Sunday, February 24, 2013

Turn On A Dime

Ten years ago my life changed in an instant.  For the better.  It all started when I became your mama. 

You made motherhood seem so effortless and glorious.  You were the easiest, most pleasant baby boy on earth.  I commented so many times on how easy this mothering thing was and how I didn't understand why people thought it was hard.  You were that easy.  You were so fabulous that you tricked us into immediately having more kids.

Being your mother has always been an absolute pleasure.  You are:

Level headed
A clown
Respectful
A perfectionist
Snuggly
Loving
Bossy
Energetic
Polite
Confident
Caring
Compassionate
Affectionate
Stubborn
Smart
Witty

You are everyone's friend.  Everyone wants to be around you.  You are not swayed to follow what is popular or cool.  You like what you like whether people agree with you or not.  You are so sure of yourself that others become convinced that whatever it is you like (penguins, airplanes, goofy faces) is cool. You are a self professed (and teacher admitted) class clown, but you would never tease or make fun of anyone else.  You have a good heart and are concerned for others.  You want to make people happy and make them laugh, but never at the expense of someone else.  You truly are an original.

I wish you weren't so hard on yourself.  You expect to be fabulous at everything right away (I can't imagine who you got this from...hmm...thinking, thinking). When you are not immediately perfect you don't even want to keep trying.  You do not like to fail.  But here is a little secret (and I've told you many times before), sometimes we learn and grow the most from failure.  Failure can be a gift, and not something to fear.  It is far worse to not even try than to try your best and fail.  When you release your fear of failure you can and will accomplish anything you want.  And I can't wait to see you do it.  I know great things are waiting for you in this life.  You have so much to offer.
In honor of Joe's 10th birthday I conducted a little interview:

Me:  Hey, Joe.  How is your day going so far?
Joey: Uh, it's going great!

Me: Do you feel any older?
Joey: Umm... no I don't feel any older.  No.

Me: What's your favorite thing about your birthday?
Joey: Everything!  I gotta say everything.

Me: What do you want to be when you are bigger?
Joey: Well I kinda wanna be a air force combat flier.  Or an Olympic swimmer.

Me: What is your favorite color?
Joey: Red

Me: What is your favorite class in school?
Joey: Favorite class.  That is a hard one.  I'm gonna have to say music because we get to play recorders now.

Me: What is your favorite game to play?
Joey: Angry Birds Star Wars or Jet Pack Joy Ride, it's on Cassie's (his cousin) iPad.

Me:  If you could be any animal what would you be?
Joey: Chinstrap penguin- they can swim fast.

Me: What is your favorite sport?
Joey: My favorite sport is baseball.

Me: What is your favorite animal?
Joey: Dogs- Pugs!

Me: If you could go anywhere for vacation where would you go?
Joey: Wisconsin Dells

Me: What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
Joey: Go up to the cabin. Going fishing.  Skiing.

Me: What is your favorite season.  Why?
Joey: Winter. Because (singing) "it's the most wonderful time of the year". Because there is snow.

Me: What are you really good at?
Joey: Baseball

Me: If you could make one birthday wish what would it be?
Joey: To fly in a B29 Superfortress and never get killed.  And destroy all the bad guys. Is that it?  Anymore questions?

Me: Do you want to be done?
Joey: No.  I love this.

Me: What's your favorite ice cream?
Joey: Sherbet! (pause) I'm just gonna go now.  Can I be done?



Then...
 And now...
Always my baby.


I am so proud of the baby you were, the boy you are, and the young man you are becoming.  It is an honor to be your mama.  I love you, my Joey.  Happy 10th Birthday!


16 comments:

Cyndy Bush said...

I'm cracking up at the line about tricking you into having more kids!
Happy Birthday to Joe!!!

nbrsspot.blogspot.com said...

happy b-day joey. you are very precious to your mama.

Mom24 said...

Happy birthday!! 10's a biggie. Enjoy that.

lime said...

ten years old. wow. happy birthday to your amazing boy. thanks for sharing the interview and those cute pictures at the end.

dawn klinge said...

I love this. What a fun interview. He sounds like such a sweet boy. Happy Birthday to Joe!

Allison said...

Awww, so fun! I love the interview idea. Sounds like he and my Max would get along great!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday--what a sweet kid you have!

Bijoux said...

What a sweetheart he is! I'm glad your first was so easy. My first was the worst....haha. Glad he had a great birthday. What a fabulous age for a boy.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, those two pictures together, how cute is THAT? ha ha ha!

Happy Birthday to your 10-year old - WOW! Hope he has a wonderful day!

Wisconsin Girl said...

Birthday fun! Hope it was fun for all despite the busy weekend. Sam still hasn't been to the EAA...we might just have to check that out. My hubby LOVES it there (and would have loved to fly anything for the Air Force too:)! 10 is an exciting number to be!

Hilary said...

Awww happy birthday, sweet guy. And I don't blame you about the Dells.. that is a fun place!

Charmaine said...

Hey from SA :) nothing like it...!!! this mother-love thing... hey Kat :)

Kat said...

Wisconsin Girl- Yes! You have to go to EAA. The kids LOVE it. It is awesome. :)

Riahli said...

Awwwwww, cuteness!!! I love his dog answer, pugs! There are pretty awesome, ha ha!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

You make me smile with this entry.
They grow up so fast.
A lot you shared reminds me
of my youngest granddaughter
who is 7...

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

10? Ack. Way too fast.

If you figure out that perfectionist thing, send help. N is driving me CRAZY with it. She's sooo hard on herself.

Happy decade, Joey! Keep on bringing that joy to your family.

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson