Big Kid Bed!

Dear Jordan,

I can't believe how big you are getting.  You talk so much now and ask so many questions.  And you've probably figured out that the big event is that we moved you into a big bed.  I was really nervous about it, because I was really afraid that it would mess you up, but except for a bad first nap, you have done a great job!  You really like having so much room for all of your animals. And every morning and after every nap, we have to carry all of them into the living room so we can all snuggle together.  Your motto is "never leave a guy behind!".  I'm not sure how you're going to do when Marcus gets here...he might interfere a little with our normal morning snuggles.  But we can work him in!

My favorite word that you say this week is rainbow...except you pronounce is "bee-bow".  And your dad and I were just talking about how much you seem to have grown up these past few weeks.  You are a lot better at hearing us say "no" when you ask to watch to tv or for something to drink.  We used to could bank on a massive fit every time, but now those are few and far between.  For the most part, you have learned to obey simple commands, although sometimes it takes a few tries and threats to get you to do it! 

Dad and I are very proud of you.  It's hard to imagine life without you.  You are funny and sweet.  Today we were talking about how we need to take you to nursing homes because you are just such a joy-bringer.  The residents would get such a kick out of you, especially because you freely give out hugs...and not just any hugs.  You give the BEST hugs!  You hug hard and long. :)

We are getting closer to the end of summer which means that your little brother will be here soon.  We are all getting excited to meet Baby Marcus, although I don't think you have any clue what a Marcus is. :)  So far, you have called a baby rhino, a crescent roll, and one of the characters from Where the Wild Things Are "baby Marcus".  It's so funny!

Well, little man, we love you so much and can't wait to see how great of a big brother you are!

Love,

Mom

Freedom

Dear Jordan,

We had quite a week, little man.  It's been so busy and hard in some ways and wonderful in other ways.  Through it all, you have been a rock star!  It helped to have Aunt Katie here and Aunt Abby had several days off of work.  Let's just say that Mommy is ready to have her life back. :)

Last Friday was Independence Day!  All through my childhood, we spend the Fourth at Granny and Papa Bill's house, but since she's been struggling with her memory, we've had to quit doing that.  This was our third year to do something on our own.  We have really enjoyed spending time as a family on this holiday.  We went to McDonald's, where you played and we ate breakfast (funny story in a second on that!) and then we spent the afternoon at home and then in the evening, our friends the Cunninghams came over.  We ate watermelon and you played with Jocelyn, Elaina, and Johnathan.  Then we loaded up two strollers and a wagon and walked to the park.  You kiddos played with frisbees, balls, and bubbles for a couple of hours.  We ran into two other families from Trinity so we had quite the crew!  Then, at 9:45, the fireworks started.  At first you were scared, but by the end you really enjoyed them.  You kept saying "Fire works!  Boom boom boom!".  It was a really fun time but you were exhausted!

So, when we were at McDonald's, you were pretty much the only kid in the playground for most of the time.  Another little boy showed up ready to play and as soon as you saw him, you threw your arms up in the air and ran to him yelling "Come on! Come on!".  You got as close to him as you could and basically started dragging him into the playground.  I think you came on a little strong, because he turned around and ran back to his parents!

The reason this week was hard was because my dear friend Kelsey died from her cancer on Saturday.  The way her husband and family chose to look at it is that she is finally free from cancer.  Buddy, I pray for the day when you will find freedom in Christ.  It is better than the freedoms we celebrate on Independence Day.  It is freedom from sin and death.  It doesn't mean that our lives are just easier all of the sudden.  Most of the time, it seems to be the opposite for people who believe in Jesus.  But when bad things happen, God gives us the grace to handle them.  And ultimately, Kelsey was completely healed the moment she died and went to be with Jesus.  That is our future and that is why we can walk the hard roads of life.

It was a hard week even though I was happy for her.  I miss my friend and I hurt for her family, especially her four year old daughter Alexa.  The funeral was yesterday and it was hard to realize that I will never see her again in this life.  But, God is still good even when things don't go the way we want.  I hope that we can teach you God's Word so that when you see bad things happening in this world, you can always remember that God is faithful and kind.

Buddy, I love you so much!!

Mom

Big Brother

Dear Jordan,

You are such a great big brother already!  I wonder how much you really understand, but you seem to love Marcus already.  This will probably embarrass you, but it's so cute.  You like to lift up my shirt to say hi to Marcus.  You lay your head on my tummy and say "Oh, sweet".  The sweetness doesn't usually last too long and you start beating up on him.  I saw his ultrasound last week and it looked like he was in fighting position.  He's ready for you!

Your Aunt Katie is here in town this week.  It's been fun for you two to bond since she lives so far away.  Yesterday, you wanted her to come with us to read books before your nap and you asked for her.  You couldn't remember her name.  You started with "Mimi" and then tried "that one" and then "he" before I understood what you were trying to say.  And today you have Aunt Katie, Aunt Abby, Uncle Adam all here!  You are too spoiled!

You keep growing your vocabulary, too.  You say things like "He's walking" and "It's funny". This morning we went to Ozzie's to eat breakfast and watch the planes.  Every plane that took off scared you because they were so noisy, but as soon as they got up in the air, you kept saying "down" because you wanted them to come down so you could see it again.

It's been kind of a tough week for Mommy and your Daddy has been a huge blessing to me.  My dear friend Kelsey is dying of cancer and your Dad has been so gracious to let me go three times in one week to spend time with her.  It's painful to watch her suffer and to imagine life without her, but it is always good for me to witness her faith in the Lord as she nears the end of her life.  She is so young.  She has a four year old daughter and every time I go home, I want to do nothing but snuggle with you.  I love being your Mommy and cannot imagine that I would ever be gone.  But God is in control and loves you so much.  If something ever happened to me, He would meet all of your needs. 

Last night you were a little sick and having hard time sleeping.  I slept with you for 3 hours in the recliner and loved every second.  I miss my snuggles that we used to have when you were a baby.  I think God was being gracious to let me have that with you last night.  I love you, little man.

Tomorrow is the fourth of July so I'm sure I'll have some good stories for you.  I haven't decided if we're going to go see the fireworks because you get scared with loud noises.  The good thing is, we can see them from our house so we might just go in the backyard and watch!

I love you, Buddy.

Mom