To Austin, on your 11th...

Dear Austin,

The one word that comes to mind when I think of your 10th year of life is PROUD. I am just so stinkin' proud of you. You've got a heart of gold and your love for others shows wisdom that is far beyond your years. You understand people (probably better than I do) and you love them unconditionally. You are not afraid to walk right up to an adult, shake their hand, look them in the eye, and ask them how they are doing and how their day is going. This is a gift, Austin, and one that will get you further in life than any test score in school ever will. 

You, dad, and Aaron being goofy, as usual.

Skiing at Sipapu last December. I believe this is your favorite sport.

One of my favorite things to do with you is to ski. Sometimes I wish we lived closer to the mountains so we could ski as often as we wanted. You and I like the same type of runs and tend to go about the same speed, so that makes it fun. I say we move to New Mexico, live near the mountain, and let Aaron work there as an instructor so we can ski for free anytime we want! Whatcha' think? 

Carter and Micah are your best friends. This was taken at your 4th grade field trip. 

As much as you love all the people, you definitely have your favorites. You, Carter, and Micah are best buds. I love watching you grow up together. Right now y'all are talking about nerf guns and Minecraft, and in the near future you'll be talking girls (EEK!), trucks, and college choices. You have chosen your tribe and you have chosen wisely. I love it when you boys get together. Childhood friendships shape who you are, what you're interested in, and what you do. I pray you always make good choices on your friendships, and influence others in a positive way. 

I don't remember exactly when I took this one of the 3 of you playing at our house, but it could've been the same day y'all decided to get sharpies and sign your names in the floor of your treehouse. ;)

And here yall are this morning...eating your birthday pancakes.

You and I spent a day together at the Fort Worth Zoo this summer. Feeding the birds was your favorite thing there.

Middle school...(sigh)...Middle school can be hard sometimes. You are growing up and being exposed to more than I'm ready for you to be exposed to. I want to keep you innocent for as long as I possibly can, but I know I can't forever. But I want you to know this: People will let you down. Friends will disappoint you. Kids will be cruel, either to you or someone you care about. BUT your God is bigger than ALL of that. HE knows what you will come across, and He has given you wisdom that will prevail throughout it all. Always hold on to your faith in God, and always know that you can talk to dad and I about everything that is going on in your life. Draw strength in knowing that whatever you are going through is temporary, and God has bigger plans for you than your current situation.  

You and Carter went to robot camp this summer and made your own robots. This is your niche! 

A few words on dyslexia. Ok, maybe a lot of words...

Now that you're in 5th grade, I doubt you have a lot of memory of what 1st grade was like for you, and I honestly don't want you to remember. It was a hard year. Learning spelling words and trying to "read" (we actually just memorized to make the grade) weekly fluency stories almost did us both in. You were working so much harder than the other kids in your class but that was not showing up in your grades. It was frustrating for all of us that were involved. 
Fast forward to today. Reading is now one of your favorite past times. You choose to read bigger books because you love a good story line. You read in the car, in your bed, in the living room, EVERYWHERE. Dyslexia has not slowed you down at all over the past year, and I don't believe it ever will again. Standardized tests will never show your gifts because you do NOT have a standardized mind, and IT'S OK TO NOT HAVE A STANDARDIZED MIND. Besides, outside the box thinkers are the multi-millionaires of today! :) Never let a grade or a test score define what you think about yourself. 

I want you to know that, because of you, more kids in Arkansas are learning to read. Because of you, I fought to bring a dyslexia program to our school, where we now have more than 50 kids getting reading intervention they need. Not only that, but the success that we have seen in our students has inspired other Arkansas schools to step up and hire interventionists in their schools. This means there are less kids struggling like you did when you were in 1st grade. You wouldn't even believe how many people in our state know about the dyslexia program at our school, and they know that there is a boy (YOU!) behind it who just couldn't learn to read in a traditional reading program. You have already began to change the world for the good, and you're only in middle school. Thank you for showing me where God wants me and where my students need me most. If it hadn't have been for your struggles, SO many kids would still be struggling today. You are so special, Austin. 

Reading in the living room...

Reading in the car...

You received an award for being int he top 3 AR points in your class at your 4th grade award ceremony. You've come a LONG way, baby! 

A few pieces of advice as you enter your 11th year...

• Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, even if you get made fun of for it.
• Spend less time in front of a screen and more time being active.
• If you notice that something needs to be done, do it. Don't wait for someone to tell you it needs to be done. 
• You are 11. Your body is growing and changing. Showers and deodorant are super important. 
• Ask questions. It's ok to not know everything, that why you have parents and teachers. If there's something you want to know or understand better, just ask! Nothing is off limits.

Geocaching this summer!

You just got your very first deer last weekend while hunting at Pond Creek!

I am so honored that God chose me to be your mom. You are just one of my favorite people to be around and I have learned so much from you. Keep loving people. Keep caring for those around you. Keep that heart of gold. You are going to move mountains, my sweet boy. 

I love you,
Mom

To Aaron, on your 16th

Dear Aaron,

You are 16 years old today. I remember turning 16. I also remember it only lasted about 30 minutes and then I was turning 17. I think you will find that time just speeds up from here. But I already know that you are going to ROCK being 16. You are confident in who you are and what you want. You don't let friends make your decisions for you or talk you into things you that you don't want to do. You are a healthy eater and physically active, and I hope that is something you will always continue. You get along well with everyone, whether it is others your age, teachers, elderly people, or kids. Proud is an understatement.

