Double Digits

I cannot believe my little Claycito is already 10! It's been a decade of fun and adventure, and I'm so thankful to have you in my life. You make me smile every single day, and I love you more than words can say.

This year has been weird in so many ways because of COVID, but you did get to travel over the summer to California, Las Vegas, and Florida. You also visited Colorado in February. Additionally, we traveled to a Jellystone Park in Kerrville over New Year's and to Port Aransas during Spring Break. You are pretty much always up for an adventure, and I love that about you. 

You have been thrilled to have Oliver living with us since the summer. You love to play with him and love on him, and he loves it too! You were especially thrilled to find out his birthday was in the same month as yours, and you insisted we spoil him with some special treats. 

We changed up the way we do school this year, and you started attending the iSchool K-5 charter school. It took you a little while to get into the swing of it, especially with the difficulty of having to start virtually because of COVID. But once you got the hang of everything, you have been thriving. You enjoy your teacher, Ms. Gasaway, and you have made many wonderful friends. You have performed well academically and have mastered the art of food trading at lunchtime. I'm very pleased with how you embraced this change and bravely stepped into a new situation, and I'm so proud of all your hard work this year. 

You continue to be VERY interested in weapons of all kinds and have amassed quite an armory. In fact, "Nerf War" was the number one activity on your birthday party agenda. You have also shown interest in a variety of video games (especially Minecraft and Clash of Clans), The Lord of the Rings movies, Spotify, and video chatting with your friends. And your deep love of Five Below is still as strong as ever, though you certainly aren't opposed to spending money in other stores if you have the chance. 

Clay, you are a lover and a giver, and you make the world a better place by spreading joy wherever you go. You are easy-going and fun-loving. And you are quick to apologize when you step out of line. You almost always ask how my day was, and you give me "extra hug" every night before you go to bed, which means more to me than you will probably ever really know. You have a wonderful imagination and really clever ideas that I always enjoy hearing about. You have aspirations to become a blacksmith/lumberjack/woodworker, and you have a plan to build a very elaborate house that is filled with booby traps and water slides. I'm incredibly thankful that you came into my life ten years ago! Happy birthday, sweet boy! Thanks for being amazing!

Fifteen

Well, you have managed to survive one of the most bizarre and difficult years of your life so far, enduring disappointments and heartache in your personal life, as well as wrestling with the effects of a global pandemic along with the world at large. So much of this year has felt ugly and hard, but I hope when you look back on this year, you will also be able to see the undercurrent of beauty and light that have been woven into it. Even though I know you wouldn't want to repeat this year (and neither would I!), I have seen you grow and mature in numerous ways as a result of having lived through it. I have seen you bravely face disappointment and chart new courses. I have seen you stretch yourself to try new activities, create new relationships, and think about things in new ways. I have seen you lead by example with your brothers and your friends. I have seen you show compassion, humility, initiative, flexibility, curiosity, courage, resilience, dedication, integrity, composure, and self-confidence. I have been awed by you and inspired by you on many occasions throughout this year. I'm so proud of the person you are and the man you are becoming. 

You were just at the beginning of your speech and debate season around your last birthday, and you threw yourself into it with everything you had, which led to much success. Your passion and enthusiasm for it were contagious and delightful. Your arguments and speaking matured throughout the season and you became more and more comfortable, charming, and capable. You earned enough green check marks to go to state, and one of the disappointments you had to face was the loss of that opportunity due to COVID. Still, you learned much during the season and performed to the best of your ability, which is something you can be proud of. We also got to travel to tournaments across many states, and we had so many good times along the way. I'm thankful for that time with you, and I'm grateful for the skills you developed by participating in speech and debate. 

When the pandemic shut down schools, activities, and social outlets in the spring, you struggled to find motivation. But you've stepped into your high school years in a new school, and you have been thriving academically and socially. You have rediscovered your love of playing team sports and have been thoroughly enjoying participating in football and basketball. You have made many new friends and had lots of new experiences. You even have a particularly inspirational World Geography teacher that has tapped into your sense of adventure, and you are looking forward to traveling abroad with him and a group of other students in the summer of 2022.

Speaking of travel, despite the pandemic, you still had several opportunities to travel during the last year. We spent time with family in Lake Tahoe last Christmas, and you were thrilled by the snow and cold, as you always are. You got to participate in speech and debate contests in Georgia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, as well as several in different parts of Texas. We had a mini vacation to the Jellystone Campground in Tyler, and you got to spend time with your grandparents in Belton and Lake Buchanan. You also took summer trips to California (with stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas) and Florida.

You attended a church camp with your youth group last December and had an experience that really solidified your faith. You have continued to be involved in youth programs at Rockpointe and have been particularly thrilled with a class that started in the new school year called Man Up--a class designed to teach guys your age more about the Bible and some useful life skills as well. Earlier this month, you also made a decision to get baptized. You have said that your faith is what has helped you face the many challenges of this year, and I'm thankful you have it to lean on. 

Weston, this year hasn't been easy, but in so many ways, you've used it as an opportunity for growth. I'm proud of your character and your perseverance. I'm thankful for your ability to roll with the punches and to not let the difficult things keep you down for too long. I'm constantly entertained by your hilarious sense of humor. I'm often educated and encouraged by our conversations. It definitely feels like one of my greatest privileges is getting to share this life with you. You make the world a better place, and you make my world a wonderful place to be. I love you so much, and I wish you all the best on this, your 15th birthday. 

Love,

Mom

Eighteen

Congratulations! You are officially an adult! Eighteen years seems like a long time when you're just talking about it, but I truly cannot believe how quickly eighteen years have passed in real time. I'm so thankful you made me a mom and that you have been patient with me as I've tried to figure this parenting gig out. I think we have both learned a lot along the way. It has been one wild, crazy, heartbreaking, exhilarating, challenging, joyous ride that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! You are such an amazing person, and I'm grateful to have you in my life!

You have really grown into yourself in the past year and I think you are more than ready to enter adulthood. About a year ago, you got a job working for Ruff It, the grooming and boarding side of City Vet. You were recognized for your hard work by being awarded employee of the month a couple of times, and it wasn't long before you were ready to move into a vet tech role with more challenges and responsibilities. You acquired many new skills and a greater degree of confidence, and you even took the lead on coming up with ways of making the clinic run more smoothly. And, you got pretty good at dealing with people and animals of varying temperaments. Unfortunately, because of Covid-19, you were furloughed from your job in late March, and then they decided they weren't going to be able to bring you back. It was a tough experience on many levels, but you handled it with grace and didn't let it get you down for long.

Because of work, you had the opportunity to stay home by yourself a couple of times during the summer and during the winter break, which is another reason I know you are more than prepared to enter adulthood. You are quite capable of taking care of yourself. And you are responsible and trustworthy...and thoughtful, as you even cleaned up the house before our return.

You had the opportunity to attend a CAP powered flight academy last summer, and you took a leadership position at one of the Encampment events, as well as attending and leading at several events in the fall. You also rose to an officer rank within the Nighthawk Squadron, achieved the title of 2nd Lieutenant, and received the Billy Mitchell award. I'm so proud of your hard work in this organization and of the wonderful skills you acquired! 

This was your senior year of high school, but you took all your classes at NCTC, so it was a bit of a non-traditional senior experience, which I guess was an appropriate ending to all your other years of non-traditional schooling. You enjoyed your classes and made excellent grades, and even wrecked the curve for the rest of the class from time to time. Your academic achievements earned you a nice scholarship to UNT and a place in the honors college. You are so smart, and you are an incredibly hard worker, and I'm so proud of all your accomplishments!

