Today You Are Fifteen

Dear Jett, This was a rough year for you. But also a year of incredible growth. You broke your collarbone and wrist over spring break. You had to go through the pain and discomfort of healing and not as quickly as you would've liked. You've had to endure stomach pain and months of feeling sick and not knowing what's wrong. We still don't know what's wrong. You have been brave and strong even when you have felt like you were falling apart. But I'm grateful that you are here no matter what state you are in. I just love you.

This summer you began marching band as a contra. It was really hard at first, but you kept going. You didn't have as much muscle at the start, but you built and built and built and now the tuba isn't heavy to you. You spent the summer in the intense heat, being pushed for hours as you carried and threw around 50 pounds of heavy metal. You got to participate in competition after competition. It was so much fun to go to all of them. I could hear you from the stands and I was proud every time. You learned what it is to do hard things and found that you can do incredible things if you keep going.

Fourteen and fifteen, as I remember, were hard ages. At least for me. It's a lot of growing, both physically and emotionally. It's a lot of discovering who you are, what you believe, and the kind of person you want to become. It's a lot of confusion and feelings of overwhelm and sometimes dispair. But it won't always feel like that. Just remember that you are a son of God and you are loved so very much.

It is an exciting year for you though. You are getting your driver's permit, which you are incredibly excited about. You are determined to find a job but frustrated that most people don't hire 15 year olds. I'm confident you'll find something. You're going to be joining the jazz band at school playing bass trombone, and that's super exciting! Music has been a huge influence these past few years and I'm really happy you've found something that you love, that you're good at, and that brings you joy.

You've really gotten into computers this past year and have become the in-house computer guy. You're always fixing our computers or improving them. Any time you go with me to D.I., we always end up leaving with a computer or a monitor for you to fix or tear apart. For your birthday and Christmas you've asked for computer parts to build your own computer. I have a hard time saying "no" to you, so I won't.

Jett, just as always, I'm really proud of you and in awe of who you are. I am always so grateful I get to spend time with you. I love that you like to run errands with me or go on dates with me. I love the little moments that we get to just have a conversation or a quick exchange. I love your sense of humor and how you can always make me laugh. Like, really laugh. I love that you are considerate and observant. You help me in so many ways and I always appreciate the time you take to think of others. More than anything, I just love YOU. Who you are now. Of course I see all the potential you have, but I guess part of loving your kids is loving them for who they are at that moment in their lives. You're only 15 once, and I really love you at 15. Just how I loved you at 4 or how I'll love you at 36. You're an incredible person and I hope you know just how much you are loved and admired. I literally and figuritvely look up to you. Thank you for being my son. I feel overwhelmingly blessed and lucky to be your mom.

Happy Birthday, Jett. I love you. Love, Ma

Today You Are Fourteen

 Dear Jett,

I feel like we just celebrated your 13th birthday a few weeks ago, but apparently it's been a whole year! Before you know it, you'll be driving and dating and graduating and...leaving me. But I'm getting ahead of myself...14! Wow! 

Jett, there really is nobody quite like you. You are wise beyond your years and have such a good head on your shoulders. You're kind, considerate, empathetic, and forgiving. You're so smart and talented. You're funny and handsome. You're all the good things.

Something I love that you do is when I am leaving to run an errand or pick up your little brother from school, you ask if you can come with me. I love spending that time with you, even if we're just looking at a funny meme or listening to the radio. I know these days will eventually be gone and you'll be off, living your own life, but until then, I am going to enjoy every second I have with you. 

You started playing tuba this year and you've gotten so good! I'm so impressed at the progress you've made and that you were able to get into Wind Symphony, that's quite an accomplishment! And I love that you love it. I'm so proud of you for sticking with it and practicing as much as you can. It's a lot of fun for me to hear you perform and even just practice at home. 

You've also gotten so good at wakeboarding. It's crazy how quickly you learned to jump the wake and kept trying over and over again. I know Dad loves that you enjoy going out on the boat with him and asking him for tips on how to improve. 

You also have so much talent when it comes to problem solving, especially when it comes to computers. You are brave enough to take computers apart and fix them. I'm scared just pushing a few buttons, but removing tiny screws and pulling stuff out of a computer would terrify me. It's amazing.

