Letter to My Birthday Baby Boy: 9 Years Old

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Rushton Jeb, 

    NINE years old! And the sweetest, kindest, most precious boy! I'm several months late writing this year's letter, so this one will be short and sweet. You are adventurous, athletic, intelligent, and you have a heart of gold! To know Rush is to love Rush! You are your daddy's mini me...kind-hearted, cautious, an over-thinker, and you make friends wherever you go.

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You have the most magnetic personality, and you are our JOY! You weren't sure what you wanted to do for your birthday this year...it took you so long to decide...but we finally settled on taking a few friends to the arcade to do bowling and laser tag. All you wanted for your birthday was a pack of basketball cards...and Christmas was about the same. You are so easy...you asked for basketball cards, a new basketball, and a pair of Ugg Tasman slip-ons. When we were talking about your birthday week you said, "It's really not a big deal." Oh Rushy...we love you so much and celebrating you is definitely a BIG DEAL!

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You asked Jesus into your heart this year when you were 9. You came home from church one Wednesday evening and told me you were ready to become a Christian and ask Jesus to come into your heart. We prayed together on my bed that evening and read a few Bible verses. I love watching your faith grow, as you learn to depend on Jesus.

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This is my verse I've chosen for you in your 9th year of life.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

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Rush loves:

-basketball cards

-football

-basketball

-wrestling

-XBOX

-Chick-Fil-A

-eating chips

-root beer

-wrestling

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I love you so much, Rushton Jeb, and you will always be my baby boy.

-Mom

Letter to My Birthday Baby Boy: 7 Years Old

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My sweet Rush,

    I'm behind on my birthday letters, so I'm writing this a little late. Seven has been the most precious age for you. You have the sweetest and most pleasant personality, and everyone just adores you. You love being outdoors, and on most of our hikes or adventures you'll have your shirt and shoes off...enjoying nature and soaking up your surroundings. You remind me of Mowgli in the jungle book...fun and free spirited. You're not afraid of anything, and you love adventures and to try new things. 

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You love basketball and you couldn't wait to have a Michael Jordan birthday party. You're at the age where you are wanting to start hanging out with friends, and we invited several boys to go to Urban Air and then come back to our house to hang out and play. You get along so well with others, and everyone loves to be around you. You started doing some private basketball lessons with Reid, and your ball handling skills are excellent for your age! You love dunking on your little basketball goal, and trying lots of trick dunks. 

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You played soccer this year, and you have the fastest feet! You were extremely good at it, but your favorite sports are still wrestling and basketball. You love your Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Wilder, and you say she's "the best teacher ever!" You taught her what being "the goat" means, and she calls you "The Goat!" She loves your heart for the Lord, and introduced you to your new favorite book called "The Three Trees." You love learning about Jesus, and you love being the one to lead us in prayer during our family Bible studies. You are a little sponge and you soak up every little bit of information that you hear!

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This is my verse for you for the year...

"...and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”.....

Acts 6:4

My prayer is that you always love to pray and talk to the Lord. I pray that you will always hunger for the Word and enjoy learning about Jesus. I know God has big plans for you in helping to further his Kingdom!

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You will always be my baby boy. I love you so very much!

-Mommy

Letter to My Birthday Baby Boy: 8 Years Old

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My Rushton Jeb,

    I can't believe you are EIGHT! It has been so much fun watching you grow this year. You've fallen in love with the sport of wresting and we love watching you do your thing! You got second at state, and got first place at every novice meet. You have the most kind-hearted, tender personality, but when you are on that mat you are a beast! You show amazing strength that's under control (like the work "meek" in the verse in Matthew), and you are so calm and collected. You are determined, and disciplined, and so responsible. You never complain about going to wrestling practice, and you give it all you've got at every practice and during every conditioning session. You weigh yourself and keep track of your weight, and you never have to be reminded to get your homework done. You're the first one dressed in the morning, and you rarely gripe or complain. You're such a joy, and your daddy and I love that we get to be your parents. 

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You're super smart, and you finished your "Math Masters" within the very first week. Your 1st grade teacher says you are reading on almost a 4th grade level and you're doing 3rd grade math. You are the fastest kid in your grade, and you were chosen to represent Grove in the Shawnee Little Olympics to run the 50 yard dash as the Grove mascot. You have lots of friends from many different circles...school, wrestling, baseball team, church...and everyone loves to hang out with you! You have a magnetic personality, with a quiet and sweet spirit, but you're also athletic, tough, and all-boy! 