You have struggled, as all teenagers do, with what you want to major in in college and the path you'd like to take for your life. For now, you have settled on majoring in Psychology and possibly pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. I think this is wonderful, but I want you to know that it's absolutely okay if you change your mind. Despite what society might have you think, you don't have to have your life figured out at the age of 18 (or any particular age). I know for sure that you have within you everything you need to become who and what you want to be on whatever timeline makes sense for you. And you have the power to change and grow and continue becoming all the days of your life, so don't ever think you are locked into something that no longer serves you and your happiness. I am excited about the journey that awaits you and will be here cheering you on every step of the way!

This year has brought some difficult changes and circumstances to our family and to the world at large, but I have watched you handle them all with grace, forgiveness, strength, and dignity. You are the kind of person who tries to see the good and make the best of the situation, and you have learned through therapy and life how to manage your mental health in a way that allows you to rise rather than sink. And because of this, you have so much to give to others. You have been a shining example and a wonderful comfort to your brothers, to myself, and to others as we have all navigated these choppy, unfamiliar waters. 

Ruth, you have the most beautiful heart and a wonderfully brilliant mind. And you truly have so much to offer the world. You make me proud and bring me joy every single day! I consider these last eighteen years with you a rare and amazing privilege, and I'm thankful for all of the big and little moments that have brought us to this point. You are now and will forever be, not only my favorite daughter, but one of my favorite people on the planet! Welcome to adulthood! You are going to rock it! I love you more than words can say!

Love,

Mom

Whoa-oh, we're halfway there

Sweet Clay,

I truly cannot believe you are already nine and halfway to being an adult! They say "time flies when you're having fun," and it really rings true when I think about how much fun the last nine years have been and how quickly they have gone by! I love being your mom, and I'm so thankful to have you in my life. You make me smile every day, and you inspire me to continue to strive to be a better person. I love your sweet hugs, your happy disposition, you fabulous sense of adventure, your incredible imagination, your unfailing curiosity, and your deep love. You are an absolute joy, and every day with you feels like a special gift!

This year has brought some difficult changes to your life, but you have taken them all in stride, and I'm proud of your bravery and resilience. Change is always hard, and no one ever really wants to go through hard things, but usually the hard things in life make us stronger, and I believe you have an opportunity to grow in unique ways as a result of the challenges you have faced.

Last summer, we had the opportunity to spend some time in the Florida Keys and in Barbados. And even though you ended up with a terrible sunburn, you loved finding treasures on the beaches and riding around in our cute little open-air vehicle, even when we got caught in a major rain storm. You and I also got to spend some time together on our own after that trip, while everyone else was busy with other activities. We did some cool things together in DFW and also made a trip to Granny's and a trip to Nana's. Later in the summer, you and your brothers and me took a road trip to Washington D.C. On the way, we stopped to see the gigantic Bass Pro Shop in Memphis, visited the Corvette Museum and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, and toured Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, in Virginia. We spent the 4th of July in the nation's capital, which was really a special experience. We also visited several of the wonderful museums in D.C. but your favorite, by far, was the Spy Museum. On our return trip, we stopped at the Louisville Slugger Museum, which you enjoyed tremendously. You were especially impressed with the 120 foot tall baseball bat the greeted us when we arrived. You and Ruth and I traveled back to D.C. by plane a few weeks later to attend Dad's flag ceremony. And then you spent some time out at Campmeeting. Somehow, you also found the time to attend a week of Cake Camp, which you really loved. It was a pretty amazing summer, full of lots of wonderful memories!

You continued doing homeschool and Arrow this year for school, and you had a very successful year. You are so very smart and are able to accomplish anything you put your mind to. We switched to Khan Academy classes for math and grammar halfway through the year, and you enjoyed getting to do those lessons on the computer. You also loved the DIY Science videos we found and some of the cool science experiments we did. We did realize early in the school year that your eyes were getting fatigued when you would read, which led us down a path of several months of vision therapy. We found out your eyes weren't really having a problem, but your brain was having trouble processing what you were asking it to do. You worked very hard with Ms. Debby and just recently passed your re-evaluation, so you don't have to do the therapy any more and reading has become much easier for you. But even though you enjoy reading books, your favorite thing is listening to audiobooks. Among other stories, you listened to all the Harry Potter books this year (and rewatched all the movies), which inspired the theme for your birthday party.

During this school year, you continued to participate with Cub Scouts, though we switched to a pack that seems to be a better fit for us. You and I had fun building your Pinewood Derby car and attending the Blue and Gold banquet together.

You moved into your "little apartment" (my closet) early in the school year, and you really love having your own private place. In fact, I recently asked if you were looking forward to moving out and into one of the other rooms when Ruth goes off to college at the end of the summer, and you told me you thought you like to just stay because it's just so cozy.

We spent Thanksgiving at the ranch with Mimi and Grandpa and Christmas in Lake Tahoe with them as well as Alan and Bekki and the girls. And you spent the first week of the new year at Nana and Papa's. You are blessed to have so many people in your life who love you dearly and who you love in return!

During Spring Break, you and Weston and me went to Tyler and stayed at the Jellystone Campground for several days. We had a blast learning to play pickleball, jumping on the giant pillow, trying to start a campfire, making tie-dye shirts, and enjoying being in nature. You and I also hiked in Tyler State park, where we found an "army or turtles," a sneaky snake, and tried our best to locate a beaver. The park was beautiful, but seeing it through your eyes was a real treat.

Right after Spring Break, our world got turned upside down by the Covid-19 (Corona) virus. We suddenly found ourselves under "stay at home" directives, and all the schools, activities, playgrounds, and most of the businesses shut down. We didn't leave our house for a couple of months, and certain things like meat and toilet paper (to name only a couple) became hard to get at the stores. It was weird and disappointing in some ways, but we also had some really great times and made some wonderful memories. We did chalk art and regular art, went on nature scavenger hunts, cooked and baked lots of yummy food, watched lots of movies/tv shows/videos, played tons of games, learned to use Zoom, and participated in lots of video chats. The world is opening up little by little now, but we are still certainly not back to what we would think of as normal. We had to make lots of adjustments during this crazy period, but as always, you have just rolled with it.

Clay, you are my favorite nine-year old! I adore listening to your stories, seeing all the weapons you invent, watching you become completely immersed in an imaginary world of play, experiencing all your new kinds of hugs, and observing a rare kindness and love in you that few people possess. You are an absolute treasure, and I'm not sure how I was lucky enough to be picked to be your mom, but I'm thankful that I was. Happy birthday, sweet boy! I love you more than words can say!

Love,
Mom

Twelve

It's a new year and a new decade, and you are twelve. Time flies, for sure! It has been a pretty great year, and I have enjoyed watching you grow and learn and become more of who you are. You are such a great kid, and I'm glad I get to be your mom!

This year, you joined Boy Scouts, and you have enjoyed making new friends, learning new skills, and going on many campouts, including two week-long camps during the summer. You have completed many merit badges and have advanced in rank. You were even elected by your patrol to be the their very first Patrol Leader, and you have been the Grub Master for several campouts. I'm proud of the the things you have accomplished during your time in Scouts and for the ways you've stepped up to lead when no one else was inclined to do so!

Aside from campouts, you had the opportunity to travel Florida, Barbados, Washington D.C., and Lake Tahoe. You thoroughly enjoyed the beach and the snow and pretty much everything in between, and you delighted in our visits to lots of cool places like The Coca-Cola Museum, Mammoth Cave, The Corvette Museum, Monticello, The Louisville Slugger Museum, and The Spy Museum.

