It's Christmastime Again

Dear Jordan,

We've gone all the way through Halloween, Gotcha Day, and Thanksgiving since I last wrote!  I guess there's only two people I can blame it on...you and Marcus.  You guys are keeping me busy!  I love it though.  Every second.  I feel like you are getting to be so grown-up and all I do is want to find a way to stop time.  But, at the same time I love seeing you grow and learn!

You love Christmas and everything about it!  The other night, I put a strand of lights in your room and let you sleep with the lights on.  I peeked in on you and you were just laying in your bed, looking at the lights, and smiling.  Every day you ask if it is Christmas yet.  When we decorated the tree, you were actually helpful and put the ornaments I gave you up.  And when we let you watch "Home Alone", you loved it.  You are really starting to understand story-lines and the emotions that go on within a movie.  You kept saying, "Mom, that little boy is sad." And you were happy when his family came home.

You have such a sensitive spirit.  You are very aware of emotions and things that happen.  There were some terror attacks in Paris a couple of weeks ago and we had to be careful not to talk about it because even though you didn't watch any of the news, you still knew something wasn't right.  They flashed a picture of the terrorist who planned the attacks one morning and as I changed the channel, you asked me "Mom, who is that man?"  I said, "Buddy, that is a man who hurt some people."  You said, "Mom, can we pray for the people who were hurt?  And can we pray for that man?"  I was blown away and of course, we prayed for him.  We prayed that he would be saved by Jesus.  I was struck that this man had a little boy (who he would probably harm if he had the chance) praying for his salvation.  Sadly, a couple of days later he died in a firefight and as far as I know, he didn't choose Jesus.  But I am thankful for the lesson you gave me of praying for our enemies.

Our Thanksgiving was a blast!  You were excited that "your" dog Larry was coming to visit you and you loved playing with him.  Besides Larry, we had Grammy, Pappa, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Katie, Uncle Adam, and Aunt Abby all here at our house!  And for a couple of hours, Granny and Papa Bill were here too!  It was a special time of watching the parade, eating yummy food, and just enjoying our company.

I'm so excited for the rest of the Christmas season.  I enjoy every day with you and am so thankful to be your Mom!

I love you!

Mom

 

Not A-Morrow...

Dear Jordan,

When we're busy, time flies...and you like to stay busy!!  Every time you go to bed (nap & night) and just about every hour you ask, "Mom, where are we going next?"  And you don't just want to know the next thing, but the next three things!  The bad thing is you hold me to it, so I have to be careful on what I tell you we are going to do!  The funniest thing you do right now is when I say that we're going to do something tomorrow, you adamantly argue "Not a-morrow! Today".  For a while, I argued with you, but it's easier just to avoid it or to tell you that after your next sleep, we will do something.  I love that you still have some words that you mis-pronounce, because you are really getting to be such a good talker!

It is full-on fall now!  The weather is cooler and the leaves are starting to change.  Today you are a little sick so you and I stayed home from church.  You felt pretty good this morning, so we went on a little walk and found some pretty leaves.  Then you painted a picture with them.  You are really enjoying this season.  Every time we go for a walk, you point out every pumpkin and scarecrow.  And now we have two pumpkins and a scarecrow on our porch and you love it!

Last Sunday, you and I went on an adventure to the Dinosaur Museum (the natural history museum).  It was so fun to go and just hang out together.  You wanted to touch and see everything.  At one point, we were in a little cave and we heard a growling sound.  I was afraid you would be scared so I playfully said, "Uh-oh, it's a dinosaur!".  You said, "It's okay, Mom.  It's just a dinosaur's tummy growling."  After the museum, we got ice cream.

I was struck while we were at the museum with something.  We've been working on your Bible verses for Cubbies and last week was Genesis 1:1.  We had been practicing it all week.  At the museum, they go to great lengths to try to teach evolution.  I'm thankful you can't read because it protects you from getting confused.  But I didn't really think about it until we were playing at this puppet theater and I encouraged you to say your voice.  At the top of your lungs, you said, "God created the heavens and the earth!"  At such a young age, you are learning and believing Truth and I am so thankful that you can be a light!

