April 6, 2025

Dear August Joe,

Today you are eight years old! As I wrote in your birthday card, you are August All-Star, MVP of my heart. When you were in kindergarten, your teacher coined the name August All-Star Allsup and you are truly an all-star in every sense of the word. You are an exceptional athlete in every sport you play—whether it’s throwing bombs in football , swishing through the net in basketball , nutmegging the goalie or launching it into the top corner in soccer , or hitting it out of the park in baseball, you are a joy to watch out on the field or court. My heart soars with pride watching you play. Yes you are talented, but it’s your effort and determination that makes me so proud. Not only is your body strong and fast, but so is your mind. What a brilliant brain you have! You have been better at math than me since about age 4, and you are such a strong reader and speller even though you rarely pick up a book to read. Two years in a row in the school spelling bee, deserving first place but luck of the draw ultimately got you (shrimp shrank, IYKYK:) So smart and so stubborn—once you get an idea in that head of yours, look out folks because you will not stop until you get your way. As they say, your hard-headedness and determination will likely get you far in life but it doesn’t make our job as parents any easier;) Even though you are so strong and tough most of the time, you are a sweet little boy at your core. You still want mom or dad around you at all times, you still enjoy snuggling up and being read to, and you always welcome hugs and kisses. While you can be silly like your sister, you are more the strong silent type who I catch deep in thought in my rear view mirror during car rides or while you relax during your nighttime bath. I love getting to see you interact with your friends—you aren’t bossy or rude or overly competitive even when some of the other boys are. And even though you are talented in many things, you aren’t brash or braggy. I have loved watching your relationship with God grow and hearing your sweet prayers (you prayed thanks to God before opening your birthday presents today). Your teacher has shared multiple occasions in which you have applied your learning from the Bible to your own life. Even in your hardest moments when you’re deep in your stubbornness, being reminded of what God expects from you helps calm your soul. You have a quiet confidence about you and a magnetism that makes everyone want to be your friend. You’re an all- star after all:)

Watching you become a big brother this year has perhaps been one of my favorite things to witness. You were just a baby yesterday and then you (finally) started losing your baby teeth, and just as we predicted, suddenly you were a big boy (but the memory of that sweet gap-toothed grin will forever be etched into my heart). You were there to witness your brother’s birth and were so proud to proclaim “It’s a boy!”. For the first few weeks I heard your little feet rush through the door home from school, into your room to change out of your school clothes, and then leap into my bed to see your baby brother and proclaim how sweet, cute, perfect he is. The absolute joy and pride you have shown for your baby brother has been such a blessing to witness. When I was pregnant you hoped for a brother so you could teach him all you know and so the two of you could play in the NFL together. I know you will teach him to be an all-star, just like you.

And you’ll always be my All-Star in everything you do.

Love,

Mom