Tuesday, August 10, 2010

J.C.J.

Dear Jackson,
Here's a look at your life at four-and-a-half years old.

You love:
-Your daddy. (Big time!)
-Your grandparents. (You say you can't wait to be really old like Steve-Pappaw.)
-Snacking on crunchy things likes apples and carrots (with ranch)
-Bananas, blueberries, and raspberries
-Chinese food
-Chewing gum
-When I come home from the grocery store with all kinds of new things to eat. This is your love language.
-Your "soft blanket," which now has two large holes in it. I fear it is not long for this world.
-Sleeping on the floor
-Anything to do with astronauts and space ships
-Spinning around in your new egg chair from Ikea
-Watching a movie on the couch during rest time
-Being able to do more things for yourself
-Working on puzzles or playing Memory with mom and dad
-Being a big brother
-Listening to Psalty (score!)
-Asking questions
-Drawing pictures on the Magnadoodle and then playing word games to go along with them
-Any kind of social activity like going to church, school, or day camp
-Knock-knock jokes

You like:
-A little girl named Mary in your summer day camp. I think this is your first crush. You mentioned her several times and you always smiled shyly when you did. (Let the record show that I neither encouraged nor discouraged this. I just listened.)

You do not love:
-Pickles on your sandwich
-Being cooped up in the house too long
-Going to bed at night. You often come out and say "Mommy, I need to tell you something." Then you have to think about what it is you need to tell me.
-Being called a "turkey" or a "little boy"
-Saying goodbye to last year's teachers. You have talked about them all summer and you don't understand why you won't be in their class next year.
-Being still

Jackson, words I use to describe you include:
Joyful, happy, sunshiny, busy, curious, funny, handsome, enthusiastic, eager, imaginative, fun, protective of your sister, loving, growing in faith and knowledge of God, smart, strong, and fast.

Some words that describe how I feel about you are:
-So very proud
-So thankful you are mine
-Amazed and amused by your little mind
-If I could have picked any little boy in the whole world to be my son, I would have picked you
-I love you so much, buddy

Jackson, this summer has been really important for the two of us. Mommy had been in a season of feeling stressed out and frustrated. I was not giving you my best and it made my heart so sad. God saw what I needed - and what our family needed - and moved a mountain so that I could be the kind of mommy you need me to be. And the kind of mommy God made me to be. When I look at how much closer you and I have become this summer, it makes me want to cry. I wish I could go back in time and make this happen sooner, but I can't. Instead, I am turning those feelings into thankfulness for the present and into joyfulness for our future.

My son, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God handcrafted every little piece of you to His glory and good pleasure. You are like a young plant thriving in the sunlight of your God. I pray you keep growing toward Him wherever He moves.


The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26


Love,
Mommy

43 comments:

Marc and Charity said...

What a sweet post! He's a cutie!

Amanda said...

Thank you for sharing this! Jackson is a doll and you have really opened my eyes to what a joy it could be to parent a little guy...I appreciate the transparency.

Kristen @ Moms Sharpening Moms said...

Your Jackson is so blessed to have you for his Mama, Amanda!

We recite that blessing every night to our 3 young'uns. Even my big 11 year olds love to still hear it!

God bless and keep you sweet girl!

Leigh said...

how BEAUTIFUL!!! it brought tears of joy to read about your son!

Jennifer said...

Beautiful post.

Mary H. said...

You are just precious!
Jackson is so blessed!

Taylor said...

Amanda,

Loved this post about your love for your boy.

::Taylor

Molly said...

You are such a great mom! For the record, when you state 'for the record,' you are in fact making a point - loved it.
And I totally get the 'turkey' name, who wants that, although the pickle thing has me confused.

He is so darling and BIG! Bless your family. <><

Sandy said...

Oh Amanda, I am so glad I clicked on to read this. This is so touching! Thank you for sharing!

Ashley N said...

I suddenly feel like I'm really missing something by not having a little boy. Very sweet post, he is so precious...reminds me a lot of my 4yr old little girl.

Anonymous said...

This is awesome!
I love it!

Bobbie said...

What a beautiful tribute to your very handsome, very blessed son!! You're a wonderful Mom, Amanda with a heart the size of Texas. You certainly have a gift for putting your heart on paper, or rather computer screen!!

Stephanie said...

Sweet words he will cherish someday when he can read them! Just love that our God is faithful to see us through seasons that aren't our best and help us navigate our way into better ones. I love to hear this as I am only weeks away from bringing a little guy into our family too! I know it will be a challenge, but hopefully one that the Lord will use to grow me too!! Blessings to you...

Courtney (Women Living Well) said...

What a heart warming post! Children are truly blessings from the Lord. We moms can get so busy that we forget to just stop and take it all in - they are changing everyday and we can never get today with them back again. Keep striving to enjoy this season of life - it goes by in a flash!
Much Love,
Courtney

Holly said...