I love you, buddy!

Mom

 

End of Summer Adventures

Dear Jordan,

You have had a very exciting couple of weeks!  You continue to grow every day in the things you can say and the thins you know.  We are on our fourth week of "school" and you love it.  The other day, you didn't want to stop.  You kept thinking of things we could do.  We have a daily calendar on the wall and one of your favorite parts of it is to check the weather.  You run and look out.  And yesterday, even though it was Sunday, you saw that it was raining and changed the weather.  You also love picking out the "How I feel..." part.  Every day you are either "silly" or "happy".  I am really enjoying the time we spend and I love seeing you learn.  I look forward to years of home-schooling and learning together!

Last week you got to go fishing with Pappa.  He picked you up on Tuesday morning and you went to Okmulgee with him.  He said you caught about 15 fish and really had fun playing.  He told me that you were very good, although I don't think he enjoyed sharing a bed with you!  He brought you home on Wednesday morning and Marcus and I were so happy to have you home.  We don't know what to do without you. :)

Since fall is here, it is the start of football season and volleyball season.  Every time we watch football, you have to find your football and play.  That usually turns into a good wrestling match.  And the other day, we went to watch an OU volleyball match and you enjoyed it.  You spent the first 15 minutes trying to figure out what they were doing and then once you saw the "Boomer" horse mascot, you spent the rest of the time watching (and laughing at!) him.  You would just start laughing and I would look over an the horse would be dancing or high-fiving someone.  It was the first time we went to a sporting event that you were really well-behaved.  It was fun!

Another thing we got to do is go to the county fair.  A couple of days before it started, we saw the ferris wheel all ready to go and you decided you wanted to ride.  I was skeptical but you kept talking about it.  So you rode with Pappa.  Sure enough, you hopped on and loved every second of it.  I was so proud of how brave you are!

You are continuing to really behave well.  You are getting along with friends and it is such a blessing for us to pick you up from your classes and hear how well you are doing.  We are so proud of you!

I love you, Buddy.

Love, Mom

 

Labor Day

Dear Jordan,

This weekend was Labor Day weekend and was Granny and Papa Bill's (your great-grandparents) sixtieth anniversary and eightieth birthday celebrations.  It was a blast!  We went out to their place in Okmulgee and did what we did every Fourth of July and many other weekends all through my childhood.  I was probably in fifth grade when they moved out there, but I remember the fun we had at their old house as well.

Their house is on a two acre lot just outside of town.  They have a large pond stocked with fish and a dock. There is a boat to row in, a basketball hoop, Ping-Pong table, and just lots of room to run.  Every time our family gets together we play games...inside and outside.  We are all competitive and love to play so we just compete and trash talk and fish and sit and talk and watch each other.  It's a blast and this Labor Day was spent like so many others.

Your great-grandparents are getting older.  More than likely they will have to move very soon, so this weekend had the feeling of "the last time".  As nostalgic and sad as that is, I am so thankful that I got to watch you fish and row and play horseshoes and just enjoy the magic of that place!

You are so blessed to have such a family legacy.  Your great-grandparent and grandparents and great aunts and uncles, second cousins, aunts, uncles...they all love Jesus.  I didn't know how special that was until I grew up.  Such a blessing to be surrounded by a family that loves!!!

I love you,

Mom

 

Turning a Corner

Dear Jordan,

It's almost like a switch has flipped and all of the sudden you are a boy.  There is no baby left in you...you are all grown up.  You've become defiant, but this is actually a blessing for us because you understand discipline and are responding to it!  You have suddenly become much easier for us to manage.  You still have your moments where you get out of control, but for the most part, you are obedient and sweet (except for those defiance moments...but every kid has them!).