You played baseball in the spring and really enjoyed the season, though sports don't seem to be your true love. You tend to prefer to spend your time reading, building, playing with friends, inventing, and solving interesting problems. You have also gotten really into music this year and can often be found curating and jamming to your Spotify playlist. Currently, The Git Up is your favorite, and you can nail the dance from the video in a most impressive way.

This school year, you started attending the ischool STEM Academy, and it has been such a great fit for you. You have made many new friends, and you seem to truly enjoy your classes and teachers and the structure and opportunities the school provides. And once you got the hang of the way assignments are turned in and graded, your grades have been fantastic. Your teachers also really love you, and Ms. Hyde has pulled me aside on several occasions to tell me what an asset you are to her classes and to the whole 6th grade. She has talked about how helpful, attentive, and eager you are, and it made me super proud to hear these glowing reports. You really seem to be blooming in that environment, and I'm so thankful you have been given the opportunity to go to school there.

Shortly after school started, you started having lots of headaches, and we realized you needed glasses. I think you look very handsome in your new eyewear, and I think the glasses have made reading even more enjoyable for you. You also developed a wild case of blood poisoning in the fall that was scary and uncomfortable for a bit and required you to miss a day of school. Fortunately, you avoided being admitted to the hospital, but you discovered that you are definitely not a fan of IVs. I think you also learned the importance of thoroughly cleaning even minor cuts and scrapes.

You started attending the youth group at The Village Church, and you really love it. You are enjoying learning more about the Bible and about prayer, and you are especially enjoying the social interactions you have there.

We had the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the ranch, and you were able to shoot a small 8-point deer, which you were very proud of. You also got to get some more practice driving the Ranger on your own, and you are getting to be a pretty good driver.

Max, you are such an amazing kid! You have a big heart and often show so much love and care and thoughtfulness for the people around you. You are generous and kind and so creative. Your mind is always churning with curiosity and new ideas, and I love to hear about the things you think about and see you working to make the ideas in your head into realities. You still struggle sometimes with controlling your big, intense emotions, but you have matured so much in the last year, and I can definitely tell it is getting easier for you to manage them. I'm proud of the way you keep working to improve your happiness and make yourself stronger. I love you so much and I'm so thankful for these 12 years with you! I look forward to seeing what the next year brings! Happy birthday!

Love,
Mom

My favorite 12-year-old

Fourteen

Dear Weston,

Somehow your fourteenth birthday has managed to sneak up on us. It kind if caught me off guard, to tell you the truth, and I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. What a privilege it is to have known you these fourteen years! You are smart and sweet and funny and charming and thoughtful and resourceful. You are a good friend, an excellent leader, a shrewd investor, and a delightful person. You have made my life fuller and richer in so many ways, and I'm thankful I get to be your mom!

You have continued to work hard on your Scouting journey throughout this last year. You have attended many camps, held several leadership positions, and are just on the cusp of completing your Eagle Scout rank. Some parts of this journey have not been easy, but you have learned some important lessons and have carried on with your integrity in tact. You should be proud of all you have accomplished.

Your new loves this year have been speech and debate, and you have thrown yourself into them with passion. You competed and performed well in one tournament in the spring, which kind of gave you the bug. And you have just finished the first tournament of the new season, with another trophy for your efforts. You have a real talent for speaking, persuading, entertaining, and forming reasonable arguments, and I hope you will continue to develop these talents and use them for good in the world.

You have had a lot of great opportunities this year, which you have taken advantage of. You invested in the stock market and are quietly letting your wealth grow in the background; you won first place in a state PSIA speech contest; you spent a week crewing a boat in the Florida Keys; you traveled to Washington DC by yourself to visit Dad and navigated the city for a couple of days on your own; you met with city officials while planning your Eagle Scout project; you made new friends and tried new activities and set goals to push yourself. I love the way you embrace life and the way you give it your all. You are brave and bold and one of the best people I know!

We had a big change in our family this year as Dad went to work first in DC and then in New Delhi. I am sure this has not been an easy adjustment for you, but you have handled it bravely and with grace. And, you've been a tremendous help and encouragement to me and a great example for your younger brothers during this time, and I want you to know you are appreciated. I'm so very thankful for you!

Weston, you are such a wonderful young man, and I love getting to do life with you! I appreciate all the ways you have matured in the last year and the many amazing ways you show up in the world. I'm so proud of you, and I hope the year ahead is your best on yet! Happy 14th!

Love,
Mom

My favorite 14-year-old

Seventeen

Happy birthday to the person who made me a mother seventeen years ago! You have taught me so much, and it's been incredible watching you turn into the amazing young woman you are today. You are intelligent, thoughtful, creative, responsible, capable, caring, self-motivated, independent, and mature beyond your years. You work hard to accomplish your goals, and you consistently make smart choices. I'm so very proud of you and know without a doubt that you have a bright future ahead!

We spent a couple of months in South America last summer, visiting famous sites like the Amazon, Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, Easter Island, and the Andes. You bravely spoke Spanish with the natives, ate a grub in the Amazon, and drove a standard-transmission car on Easter Island. Besides that, you seemed to enjoy the sightseeing and the family time.

Last summer, you obtained your driver's license and, along with it, so much more freedom. You have been responsible with both those things and have never given us a reason to be concerned. Dad and I love that we can trust you completely on and off the road!

You ran cross country and track again this year. In addition to keeping fit and enjoying the activities, you have also made some great friends through HSAA, and it's so good to see you building these strong relationships. You are a faithful friend and have so much to offer!

You have also continued your involvement in CAP, which has pushed you into a variety of leadership roles this year. You became the First Sergeant of the squadron and recently made Chief. You have also staffed several camps, and, in a couple of days, you will attend a Powered Flight Academy. Adult leaders and parents of other cadets have told me how you add value to the organization, and from my perspective, it has been nothing but a positive experience. I have seen you gain confidence and leadership skills that will serve you well for the rest of your life.

This year, you took most of your classes through NCTC, and though you were often the youngest person in your classes, you consistently impressed your professors by your class participation and performace on assignments and exams. You stayed on top of the material and studied hard, which allowed to you receive an A in every class. You also made a 1440 on the SAT, which is really fantastic and should help you move in whatever college direction you choose.

Ruth, I am so thankful that I have gotten to have you in my life for seventeen years! You are a delight to know, and you make me proud every single day! I hope that this coming year is your best one yet! I love you!

Love,
Mom

The Great Eight

Sweet Clay,

How can it be that you are eight?! It seems like it wasn't that long ago that you decided to join our family, but here we are eight years later, unable to imagine our lives without you! You have added joy and love and wonder to every single day, and it is truly a pleasure to know you and to spend my days with you!

Just two days after your last birthday, we hopped on a plane to South America, where we spent a couple of months visiting Peru, Argentina, and Chile. You took to it like you've taken to all our adventures--warmly and with enthusiasm. Not many kids your age can say they've explored Machu Picchu, viewed the Nazca Lines, fished in the Amazon for piranhas, sandboarded down massive sand dunes, posed with moai statues on Easter Island, skied in the Andes, or eaten guinea pig. You eagerly embraced every moment and had the time of your life!

You started second grade in the fall and continue to be a wonderful student at home and at Arrow, where you took art, history, Lego robotics, P.E., guitar, and dance. You work hard in all your classes and approach most subjects with genuine interest and zeal. Your independent reading has also exploded this year, and you can rarely be found without a book in your hand. You have especially been enjoying the Magic Tree House books and the Great Illustrated Classics.

You continue to be active in Cub Scouts and embody all the principles of the Scout Law, which states that "a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." In addition, you participated in a Ninja Warrior class in the fall, took golf lessons for a couple of months after the first of the year, and improved your swimming skills with another round of swim lessons. You truly love to try new activities and are always thinking about what your next thing might be.

You love to cook and often ask to help in the kitchen or to prepare meals and treats from your growing stash of cookbooks. You are even planning to attend Cake Camp this summer, and I know we will all be the beneficiaries of your creations.

You are obsessed with toy weapons and costumes, and just about every day your imagination carries you off to creative worlds that transcend our own. And, you spent at least half of this year sleeping in your "fort," a sanctuary under your bunk, with blanket walls, that had you happily sleeping on the floor rather than in your bed.

You love to play board games and have beat me soundly a number of times at Ticket to Ride, which is one of your favorites. You have also learned to play Settlers of Catan, Boggle, Dungeons and Dragons, and several card games. You are often the instigator and organizer to bring the whole family together for a fun game night.

Clay, you are an absolute delight! You are kind, generous, loving, smart, funny, curious, enthusiastic, and creative. You dispense hugs (and "extra hugs") and smiles freely, and you make every day more beautiful and exciting! You are the kind of person I want to be, and I'm thankful I have the opportunity to learn from you every day. I can't wait to see what the next year brings for you. Happy birthday, sweet boy!

Love,
Mom

Mr. Cinco de Mayo

Maximus Elevenus

Dear Max,

I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am that you came into my life eleven years ago! Since that day, you have been helping me learn how to love in ways I never previously imagined and to grow and improve as a person. You have helped me see the world in new ways, and I honestly feel that just knowing you is a privilege. That's not to say our life together is without challenges, but more and more I can see that getting through those challenges side by side is part of what knits our hearts together. You are an amazing young man, and I am so proud of you!

You tried some new things this year, including yoga, an online coding class, a foam run, seeing a Broadway musical (Les Mis), visiting several new countries, saxophone lessons, camping with the Boy Scouts, packing and delivering boxes for Lovepacs, and classes one day a week at Arrow Christian Academy. It takes bravery and a sense of adventure to attempt new activities and to do things you've never done before, and it's important to have many different experiences so you can start to find the ones that light you up. I'm so proud of you for your involvement in and openness to each of these experiences.

Arrow is your favorite, and you are specifically enamored with your robotics class there, though you also enjoy your other classes, which include History, Science, P.E. and a couple of study hall periods. You look forward to working on your robotics project every week and to interacting with old and new friends.

Your great love of reading continues, and you have read numerous books both for school and for your personal entertainment. You have explored classics, fantasy, biographies, National Geographic magazines, and many other genres. You have many interests and are never really bored as long as you can find something to read. And you are particularly fond of series that allow you to really connect with the characters over a longer period of time. Reading helps foster your curious mind and creative imagination, and I'm so glad it is a true love of yours.

In the spring, you wrote your first in-depth research paper for Essentials about Abraham Lincoln. You read many books about him and developed a great love for him. And you did a wonderful job presenting your paper, in costume, in front of a large audience at the end of the year.

You've been really in to board games this year and have especially enjoyed playing Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, and Dungeons and Dragons. Through the games, you have been learning a lot about strategy, teamwork, adjusting your plan when things don't go your way, and many other important skills. Plus, you've been having lots of fun!

You have also spent lots of time outdoors having Nerf wars with your new neighborhood friends, playing outdoor games with your siblings, hiking with the family, whittling, and working on our new outbuilding with Dad and your brothers. You genuinely enjoy the Great Outdoors, and I'm amazed at everything you've found to do with a simple stick.

We spent a couple of months in the summer traveling in South America. You got to hike around Machu Picchu, fish in the Amazon River, sandboard in the Atacama desert, fly over the Nazca drawings, ski in the Andes, feed and pet llamas and alpacas, get up close and personal with the Moai on Easter Island, see where the desert meets the sea, visit ruins, eat different foods, practice some Spanish, and experience some cool cultural activities. You are a great traveler and enjoyed all the experiences tremendously!

You planned your birthday celebration completely on your own, working within the budget Dad and I set for you and the time constrictions our schedule required. You managed to squeeze in donuts, fun and games at Corky's Gaming Bistro with your friend (which included arcade games, axe throwing, and an escape room, all of which you were pretty awesome at), a lasagna dinner and movie at home, mint chocolate chip ice cream and homemade (by you) cake pops. You demonstrated determination, creativity, flexibility, and frugality throughout the planning process, and it was so cool to see how hard you worked to create the perfect day for yourself.

Max, I have seen you push yourself this year in a variety of ways to try to become the best version of yourself you can be. I have seen you work hard, and I have seen you play hard. And, I have seen new levels of maturity from you. You have a curious mind, an incredibly sweet heart, a passionate spirit, and a strong, healthy body. You have so many skills and talents, and you are an extraordinary person, who has a very bright future to look forward to. Thanks for letting me be part of your life! I love you, and I hope your birthday and the coming year are truly amazing!

Love,
Mom

Killin' Eleven!

Lucky Number 13

Dear Weston~

Thirteen years ago you made me a boy mom. I had no idea how to fill that role, and frankly, I was a little terrified. Admittedly, sometimes I still feel that way. But, you have been a great teacher, and you have been very patient with me, and together, we are figuring it out. I am so incredibly proud of the young man you are becoming, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow and mature during these thirteen years!

This year has been full of fun and adventure. You have continued to be very involved in Scouts and are still rising through the ranks. You are just on the brink of getting your Life rank, and I admire the hard work you've put in to making that happen. You have also become a great leader within the troop. Many of the other Scouts look up to you, and the adult leaders have great respect for you. You became the troop's librarian and immediately made some positive changes that were very beneficial to the troop. You also received a staff position for Brownsea and have worked hard to learn the material on fire building so you can teach it at the camp next week. Additionally, you have attended every monthly campout as well as special week-long camps in New Mexico this summer and Palo Duro a couple of weeks ago. Scouting lights you up and has given you confidence and purpose, and I'm so glad you are pouring yourself into it.

This was a year of new sports for you. You tired your hand at basketball, ping pong, and cross country. I love your willingness to try new things and to diligently search for those things that you truly enjoy rather than just sticking with what you already know. Each sport had its own lessons for you, and each experience helped you grow as a person. 

You wrapped up your time in CC last semester with a wonderful research paper on Thomas Jefferson, which you put your best effort into. And, this year, we started a new academic adventure by enrolling in Arrow. So far, you are really pleased we made the switch, and you are enjoying your classes, which include History, Guitar, P.E., Science, and Speech and Debate. This last class is your absolute favorite, and you even spend your free time working on speeches and preparing for debates. I think debate has become your new passion. You are looking for a team to join so you can become even more involved in the competitions. You were thrilled to receive a briefcase from Nana and Papa for your birthday so you can start putting your serious debater look together. 

We spent two months this summer traveling around South America, visiting places like Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, Easter Island, the Amazon, and the Andes. Your favorite activities were sandboarding in the Atacama Desert and snow skiing in the Andes. You were especially tickled to have the opportunity to ski in June since it is normally summer at that time, and it just felt so ironic. You also got to spend some time in Oklahoma City with Ruth and Nana, and you had so much fun exploring a new-to-you location. You love to travel, and you are always up for an adventure!

