This precious son of mine turned twelve today at exactly 2:40 in the afternoon.  He volunteered to set an alarm so that we didn’t miss the exact moment he came into our lives.

He’s driven, hard-working, kind, a leader, easy to befriend and a model citizen.  That sounds funny, but it is true.  He follows the rules and pushes himself to be his best self.  I haven’t talked a lot about him lately, but he loves middle school.  He had an *almost* perfect report card in the first quarter and earlier this month he tried out for a select lacrosse team of 6th and 7th graders and MADE IT!!!

Photo: Victoria Nielson

I feel like each of my children bring such a special and unique joy to my life.  John was the kid that made me a mother.  He was the one that showed me the depth and breadth of true love like only a child can do.  While we didn’t know it at the time, the fact that he made it into this world was a true miracle – and for that I will always be humbled and monumentally grateful.

Photo: Kimberly Mitchell

We kicked off his birthday with a pancake breakfast, Monopoly Deal, and presents!  He received a hoodie sweatshirt that he’d been pining over for weeks AND his forever gift.  This year we chose a silk Vineyard Vines Georgia Tech tie.  I love nothing more than a man in a bow tie, but he hinted a few times recently that he wanted a tie like dad.  And, whether or not he goes on to attend Georgia Tech himself, he’s got Yellow Jacket blood running through his veins.  :-)

The boys in this family spent much of the day rotating between playing video games inside and basketball outside.   His cousins joined us for a spur of the moment hibachi meal when they popped out to our side of town to drop off his gift!  And, he got to see BOTH of his aunts and uncles on his big day!!

I try not to dwell on the numbers but, God willing, he will start high school in 2.5 years, be learning to drive in 3 years, and fly our little nest in 6 short years.  The clock is ticking at warp speed.

Godspeed, son.