In fact, we've gone from a point where we either had to go with you to your Sunday School class or Honeybees or we waited for the text asking us to come help with you.  The days we didn't get a text, people always said "He had his moments, but he was fine."  Now, more often than not we are told that you were "very good" and Miss Hailey even said that you are helpful and kind and sometimes the most obedient kid!  I cried when she told us that because we've been praying that you would start to grow in this area and I love hearing that about you!

I wonder if part of your issue was your inability to communicate with us.  Your biggest trigger is when your expectations are not met.  For example, the other day we were all dressed and ready for the gym, but the car seat was still in Dad's car.  We had to turn around and go back inside and you did not handle that well.  But the older you get, the more we can prepare you for things that are different and we can help you process your feelings when things do change quickly and you have to cope.  I can't judge...I am the same way!  I hate change so I can really sympathize with you!  That day we couldn't go to the gym...well, I was throwing a little fit inside. :)

I want you to know that even though you have been a challenging child, you are worth every second.  You are sweet and passionate and you love people.  I learn a lot from you about how to love on people and that is a gift you have from God.  Your personality is strong, but I know that God has big things in store for you.  You are a gift and I love you so much!

Love,
Mom

 

Fireman Jordan

Dear Jordan,

If you were one who ranks days, you would rank today as one of your top 5 ever.  You woke up ready to go!  I walked in and said, "Do you know what day it is?" and you started taking your pj's off.  It was hard for you to wait the two hours before it was time to leave to visit the fire station!

We went with Jack and Cooper and their sisters as well as Grammy and Pappa.  From the moment we drove up, you were in awe.  You just took everything in.  You wore your new fire hat and listened to the firefighters explain where they sleep and what they do every day.  And THEN we went out to see the fire trucks.  You could not get enough.  You got to sit in the driver's seat.  You got to ring the bell.  You got to watch one of them put his suit on...even though you were a little scared of him once he put the mask on.  You could have stayed there all day!

In your imagination, I don't think you've left.  On the drive home, you made siren noises. At lunch, you were going from table to table spraying imaginary hoses.  And then of course as you were falling asleep for nap, you kept making siren noises.  You have a very vivid imaginations, which is one of my favorite things about you!

I'm so happy that we were able to do this.  What a blessing to watch you grow and learn and be excited about things!

I love you,

Mom

 

Book Love

Dear Jordan,

We are in the dog days of summer and it is hot!  I'm so ready for it to be done, even though I am enjoying have the pool.  But I know that once it cools off, you will spend your days outside and that's where you need to be!  You tried to go out and play the other day but you only lasted 10 minutes.  It will be nice to be able to go to the park and to just let you play in the back yard.

You have discovered the joy of library books.  You want to read them all day and it is so fun for me so see you love reading.  The other day, your Dad took you to the library to get new books and you barely made it in the door before you got them out.  You sat on the kitchen floor and looked through all of them.  You already know a lot of letters so you will be reading the books to yourself in no time!

I am working on finding a way to take you to visit a fire station.  I hope I can make it happen because you will LOVE it!! 

It's almost the weekend and it should be fun to get to enjoy some time with Grammy and Pappa. 

I love you, Buddy!

Mom

 

You Say What You See

Dear Jordan,

Now that you are talking more, I find myself answering a lot more questions.  You want to know about everything and most of the questions you ask are hard to answer.  For example: "What is that house doing?"  The only way I can think of to answer is to say "It's just sitting there."  Today, you wanted to call the fire department because two birds were sitting on top of a building and "couldn't get down".  So, we called (pretend, of course!), because that's the only way you will be satisfied.

You also make comments about things...which sometimes are embarrassing to me.  There was a lady checking us out at the store who clearly looked like she has a hard time making ends meet.  You said to her, "Why do you have a hole in your shirt?"  And today when we went to the gym, the guy who checks us in has long dreadlocks and you said "You need to cut your hair."  I have to talk fast to make it not so awkward.  But you are so sweet and innocent that they never take it personally!

