Today you are 10. That hardly seems possible, as I sit here typing this with a babe in my belly and recognizing that it's actually been a whole decade now since my motherhood journey began. 10 years filled with so many ups and downs. 10 years that went by with the blink of an eye. It's so true what they say. The days are long but the years are short. Yesterday as we were eating lunch inside Chick-Fil-A... (I had a pregnancy craving), you were gazing out the window at the cars waiting in the drive-thru line and talking about how excited you are to get behind the wheel. Thinking about that chapter of our lives starting in just four years gives me a bit of anxiety! It won't be long and you'll be going to work with daddy in the summers, starting junior high and going to school dances. I can see it in you... you are longing for increased independence, and we are giving it to you with your birthday gifts this year. It's hard letting you spread your wings, but as much as you love your family and your friends, you definitely have a bit of your mama in you -- you want your freedom and independence, too.
You are in this in between state of young and old, and I think sometimes that's hard for all of us. There are nights where you come up and rest your head on my shoulder and literally breathe out a sigh, as if you are relieved that Mom is still right there with you. And then there are days where you push our buttons and we push yours and you just want to do your own thing and go your own way and not have Mom and Dad hovering over your shoulder. It's a pull and tug, and it's hard sometimes, but we're figuring it out day by day.
This year of yours will bring big changes. Yes, we are giving you some freedom. You also are gaining a new bedroom in the basement - a little bit of privacy for you and another sign that you are aging. You will be counted on a lot as we bring another baby into this house. We're letting you start tackle football this year, and have also promised you it's your last summer of daycare. There will be challenges and joys and growing pains, but we love you dearly.
You are still that kid in school that we can be so proud of. Though you don't love the classroom, you're still a leader and a role model for your peers, earning high praise from teachers with how you carry yourself, how you respect those in charge, how you treat other kids. We've never had a single behavior issue to deal with at school - on the court - at practice - or at daycare. You are so much like your daddy. You don't show a whole lot of emotion or excitement for things and kind of just go with the flow. Though we know what makes you happiest, you don't ever get too high or too low.
You found a new love this year - sports cars. You could look at pictures of them and talk about them until the rest of us are exasperated from hearing about it. You're getting more and more comfortable with your role on your highly competitive basketball team. You're the quiet leader that listens in practice while others sometimes goof around, helping your teammates in the middle of games by directing traffic on the court - and keeping your spot in the starting lineup, scoring when necessary but putting your defensive skills first and making sure to set screens as often as possible so your teammate Jaydon can drive the lane for frequent layups. You turned down a spot offered to you on a traveling baseball team, knowing where your passions are - and where they aren't - and finding a balance between competing and having free time to be a kid and enjoy your summers.
You could watch sports highlights on YouTube for hours on end and have picked up Daddy's interest in hunting and shooting. You don't love reading but of course have found chapter books about kids playing sports to be somewhat tolerable. You can't wait for this baby sibling to be born.
You're 10 years old now but we joke often that we need a child's lock on our walk-in pantry to try and keep you out. You don't stop eating and then you complain when the snacks run out often around here! I can't keep you fed no matter how I try! You still make friends so very easily, which made the transition to a new school this past year go smoother than even we expected. You push your brother's buttons on a daily basis, but no less typical than we would expect being only 25 months apart. You push Lucy-cat's buttons, too, and it really is quite funny that for whatever reason, she sometimes barely tolerates you. ;) You love her so much - sometimes too much - and she's not quite sure she appreciates your smothering. :)
You are all boy all the time - and though I keep waiting for signs of your first girl crush, you never give us any. Though you have started mentioning some of your friends having girlfriends lately, and it makes me wonder if there's a small part of you starting to look that direction a little more. If we even try and bring it up, your face turns bright red and you get MAD. :)
We love you bud. We're proud of you and grateful that you were the one to start this sweet family of ours. Happy 10th birthday to our #10!