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I'm starting to really notice this year just how much your personality is like your daddy's. You're cautious and hesitant until you figure something out completely, and then you are more confident and begin to thrive in a situation....whether it be sports, a new experience or skill, or a social situation. You love being outside and hanging out with Reid and the older boys, and they're good to let you tag along and join in on their shenanigans around the neighborhood. You love all sports and sports trivia, and we've nicknamed you "Sports Center" because you seriously know every sports fact - especially when it comes to basketball and basketball players! You love talking about Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq, and you even got to go to a Thunder vs Bucks game for your birthday and watch Giannis play in floor seats!

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You like singing Kanye West songs with Reid, and playing 2K and hunting games on the XBOX. You love to collect basketball and football cards with Reid, and then organize them all and see how much they're worth. You also love watching YouTube videos and eating Chick-Fil-A and junk food! You hate dressing up and most of the time can be caught wearing sweat pants and a Champion shirt. One of my favorite things about you is your long, textured, wavy blonde hair and your big brown eyes. 

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This is my verse I've chosen for you for this year...

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Meekness... not weakness, but "strength under control"...like a well trained war horse or a wise warrior knowing when to draw his sword and when to keep it in his sheath.

One article explains that to be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” (ESV Study Bible notes). And one commentary states – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

My prayer for you is that you'll always possess Biblical meekness. That you will be strong and courageous, but also cautious, calm, and humble. 

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I love you so much and you will always be my baby boy - 

Mama

Letter to My Birthday Baby Boy: 6 Years Old

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Rushton Jeb,

I am super later writing this letter...almost a year...but I couldn’t let 2020 go by without talking about how precious you were at SIX YEARS OLD! You have the sweetest personality, and you truly are loved by all. You are such a JOY. You make friends with everyone you meet, and your smile is contagious. 

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You’re all boy and you love all things related to sports, nature, being outdoors, and getting dirty. You love to ride your bike, fish, hike, explore, and swim. You’re such a little free spirit with your long hair and your carefree soul...you hike with bare feet and you seem so at home in nature. I love watching your soul come alive when you’re outside. I always say that you’re like Mowgli from The Jungle Book because you love animals and you’re always finding critters, whether it be bullfrogs, lizards, snakes, or crawdads. 

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You’re so smart, and you’ve started reading really well. You love numbers, and are great at math. You always want us to and you math problems so you can work them in your head. You love school, and of course you’ve mastered every academic task this year. Your best friends are Fisher Standlee and Cece Wilson, and you play flag football, soccer, basketball, and t-ball...you say basketball is your favorite and you want to be in the NBA when you grow up!

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Rush loves:

-Chick-fil-A 

-chips

-Dr. Pepper

-animals...especially frogs, bugs, and lizards

-riding his bike 

-listening to music

-wearing his Birkenstocks

-being outside 

-playing basketball 

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Life verse for year SIX.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12‬

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My precious Rush, I love you so so much. You always tell me that you will be my baby forever, and I so hope that is true. I’ve been telling you lately that you’re my favorite, but to not tell the other kids...then we both smile really big. Today you said to me, “But mom, God says you’re supposed to love everyone the same.” And that is your heart. You always cling to the Word and what is right. That is what I love most about you...how much you love the Lord. You treasure his words and keep them in your heart. And that, my sweet boy, is the most important thing you could ever do. It is the words and the the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that will always guide you through this world. You are a light and you are a warrior for Christ...and he has big plans for your life. And it’s such an honor for me to get to watch how you use the amazing gifts God has blessed you with. 

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I love you always and forever, 

Mom 

Letter to My Birthday Baby Boy: 5 Years Old

My sweet, precious Rushton Jeb Walter Rollins, 

How are you already FIVE?! I feel like you should still be my little squishy baby with the wrinkly forehead and chubby cheeks. I still remember the way your soft, fuzzy hair felt and how you would look up at me as you nursed. I remember how you smelled and the way you would snuggle up close under my chin. I have enjoyed, savored, cherished, and loved every single thing about the past five years of having you as my baby. You are everything that I {literally} dreamed of, and I'm so thankful that God knew that I needed you. 

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You're extremely social and you light up a room! Just like your daddy, you're very friendly and likable...and you make an impression with everyone you meet! Your brother and sister ADORE you, and we all treat you like the true baby of the family. You still sleep in mommy and daddy's bed...right in the middle of us...and I'm not going to lie, I have absolutely loved having you next to me every night as my snuggle buddy. You sleep right under my arm, just like when you were a tiny baby. And even though your daddy thinks it's super weird, you still hold my "booby" to go to sleep every night. You nursed until you were three, so you're used to snuggling up close to me and falling asleep. You told me a couple of days ago that you were going to still be my baby until you were "twenty." And that's just fine with me! 