Grammy and Pappa are here for 8 months and you are loving all of the extra time with them.  We are so used to spending every second with them, like we do when they are on vacation.  It's taking us all a little bit to get used to seeing them at church and for an hour or so here and there.  It's going to be so fun to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and all of the fall festivities with them!

Jordan, my heart is to really try to share God's truths with you but I feel like I fail so often.  I pray all of the time that your heart will be soft and that you will put your faith in Him at a young age.  Despite my limitations and failures, He loves you so much and wants you to walk with Him.  He's more powerful than we can imagine so He can overcome my humanity.  I hope you know just how much Jesus loves you.

I love you too!

Mom

 

Summertime!

Dear Jordan,

Considering that it's been 2 and a half months since I wrote you, I would say that I let this slip my mind!  I hope that life can settle down enough to keep this up better.  You are so funny and I could probably write every day, but who has time for that?  :)

In the last letter, I mentioned that you were sick.  Well, you ended up being really sick.  You scared us one Sunday morning with a 105 fever and you were acting lifeless (which is the opposite of Jordan!).  So we ended up taking you to the hospital for tests.  Turns out you had adenovirus and another virus...the combination was rough on your little body.  You had fever for twelve straight days and it was a rough time.  We missed all of the beautiful spring weather and the day you got better, the storms started coming. 

Two weeks ago, we moved into our new house!  God really blessed us more than we deserved.  It's all grace anyways, but there are things about what He did that really showed us how much He loves us!  He gave us a house with a pool and you are such a little fish!  I love watching you learn and be brave enough to jump off the diving board by yourself.  Other than a couple of times, you have been obedient about not getting in without permission.  Dad let you flounder a little to let you see how important is that you obey around water.  We are very careful with that pool because it is so dangerous, but we are enjoying it this hot, hot summer!

Right now, you are into fire fighters.  Our van is the fire truck, our house is the fire station, and Dad is the fire captain.  You are full of imagination and always seem to be playing pretend.  I love watching you play and learn!

This week, Grammy and Pappa are coming to Norman and will be here for 7 months!  You can't wait to see him and every morning ask if they are coming that day.  You are starting to want to know what our plan is for every day so every morning, you sit in my life and ask "Mom, what are we doing today?"  You don't always like what we are doing, but you still like to know!

It is just about nap time and I'm trying to keep you off of your little brother, so I will go for now.  Hopefully it won't be so long before I write again!

I love you, buddy!

Mom

 

Oh, Yes

Dear Jordan,

You are so smart!  You constantly amaze your Dad and I with random things that you know.  For example, a car wash.  You know what a car wash is even though you've never been through one.  And you've designated one of Marcus' toys as a car wash that you drive your cars through.  You are learning shape and can count and you love to find "letter o's" on signs and in books.  I'm very impressed with how smart you are!

You also talk a lot!  You're to the point where we can hold a conversation with you.  One of my favorite things you say right now is "Oh, yes".  You say it all of the time.  "Jordan, would you like some milk?" "Oh, yes".  "Jordan, did you go potty?"  "Oh, yes, Mommy."

You LOVE your Dad.  You guys are best buddies and you can't get enough of him.  He plays with you all of the time and you get such a kick out of being thrown around spun round.  You love to play hard!

You have been sick this week.  Poor guy, you have a cold virus that we have been dealing with for four days.  Lots of coughing and you keep saying "Mom, I'm sick."  I hope it passes soon because the weather is beautiful and you need to get outside and play!

We've got a fun summer ahead!

I love you,

Mom

 

Your Own Drum

Dear Jordan,

The picture I'm attaching just describes you perfectly!  You do things your own way.  It's not bad...just different!  You are so smart and so sweet, but we have been struggling to help you be able to do that in a big group of kids.  You get so overstimulated and that causes you to wreak havoc.  But, thanks to friends and helpful teachers, we're starting to figure you out.  You need something to keep your attention so you can participate in whatever the group is doing.  At the preschool Honeybees choir, you played with a rubber band, but still were able to listen to the teacher.  I'm excited to see how you can grow in that area!

