Happy 11, Leland!

 Leland James, today you are 11 years old.

It's been quite a rollercoaster year. We've had some amazing highs and some tough lows, but overall, I think it's been a good year. Some highlights were the trips we took. We spent spring break in Cuyahoga Valley National Park with Uncle Jon, Aunt Danielle, and cousins, and it was so fun spending that time with them.

At the beginning of the summer, we went on a road trip to Texas. On our way there and back, we made some fun stops in St. Louis, Hot Springs, and Indianapolis. You especially loved going in the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. 

But Texas was for sure the highlight. You really enjoyed meeting the Kiblers, swimming in their pool every single day, seeing SpaceX rockets, and catching lizards. 

Later in the summer, you went to Lake Ann Camp for a week. We missed you like crazy, but you had an absolute blast and you can't wait to go again next year. I am so glad you could have this experience.

We took our first camping trip near Ocqueoc Falls and had an absolute blast. And I took you kids to your first concert - Chris Janson. We had so much fun, even though he didn't sing our very favorite song (Keys to the Country).

Your cousins came and spent a week with us in July, which was awesome. We went to VBS, the drive in, tie-dyed t-shirts, went to the beach, and so much more. 

Over Labor Day Weekend, the whole Nowak crew stayed at Jon and Danielle's. It was so much fun, and just what we needed before heading back to school.

In October, we went to Disney World and your life was made when you met a Storm Trooper and did all the Star Wars things.

Some other notable things from this year are your interest in basketball...

I chaperoned your class field trip to Mackinac Island. You loved visiting the Fort and seeing the demonstrations.

I started looking for a new house, and wound up buying property to build a house. We can't wait to live on this little lake and do all the swimming, kayaking, and fishing we want.

Currently, you are into Star Wars, Pokemon, Legos, video games, reading (mostly graphic novels these days), and trying to think of new ways to spend my money. Garrett is still your BFF, and you have so many other close friendships with some really wonderful kids. It makes my heart so happy to see the great people you surround yourself with. You tell me that you don't have a girlfriend, and also that you won't tell me when you do because you think I'll make it weird. I have no idea what you're talking about. :)

Next week, we start basketball and skiing. You have your own skis this year and you can't wait to tear up those black diamond hills that I won't even consider trying myself. And now that several of your friends have joined the school ski program, it will be even more fun. 

At school, you are super responsible (maybe a little too anxious at times?) about completing your school work. At home, you help when asked, usually without complaint. You're a good friend and a respectful student. You have some serious sass with me, but I think between grief and general pre-teen crankiness, that's to be expected. You really are a great kid, and we'll get through all of hard stuff together. I love you so much. Being your mom is the greatest gift and the absolute best thing I will ever do. Happy Birthday, my sweet big kid.

Happy 10, Leland!

Leland James, ten years ago you made me a mama and brought the greatest joy to my life. I am so excited to celebrate you.

The last year has been a busy one for you. When we started ski season, you set your mind on earning your black sticker so you could go on all lifts and all hills at Crystal Mountain. And, like just about everything you decide to do, you succeeded! You can now ski the black hills, but you have to do it solo, because your mama is not brave enough for that!

We did lots of hiking this year - some new trails and some favorites. We also went to Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio with Grammy Patti and enjoyed the hiking there as well.

You found this plush Jesus at a store in Hocking Hills and chose it as your souvenir.

You participated in a junior marathon this year, which means you ran/walked 26.2 miles over the course of a couple months. Dad set up a finish line in the yard for your final mile and you earned a medal.

Over the summer, you were awarded a scholarship for sailing camp, and you spent two weeks learning to sail. You took each of us out for a sail, and you're looking forward to continuing with sailing camp next summer.

We did some fishing.

We took a trip to Florida to visit Univeral Studios and Legoland. We had been planning our trip to Legoland for a couple years, and then decided to add Universal while we were there. You really enjoyed the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And at Legoland, you loved absolutely everything!

You and I went on the Velocicoaster. We were glad we did it, but both agreed we didn't need to do it again.

On our way home, we stopped in Pigeon Forge and visited the Titanic Museum.

We also visited the ocean on both the gulf and Atlantic sides.

This summer, I taught summer school for a couple weeks, and you had fun attending as well. You built this fort with some other campers and had fun on some field trips.

We spent the rest of the summer enjoying countless adventures. The beach, more hikes, hanging out with friends, visiting cousins downstate, and riding bikes. We also went to Ocqueoc Falls with Grammy Patti, Grandma Jill, Aunt Laura, and cousins.

You're in fourth grade this year. This fall, you participated in Cross Country for the third year in row. Dad and I love that you enjoy various activities and you don't really care whether you're the fastest or the best; you just do it for fun. 

This fall, our whole family got sick with Covid. It hit dad really hard, and he ended up with Covid Pneumonia. He was in the hospital for a month and he didn't make it. We had a bit of a warning that he was going to pass and I gave you kids the choice to see him if you wanted. You decided you wanted to see him to say goodbye. Your sweet, tender heart was crushed and that was hard for me to witness.

