ten

my first born child is ten years old.

we looked back at pictures from his birth-day.

(giving birth was not my favorite.)

but getting him certainly was.

and as much as i love looking at those old pictures and remembering how sweet and tiny he was, and how young everyone else was in the pictures, i have to tell you that i love having a ten year old jake.

i guess i can't speak for every ten year old, but this one is just really really great.

i love having conversations where i realize he knows more than i do.

i love when he has ideas that are brilliant.

i love seeing him discover how great it feels to give to others of our time and energy.

i love that he loves to read like i do.

i just think i was made for this stage.

at least that's how i feel today.

so, to celebrate a decade with this brilliant fella, reedo and i SECRETLY planned a family get away to our favorite family happy place in maui.

the little kids ended up giving it away about 5 minutes from the airport.

while we were there, my big ten year old guy decided to treat his brother and sister each to a fancy souvenir  with his own allowance money (he's a saver).

and the by the time we were there for one night, reedo and i agreed that parasailing would be the perfect memorable antic to remember this very special trip by.

parasailing.

with a parachute.

1200 feet in the air.

ok, so i agreed to it, but it was not easy for me.

but once they were up there and i was feeling good about the boat and the fellas running the whole deal, i was just so proud.

all three of my kids did it.

i still can't even believe it.

 it was a very lovely relaxing time for us.

with reedo traveling more than we are used to, back and forth from the mainland, we really soak up those moments that we all get to be together.