Oh my little dude!  You caught wind my birthday was coming up and you have been busy "hiding" pictures you are making from me, and making me cards.

You are a complex human Jace, and I mean that in the best of ways.  You have a tough, rough and tumble exterior, but inside you are sensitive, thoughtful, and sweet.  You are always looking for approval and you are sensitive and sad when you think you don't have it.

You are in Kindergarten right now, and you have been rapidly developing some great skills.  You have recently learned how to color really nicely, and so the other day you got a coloring book and you colored a multitude of pictures that then you rolled up carefully and taped.  You put them in a shoe box and brought it to school and asked the teacher if you could pass them out to your friends.  Unfortunately for you,  the rule is if you have a gift you have to have one for everyone, but you were not deterred.  You came back home and starting diligently making more pictures.

A philanthropic heart will always serve you well Jace.  Even at times when you will seem crushed by it....even in moments when it will seem better to harden your heart and put up walls.......the essence you carry within you now is the true essence that will always serve you well.  I pray that life with all of its muddy experiences doesn't jade you from your true self.  You are sensitive and life will hurt you.  It will make you want to put up walls for protection....but the world needs more givers like you.  I hope you live a life you are proud of.  I hope you find a passion that feeds your soul and one that makes you not have to get up in the morning, but that you WANT to get up for in the morning.

I love you so much. You have so many natural talents and abilities.  You do.  Your worst adversary will always be yourself.  If you can overcome that, you will be unstoppable.

Please never stop loving.  Never stop giving.  Always do as Christ said and "Do unto others as you would have done unto you."

I love you always.  You make my heart swell with pride. 

Love,
Mom

Weekend with Daddy and GREAT parent teacher conference

It's been hard on you Jace, I know.  Daddy being sick isn't easy for anyone.  I know how badly you have wished to have your dad back because I prayed and wished just as much too. 

This past weekend you got to spend the weekend on a boys trip with you dad in the mountains.  You guys skied, bowled, went to the arcade, played video games, went swimming, went to restaurants, and daddy bought you legos and you both built a bunch of legos together.

Your smile says it all. 

In school today we had your very first parent teacher conference and the teacher showed us how you are basically above in every subject!  I'm soooo proud of you!  She said  you are fun, outgoing, and a joy to have in class.  You're a good learner too. 

You told me before you left for the weekend that "daddy was feeling better."  I'm so glad you got to have this special time.  <3