Kelly Braman Photography Blog » Kelly Braman::Grand Rapids Vintage-Modern Wedding Photography-Grand Rapids-Chicago-Traverse City-MI

Ok…que the waterworks, folks. This post is not related to anything business, but just my heart. Meet my almost 14 year old…almost freshman ( in HIGH SCHOOL PEOPLE!)…super amazing kind-hearted, Jack.

Middle School has come to a close for my boy and the next chapter awaits. I don’t feel ready. But, that is how life works…we must trust God and His ways. These children are only ours for a little while. They belong to God. Funny as I type this…I remember so vividly Jack on the beach in St. Joe. He must have been only6 at the time…little Charlieb. was 2years old. I turned to my Father in law and with tears said..They are already growing up too fast. I want to keep them forever. (yes..I am a crazy mama who is always thinking WAY ahead as you can tell 😉 My father in law turned to me and said…THey aren’t really yours. They belong to God and He lets you keep them for just a short time. Well..that seems like YESTERDAY folks. I was just at the beach with my two little boys. Now one is off to High School and Charlieb. will be a big 4th grader! I want to yell : MAKE IT STOP! But, I know they are not truly mine. Am I being just a “tad” dramatic? Quite possibly, but I also think I am a little funny so bear with me:)

Here is my love for my oldest son…

Jack is truly a gift from God. Micah and couldn’t be more proud of the young man he is and is becoming. Jack has many talents and strengths, but the one that stands out to me the most…as his mama…is his faith. At such a young age this boy keeps surprising me. It’s in the little things that I notice his character. It’s in the conversations we have in the car about life and what’s going on at school. It’s the choices he is making and following God’s prompting in his heart. Is Jack perfect…um…you remember me telling you he was a teen, right?! lol  It’s typical to have the eye rolls, the “Mom! Do we really need to talk about this AGAIN?!” conversations…it’s many obvious things most teens say and do. But, just as God loves us unconditionally…we love Jack unconditionally and happy to do so.  Nothing could change our love for our son.  He will make many mistakes in life, but we are his biggest cheerleaders! We are also the ones to guide in when he gets off course. We have honest talks about what it means to live a life for Christ.  He will stand out. He will come against tough choices. Will he make all of the right choices…um, no. But, we will be there to help him. We will also be there to correct him when consequences are necessary.

 I think the biggest sadness I see is when parents cover things up for their children. Life is full of lessons and I actually pray that Jack gets caught if he makes bad choices. Say what?! YES. What better time than now for us to show him the right way? When they are under our roof is the best time! Not when they are out on their own and they did not have to answer or face their mistakes. We are all human and no one should look down on you as a parent if your child messes up. They all do in one way or another. It’s normal. Let’s help each other and our children.

Without further ado…here is my sweet boy, Jack Patrick Braman. The one who helped shape me into the woman I am today. Being a mother is the greatest gift. I love Jack’s sense of humor(this kid is FUNNY! we laugh more than anything in our home) , his compassion towards his friends and their feelings, his leadership qualities, his giving and generous heart (sometimes prompted by his mama;) his style (he got that from me I’m quite certain, ha) and his dedication to work hard for what he wants. I love his hugs…he is MUCH taller than I am so He is now bending down to hug ME!
I love our long chats in the car. I love his questions about God and am working on letting him figure things out when he says he doesn’t want to talk about it. I love taking his friends to the store late at night and how excited they get when a great song comes on the radio. It’s a joy raising Jack. I don’t want to say too many more things as I am sure this is embarrassing enough! LOL

God has big plans for my boy(a Force for Good-thanks heather:) I am excited to see what He has in store for my first born.

He’s on his way to an East Coast trip tomorrow with his class and will be gone for one week. Our house will not be the same with him away. Sweet Charlieb. will love the one on one time, but he truly adores his brother(even though they argue terribly!:)

love you, Jacka.

love,

your mama.

Proverbs 22:6

ps. hoping to do a little photo shoot with Charlieb. next. He honestly “can’t be bothered” lately! lol