Where have 10 years gone?

Jaden's birthday is today.  It's a milestone for him and for me.  He's 10.  Yes, 10.  In some ways I feel like I'm way too young to have a 10 year old, I mean, that's a big number!  But in other ways, I feel like I've grown these past 10 years just as Jaden has...yes, I have more wrinkles, but I've also grown in my life, my marriage, and as a mommy.  I couldn't wait to be a mommy, had dreamed of it my whole life, and was honestly overjoyed to hold my 7lb. 14oz. baby boy {who we didn't know was a boy}. Tears streamed down my husband and my face, tears of joy, not realizing that we would be in for a ride...
Jaden is our strong-willed child, he is the oldest, he is determined, brave, thoughtful, inquisitive, fearless, and yes, your typical boy!  He had his first trip to the ER at 18 months old after climbing, falling, and splitting his head open.  I held him as he got stitches.
 He loves adventure, loves being with his daddy, and still loves to know that I'm watching him ride his bike, ride his skateboard, swing a bat, climb a tree, etc.   He still calls me mommy.  I'm his biggest fan and always will be!

  

I'm a little anxious about what the next 10 years will bring, but at the same time, I know that I can't control his life, I know have to pull back and allow him to make choices {good or bad}, not to butt in every time he does something different than the way I would, to encourage him, and most importantly to love on him every second I can.
I want him to know how incredibly proud I am of how he's grown the past 10 years and I want him to know I'm right by his side for the next 10 years...and on!

Happy Birthday my son!