Weston, you are such a fun-loving, easy-going guy! You love to laugh and to make others laugh, and you fill our home with joy. You have a sweet heart, an analytical mind, a strong body, an adventurous spirit, and a bold presence in the world. You are growing in confidence and maturity every day, and I could not be more proud of you! You are my favorite thirteen-year-old! Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom

Finally a teenager!

And Just Like That, You're Sixteen

Dear Ruth,

I know that at the stage of life you're in time seems to move too slowly. You are ready to be out on your own, becoming your own person and making your own way in the world. But for me, the years are flying by, and it's hard for me to believe you are already 16! I do love this age, though. I love that you are capable of doing everything. I love that you are planning your future. I love that our relationship is evolving to be one more of friendship.

We spent last summer traveling around the western U.S. and Canada in our tiny RV, and though you were sometimes annoyed by the lack of space and privacy, you were a trooper, and overall I think you enjoyed the trip and learned some things about yourself and about some places you had never been. One of our stops on the trip was the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Our time there lit a spark in you and inspired you in many ways. You decided you could see yourself at a place like that and immediately began to make plans and take actions to try to make that happen.

For example, you had never been a runner, but you decided almost on the spot that you would start a training program for yourself and that you would join a cross country team when we got back to Flower Mound. You were disciplined to get up early, even while we were on vacation, and to put forth whatever effort you could muster for that day, working up from short runs that left you wiped out to runs several miles long that left you energized. Once we were back and you were part of the team, you diligently followed all the recommendations of your coaches and continued to improve your times and gain more stamina, working hard both at practice and on your own. By the end of cross country season, you definitely considered yourself a runner and were eager to continue the work you started by joining the track team. You improved at every meet during the track season and even earned your letter jacket by running on the varsity team at several meets.

In addition to running cross country and track, you participated with IEA again, though by the end of the season you were feeling a little burned out and were wanting to put more of your focus on your running sports, college preparation, and some of your other activities. You haven't decided if you will go back to IEA in the fall. Sometimes it is hard to walk away from something that is familiar or comfortable or something you have previously loved and go a different direction, but I'm really proud of you for taking a critical look at your activities in order to decide what is truly important to you, what really brings you joy, and what is best for you in this season of you life.

Other than sports, you also participated in a homeschool honor society and took on a volunteer position at a barn that works with disabled kids. And you found the Civil Air Patrol, which seems to be what brings you the most joy right now. You feel connected and inspired and challenged there, and you are working hard to move through the ranks. You joined the Color Guard and got to participate in a parade and a horse show with them. You also got to do your first training flight, which thrilled and excited you in so many ways and may have sealed the deal for you to pursue getting a pilot's license at some point in the future.

Aside from our summer trip, we had several other opportunities for travel this year. We went to Nashville in August to see the total solar eclipse, which was really something spectacular to behold. We also traveled to Washington D. C. in November, which was a trip you thoroughly enjoyed. In December, we spent time with family in South Padre. We took a short trip to eastern Oklahoma in March, which was restful for all of us. And, we are currently traveling in South America. We've already visited Peru and Easter Island, and now we are in Mendoza, Argentina. And, we still have Chile to look forward to. You have had a very open mind on this trip, and it seems you have enjoyed the overall travel experience more than you have in the past.

You have been working on your Spanish this year and have improved dramatically. And you have been so thrilled and proud to be able to understand and communicate with a variety of people while we are traveling in Spanish-speaking countries. Doing something hard, like learning a language, never seems like much fun when you're in the midst of it, but it's usually worth it in the end, if for no other reason than to know that you are capable of doing hard things. You are definitely capable of doing hard things, and I'm proud of you for putting in the effort and pushing through the discomfort that comes before the accomplishment.

In many ways, this year has been easier and happier for you than last year. You seem to be settling in to who you are and feeling more comfortable in your own skin. You still had some difficult classes in school, but they didn't seem to frazzle you as much. You've been better about not taking yourself so seriously and giving yourself grace, and there is peace in that. You also made some good friends through your various activities, who you have enjoyed hanging out with. And you and Weston have really developed a special bond, which is touching to see and good for both of you.

You got your driver's permit right after your last birthday and have been driving us everywhere. You have driven in all sorts of conditions and have encountered some stressful situations on the road, but you have kept your head and maintained a calm demeanor. It has been a delight to see you gain confidence in yourself and your ability to handle the unexpected. You are looking forward to getting you license when we get back to Texas, which will mean a new level of independence for you. You are more than ready for it, and I'm excited for you!

Ruth, it's actually sort of difficult for me to put into words how very proud I am of you, but I hope you know that I am. You are an amazing young woman, and I'm so thankful for you! You are a hard worker and put your heart and soul into every endeavor you attempt. You are a helper and a giver. You are funny and intelligent and brave. You are so responsible and mature, and I trust you completely. I'm so glad that you made me a mother 16 years ago. You have taught me so much and have brought immeasurable joy to my life. Even if I wasn't your mom, I would consider it a privilege to know you. I know there are amazing things in store for you, and I can't wait to see where your path takes you this year and in the years to come. Happy 16th birthday! I love you!

Love,
Mom

Sweet Seven

My Sweet Clay,

It doesn't seem possible that you could already be 7! I still think of you as my baby, but of course, you are growing up and becoming a big boy! I'm so proud of the ways you are learning and growing, and I'm thankful for you every single day. This year has been full of fun adventures, which you have embraced with the utmost enthusiasm. One thing I especially love about you is you are a tryer. You are always interested in trying new things--whether it's foods, activities, sports, or ideas. You aren't afraid of the unfamiliar, and you don't prejudge situations. You are a "Yes, And" kind of guy, and I love that!

We spent the summer traveling in our small RV across the western U.S. and Canada. You loved having your special little "Clay shelf," which only you could fit on, and you enjoyed seeing all kinds of new places and having so many new experiences. You did a great job of entertaining yourself on long drives, and you were a great helper when we were setting up at a campsite or getting ready to depart. We also got to travel to Nashville in August to see the total solar eclipse, which was a truly amazing phenomenon. Around Thanksgiving, we went to Washington D.C. and had a great time. You loved the Building Museum and spent an entire day building with their Big Blue Blocks. You also loved doing a scavenger hunt at the National Gallery of Art. During the Christmas holidays, we went to South Padre with our extended family, and you enjoyed hanging out with your cousins and playing on the beach. And for Spring Break, we went to Oklahoma and Arkansas, where we did lots of hiking--an activity you used to complain about but which you seemed to really enjoy on this trip. You especially enjoy opportunities to build beautiful rock stacks and spot wildlife. You truly enjoy traveling and are a great adventurer!

You started First Grade in the fall, and you are the only first grader I know who has worn a tuxedo to school on multiple occasions. It's one of your favorite outfits, and you wear it often. You are a great student and have become a more independent worker throughout the year. You have enjoyed reading chapter books this year, and you got most of the way through the 3rd Grade math book. You can write very nicely in cursive, although you feel you have to "write fast" since all the letters are connected. You have become a more confident writer and can easily write sentences and sometimes paragraphs. You even decided to compete in PSIA in a writing contest as well as a storytelling contest. Though you generally have a good attitude about all your school work, your favorite class by far has been art. You have a lot of natural artistic talent, and you are quick to notice colors and beauty in everyday things. You have experimented with many different artistic techniques and have created some very lovely paintings and drawings and crafts, which you are always eager to share with the people you love and care about.

In the fall, you decided to play soccer. You didn't really love the sport, but you thought it was great fun to get together with the other kids at practices. After the first of the year, you decided to switch to karate (which you spell "croty") and swimming, which you seem to enjoy a bit more. You earned your yellow belt recently, and you can now swim all the way across the pool on your own. In addition to your regular sports, you have also participated in a couple of Ninja Warrior competitions, which have been lots of fun.

