Kickin In In The Country

Jake's Birthday Post ( A day late)


           Jake is EIGHT today! Lord, how does this happen? This is more of a bragging post. Sorry, not sorry!

Jake is my clone. He's my buddy. Nobody knows him better than me! He's always seemed so mature for his age. He is a very serious child. He is a little shy and he rarely lets people see his silly side. He is so tender hearted and sensitive. I tend to be much harder on him than Luke and I'm sure it will be obvious once Luke starts school. Since Jake has been in school I think he's had his color changed twice. He's never made below a 94 on a report card and has become quite the little reader. Cody and I spend a lot of time with him doing school work teaching him how important it is. As much as he loves sports I try to reiterate that his education is always number one. I use sports most days to explain math problems to him and when he finishes a novel in a day it's usually a book that involves a ball. Whatever works! 

He is a remarkable athlete and I know if he can continue working as hard as he does he is going to be something special. He understands people don't get "lucky" by playing in college or the professionals. They work. We may not see them work but I promise they are putting in the extra time somewhere. Anybody that knows Jake sees that wherever he goes he's got a ball in his hands. He's always working. 

Jake is halfway through his classes to make his first Communion and first Confirmation at Easter! He asks me every Sunday if it's finally the day he gets to receive communion? I have to admit my mom talks to him and teaches him all about our Catholic faith and picks up my slack. I have been very strict this year on him about these classes. We try not to miss on Wednesday nights even if we have practice or games. I want him to always know that it comes first, over all things!

I have written before that Jake was my light during my darkest times and he's always pushed me to be a better person and mom. Cody and I stay awake many nights talking about parenting and praying we are doing it the right way. It's such a hard job! Can I get an Amen? I know it seems that I think he's a perfect child. He messes up just like they all do and I hope he learns with each mistake. I do know it doesn't matter how much he fails and how much he succeeds but when I look in his big brown eyes my heart and eyes fill up. He makes me the proudest mommy in the world! 

Mom made everything he loved last night! His birthday spread....

Some of my FAVORITE old pics....