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You started a two day a week preschool program this year called "Under the Son," and you absolutely love it! You're so smart, and can already: count to 100, count backwards, read over ten sight words, write your name, add and subtract...and your vocabulary is AMAZING for your age. We all can't believe some of the words you know and use in context. You show a special interest in numbers, counting, and adding - which is a trait that you come by naturally from your Papa Kelbo! And, you're left-handed like your mama...which, of course, I LOVE!

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You're all boy...just like all of the Rollins boys. You're rough and tough, and LOVE to tackle and wrestle. We tried wrestling this year, but there wasn't really anyone your same size, so daddy says that we're going to try again next year. You're super tough, and rarely cry when you get hurt. You love playing outside, getting dirty, exploring, fishing, and riding your bike. You've been riding your bike without training wheels since a couple of days before you turned three, and it amazes all of us at how well you can ride it! Papa Kelbo bought you a little Cannondale this year, and you love riding it around the neighborhood. You say that it has "off road tires" and that you can ride it anywhere. Daddy wants to make you some bike trails through the woods behind our house, so you can ride back there. You also got a new Yamaha dirt bike (and all the gear!) a few months ago and you love riding that at Nana and Papa's house. You immediately knew how to ride it, and took off like a pro! 

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You're definitely the life of the party at our house and you are always entertaining us all! You're gotten a little "too big for your britches" attitude the past couple of months, but hopefully that's just a little phase that you're going through. We love hearing your songs, dances, and listening to your band, "No Diggity." Your laugh is so funny and contagious, and we all love our "baby Rushy Poo!"

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Music is probably your very favorite thing, and you love to sing...especially rap! You make up your own rap songs and they are actually pretty good! You know the words to most songs that come on the radio, and you love all genres of music from Christian, to country, to R & B. I definitely think that music is going to be your thing. You asked for a drug set and an electric "bitar" for Christmas, and you recently asked me to start teaching you to play the piano. I'm going to officially start you in lessons next year like your brother and sister. 

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And although you don't seem to be as intense or competitive as your older brother, you're definitely athletic and love sports like he does. You rocked at snow skiing this year, and came down the big mountain like a champ! You kept making YouTube videos and wanted to tell your "subscribers" to "smash that like button" if they liked your skiing skills! It was so cute and so funny!

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You love Jesus with all of your heart, and show a special interest for learning Bible stories and remembering all about the characters of the Bible. I love when you come home from school and tell me about the Bible story you learned about that day. You can remember so many details about the story, and you really soak up the lesson like a sponge. One time during our family Bible study you asked why you couldn't get baptized yet. You truly have a heart for the Lord, and I pray that you continue to seek Him and grow deeper in his Word. You pray after every single one of our family Bible studies without fail, and it's been very special to see how you have grown and matured in your prayer life at such a young age. When we took this picture at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis, you said, "Take a picture of me here. But you know, that's not the real Jesus." 

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You played your first season of basketball this year, and you are quite the baller! Daddy was so proud of how well you could dribble for your age. You're about to start t-ball for the first time next month, and you're super excited! I can't wait to see what my little south paw can do on the baseball field! 

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Rush loves:

-watching YouTube (especially Ryan's Toy Review - "Ryan's Toys from you")

-late night snacking with mommy

-any kind of music

-playing instruments

-going to your "church class"

-singing

-super heroes; specifically Black Panther

-pickles from McAlisters

-cheeseburgers

-riding your dirt bike at Papa Kelbo's 

-doing our family Bible study and praying

-"cool clothes"

-"Bron" James

-orange sherbert 

-playing with your animals in the playroom

-"Scratcher" the real alligator head we got in Louisiana

-"Niner" the mountain lion stuffed animal from the Grand Canyon

-playing with Russell

-riding your bike

-Chick-Fil-A

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This is the verse I picked to pray over you for this year:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

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I've always heard people say, "There's just something about the baby," and man, I know just how true this statement really is. I love you so much, and you have definitely completed by world. You are the cherry on top of our family, and the missing piece to my heart. I love how we do "snuggy wuggy" and have a secret handshake. I love how you like to work out with me, and how you always with to sit by me. I love that you grab my face with your little hands when you're telling me something, and I love how you are constantly telling me that you love me. Just tonight while we were watching American Idol, you looked at me and said, "You're the best." But you know what Rushton Jeb? I think you're the best. And I thank God every day that I get to be your mommy. 

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You're so precious to me, sweet as can be, baby of mine.