There are a few things I want you to remember throughout this year, along with some pics of your year as a 15 year old...

This was our ski trip last Christmas. You have only been skiing a few years but I would say you qualify as 'expert'. 

Drive carefully. You are now on your own. Dad and I aren't going to be there to tell you to slow down, which way to turn, or how fast you should go. You have been driving with us for 2 years now, and you are a great driver. I have tried to make a point to not tell you how to get home from where we are so that you would have to find your own way, even if it's different from the way I would have chosen. If all else fails, use your GPS. Don't text and drive. Even if it's me that is texting you. There has never been a text sent in the history of EVER that has been worth dying over. A wreck can happen from looking away for just a second. When you're driving, you are accepting the responsibility for your own life and the lives of others around you. Make smart choices when you're behind the wheel. And more importantly, plan for others around you to make stupid choices and remain cautious all the time. Remember, everyone has a blind spot, a lot of people drink and drive, and even more text and drive. You have to pay attention enough for everyone around you.

You got your letter jacket as a freshman because you played Varsity football as a freshman.

Learn to be content with what you have. This is a hard one, even for adults. It's good to have goals and dreams, so but in the mean time just be content. There will always be a newer, better thing that looks really great and you will think you just HAVE to have it, but the truth is, a year from now there will be another new thing that you will want so you will wish you would've just waited. You are just now 16 and have more than most 16 year olds I know. Take some time to make money and sit on a while before you decide what you really want to do with it. Don't compare yourself to your friends. You are not them. They are not you. We are all uniquely blessed and making our own paths to happiness and success.

I was so proud of you for getting these awards. One was for good citizenship in the school, and I'm more proud of that than I would be any academic award. 

Recognize your influence. People are watching you, whether you realize it or not. Tell the truth, make good choices, never turn down an opportunity to learn something new, and admit when you are wrong. In the words of Tim McGraw, "always stay humble and kind".

You and dad being silly at Harding.

Read your Bible and pray, and not just when you're alone. If you find yourself in a situation that would benefit from prayer, pray out loud with whomever you are with. You will find that when YOU are the person in need, you will understand how much it means to be prayed for. Prayers don't have to be fancy or use big words. God already knows you and knows the need, but He needs to hear it from you.
When you are dating someone, make it a habit to pray with her. Dad and I used to have a 'date' on the front lawn at Harding with nothing but a blanket to sit on and a Bible to read. He would read out loud and we would pray together. It's the cheapest but most meaningful date you can have. It's a great way to keep God in the center of your relationship.

You and Joe got to kick in the Arkansas Razorback stadium this summer.

Make good grades. The first thing colleges look at is your high school GPA and ACT score. Learn to study now and the transition to college will be easier. And ask me or dad for help when you need it. You know I'd love to make you some flash cards (even if it's those terrible polyatomic ions)!

When Parker was hurt, you loaded up a car full of boys to go visit him and make him feel better.

Be good to your brother. I grew up as the younger sibling, and it can be hard. Austin loves you and looks up to you (whether he'll admit that or not). You had 5 years as an only child and didn't know any different, but he's never been without a sibling around. In a few short years, you'll be leaving for college and he'll miss having time with you. Make these last few years with him your best. Take this time to become best friends because you may never live under the same roof after you move off to college, you really never know. Your friends will come and go, but Austin will always be your brother.

You spent 2 weeks at camp this summer, one as a camper and the other as a counselor. 

Be aware of how Satan tries to bring you down, and recognize it as such. It's so hard to be a teenager sometimes, and he will work to make it even harder for those who are trying to do right. Keep your thoughts pure. I can't even imagine how hard that would be for a teenage boy to do while having cute girls running around in clothing that barely covers their rear ends along with it being all over the internet and social media. But that goes back to having respect for them, as women, even if they don't currently respect themselves enough to dress modestly. Satan knows how to make the wrong choice look really good, but if you already know it's coming from him, then you know you can win that battle. Last Sunday John Cannon said these words: "The world never wins against those who are in Jesus". As long as you remember who you are and who you belong to, making the right choices will be easier.

You with your "little buddy" on the Houston mission trip

Some thoughts on dating: When you go out with a girl, your number one goal is to make her feel special. She is somebody's princess and should be treated as such. Open all of her doors. If she's cold give her your jacket. If she's sick ask her what she needs and get it for her. Honor her body and treat her with respect. If you wouldn't marry her, then don't even waste your time, energy, and effort. If she isn't nice to you, if she asks you to do things that she knows are against your beliefs, or she doesn't have the same core beliefs in God that you have, then she's probably not the one God has planned for you. Be patient. Very few people actually meet the person they are going to marry while in high school. You have lots of time to be picky!

You and Austin on the first day of school

Be a leader. You are growing into being the leader of your (future) household. Your wife isn't going to want a man that just follows what everyone else is doing. She is going to need you to be able to make decisions for your family and stand firm in those decisions. You are already so great at not being a follower, so this year focus on developing your leadership skills.

Friday night football

Happy birthday, Aaron. I'm ridiculously proud to be your mom. Your number one goal in life is to get to heaven, so keep living every single day striving to meet that goal. God has already done great things with you and I am honored to have a front row seat to watch His plans for your life play out.

I love you,

Mom