Dear Austin,
Love, Mom
I just have to write this letter to your future you today because I have been thinking about how grown up you are getting. This Saturday we were walking into Wal-Mart (our favorite place) and I tried to hold your hand. You would have nothing to do with it, and that made me sad to realize you are growing up! For the first time in your life, I have been able to tuck you into bed this month and you have stayed there ALL NIGHT without getting up, or wanting to sleep on the couch, or on the floor in the master bedroom, or even next to me in bed (which makes me squished in the middle) with you grinding your teeth and turning over all night so that I get NO sleep. But, this morning I woke up with you next to me in bed because you said you had a nightmare. I think that is your little way of me having mercy on you and letting you lay down without much of a fuss.
Then as soon as you wake up you are GO GO GOING!!! I had to laugh yesterday when Jake said, “Mom, I think there’s something wrong with Austin! I think he must have taken Dad’s happy pills!” You are always skipping jumping, singing, and joyful in whatever you do around the house. People outside the house (school, church, baseball coaches) think you NEVER talk because you are so quiet!
I think you are really going to be a GREAT athlete Austin. You love to play ball of any kind…but especially baseball. you took a break this season from Little League, which makes me happy because I can spend more time with you. I thought we would sit by each other at Jake’s game…but you are always with the other kids at the field throwing tennis and racquet balls against the dugouts. You love to be outside and I have to DRAG you into the house everynight, usually after dark, so we can get ready for the next day ahead of us.
You are an amazing student Austin! I am so impressed with your self motivated learning style. You always rush right home and the first thing you do is get out your homework and do it. We never have to ask you twice to get your homework done either. Sometimes I think you like doing it so you can beat Jake. He takes a little…ok a lot more prodding than you do to get his assignments completed. You also put 110% into all the projects you have at school. I loved the biography you did on Babe Ruth this year in 2nd grade and the things we learned together while we read about his life. You always have such inquisitive questions on the world around us and I learn so much trying to answer all the questions you toss my way! You also have a great passion for reading. Sometimes I feel I have to focus a little harder on Jake’s reading because his AR goals are so darn high, but you just go with the flow and do your own reading. Usually when I start reading to both you and Jake, you quickly close your eyes, start jerking ever so slightly, which lets me know you are asleep.
You are such an angel when you sleep. You love to have your arm or leg wrapped around me when you sleep and I love it. I love the way you love to cuddle with me. I know it won’t last for much longer so I try to take advantage of every opportunity I get to snuggle with you! You still like me to give you piggyback rides upstairs…which is quite a feat for me anymore! I know I won’t be able to do that much longer so I try to take advantage of carrying you up the stairs when I can. You also love to sit on my lap, especially when I’m on the computer. It’s not always the most comforable thing because you are getting so big, but I just can’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around you and giving you big kisses because I love you so much!
You are also such a tender hearted young boy. Dad always comments that you have such a tender heart and I agree! You are so kind and willing to serve around the house. You are always so happy and bring a smile to our faces
Your dad and I will always love you Austin, and we know you will spread your wings wide and fly as soon as possible and not a moment later. But while you are still under our wing, we hope to have some influence upon you. We hope to encourage you to be a gentle giant and teach you how to harness your spiritual and physical powers. We hope to teach you of your impact on humanity and that you cannot hurt another without hurting yourself. We hope to develop and channel your multifaceted talents and lead you to a path you can follow throughout your life. But most of all, we want you to always know that we have a deep concern and love for you boy. We yearn for the best life for you and will do all we can to help you achieve your potential.