Amanda,
My little girl just turned 5 and reminds me so much of Jackson. I as well was getting frustrated etc.. and I decided to give up nap time and turn it into rest time for an hour. I then play games with Ellie and it has made us so much closer. I love having that alone time with her while the two other girls nap!
ps- my hubby went to SBU with your hubby. His name is Mike Shelton. He's bff with Justin Arbuckle! small world...

debra parker said...

you are a sweet mommy.
thank you for sharing this and encouraging me and others...

Hollie said...

As a mom of two toddlers, I appreciate the reminder to be thankful for the present and joyful about the future. It's hard to keep that mindset in the thick of things, but your post is inspiring!

Dana said...

Love this post! I would love for you to share more about how God has worked your situation. I know just reading this sweet post has encouraged me, and I appreciate you sharing this.

Erica said...

His smile melts my heart! What a precious keepsake for him!

Unknown said...

I'm not a mom and you had me tearing up. That is precious. You are a wonderful mother, even in the times that you think you are not, because you take your children to the feet of the Father. You are a true mother.
God bless you!

Sarah said...

What a beautiful post. He is a sweet (and very handsome) little man! :)

Anonymous said...

SOOOOO precious! You are a GREAT mom!

Lauren said...

This was so incredibly sweet. That bopy of yorus is going to grow up to do GREAT things!!!!!

Anne said...

God has given me such a strong desire to be a wife and mother. This post is an encouragement and made my heart ache in a good way! He is faithful!

Barbara Head said...

That is the sweetest face on such a handsome young man. Kudos to you and your family!!!

Lisa said...

What a great post.. You and he will cherish these for a long time.. By the way I think he looks just like your dad.. and that is not a bad thing. You have a very handsome father and a beautiful mother..

Toknowhim said...

These words you write today will be cherished so much by Jackson one day :)

Wendi NC said...

So funny how he comes out of his room at bedtime. My little boy does the same thing!! He's searching all around the room for a topic of conversation as to why he's out of his room! We've made a new rule for him to stick to "The only reason to come out of your room is to go potty" and he's doing pretty good..he comes out but he always goes to the potty and ALWAYS has something to deposit! Thanks for sharing your life!

Amber said...

Bless your sweet heart! So much of what you said struck a chord in my heart (I have 2 boys- almost 4 and almost 2 years old), especially about the Lord moving a mountain to help me be a better mama. I am acutally in the process of my 2 weeks notice to be a full-time mom- a total dream come true that I thought would never be possible!

So anyway, thanks for sharing. And by the way, I know Justin Arbukle (whom I understand was best buds with your hubby) too... small world indeed!

Beth said...

On a sentimental note, this post made me bawl. I love him so much and can hardly fathom life before that darling man-child. On a silly note, I meant to tell you last night that he pulled a knock-knock joke on me and I was shocked and so tickled. He had the idea if not the follow through:

"Bibby, knock-knock!"

(Me) "Who's there?"

"Underpants!"

(Me) "Underpants who?"

"Underpants Underpants!"

Dies laughing.

Then I do, too.

Spicy Magnolia said...

It really doesn't get better than seeing the precious families God has given us, does it?

Happy 4.5 year birthday celebration, Jackson!

Oh, and I'm so excited to know he likes "Psalty"!! For the first time yesterday, Brennan said 'please' over and over again until I put the CD in, and he holds the CD case with him wherever we drive in the car. Score is right!

Becky said...

So sweet. Sounds like Jackson and Will would get along great. He's a blessed little guy to have you for a Mommy!

Kristen said...

Precious boy!! Coming home from the grocery store with new foods is Nathan's love language too!

CAROL LIVIN FOR GOD said...

That post was so sweet and Jackson is a cutie.
Have a good day
Carol

Vicki said...

I love this....so sweet!

Michelle said...

Amanda,
I ditto what 'D' said. What an inspiring post....I feel like you have described how I am feeling and I am having a hard time. My little guy turned 4 two months ago and his younger sister turned 1 two months ago. So we have children very similar ages. Would love for you to share your heart if you feel led to. Thank you so much!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Is he allowed to be growing up this fast, Amanda? Have you not squished him on the head with a rock enough? Because good night, I started reading your blog when he was barely a toddler. And now look at him! That last picture took my breath away.

Marla Taviano said...

This is so awesome. I love that little (big) guy.

annalee said...

oh what a handsome little man he is, full of personality and love!

The Marquarts said...

how sweet and such a handsome lil' guy! i haven't peeked at your blog in a while and annabeth is absolutely adorable too! what lil' blessings!

katiegfromtennessee said...

This is soo sweet and darling of a post for your little Jackson. Jackson will enjoy reading these when he's all grown as will his sister reading here posts when she's all grown:)

Blessings to you!

katiegfromtennessee

kittyhox said...

Whoa, he's gotten so handsome!

kittyhox said...

Whoa, he's gotten so handsome!