To Austin, on your 10th...

Dear Austin,

     You are 10 years old today and you are truly one of my favorite people in the world to be around. You are the kind of person that makes other people around you want to be a better person, including myself. I completely admire the way deeply care for others, even when you don't know them. I have seen you give things up that you really wanted because you wanted to see the other person happy more than you wanted that thing. This is a rare quality in a kid your age. You are compassionate when others are sick or hurting and you pray for them knowing that God is hearing you. You pray a lot, actually. Every once in a while when something good happens you will tell me it happened because you prayed about it and I know that you really did. Your favorite thing to do at church is the 5 minute meet and greet time we have on Sunday mornings. You can't wait for that time and you are busy the entire time trying to talk to as many people as you can possibly get to in that 5 minutes. Our preacher says that you'll either grow up to be a preacher or a politician because of your way with words. You are wise beyond your years. You are curious about life and not afraid to ask questions if you want to know something. Just the other day you and I had a 30 minute conversation about what it's like to be in college, including questions such as "how many classes do you have to take?", "how many years does it take to go all the way through?", "how many different majors are there?", etc. I don't know what God has planned for your life, but I have no doubt He's got BIG things planned for you. I am honored to get to be your mom. 

Here's a few things you've been up to this past year...

This photo was taken today. You told me you have always wanted to touch a train track, so we made that happen.

This was taken at one of Aaron's football games that we had to drive to the Arkansas/Mississippi border for. You were such a trooper! 

A little "hourglass" art in my classroom one morning.

At the fair with Carter and Kaulyn.

First day of 4th grade. This has been your best year so far in school! 

You and Carter checking out Lightening McQueen and Mater this summer. 

The ropes course in Gulf Shores. 

Running on the beach this summer.

You got the Christian character award this summer at camp. I'm super proud of this one.

4th of July at the Millwood house with G-ma and Aaron

Stay sweet. Stay thoughtful. Stay compassionate. Stay just the way you are. I'm looking forward to what this next year will hold for you. I love you so very much. 

Mom 

To Aaron, on your 15th...

Dear Aaron,

I can't believe that you are 15 years old today. Even though I will always see you as my little boy, you are turning into a man right before my eyes. So far, your teenage years have been so much fun for us all. You are firm in your beliefs and are not afraid to speak up for what is right, and that is a quality that I admire in you because I know how hard that can be during the teenage years. I hope that is something that continues in you as you go into your upper teen years. This time of life can be so difficult for so many kids, but you are doing a beautiful job of it. 

Duck Dynasty this summer

At the beach this summer

Hunting last fall

Spring Sing at Harding last spring

I pray for you SO much more than you know. I pray for your day to be good. I pray for you to be surrounded by friends that will be good influences. I pray that you will be God's hands and feet to those who are in need. I pray that you stay safe so you can go on to live a happy, long life. I pray for your future wife. God already knows who she is and is working in her already. I pray that you continue to make good choices, even under peer pressure.  I pray for you to think about your future and ask God to help you in all of your big decisions. These are not things I worry about, though. I pray and then sit back and watch God work it all out, just as He always has. 

4th of July with Grandma

Camp this summer

Air U last November

So what are you up to at this time in your life? You're about 5'9" and pure muscle. You like to ride four-wheelers more than anything. Everything you have on your birthday/Christmas list has to do with new things for your four-wheeler or your truck. You are playing varsity football as a freshman because you are an awesome kicker. You are very active in the youth group at church and you have an amazing support group and youth minister there. One of your favorite places to eat is Subway and your least favorite is Mexican food. You are a very good, cautious driver and I always feel safe when you are behind the wheel. You are very much into physical fitness and you take good care of yourself. A perfect day to you is pretty much what you are doing today...four-wheeling with friends. 

Track event last spring

Hunting last fall

Halloween last fall

As you enter your 15th year of life, my advice to you is to just keeping doing what you're doing. The peer pressure will grow the older you get, but keep standing strong in your faith and you will come out on top. Be confident in the person you are. When you've got God on your side, you win every time. Keep loving life, playing hard, and working hard. It's a pleasure watching you grow up, and I'm looking forward to all that God has planned for you over the next year. 

Broken Bow last spring

Christmas card pics

Broken Bow last spring

Duck hunting

I love you with all my heart.


Love,
Mom