I've loved going on a few Mom & Son dates this year. I feel bad we didn't get to do a lot more of them, but I love that we both love good food. It's a lot of fun to go on lunch dates with someone who can talk about how to cook a burger perfectly or what kind of sauces are best on nachos. Or what makes a Dirty Dough cookie the best. You continually impress me with your food and cooking knowledge. It was really kind and selfless of you to cook an entire Valentine's meal for the family and then later for Cruise and his prom date. You made the most amazing steaks, scallops, and mashed potatoes. I'll never be able to recreate what you do.

Jett, 8th grade is probably one of the hardest years, but you have really gone into it confident and strong. You've made good friends and have made good choices. You are active in your Quorum at church and find joy in the gospel. You're such a Christlike young man and a great example to everyone around you, and I am just so proud of you.

Keep doing what you're doing, kid. I wish I could take all the credit for how amazing you are, but like I always say, you just came that way. You're such a wonderful son and a fun brother. You find joy in serving others and spending time with your family. For your birthday this year, you insisted on just having a family party. You wanted to see the new Hunger Games movie and go out to eat at Wallaby's, just us. I love that you're in our family. It just wouldn't be the same without you. 

Happy Birthday my incredibly wonderful teenager. I am forever grateful to be your Mom.

Love,

Bruh

just kidding...

Love,

Ma 

Today You Are Thirteen

Dear Jett,

Happy 13th Birthday! You're officially a teenager! I was reviewing the past 13 years in my head and thought about how quickly you've grown and how it really does feel like yesterday that you were a fluffy-haired towhead, who loved to love and laugh. And I guess things really don't change all that much except maybe the hair and the fact that you now are taller than me. Man, you really grew this past year. 

This year you really put a lot into learning more about cooking and practicing it every chance you got. I'm not gonna lie, I really like the benefits. I think something I'll always cherish, however, is just cooking with you. Making a meal or a dessert together is one of my favorite things we do. I never really got to do that with my mom; cooking wasn't supposed to be a fun thing in my house growing up, but I am really happy it is in our house. I love trying a new recipe together and taking pride in our final product.

Something I have always loved about you is how gosh darn funny you are. I love your infectious smile and laugh. I love your wit and sense of humor. I love that you can make me smile and laugh no matter what mood I'm in. I love that your humor uplifts and brings joy, and with that I see your empathy and love for others. Your level of humility and kindness is something many adults don't quite grasp. It's such a gift to all those around you. You are a good brother and such a good son. You put others before yourself and are sensitive to other people's needs.

I love that you're adventurous and always up for trying new things. I love how persistent and driven you can be whether it's schoolwork, trying to jump the wake, or learning a new computer program. You are so smart and so capable. I rarely have to get on you about homework, and every time I check your grades, you always have A's.   

Jett, you're such a good kid and a good person and I've known that since the day you were born. I remember holding you in my arms, staring into your chubby little newborn face, and recognizing your spirit, like I've known you forever. I love being your Mom. I love that you still want me to tuck you in at night. I love that you still want hugs and kisses and that you still tell me you love me no matter what setting we're in. 

I want all the things for you, Jett. I want you to always feel joy and love. I want you to go out into the world one day and spread your goodness and discover everything you want for yourself. I love that you have a testimony of the gospel and that you have a relationship with your Heavenly Father. I hope you continue to cultivate that and always look to Him for guidance and support. I hope you always know how much I love you. I will always be here for you and I will always love you no matter what. Life is hard sometimes and you will struggle with things that will make you want to turn inward, but I want you to know that even if you don't want to talk about it, I am always here to sit with you and hug you. I will always be your Mama and you will always be my sweet Jett.

Happy Birthday, teenage Jett.

I love you, 

Mom

Today You Are Twelve

Dear Jett,

Holy moly you're 12! It's your last year as a tween! That's absolutely crazy to me seeing as just yesterday you were 8 months old and crawling around on the floor, biting the dog with your love bites. But you are quite the young man now, Jett. You've always been an old soul with an amazing sense of humor. You are wise beyond your years and the kindest person I know. You care so deeply about others and find ways to help people who need it. You are beloved in all groups you frequent. You're not only kind, but you are such a funny kid. You make me laugh every day, and laughing is one of my most favorite things. I love that you can laugh at yourself and have the confidence to just be you. 

You are also an incredibly smart kid. You learn things quickly and you love learning. You problem solve and never give up quickly. Quite often I find that you've read up on something or watched a documentary or video about a subject to understand an interest. Your classmates find you to be so helpful to them when they're struggling understanding something. 

