A Decade

The word decade seems like a huge amount of time. But when I realized today that I've been a MOTHER for a decade, it really didn't seem that long. TEN years ago this morning, my first child was born. Ten years of getting to know one of the most tender, sweet, thoughtful and funny people I know. Jacob Golden Ward was named after his Grandpa Ward who he also shares his 9/11 birthday with. We celebrated his FIRST birthday the day the Towers fell.

Jacob with his Grandpa, J Golden Ward, Christmas, 2006.
Jacob Golden Ward has changed my life, I can't imagine what the next decade will bring while watching Jacob turn 12, receive the Priesthood, turn 14 and start to go to dances, turn 16 and start to date, turn 18, graduation and then in fewer years now than I've had him, he'll be off on a mission.

Less than a decade to have this boy under my roof, playing jokes on me, giving me hugs, begging to play the Wii, and helping around the house without me asking. I'm going to savor every moment.

Jacob in Third Grade, September, 2008.
I've also had the honor to be his school teacher. I know the work is sometimes hard for him, but he tries so hard, he keeps working until he gets it, and he jets out of the "classroom" when he's done. On to other things, like reading, playing the Wii, playing with lightsabers and building Legos.

Jacob with David Michael, his friend in Newport, RI. August, 2009

Jacob makes me laugh. He says funny things and has a great way of making people laugh with his body langauge. He's quite an actor. One night we were all going up the stairs to go to bed and he jumped in front of Abby and me and took a warrior stance and said, "Stand back, I'll protect you women."

Happy Birthday to a little boy who changed my world a decade ago, and continues to amaze me every day.

Jacob with his favorite friends and cousins. Labor Day, 2010