The activity you have probably enjoyed the most this year is Cub Scouts. You love wearing the uniform (in its entirety) and earning the belt loops and badges, which you work hard on even when you aren't at the meetings. You were especially tickled when you earned the Brag Vest, and you were thrilled beyond words to go on a couple of campouts. You quickly memorized the Scout Oath and Law, and you do a good job of personifying the spirit of scouting. The Scout leaders are constantly complimenting you on your outstanding behavior and dedication to completing requirements and electives. You recently earned the rank of Tiger Scout and are looking forward to becoming a Wolf next.

You still love to cook and have become a proficient scrambled egg maker. There are some weeks when it seems this is all you eat! You enjoy looking through cookbooks, and any time I'm working in the kitchen, you are quick to offer assistance. You eagerly help with every part of the process, from grocery shopping to clean up. You are a huge fan of "happy hour," which to you means preparing a cheese board and getting the family together to share it.

You love to play board games, and you often get us all organized to play something. Your favorite is Mexican Train, and you are really quite good. You put Checkers on your official list of birthday activities. And, not long ago, you learned to play Solitaire, which allows you a game to play even when no one else is willing or able.

As the youngest member of the family, you get dragged along to everyone else's activities. You rarely ever compain and always find ways of entertaining yourself. You cheer on your siblings and are happy for them when they do well and consoling toward them when they wish they had done better.

You finally lost a couple of teeth, completely without fanfare, and you are so excited to be getting in some grown-up teeth. Additionally, you are really starting to get tall. Both signs of the big boy you are becoming.

Clay, you are such a special person! You are a lover and a giver and a tryer. You are happy and easy to get along with, and everyone who knows you is blessed. You adapt to change easily, and you get over disappointments quickly. You are creative and clever and enthusiastic in all endeavors. You are sensitive to other people's feelings, and you are always ready to dispense hugs. You make every day brighter, and you make me so proud! I love you so much and am so excited to see what the next year will bring! Happy 7th birthday! I love you!

Love,
Mom

Sweet seven-year-old boy!

A Perfect Ten

Dear Max,

I'm so glad you decided to join our family a decade ago! It's been a wild and exciting ride--sometimes terrifying, but mostly a lot of fun! You are such a special person, and it's truly a privilege to know you.

In the last year, I have seen so many changes in you that indicate you are truly becoming a young man. You seem to be maturing before my very eyes, and it is such a neat transformation to watch and be a part of. I see you honing your leadership skills, mastering your emotions, helping and respecting others, showing gratitude, powering through difficulties, making choices to ensure your happiness, and developing skills that serve you now and will continue to serve you in the future. I'm very proud of the young man you are becoming, and I'm thankful I have the opportunity to learn from you every day.

We spent three months this summer traveling through the western U.S. and Canada in our tiny RV, and we had a blast. You had your special platform bed in the front and would make yourself a nice little nest every night. You are such a great traveler and always have plenty of books and activities to entertain yourself. You were very proud of yourself for suggesting two of our stops (The High Desert Museum in Oregon and Old Trail Town in Wyoming), which you learned about in your Spelling book before we left. But, you seemed truly happy with all the places we visited, and you enjoyed every activity along the way. You were tickled that we visited some places that still had snow in the summer, and you loved all the hiking and outdoorsy things we did. You learned how to curl in Park City and got to see your first rodeo in Calgary. And you solidified your love of hot tea at the Celestial Seasons factory in Boulder.

In addition to our summer trip, we also had two other amazing trips this year. One was to Nashville for the total solar eclipse, which was such a spectacular thing to behold. And the other was to Washington D.C. where we saw and did so many interesting things. Your favorite things were Lincoln's Cottage, the Lincoln Memorial, and The Building Museum. The last you stayed at from the time they opened until the time they closed. No doubt you would have stayed longer if you'd have had the opportunity.

Speaking of which, you love to build and are constantly constructing structures out of whatever materials are available, but you are especially obsessed with Legos. You really love building and will happily spend hours creating masterpieces out of the little pieces. That is why we decided to give you tickets to the Legoland Discovery Center for your birthday.

You decided to try baseball in the spring, and you did a great job and had a lot of fun. But by the time fall came around, you were ready to try something new. Inspired by our visit to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado over the summer, you chose a gymnastics class and a tumbling and trampoline class. You have really enjoyed these classes and are clearly becoming stronger and more flexible as you learn to make very controlled movements with your body. You are sticking with the TNT class this semester, but you have traded in the gymnastics class for a Ninja Warrior class, which is a fun new challenge. I never cease to be amazed at your astounding athletic abilities and the overwhelming need you have to move your body. You often do sit-ups and push-ups just for fun, and you have some crazy big muscles for someone your age.

A few days after school started, I tore my ACL after convincing you and Weston to teach me how to ride the Ripstik. I ended up having to have surgery, and the recovery took quite a long time. From the moment I got hurt, you showed the utmost care and concern for me. You hardly let a moment pass without asking me how I was doing or if I needed anything, and you helped out with so many things while I was incapacitated. You have such a kind, compassionate heart. You are also incredibly sweet with Clay and with your younger cousins and, really, any younger kid. You are such a good guy!

You love to learn new things, and you usually take your school work seriously. You love to gather new facts and then share them with the rest of us, and you eagerly embrace new challenges. You are especially excited at the moment to be studying Spanish and feel that it will help you while we are traveling in South America this coming summer. This is your first year to be enrolled in CC's Essentials class, and you are loving it and are doing well.

Some of your favorite foods include pizza, pickles, and pistachios. You are also crazy about sushi, and you are very proud of your chopstick skills. Your love of cooking continues, and you have been perfecting your scrambled eggs this year. It's so cool that you enjoy a wide variety of foods and that you are becoming self-sufficient in the kitchen.

Max, you are such an amazing 10-year-old! You make me proud every day, and you are constantly teaching me important life lessons. You are clever and sweet and full of passion. You have an adventurous spirit and a curious mind. You are a delightful person to know and do life with. I love you more every single day. Happy birthday, and welcome to the double digits!

Love,
Mom

Twelve Already

Dear Weston,

Today you are 12, which is a little hard for me to believe. Time just seems to go by so quickly, and in a blink you have become a young man--a young man who I am very proud of and constantly amazed by! You have changed and matured a lot this year, and it's so fun to watch you learn and grow.

You played football in the spring, but this summer you decided you were ready for a change of pace and chose basketball for your sport for this school year, surprising pretty much everyone. But, you haven't regretted your decision, and you are enjoying learning a new sport and are looking forward to the time when you start playing games. You definitely still enjoy watching football, and you were thrilled that Dad and I gave you tickets to the TCU/OU game for your birthday.

Another activity you have gotten involved in this school year is scouting. You joined the Boy Scouts in late August, and you have poured yourself into it and have worked very hard to catch up with the boys who joined in the spring. I have been amazed and impressed with your hard work and intense attention to completing the requirements to earn the merit badges and higher ranks. You have showed great levels of leadership and responsibility, and you really enjoy working towards specific goals and checking them off your list when you accomplish them. You are hoping to someday achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, and at the rate you are going, I have no doubt that you will make that a reality.

You are also participating in Cotillion this year, which you enjoy but are a little shy about. Once a month, you meet with a group of your peers to learn etiquette skills and some ballroom dances. You can appreciate that you are learning important life skills, but some of the things are a little outside your comfort zone. I'm proud of you for doing it anyway and for pushing through those uncomfortable feelings in an effort to better yourself. Trust me, your future self will appreciate the investment. 

