math don’t look the same, but doing math your way works for you and you get it right every time. You have the ability to remember so much. I love reading and studying the Bible with you. I love that you can accurately place not just countries but cities, rivers, and large bodies of water on the map without referencing any notes. I love that you ask out of the box questions and cause me to really think about details of the Bible that I might easily skip on my own. I love that you just believe. I love listening to you talk about how crazy some scientists are that believe in evolution or the big bang and not in creation. Sweet boy, I pray that you always just believe. Study it, challenge it if you have to, but in your heart, don’t stop believing (yes I sang that last part).

Eight was also the year you really became a boy. Not that you weren’t a boy before, not in the Pinocchio way of becoming a boy. But you went from being a little boy to being A BOY. Your feet smell. Showering is not your favorite past time. You don’t care what you look like. You can’t match clothes to save your life. And did I mention your feet really smell? When you come in from playing outside, I KNOW because I can smell you. Eight was also the age you stopped letting me hug and kiss on you in public. And by “stop” I mean I still do it and you get kinda mad. And I’m not going to lie. It stung a little that first time you shunned me in public. But it’s okay because I am your mom and I will hug and kiss you anyways.

And just a few days ago at age 8 you shot your first deer. And apparently that’s a pretty big deal. Who am I kidding? It’s huge! And we were all so excited for you. Daddy said you sighted it in all on your own and then pulled the trigger with zero help from him. I’m glad it was on a daddy and son trip, I know it made it special for both of you. 

JD, age 8 has been a big one. You have grown leaps and bounds. You are so unlike any other kid I know. You are quirky. You are passionate about things when you are interested in them. You love your dog like a best friend. You care a lot about others. You are really sensitive. You are an introvert until you really get to know someone. You despise a lot of attention. You have high goals for yourself. You aren't very orderly. Actually, you are extremely disorganized. You are a master mindcrafter. When asked what you want to be when you grow up it's a 3-way-tie between engineer, Olympic swimmer or an American Ninja Warrior. You love steak with blue cheese on top. You do not like to disappoint people. You are hard to get upset with because you so rarely make poor choices. Until it comes to how you treat your sister. Sometimes those aren’t the best choices. You get super excited over the weirdest things. You love essential oils for crying out loud. You are really funny and pretty witty. You are just an all-around joy and I am so blessed to be your mama. I love you sweet boy.