We got word in the past couple of weeks that we are going to have to move.  I'm very sad because I love living here and am praying that God will provide the perfect place for our family.  I tend to get a little obsessive about find the perfect place but God keeps telling me to wait and pray.  So I pray.  For you, I pray that we can find a home where you can be loud and rambunctious.  I pray that we can live in a home with a fenced yard where you can safely play the hours away, just like you do here.  You thrive on being outside and it is fun to let you go out and enjoy nature.

Speaking of nature, the other day your dad and I were watching basketball and we heard screaming from outside.  I ran out, thinking you were hurt, but you were screaming "Snake! Snake!"  It turned out to be a worm in your sandbox.  I'm a sissy when it comes to things like that, so your dad came out and held in his hand for you to look at.  You didn't want to hold it, even though I was brave and held it.  But when we left to come inside, you yelled "Bye snake!  I love you!"  You crack me up!

Today is Good Friday and this weekend we celebrate Easter.  I'm excited to see how you grow in your understanding of who God is and what He has done for us.  You know who Jesus is this year so that's a great start!

I love you, buddy.

Love,

Mom

 

Izzy

Dear Jordan,

You are my little spit-fire!  You are definitely learning more self-control, at least at home.  And I'm learning to keep my temper in check.  Sometimes you need to lose control and express your anger and my job is to help you learn to deal with it and not just get angry at you.  Especially when you are tired, you can lose control, but it never helps the situation when I lose control too!  You've learned to "Take a chill pill" where you grab an imaginary pill and put it in your mouth.  It helps you get to a point where you can take deep breaths, which always help!

The hard thing right now is when you are with friends.  There are two types of friends.  There are the ones who are scared of you because you either push them around or they don't know how to tell you to stop (or are too nice to clobber you!) and the ones who fight back.  If they are your size, it's a free for all!  You don't ever hit or push to be mean, you just like to play rough and still need to learn that not everyone enjoys that.  So, we're going to start working on that to help you. 

The good news...there is Izzy!  He is your best friend.  He is so patient but doesn't take it from you either.  You two are great buddies and I love that you have someone special who loves to be with you too.  You and Aftyn play well together too but since she is in a different class, you don't see her as much!

This next week we get to spend with Grammy and Pappa at Aunt Katie's house!  Aunt Katie is marrying Uncle Ryan next Saturday so we're going to spend the whole week before getting ready and you're going to play with Pappa as much as you can.  I know they are excited to see you and Marcus and I'm excited to see you with them again.  And before we know it, they will be here with us for six months!  It's exciting!

Today is a snow day so everything has been cancelled.  We have yet to see snow, though.  That always happens!  So funny!

Well, little man.  I love you so much!  You are a great blessing to me.  I look forward to watching you continue to grow and mature.

Love,

Mom

 

Sickness

Dear Jordan,

We have been spared most of the winter from all of the yucky illnesses that other families at Trinity have suffered from.  It's been a blessing, especially since I had surgery and am still recovering.  But we have made up for it in the past week!  Your brother has been fighting a cold and you got strep throat.  Your body responded the same way it always does to illness...super high fevers!

You woke up in the middle of the night and were sad so I went in and you had a fever.  You woke up the next morning with a 102.6 fever and throughout the day, continually spiked fevers even up to 104.8.  It was really scary for me and exhausting because I didn't know what you had.  I was afraid that if you had something contagious, like the flu, that I would give it to your brother so I spent the whole day running back and forth between the two of you and washing my hands every time I had to help him.  I keep taking you to the bath tub to soak you in lukewarm water (which you hated!) and the whole day you sat and stared at the tv.  Just not yourself at all!  But despite your misery, you still keep saying "Thank you, Mama, for helping me."

Finally your dad took you the doctor and we discovered that you had strep throat.  You were already feeling better by early evening.  At one point, you said "Mom, can you turn the tv off?"  So I did, and you got up and walked around the house, just kind of looking at your toys and the other things in your play room.  You finally played a little and then said, "Mom, can I have a bath with hot water?"  Of course!  You are almost completely recovered and we are so thankful that we live in a country where we can take you to the doctor and get you medicine to make you feel better so quickly!