You are so talented as well. You are my I.T. guy when I'm *this* close to throwing the computer against the wall. You're creative and come up with the best stories and art. You are an amazing wakeboarder. You are SUCH an incredible baker. I don't know how you do it, but your baked goods blow my baked goods out of the water. Just the other day you made pizza dough and made an entire pizza from scratch to share with the whole family. Holy cow I LOVED it!  I just absolutely adore cooking and baking with you. It will always be one of my favorite memories.

But my most favorite thing about you, Jett, is your ability to show empathy and compassion. And your ability to see things from another perspective. Most adults can't do that. You help your dad and I out so much, especially when you see us struggling. You help your brothers all the time. You see a need and fill that need. You go above and beyond what is expected. Just a few weeks ago I woke up on a Saturday to find that you had cleaned the entire kitchen. Like, DEEP cleaned. I never asked you to do that. In fact, I've never asked you to do that. But you saw the need and cleaned it and it was glorious. 

Something I love is that you message me every day while you're at school. I don't know if it's frowned upon or not, but you always find time to shoot me a quick message to say hi and to tell me you love me. I always look forward to it. I love our silly banter and that you like talking to me. I love that you come to me with your worries or struggles and that you feel safe confiding in me.

I am so pleased with the man you are becoming. I have been so blessed and can't take much credit for the person you are. You were born the funny, kind, empathetic, snuggly kid that you are today. Gosh, you are such an example to me. I want to be like you when I grow up. 😊

This year is your last in elementary school. You are going to be moving up and on and that totally blows my mind. But you are so ready for more opportunities and responsibility. I have all the confidence that you will rock jr. high. I am so happy that you love your current school and that you've made good friends. I am so grateful that you have kids around you who appreciate all your goodness. Continue to keep good friends.

Jett, boy, I just love you! I hope you've had a fantastic birthday. You bring our family so much joy and you make my Mama heart so proud. Thank you for being such a good son and a really, really good person. 

Thanks for letting me be your mom and your friend. 

Love,

Mom  

Today You Are Eleven

 Dear Jett,

Wow! It seems like yesterday you were a brand new little guy who just wanted to be snuggled and held all the time. You haven't changed much in that sense. You've always been sweet and so easy to love. Over this past year, you've had to grow and adapt so much. 

Jett, you're the funniest, warmest, most lovable kid I know. You have the best sense of humor and you always can make me laugh. You are so helpful and kind. You think of others and try to see the best in people. You're such a great example to me. You are such a good brother. You help your brothers out when they aren't able to do something. When they're sad or upset and I can't cheer them up, you always seem to be able to. You're a good friend and just a really, really good person. The world needs more Jetts. 

This next year is kind of a big one for you. You're going to get the Priesthood and pass the Sacrament. You're also going to start 6th grade next fall and holy cow! That's crazy! How did you grow up so fast?! You're getting to that fun, awkward puberty stage and as much as I hate to see my babies get bigger and taller than me, I find that there is just so much more of you to love. 

You are finding things you're interested in and really good at. You can solve any computer problem I have and you know how to figure things out when I've given up after 5 minutes. You are such a good reader and end up staying up late with your little lantern reading books cover to cover. You are so talented on the wakeboard; I'm always so impressed at your abilities. You are an excellent cook and baker; I always love cooking together with you. You're good at basketball, Rubix cube, fly fishing, and starting fires (the good kind). You are smart and pick things up fast, and you're incredibly independent, which sometimes is out of necessity. 

Being the middle kid is so hard. I understand more than you know. I've depended on you quite a bit since you were little and I know that's been hard. In a lot of ways, you've had to fill a big-brother role to both your brothers and I know that's unfair. But I am so proud of you and I just appreciate how you always step up and help out, even when you just really don't want to. I love you, kiddo.

I am so grateful for you, Jett. I don't know what we would do without your sweet, funny, and strong spirit. I love hearing your testimony of the Gospel and I love seeing how you live it each day. I am in awe of the young man you are becoming and I really can't take all the credit for it. You're amazing. I hope you know how much I love you; I hope you grow up having no doubts about that. I hope I make you feel loved each and every day and I'm sorry that I fall short sometimes. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy, I hope this next year is a great one for you! I love you so much!

Love,

Mom