You were a big part of planning Dad's Celebration of Life. You helped choose songs, photos, and scripture for the service. It was special to me to have you involved in the process.

While Dad was in the hospital, and since his passing, we have been able to spend more time with Dad's family.

We've also been able to see Fischer and Otto a couple of times.

You recently joined the school basketball team. I know Dad is proud of you for continuing to try new things.

Garrett is still your BFF. Or, as you two say, BFFF (Best Farting Friends Forever). You two love to explore, build forts, and play video games. He started skiing last year so you're looking forward to skiing with him again this winter. You two have a plan that when you grow up, you're going to pool your money to buy a mansion and live their together with your wives. I'm interested to see how your wives feel about this. However, Lukas, Garrett's brother, thinks you guys should travel the country in RVs and I think that sounds amazing. 

This Christmas was different with Dad gone. And since we knew it was going to be different and hard, some amazing friends arranged for us to spend the weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge with all of Dad's family. We've only ever stayed there once before so it was extra exciting for us.

Yesterday, we added two sweet kittens to our family. You have been searching animal shelter websites for months looking for the perfect cat for us. We all wanted a long haired cat, and those have been hard to find. But someone we know had kittens recently and they offered for us to take one or two. Since they're just babies, we decided on two, and you kids helped choose the names: Walter and Mabel. It's safe to say we are obsessed with them and they're very healing for our hearts right now.

Your favorite books are still Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but you're branching out to other series lately, and you are still very interested in reading about the Titanic and Alcatraz. You also are currently obsessed with Nerf guns and video games. We just got a Nintendo Switch for Christmas and you're loving finally having Minecraft. You also enjoy your hover board that you got for Christmas.

The last three months have been hard, but we have leaned on each other and our faith and are making it through, moment by moment, together. I am thankful for you every single day. Your smart, sweet, funny, tender, self is such a gift to me and everyone who meets you. I am so proud of the boy you are and the young man you are becoming.

Dad and I love you so much, Leland James. Happy TEN!

Leland Turns Nine

Dear Leland,

Happy Birthday! Today, you are nine years old, and I may be biased, but you’re the coolest nine year old I know. 

It’s been a weird, hard, exciting, heartbreaking year. It’s hard to know where to begin, so I guess I’ll start with the sad. 

Back in May, your beloved Grandpa Duck passed away. You took the news hard, but your faith in God was comforting to you and has helped carry you through your grief. You understand that Grandpa is in the one place he always wanted to be, and even though you miss him, you’re happy he’s with Jesus. We still talk about him a lot, and we remember the great times with him. 

Now, onto some more fun memories. Last winter, you learned to ski. You and Alden took lessons through our school ski program and LOVED it. I learned how as well and we all really enjoyed going together. You’re excited to do the program again this year. You also tried wrestling last winter, but didn’t love it. I am so glad that you’re open to trying new things, and you’re honest with yourself about whether or not they’re a good fit. 

Last spring, schools closed due to Covid-19, so we spent the last quarter (plus a few weeks) of the year learning at home. You did well with it, but really missed your friends at school. We went on a lot of hikes and spent as much time outside as we could during that time at home. 

Over the summer, we had plenty of adventures: beaches, picnics, hikes, fishing, bike rides, and you saw your cousins a lot more than usual while everyone was working at Grandpa’s next door. Despite all kinds of restrictions due to Covid, we found a lot of fun. We visited the UP for the first time. You enjoyed biking around Mackinac Island and visiting several waterfalls. We stayed at a friend’s cabin and you had a blast exploring outside and staying up late to roast marshmallows around the campfire. 

This fall, you ran cross country again and really enjoyed it. And you’re doing great in third grade with Ms. Pfeuffer. Your best buddy, Garrett, is in your class again, and the two of you are inseparable. I love your friendship. 

You are such a fun and interesting kid. You love to read nonfiction and learn new things. While you’re still interested in the Titanic, you have found a new passion: Alcatraz. You have read several books and watched a few documentaries about it. But one thing I know about you is that when you find a new interest, you go big. Not only do you want to learn about Alcatraz, you want to visit in real life (I do, too, so don’t worry - we’ll make it there). You requested an Alcatraz birthday cake, you tell people all about it, you write about it at school, and you want a model of it (LEGO or otherwise).

We recently started reading Harry Potter and you are super into it. You now want some of the Lego sets and can't wait to finish the second book so that we can watch the movie.

You are incredibly creative. You love to draw, build, and design new things. I love to see all the things you come up with.

You have a big heart and love to serve others. You often shovel our driveway without us asking, just to be helpful. And you have helped shovel the neighbor's driveway and walkway as well. 

Leland, you make me so proud every single day. Although I miss you being my wee little preemie baby who fit so snuggly in my arms, I am thoroughly enjoying watching you grow up. You are fun to be around, super smart, funny, caring, and still an excellent snuggler. It's pretty fun to be your mom, and I know the fun is just beginning. 

I love you bunches, my sweet boy. Happy Birthday, buddy!

Love, Mom