The day before you got sick, you had your three year old appointment.  Last year, you lost it during your well-child check so this year, I found someone to watch Marcus and we went, just the two of us.  You were so great!  You were scared to do things but you did everything you were asked.  You said "Thank you, doctor" to everyone (including other patients!) and at one point you said, "Mama, thank you for bringing me to the hospital for a check-up".  I was still not sure of what you would do with the shot, but you laid there and watched her give it to you.  You cried for just a second and then you were fine.  I was so proud of you!  You really have grown into such a polite and calm little boy.  You have your moments, but I can see big changes in you.  I will continue to pray that God will get ahold of your heart and transform you to be like Jesus.

I'm glad you're feeling better.  When you hurt...I hurt!

I love you,

Mom

 

Happy Third Birthday!

Dear Jordan,

You have been looking forward to today for five months!  I'm not kidding, since your first friend in your class had her birthday, you've been arguing and begging for your birthday to come.  And it's finally hear and little guy, you birthday-ed yourself out today!  You went to the gym with me and announced to everyone we passed that you were three and it was your birthday.  We played outside.  We wore silly hats.  We ate Mexican food....you tore it up!  You opened presents.  You had at least one meltdown.  And you ate cake.  In fact, your dad gave you one last piece of cake before bed and you just had to put your hat on.  It's almost as if you had to squeeze every last ounce out of the day.

Buddy, that is how you live your life.  You are passionate..  You play hard, you fight hard, you love hard.  Your energy level is incredible and now that you know how to talk, you ask a million questions.  But nothing you do is more special to me than your snuggles and how you tell me and your Dad that you love us.  You are so sweet and kind that it makes it easy to forgive the fits and the exhausting moments.

You have made great strides this year!  You have really learned a lot of self-control.  Sometimes when we see you start to "lose it", we will tell you to take a breath and it helps.  Well now, sometimes I will watch you play and you get frustrated, and then you stop and take a breath.  It's amazing to watch you learn and grow.

Speaking of playing, you have the best imagination.  I never know what you are picturing in your head while you play with your trucks and set up little tracks for your trains to run on.  Sometimes, I feel like I could sit and watch you play for hours.

Buddy, the easiest way to say this is: "I adore you."  You are a one of a kind, special boy and a gift to our family.  I love everything about you, even the hard things because that is exactly who God created you to be.  He will take those stubborn tendencies and fiery passions and make you into a man you loves God and can serve him whole-heartedly...which is how you do everything now!

I love you and Happy Birthday!!

Mom

 

Made It!

Dear Jordan,

We all survived back surgery.  I feel so great today, other than the anxiety of re-injuring myself.  I've been able to enjoy the little things like playing with you and snuggling your brother.  I'm so thankful the surgery worked and is behind us.  Now I'm trying to balance being wise about not pushing myself too hard with the need I have to get stronger so my back is stronger.  Every single pain I feel, it makes me worry about if I've hurt my back again, but yesterday I had a conversation with God.  I told him that I would do my best at being wise and trying to take care of myself, but I probably will do stupid things too.  I need him to take care of me and I trust that he is always in control of my health, no matter what.

You seem to be maturing at very rapid rates.  You have conversations with me (often funny ones!).  You help me do things around the house.  And you show concern for me and sometimes even your baby brother!

Yesterday at dinner, you asked for things over and over again.  "Mom, I need a fork." "Mom, I need a drink".  Etc, etc, etc.  I was up and down and by the time I finished my food you and Dad were already through dessert and cleaning up.  I said, "Jordan, when Mommy gets old, are you going to take care of me or are you going to make Marcus do it?"  You said, "Jordan take care of Mommy."  I was flattered and said "Thanks, buddy!" and then you said "Mommy to the hospital."  I laughed so hard.  Apparently, you have no problem with institutionalizing me!  Oh well.  I hope I'm in heaven before I get to that point!

