Bubba, I love you sooo much!!!

Today you brought me breakfast in bed (poptarts) and keep saying things like, "whatever you need myprecious!" all in one word~ I love you so much baby and you are making this deployment easier, son. I love you so much!!! And today we helped Sergio and Alissa paint their first house! You helped in painting and did such an amazing job! Thank you for being you!!

Love,
Momma

I love how FB reminds me..

of posts I've made in the past :) Two days ago, it reminded me that one year ago (16 August, 2010) we found out that Brady was a bubba. Yesterday, my "year ago" post reminded me that I said, "it's a BOY! it's a BOY!" because Dada and I were so happy to finally give you a brother!! Today, my post says, "BEST quote of the day, "Cheez-Its... Cheez-Its... Everybody!" - Jarrett, on singing a song about JESUS ♥" You had your first day of pre-k that day, as well. So I go on to explain, "He loved his first day!!!!! When I was asking him if the song was about Jesus he said, "No, there's no name as JESUS" LOL! I think Ms. Tameka would argue that with you, son -

Ms. Tameka is Tameka Podwoski, your very first preschool teacher in Missouri. You loved Ms. "Meeka" so much that the summer following your first year you went to summer school 3 days a week at her house with another little girl from your class. She loves you just as much as we do, son, and she checks in with me on FB from time to time commenting on you and all you've been up to. To this day, Grandma Gale STILL tells me "cheezits!" as a form of saying, "love you!"

I love you, Bub,

"Cheez-its" :)

Momma

Told you Momma was gonna be sad :(

Bub,

You start kindergarten tomorrow, and I apologize ahead of time -- I will be a ball of nerves and prolly cry!!!

I was already crying tonight driving home from WalMart!! And the more I thought, "why are you crying it's not even tomorrow yet!?" the more I CRIED!!!! Just something about today seems so FINAL. Like at least during pre-k and preschool I could take you out or keep you home one day if I wanted or we were doing something fun together. But now I have to give you away 4 days a week (thankfully we are a 4-day-a-week school district!) and I *only* get you for 3. :( Just having a hard time with the whole "this-is-the-last-day-of-being-little" thing. I don't know that I can ever really describe it, but it makes me sad but proud at the same time. You are SO so ready for kindergarten, and at orientation yesterday you were such a big boy walking into your classroom as if to say, "I got this, Mom," not even looking back. Even as I type this my eyes are welling up with tears at how much I love you! You are such a strong and talented boy, I just love you, love you, love you, love you so much!! You kids even took a short bus ride yesterday, and you told me that yes you want to ride the bus this year. Momma already told you I am so not ready for that! But I promise you now, I will *try* my absolute hardest not to stand in your way, ever. I want nothing but the best for you and I will stand beside you supporting your every dream. You deserve the world, Son, and when God gave me you I made a promise to Him and to you that I will be everything you need me to be. People say, "it's just kindergarten," but to me? This is the beginning of your life, Jarrett. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you, and what great and fantastic things you accomplish this year!

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!!!!

Love,

Mommy

Mrs. Brooks

Bub~

Today was a little tiny bit sad for Mommy, but so so so exciting for you! Today we met your kindergarten teacher at Prairie Winds!! Mommy is so proud of you, and I know you are ready, Bub. But Momma's not quite ready for this --

I know one day you'll have kids of your own, and then you will understand more. But I have absolutely 9000% loved every minute of being able to cuddle you and share my 24/7 with you, these last (almost) 6 years. Daddy keeps telling me that Brady came along just in time, because I need one more "little". But you will always, always, always be my baby.

I will never forget the time I found out you were growing in my tummy. It was a Saturday, and the Dr had asked me to come in to the hospital. I had an ultrasound, and they searched and searched, and finally found a little tiny black spot. They said, "We're not sure if this is a viable pregnancy, but there it is. We will keep watching it," and off I went. I knew you were meant to be in my arms and to share this life with me, Bub. I knew it right then. So for a long time after that visit, you were called a "GrandSpot" (affectionately given that name by Grandma). All of our future visits, I would have to send out an email report of how ol' GrandSpot was doing, and report on your progress. Those 9 months seemed to fly by, but at the same time they seemed to drag on just enough that I could enjoy the time with just you, and just me. I felt your every twitch and wiggle, your every fist pump and kickin of the legs. At one point when we came home to Arizona for Travis' graduation, I was laying on the bed just watching you reposition over and over again. I absolutely loved it, baby.

Then one day, God told me it was time, and I prayed that Daddy would get to the hospital with me in time. In case he didn't, Melodie Moyer went with me and never left my side. There are absolutely no words, Bub, for how I felt when the Dr. said, "Mrs. Linley!! OPEN YOUR EYES!" because there you were, in my arms. What a beautiful gift from God, Bub. An absolutely precious and perfect gift. Those first minutes and then days were absolutely life-changing, because I was finally your Mommy and you were finally home in our arms.

Truly, that seems like it was just last week - but it has been almost 6 years. In that time, we have watched you grow and learn what life is all about. We have watched you excel in so many ways, and we are so, so proud of you Bub!! But all that said, I am still in amazement that 6 years have come and gone, and you are off to start the next chapter in your life: elementary school.

You will do ahh-mazzzzzingly, Bub! I am so, so, sooooo proud of you, you are a STAR! And you will excel at absolutely everything you put your mind to. You are already starting to sound out words, and are trying to teach yourself how to read. Mommy is SO sorry that my own studies have taken so much time, Bub, and I haven't been able to help you prepare more in that area. I promise that I will do better, Bub, only a few more months and Mommy is finished with school~

I love you, I love you, I love you chicken Jarrett

PS you have now taken to running around the house shouting, "L-O-L-M-O-M!!" or "L-O-L-Laugh-Out-Loud!!!!" while running around hysterically ;)

you are one of the best things that has ever happened to me, Bub and I am SOO soo lucky, to be your Mommy!

Love,
~Momma

brain tubes

Jarrett: "Momma, look I can see Brady's brain tubes!"

any guess what brain tubes are? ....his veins!!!

so precious, Bubba!!! I love you!

Love,
Momma