Wolfpack ends and an 11 year old emerges

It was an eventful and intense year of Wolfpack basketball that has now come to an end. It was so much fun to watch the boys grow together as a team and see individuals get better and better. To see friendships made between both the players, coaches and the parents. We love our Wolfpack family!

What's next? Well, he will be playing more basketball with a different team for a few months but will be back with the Wolfpack when they start up again in the Fall. But the NEXT big thing is that Jaxon will be 11 soon on April 2nd to be exact! I wanted to write about both because basketball has become a huge part of Jaxon's life (our lives) and it is a tool that is helping shape him as a person. I picked the picture above because it so represents who Jaxon is...no, not just a basketball player but a leader and a good one at that. He is quiet, yet he stands tall and strong for what he believes in. He has a quiet confidence and is not easily shaken. Other kids look to him for guidance on and off the court and they aren't sure why, they just know they want to be his friend. I can tell you why. It is because he works hard at everything he does, he is teachable, agreeable, trustworthy, and content. He is content to loose and content to win. He just enjoys the activity of the sport, or the challenge of learning and what the outcome is doesn't really matter to him, he just enjoys the process. At his last parent/teacher conference the teacher said she "admires Jaxon as a person and see's him as a critical leader for his class today and for the years to come" and that he is a blessing to her and has helped her learn more about herself. Really? You would think that pride would swell within me and I'm sure that there was some of that, but it quickly turned to an overwhelming thankfulness and tears of joy that our son is growing and turning into the young man God wants him to be. I often marvel at who God has made Jaxon. I can take no credit because he is who he is despite Jay & I's weaknesses so it must be God's grace.

I have to say that each year with Jaxon gets better and better.....and harder and harder. Better because each year I am graciously reminded that Jaxon is a gift from the Lord. He is solid and responsible and a vital part to our family. I love being his mom and I take seriously my responsibility to raise him up to be a godly man. The Lord has already saved him (the greatest gift a mother can receive), but my job is to train him, direct him, love him, encourage him and then let him go....wow....that is really painful....that is the hard part. I love seeing him grow, mature, accomplish, succeed but the more he does this on his own the more steps he takes away from needing his Mama to hold his hand. I'm afraid the next 7 years are going to go by faster than I can handle...I love this boy who is quickly turning into an amazing young man. If this is what he is like at 11 I look forward to knowing him as a 15 year old, and 18 year old and so on...

I love you Jax. You are a true blessing and it is my pleasure to watch as God grows you into the man he wants you to be. The Lord has always amazed me with what he has for you and I'm sure there will be many more amazing moments. I know God will use you to do great things, things that will further his kingdom! As you grow I pray that you would guard your heart and mind, that you would trust in the Lord alone and that in everything you do, you would do it for the Glory of God! Happy 11th Birthday, my son. I cherish you.

Love,

Mama