You still very much enjoy traveling, and you had so much fun on our summer RV trip around the western U.S. and Canada. You were especially pleased to see Mt. Rushmore, and you loved the Alaskan cruise, where you made lots of friends and enjoyed a high level of freedom. And, of course, you were always interested in trying the local food for each state and any other edible offerings we came across! As usual, your favorite places were the cold, snowy places. We also got to travel to Nashville for the solar eclipse, and we just got back from a trip to D.C. You enjoyed both trips immensely. Additionally, Nana took just you to Williamsburg for a special birthday trip, and you had a blast spending some quality time with Nana and learning about colonial times as well as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Your favorite thing was Monticello, as you are fascinated by Thomas Jefferson and love learning about his life.

You have been enjoying reading The Economist magazine the past several months, and you have become interested in the stock market. As of now, you are kind of thinking you might want to pursue a career in financial planning or economics. Financial fields seem like a good fit since you are very interested in math and money, and you appreciate a good spread sheet. You love to ponder the difficult problems of the world, and you ask lots of questions to try ensure you are well educated about these matters. Never lose your desire to learn and to think about hard things! Those traits will serve you well no matter what you ultimately decide to do for a career.

Weston, you are such a sweet son and brother and grandson and friend -- an absolute joy to everyone who knows you. You have a great sense of humor and always have us laughing, but you can also be very serious and contemplative. You are thoughtful and helpful, and you give hugs and compliments freely. You are adventurous, and you add an element of fun to almost every day. I love you so much and am so proud of the amazing young man you have become! Happy 12th birthday!

Love,
Mom

My favorite 12-year-old

6 1/2

Yesterday we celebrated Clay's half-birthday with lots of things that he loves. He requested all the chocolate for breakfast, so we indulged in chocolate donuts, chocolate muffins, and chocolate cupcakes. We gave him some art supplies and a gift card to an art store, which he had subtly suggested by bringing me the ad for the store, pointing out exactly what he wanted (and making sure I realized it was "only $5"), telling me he wished he could sometime get a gift card like the big kids often get, and then strategically and overtly leaving the ad on my dresser where I would be sure to see it every day. 😊  Then, he spent some time doing chalk drawings with Max and his cousin, Victoria. Another request for the day was to watch a movie and order pizza, so we did that at lunch time. And later in the day, Clay and Max competed in Ninja Warrior contests at the gym where Max takes gymnastics. It was such a fun half-birthday day. I can't believe this kid is getting so big! I'm so proud of him and just love him so much!

Chocolate Overload

Proud of his gift card

Chalk Drawings

Movie Time

Ninja Clay

Fifteen

Dear Ruth,

Today, you turned fifteen. Fifteen. Wow! This surprises me in two ways. On the one hand, it still seems like you should be a little girl, like I just met you and we are only starting to get to know each other. On the other hand, it seems like you have been in my life forever, and since you are mature beyond your years, I often forget that you are the age you are. I am surprised both by the fact that you are already 15 and that you are only 15.

These last 15 years have been challenging in so many ways, but they have also been some of the most fun and rewarding of my life. You and I have been teaching each other about life, and I think we have both learned a lot. We are still learning.

You are fiercely independent and amazingly responsible. You show a tremendous amount of initiative in a variety of circumstances, and you eagerly pursue knowledge and experiences which you believe will help you achieve your goals or, at the very least, make you a better, more interesting person. Dad and I are so proud of you and know you have a bright future ahead of you.

As is to be expected of someone your age and wide range of interests, you are not quite sure what that future holds. You have played with many ideas for colleges and careers, and I think you put a lot of pressure on yourself to figure all of this stuff out, and you get frustrated when you don't know for sure which path to pursue. It's truly okay that you don't know yet where your road leads. It'll all come together at just the right time. The important thing is that you are currently laying a foundation for your life that will help you be successful no matter which direction (or directions) you choose to go.

This has been a tough year in some ways. We ended our RTW trip and moved to Flower Mound. You started high school and jumped into several AP classes. One of those was outside of home, and it wasn't what any of us expected it to be. There were some hard but worthwhile lessons learned this year, and you are surely stronger because of the trials.

This year was also full of of some really spectacular experiences. You joined the local IEA team and have had so much fun and learned so much through the practices and shows. You performed very well, won a number of ribbons throughout the season, and even advanced to Regionals. You are a natural with the horses, and I think they love you almost as much as you love them.

In December and again in March, you had the opportunity to work with Aunt Bekki in her vet clinic. You loved every minute of it and hope to have similar opportunities in the future. You are still considering vet medicine as a possible future career but are wisely keeping your options open.

We took our new-to-us RV to Florida in January and visited Universal Studios, which you really enjoyed. We are currently on a three-month tour of the Western U.S. and Canada, which you seem to love, aside from missing the barn and horses back in Flower Mound. Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, you will become the proud owner of a driver's permit and will then have an opportunity to try out the driver's seat during portions of the rest of our journey.

Ruth, you are one amazing young lady! You are smart and beautiful, and you make me proud and inspire me every single day. What a privilege it is to be your mom and to watch you grow and blossom. I love you more than I can say! Happy 15th!

Love,
Mom

Counting on Two Hands

Claycito~

I can't believe you are 6! This year has flown by, and you have grown so much in many different ways, though you are still a little on the small side when it comes to your physical size. They say good things come in small packages, and you are certainly living proof of that! You have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met and are absolutely a joy to be around!

Since your last birthday you have spent time in New Zealand, Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Texas, and Florida. And you are looking forward to our summer road trip, which starts next week and will take us through the western U.S. and Canada. You were born to travel, and you do it very well.

You rocked Kindergarten this year! You enjoyed working on math problems in your green book, learning to read books almost completely on your own, drawing pictures and writing short narratives to go along with your history lessons, and zipping through your spelling book. You also sat in on any class with your siblings that you could and absorbed knowledge like a sponge. Additionally, you had your first chance to be a part of a CC class, and you thoroughly enjoyed each community day and made it enjoyable for others as well.

You decided to try baseball this year and played both in the fall and the spring. At first, your main objective was sharing snacks with your teammates after practices and games, but you eventually began to focus on learning new skills. I could definitely tell you improved throughout the two seasons. You get so excited when you hit the ball off the pitch rather than off the tee, which has been happening more and more frequently. You have also been taking swim lessons and are getting better and better all the time. It won't be long before you are racing your siblings across the pool.

Speaking of racing, you recently decided you were ready to learn to ride your bike without training wheels. It took almost no time for you to get the hang of it and to start yelling over your shoulder, "Race!" as you took off down the alley. On the same day of this great accomplishment, you also learned to tie your shoes and were able to take out the trash all by yourself. You are becoming more and more independant, and we are so proud of you!

You have developed an interest in cooking and are thrilled to have your own little stool to use for that purpose. You are especially fond of making fruit salad and are proud that you can do it without assistance. It's your "specialty," though you are happy to lend a hand with anything in the kitchen and even helped to make your birthday cake. You also help clean up after meals and often ask about jobs that need to be done.

You absolutely love to dress up, sometimes in costume and sometimes in dress clothes. Sometimes you will come out of your room as a ninja/cowboy/astronaut (or any other combination), and sometimes you will come out requesting help with your tie, because you love your fancy clothes and wear them on a regular basis. And regardless of your attire, it is almost a certainty that you are carrying a weapon or three at any given time.

