3rd grade letter...

At the meet and greet with Drew's new teacher, she asked us parents to write her a letter describing our child. I was thrilled for this little project!
My letter about Drew…
I feel like there is so much I could tell you about this boy. He loves to help; it keeps him busy and gives him a feeling of accomplishment. He thrives on competition; it’s probably what drives him most. If he doesn’t win, he will keep trying until he does. He is a creature of rewards and positive reinforcement. You will get what you want out of him using these approaches. I’ve tried them all. He is much smarter than he gives himself credit for. He is naturally a rock star at math; however, getting him to read is quite a chore. His handwriting is sloppy, but his ideas are big…and usually funny. He will ask A LOT of questions because he wants to make sure he understands; his mind moves so fast he often forgets…and frankly, sometimes he just isn’t listening. If you are patient with him and tell him how proud you are of him…you will soon be his favorite person in this world, and he will treat you as such! He is a people person through and through. He’s loud, a little obnoxious sometimes, and has the biggest heart of any 8 year old I know. He gave his allowance straight from his wallet to a family holding a sign on the side of the road a few weeks ago. He plays travel baseball- third base, loves video games, riding his 4-wheeler and fast cars. He has built a mud truck with his dad and loves “mud boggin”! He’s not a good sleeper, is a picky eater and is a self-declared “Debater”. Maybe we have an attorney on our hands. When he was diagnosed with ADHD in Kindergarten, Matt and I made a commitment to never let him think this was an excuse, a hinder or a label that would hold him back. There is no doubt in my mind that God will use all of his energy to move mountains one day. This is our Drew. I hope you will love him as much as we do. Call us anytime. We are all in this together!

My son, I will always be there

Tonight, my youngest son cried. He cried over everything. He cried because he wanted ice cream before dinner, he cried because he wanted to climb the tree that was too big. He cried because he didn't want to go to sleep, even though his beautiful, blue, 4 year old crying eyes were so sleepy he could hardly hold them open. I hope he wakes up in the morning knowing that I will always be there. I will be there through the crying. I will be there to give him his ice cream once dinner is done. I will be there to help him out of that too big tree and I will be there to lay with him and run my fingers through his blonde hair as he finally drifts off to sleep. 

As the days fly on by, faster than the ones before, I will be there, steady as that too big tree in the yard. When they are late for school, forget their lunch or that kid is mean to them on the bus...I will be there. When their pants need scrubbing and jerseys need ironing for that game when they make the most amazing play, or the game when they feel like they let everyone down, I will always be there. 

When the teacher doesn't "get him", the classes get harder and their friends start to change, I will be there. When the car gets wrecked or they need a ride home from that party they weren't suppose to go to, I will be there. 

When they realize that the girl they liked didn't feel the same way, I will be there to remind them of their great worth...when they find the girl who does see how great they are, I will be there, so excited and grateful. When they promise God to love her forever, I will be there, praying for their every step. When the first argument happens and they think they need a couch to sleep on for the night, I will be there to talk them through it and send them back home. 

When the "It's time, Mom!" call comes, I will rush to be there...and when the "We haven't slept in days." and "The baby won't stop crying." calls come, I will be there. 

As for now, they both are small. They are a handsome, wild at heart, smarter than he gives himself credit for 8 year old and a beautiful, free spirited, barefoot, always has something to say 4 year old. If, one day, all they are sure of about their mother is that she will always be there, then this journey will have been worth every tear they shed.