Happy 7th Birthday Jacob!

My big blue eyed middle boy did not really speak very much until he was good and ready to. With some encouragement and patience he came into his own eventually. We marvel now at the chatty, expressive, loud and opinionated boy our once-thought quiet introvert it.

Starting first grade this year in school was a challenging blessing you have met with confidence, positivity and hard work. Your report card used words to describe you that brought tears to my eyes. I am so proud of the young man you are growing into. I feel like parts of yourself that had been lying in wait are coming out now to present all of Jacob. What a wonderful surprise it has been to watch you mature.

You are still very fond of anything you can nurture. The injured or sick, small, the very new and the very old all hold a special place for you. You will stop every time to move an earth worm off the road and smile at any baby who grins at you.
You are passionate about animals and have a remarkable memory for animal facts from all species.
I will be curious where this love takes you in life.

You have worked so very diligently to learn to read. It has not been easy for you. While you can easily understand math and excel in that area you really needed to persevere with this challenge.
Recently you came to me with a story book that you enjoy. You had read through "early reader" books but this was s first with a book from the shelf. You finished it on your own, and beamed shyly. I was busting with pride but mostly because I admired the determination you exerted to accomplish your goal. With that attitude there is nothing you can't accomplish.

Your interests include making things, art, gymnastics, animal documentaries and outdoor/survival activities. You are a good friend and a loyal brother. You take good care of your little brother and sister and are very close to your big brother.

You are such a special and treasured part of our family. I am so privileged to be your mother! You are just what I needed to fill that spot in my heart that needed you.

Happy 7th birthday Jakey!

mommy xo

January 2017

2017 did not start the way I thought it would but I have hopes of a beautiful year. As I type 2017 I realize it marks a decade since I began blogging and also a decade of motherhood. If I have learned anything in this time is how fast it goes. The difference between the young mother at 24 trying to capture the first experiences of motherhood to the 34 year old seasoned parent with some life experience under her belt and wisdom to share is that nothing is as precious as my time. What I choose to do with it is what I hope to be most intentional about this year.
We have some vacations planned, some new babies to welcome in our extended family, some milestone birthdays to celebrate and the traditional holidays to look forward to but when I think of this coming year as a whole I hope my focus will be on the little things. These are truly the moments I look back on with such nostalgia and gratitude. I hope 2017 will be full of little memories that tuck easily into my heart.

Here we go!

December 2016

December as usual was a whirlwind! We celebrated Grampa's birthday with his annual parade. Santa usually shows up too so that is exciting. We went to Christmas parties, Christmas light drives, enjoyed spending the holidays with family and were spoiled with generous gifts. We ate too many treats and enjoyed watching all of our favourite Christmas movies. Sounds like a successful December!