Birthdays are always such a special mix of emotions in the East house. Shawn and I have a funny way of experiencing them differently, and I think that's one of the things I love most about us. We each notice and hold onto different parts of the day, and somehow together it gives us the fullest picture.

Our middle guy, Jett, turned five a couple weeks ago, and man... this one felt like a big one.

That kid is all gas, no brakes. He has brought us to a whole new level of parenting, and honestly, we wouldn't want it any other way.

This year we threw the most Jett party ever at our new house, which made it even more special. We had giant water slides, all of Jett's favorite foods, friends running everywhere, and the kind of messy, adventurous, wild-and-free afternoon that fits him perfectly.

Of course, Nashville brought the heat. Literally. It got so hot that by the end of the day, even the adults had given in and were flying down the water slides fully clothed. 😂

I remember standing there watching Jett run around with his friends, Shawn talking with old friends and new ones, and everyone just enjoying our property together. It made me stop for a second and realize how much life keeps changing. Time keeps moving. People grow up. Chapters close, new ones begin.

And man... life is good.

I know that's an easy thing to say when you're surrounded by people you love, and to be honest, not every day feels like that. Between the book launch, summer chaos, travel, work, and the normal chaos of family life, it's been easy to get caught up in everything. I imagine a lot of you can relate.

One tradition we've kept since our oldest, Drew, was little is sitting down with each of our kids on their birthday and interviewing them. We started it just for ourselves as a way to capture who they are in each season of life, but every once in a while, we share one with you too.

Yesterday we released this year's interview with Jett, and goodness... I love being that kid's dad.

Those rare moments of one-on-one time with him always make me think about the memories I have with my own dad and all the seasons in between.

Earlier today I was digging through old family videos for another project, and before I knew it I had fallen down one of those emotional rabbit holes. Taking a trip down memory lane has a way of slowing everything down for a minute.

Because most days, it all moves so fast.

I feel like we've written some version of this newsletter a few times this year, but maybe that's because it's a reminder I keep needing myself.

Slow down.

Not because life stops moving, but because I don't want to miss it while it's happening.

Maybe it's a reminder Shawn and I will keep needing. Maybe some of you do too.

As school starts back up, life is going to speed up in a whole new way, and I know I'll probably need that reminder again.

So I'll leave you with the same question I've been asking myself:

What's the reminder you feel like life keeps whispering in your ear these days?

— Shawn Johnson and Andrew East

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