Mommy

Letter to My Birthday Baby Boy: 4 Years Old

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Rushton Jeb Walter, 

Oh, how I adore you! I cannot honestly say that I have savored and enjoyed every single drop of your "baby-ness." You're my little sidekick, and I've loved hanging out with your every day while the big kids are in school. You were supposed to enroll in Pre-K a few weeks ago, but I just couldn't' do it. You'll be really old for your grade, but you're my baby and I want to keep you with me for just one more year. Your personality...oh your personality! In LilliAnn's words, "What I love most about Rush is his adorable personality and his kind heart." You are extremely outgoing and social, and you make friends easily. Everyone you meet falls in love with you, and you have a way of making people smile and laugh. You're sweet and gentle, but also fierce and intense! You LOVE to wrestle and "battle," and playing super heroes is among one of hour favorite things right now. 

You still sleep with mommy and daddy, and you like to hold my "booby" every night while you fall asleep. Daddy thinks it's super weird and awkward, but I see it as your comfort and your lovie. You nursed for three years, and snuggling up close to me became your routine and makes you feel secure. 

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You played soccer last fall and did well, but you're really wanting to play "the tackling game" (football) and wrestle! You're wrestling stance is pretty cute, by the way! You've been riding your bike without training wheels since your last birthday, but this year you're finally starting to ride it on the road instead of just the driveway. You love hanging out at Nana and Papa's, and you have become pretty attached to your Papa! He loves hooking you up with the latest basketball shoes, or bringing your donuts for breakfast. He also sneaks you Coke when you stay with him, and you think it's so funny!

You're not crazy about learning your letters, but you know all of your numbers and can count past twenty. When I ask you what a letter is you say, "I know it, but I'm not telling you." Haha! You do, however, know all of the letters in your name and how to spell your name...and you and sort of write it as well! But...you hold your pencil like a caveman just like Reid! You are SUPER stubborn and when I try to teach you how to hold it correctly, you won't have it and only want to do it your way! You may not know your letters very well or hold your pencil correctly, but you have an AMAZING vocabulary for your age, and you are very intelligent. You use words like destruction, species, extinct,  damage, and lioness in the correct context. And you love asking questions and trying to understand complicated concepts. I love your curiosity! 

One of my favorite things is that you're left handed...just like me!! You write, eat, cut, and throw left handed, however, daddy thinks that you'll be a right-handed batter. Working with you on baseball fundamentals has been a little bit harder for daddy than it was when he started teaching Reid. You are quite a bit more stubborn and like to do things your way, Daddy doesn't want to push all the sports stuff and says that it will all come with time. He's learning his second go round!

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Something that daddy and I recognize in you that is very special is your heart for the Lord at such a young age. You love praying and talking about Jesus, and one of your very favorite things in our family devotion that we do at dinner time. You are always engaged and asking questions, and when I ask if a book of the Bible is in the New or Old Testament, amazingly, you always get the answer  right! You really enjoy going to Sunday school or church classes, as well as your class that you go to during my Tuesday morning Bible study. You love watching Bible story cartoons, Bible Man videos, and Veggies Tales too! 

Besides Jesus, your favorite Bible character is John the Baptist and you love saying that he "wears camel hair and lives in the Wild Wild West." You love the story about Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist, and the other night at dinner you asked why you couldn't get baptized when you were three. I tried to explain it to you, but you insisted on praying to Jesus to tell him that you wanted to be able to be baptized when you were three because He lives in your heart. 

Sometimes you start praying out of nowhere, and there have been times that you are just praying to God out loud to yourself. It's seriously the cutest and sweetest thing ever! Daddy and I say that you're going to grow up and be our preacher. It's amazing how you are so in touch with the Holy Spirit at such a young age. Jesus says to come to him with "the faith of a child," and even though you are little, you are brightly and boldly shining Jesus's light to everyone around you! 

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Rush's favorite things:

-Hulk

-You Tube (Ryan's Toy Review)

-"mote control" cars

-playing animals and toys in the playroom

-dinosaurs

-Dinky the Dinosaur book

-bigfoot and abominable snowman

-any dress up costume

-"booby"

-"lemomade" & rootbeer

-Chick-fil-A

-Lion Guard

-wrestling or "battling"

-brushing you teeth

-"Bron" James

-"cool clothes" (Nike and Under Armour)

-friends: Cece, Korbyn, Collins, Ella

-your "brothers" Rowan, Know, and Baby Vaughn

-playing with Russell

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"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

1 Timothy 4:12

I love you a bushel and a peck,

Mommy