We did it.

   We did it! Cory and I raised a human from infancy to legal adulthood. Levi Craig Jones turns 18 years old tomorrow. And as long as I blackout his entire 11th year of life and also a few spikes of growing pains around 16-17yrs…it was pure joy. ;) 

    The thing about raising kids is you get a front seat into their transformation of personhood. What started out as my baby who developmentally believed that he and I were just extensions of each other has magically transformed into his own person with his own likes and his own personality. He went from a generic infant that loved rattles and Bear to a typical toddler who loved balls and superheroes to the grown man that loves spending his own money on thrift store clothes, anime, and green screens for his film hobby. His middle school and high school years pictured below are when he really stepped into his own. It’s been so fun to watch baby Levi become himself. 

    He is an extroverted enneagram 7. He is sentimental, creative and confident. He’s great with kids, mediocre with details, and lousy at hiding the junk food he steals from the pantry. He is the anchor to our group of 8 kids. I don’t know what we’ll do without him next year.

   My favorite thing about our mother/son relationship is our banter. He is FUNNY, extremely quick witted…and of course that red hair 😍 He is the fun bringer, pace setter, guinea pig child that Cory and I practiced parenting on. 😂😂 And despite that, he has turned into one pretty cool dude. 

    Levi Craig: You are my heart and soul. I was barely 24 when you came along 5 years too early (according to our plan!!) You have been a part of every memory from almost half of my lifetime and the best unexpected surprise. I could not be prouder of you. And I can’t wait to watch the rest of you unfold. Like that song I told you about says, “This is nowhere near the best years of your life.” You are gonna leave the nest and soar. I just know it. 

Yes