Even though you have made great strides in your ability to play by your self, you still are a little wild.  For example, I just finished picking up the whole house this morning.  Every toy was picked up.  Literally, while I've written this post, you've taken every single toy out of the bins in your room.  Sigh.  It feels like you wait until I pick up to do the most damage.  Someday, you will have kids to it to you and I'll just giggle a little inside!

Well, little man.  You are a joy.  We're coming up on your three year birthday and I'm so excited to celebrate the little boy that you are.

I love you,

Mom

 

Sorry, Mama

Dear Jordan,

It has been a tough week but YOU are a champ.  You have learned how to go potty (most of the time!) and are wearing big boy underwear (most of the time!).  This on top of me being in a chair for almost a week and many people in and out of the house to help us.  My back surgery is on Wednesday and we are all so ready.  I'm sure you're a little confused as to why Mama is always sitting and not taking you places anymore.  Believe me, if I could, I would!  This back pain is terrible.  The other night I was change Marcus' diaper and I almost threw up.  It's constant and severe, but hopefully soon I will be back on my feet and ready to chase you again.

I know it's hard when there are so many people telling you what to do.  Ultimately, Mom and Dad are the authority but we've delegated to so many that you get confused and act out.  You did that a little in Sunday School today, but thankfully Daddy and Ms. Brenda understood and were able to help you calm down.

Speaking of Daddy, he's the best.  He has taken care of me so well.  He loves me and shows me by all of the things he has done.  And on top of taking care of all of us, he has worked a lot too.  He's probably ready for me to be back to normal too!

What is "normal" anyways?  The point of our lives isn't to have everything just the way we want it.  What we are supposed to do is do the best with what God has given us.  God has given me back pain and yet I am supposed to glorify Him with these days that sometimes feel like are wasted in that recliner.  But I can still love on you and pray from you when I can't take you to the park.

Hopefully next time I write you, I'll be able to sit without pain.  But for now, God knows it hurts and is helping me.  Your sweet attitude helps too...like the other morning when I was sitting by the toilet because my medicine was making me sick.  You kept rubbing my back and saying "Sorry, Mama".  I am so blessed to have you!

Love,

Mom

 

Potty Training

Dear Jordan,

Whew!  If we didn't realize you were stubborn before, we certainly are aware of it now!!  Boy howdy, you are something.  You are so smart, so we know it's not that.  It's all will-power.  This week is potty training week.  I was supposed to have surgery, but that fell through, so we decided to potty train you.  Your dad did, anyways.  And if there is anyone more stubborn than you, it's him!  I would have quit after one day, but we're on day 5 and we are oh, so close!  Just before nap time, we saw you recognize that you needed to go and you had almost decided to tell us before it was too late. 

On top of the stubborn is the perfect amount of sweetness.  A few days ago, I hurt my back more than it was already hurting.  That led to a few days of me laying around while your dad had to pick up my slack, which he has done extremely well!  The other day, I was struggling with frustration and discouragement.  You climbed up in my lap and said "Mama, are you sad?"  I said "Yes, buddy.  My back hurts."  Since then, you will come up to me and say "Mama does your back hurt?"  Then you love on me.  I can't get enough of your sweetness! 

You are also your brother's favorite.  Marcus loves to watch you play.  If you're in the room, he's watching. You haven't quite figured this out, but if you come over to him and say something in a funny voice, he just loves it!  You are the closest to getting him to laugh so far.  All you have to say is "Boo!"  I think once you figure that out, you'll have him giggling all of the time.

This afternoon you wanted to hold him.  Your dad put him in your lap and let you hold his bottle.  You thought that was great! 

It's a new year, little man.  It's a great time to take stock of life and see where you need to improve.  It's also a time to be thankful, and boy am I thankful for you.  You bring so much humor and life to our home.  God did a good work when he blessed us with you!!

I love you,

Mom