You love drawing and have checked out every children's drawing book from the library multiple times. You very carefully follow the step-by-step instructions, and you often impress us with what you are able to produce. You give away many of your pictures, but you also run a store out of your bedroom. Your drawings usually cost "one piece of American money," but sometimes you will run a two-for-one special or, rarely, raise your asking price when you are particularly fond of a drawing. Other forms of art, like music and painting, also appeal to you.

Months ago you came across a brochure for Dinosaur World, and you immediately knew that was where you wanted to spend your birthday. You have been talking about it daily and eagerly awaiting the day we could go. A couple of days ago, you brought me the brochure because it had a map on it, and you wanted to make sure we knew how to get there. You had a blast seeing all the dino statues and digging for fossils and excavating bones and playing on the playground. You told me you thought it was your favorite birthday ever! (This may be true, but I'm pretty sure you say that every year!)

Clay, you are joy personified. You make every day happier and every room brighter. You love deeply and openly. You are a giver and a helper. Even at six, you know what it means to really live, and you are teaching me. I almost feel as if my heart isn't big enough to hold all the love I have for you. I am so thankful for you! You are my favorite six boy! Happy birthday!

Love,
Mom

Six Years Old!

Killing some new skills

Clay decided that today was the day he was going to tackle some of his life skills, and he has been killing it! First, he knocked out shoelace tying and got so good at that he eventually started saying, "Time me." He has been untying and retying his laces all afternoon and is so proud that no one will have to help him with his baseball cleats anymore.

Buoyed by the confidence that came with mastering that skill, he decided that, instead of putting back on the training wheel that had fallen off his bike, he'd just go ahead and take the other one off. We padded him up, but it was largely unnecessary. He got the hang of it right away and just took off. He is thrilled that it will be much easier to keep up with his brothers now!

My baby is really growing up, and I'm so very proud of him!

The Power of Nine

Max,

You're nine! Woohoo! I love writing your birthday letter every year, because it's proof that we both made it through another year and that we are better than we were before. You and I are like iron sharpening iron, and I'm so thankful we have each other to help work out our respective rough edges. We're definitely good for each other!

It's been a great year! Since your last birthday, we've spent time in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Florida. Plus, we've done lots of fun things in Texas as well. We've traveled by train, plane, boat, subway, tuk tuk, bicycle, parasail, zipline, UTV,  and RV to get where we are today. Along the way, you've learned how to surf, attended a robot camp, and shot your first deer. And that's just a very brief overview!

We've been learning about the importance of making good food choices and have been experimenting with how certain foods affect you, either by their addition to or omission from your diet. Your brain seems to work better with regular doses of protein and limited sugar intake. Sometimes it's really hard to enforce, but you and I both know that when we get it right it makes a huge difference in how our days go. You are learning to make good food choices for yourself, and I'm confident this will serve you well throughout your life. You are also interested in cooking and baking, which makes the whole process more fun, as we discover together the best combos of ingredients. You are especially fond of eggs and fruit, so we work those in whenever we can. You love having your own kitchen equipment, and you are getting really good at putting simple meals together on your own.

You have an engineer's mind and are always building and calculating and problem solving. You are curious and are very good at coming up with creative solutions to tricky problems. I'm proud of the way you keep trying new strategies, even when your first idea doesn't work or doesn't work the way you thought it would.

You're an avid reader and have been enjoying checking out huge stacks of books from the library every time we go. You have a wide range of interests and come home with everything from mysteries to cookbooks to books about Morse Code. You are a smart guy and love to learn. In addition to reading for your own entertainment and knowledge, you also spend a good amount of time reading to Clay and helping him learn new things. You're a wonderful big brother!

In addition to looking out for Clay, you have a soft spot in your heart for all kids that are younger than you. You love babies and are super careful with and attentive to little kids when you have occasion to be around them. You are so sweet with your younger cousins, and it is touching to see how protective you are of littles.

Max, you make our days fun and interesting. You challenge us and stimulate us and help us think about things differently. You are really growing up, and I can see that you are becoming more mature all the time. I'm proud of your fierce passion and intensity. You live life to the fullest, and I think that's the way it should be done. I hope your birthday is spectacular and that the year ahead is your best yet! I love you so much!!

Love,
Mom

Nine Years Old!

Eleven

Dear Weston,

It seems so odd to say that you are 11, but 11 you are. You have changed so much in the last year--in your physical appearance as well as your overall maturity--and I can truly tell you are starting to leave some of the trappings of childhood behind as you stretch towards manhood. You have grown taller and thinner in the last year, and you've decided to start wearing your hair longer, because you determined a buzz was a haircut for younger kids. On a recent grocery shopping trip, I spied a man out of the corner of my eye coming up the aisle beside me. I tried to ease out of his way, but when he kept coming toward me, I took a closer look and realized it was you all along. It was a shock to register my mistake because I still sometimes think of you as my little boy, as mothers are wont to do I suppose.

You loved our RTW trip and often talk about things you enjoyed or observed while we were traveling. You definitely have the travel bug and are willing to go just about anywhere...when it isn't football season! You even came up with the term "awaysick" to describe your wanderlust. We'll be doing some traveling in the U. S. next summer, and you are really looking forward to it and are already helping us plan some of our stops.

Speaking of football, that is still your overriding passion. You were fortunate to get onto a great team this fall, where you were encouraged to push yourself harder than you have before. But you were rewarded with the opportunity to play both defense and offense in every game, and you helped your team out with everything from sacking quarterbacks to scoring touchdowns. Not only was your team undefeated in the regular season, but it was also never even scored upon until the championship game, where you suffered a heartbreaking one-touchdown loss in overtime. You and your team worked so hard this season, and your progress as an athlete was observable even to my untrained eye. You are so excited that we now live in a place that has a spring football season as well as a fall season, and you are gearing up to play again in a couple of months.

You are kind of obsessed with logic, having entered an early stage of dialectic learning, and you are enjoying doing logic puzzles and studying logical fallacies in school this year. You also love to point these fallacies out in discussions with those around you, and I'm pretty sure you would be willing to argue with a fence post. I'll admit, sometimes this is maddening for your parents and siblings, but it's also super cool to watch you learning how to use some great tools that will help you better process information and learn to make more of your own decisions. As far as other school subjects go, you still love and excel at math. You are even planning to participate in two different PSIA math contests in the spring. Probably the most surprising class you are enjoying is writing, as this has been your nemesis in the past. You are loving the structure of the IEW program we are using in our CC Essentials class and are especially enthralled with the awesome application of alliterations. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Despite the proclivity to argue about just about anything, you are still a very sweet guy. You are always quick to give hugs, generous with compliments, and careful to show appreciation for gifts and kindnesses. You are thoughtful and sensitive and an all around nice guy. You also love to tell jokes and to make others laugh, which, combined with your sweet, fun-loving nature, makes you loads of fun to be around.

We happened to be at the ranch on your birthday, and you were beyond thrilled that you got to shoot both a turkey and a buck on your special day. Throughout the course of the weekend you also shot a couple of dove, a quail, and a skunk, though this last was not exactly a hunter's delight. You love being outdoors and certainly don't mind getting your hands (or shirt or anything else) dirty to stock the freezer. Clearly, Dad and I chose wisely when we decided to get you a grill for your birthday.

Weston, I am so very proud of you and the young man you are becoming. You are smart, sweet, funny, handsome, hardworking, and curious about the world around you. It is a joy to have you in our lives, and we are so thankful for you! May this next year be filled with millions of happy moments for you, and may you continue to grow into your awesomeness! I love you so much!

Love,
Mom