"8"

.......I still can't believe it!!  Mason (my oldest) turned 8 today.  Where is the time going?  Someone, please stop that clock.  I can't seem to keep up!!

*sigh*  Where do I begin?!  After all, Mason, you are mommy & daddy's beginning!!  September 24, 2002 @ 2:12pm weighing 7lbs. 6 oz and 20" long, you entered this world (our world).  Our journey into parenthood had officially begun!  Love, hope, dreams (and fears too), the three of us were in this thing together!!  Every "first" we would share, together too.

CHANGE.  The past few weeks  I've been noticing changes.......BIG changes.......YOU are growing so fast.

You are now in the 3rd grade!  And so far, you are off to a very good start.  Every year your growth shows.  You tackle each project with such will and determination.  Frustration, on occasion, accompanies that will & determination but you work through it well.  And you are a great problem solver. You have a love for crossword puzzles, word searches and brain teasers. The tougher the problem, the more determined you are to solve it.   Hang on to these tools tight, they will get you far in life.

You LOVE to read!!  Not surprising from a boy who was reading fluently at age 4.  It must have been all the reading mommy & daddy did to you while you were in my belly.  As a toddler, you loved books.  Flipping through the pages, pointing to pictures and mostly being read to.  That love for reading continues to this day.  At any given time you can be found lying down on your bed with a good book.  Chapter books........already..........you finished the whole Diary of a Wimpy Kid collection last year in the second grade.  Now that's a lot of reading!!

You are quiet & shy.  You like to warm up to things and people before you jump in.  That's OK.  It's good to be cautious.  Sometimes you struggle with your confidence.  You are capable of so many wonderful things!  Believe in yourself.  You do not have to be the best (at everything), just give your best, to all that you do!

You are very compassionate and sensitive.  Two things that are so important in life.  As you are getting older, you are starting to realize how fortunate you are.  (a truly important life lesson)  You are becoming more aware of the world around you.  "Giving" is becoming a big part of who you are.  At 8 years old, you are realizing how important it is for us to give back to our community and to those who are less fortunate.  You have a desire to help those in need.  For example, you no longer find it necessary to hang on to all your toys (including the ones you haven't played with for some time).  Instead, you rather pack a bag and donate it to children who have never had toys.  You now see the greater good!!  It fills my heart with so much joy to see the young "boy" you are becoming!!  And such great qualities needed to be a true friend.  You clearly have no problems there.........you have friends in abundance!!  Some that you have had since preschool.  Finding your way and place in this world will not always be easy.  Surround yourself with family & good friends.  And always stay true to YOU!!

You are an AMAZING big brother.  Don't get me wrong, you & Elijah definitely have your moments.  But hey, that's life.  You also share some common grounds.  Like wrestling, sports, music and video games.  You are a great protector.  Always watching out for your little brothers.  A job you take seriously now that Elijah goes to the same school as you.   And especially with Landon.  I pity the fool who even dares to step near that fine line.  You are so attentive.  It doesn't matter what you are doing, you always have time for your bothers (well, maybe not immediately, but at least within a few seconds. lol).  Whether helping Elijah with his homework or playing catch with Landon. You always make it a point to include Landon in everything.  Even if it's telling him about something you & Elijah did.  It's always followed by, "and some day when you are older, WE are going to......"!!  Yes, some day you 3 boys.......*sigh*!!  Just makes my heart smile=)

You are such a CLOWN!!  You love to make people laugh!!  Whether it be magic tricks, jokes or imitation (Urkel, one of your favorites)........you definitely have a sense of humor!

You love sports!  Right now you play baseball, soccer & flag football.  You have shown such growth in all 3!!  I loved watching you play  between 4-6 years old, making friends and having so much fun.  But I love watching you play even more, now, and how you have learned to become a team player while continuing to have so much fun!!   You take constructive criticism well, and put it to good use!  This is the key to great success!!  A big part of LEARNING!!

Basketball is next on your list!!  I guess mommy & daddy shouldn't plan on having a "free" weekend any time soon, huh??!!  lol


You love to play video games!  Wrestling and basketball are 2 of your favorites right now!  At times they seem to abduct you from your family.  But we are learning how to fit  them in to your busy schedule!  Too much of anything is never a "good" thing!  Other things you like to do are: baking (but there is far more joy in eating what you bake), playing basketball and riding your bike.  You just learned how to "officially" ride your bike (and stop without falling) this past summer.  (we will blame that on modern technology and motorized quads).  There's no stopping you now=)

lol  And, you love to dance!!  Maybe some hip hop classes will be added to that list soon!!  (FYI:  girls love a guy who can dance)!!

Oh Mason, my heart is filled with so much love for you!  You see, my journey into parenthood began with you.  We share a bond that is indescribable.  It's a feeling.  Through you, I have experienced many firsts.  My first pregnancy.  The overwhelming emotions I felt the first time I was called, mama.  The pure joy of seeing you take your first steps. And how proud I was of you when you started kindergarten.

For 3 years we enjoyed uninterrupted cuddle time.  Countless hugs & kisses.  And many "date nights".  The list goes on.  As our family has grown, our one on one time may not be as often as we would like.  But we always manage to share a quiet conversation any "free" chance we get.  Those moments may be few but they sure are priceless.  Moments when we share our thoughts and our concerns on anything & everything.  I just LOVE how free & comfortable our conversations are.  May our line of communication always be open.  I cherish the bond you & I share.  It is my hope, that we always find time to talk and to squeeze a "date night" in to our busy schedules.  No matter how old we get.

Happy 8th Birthday my sweet, sweet Mason!!  Today is your day.  Today we celebrate you and all the joy you bring to our lives.  We love you to the moon & back!!