Tuck is 3!

My sweet, adventurous, fun-loving, wondering boy is three!  How can it possibly be true??  Tuck has changed so much over the past year...he is on the go and I'm certain that his mind is always working and thinking and never ever stops.  He is our little engineer...climber and able to solve any problem.  He keeps us on our toes to say the least.  I guess what can we expect...he's always done things in his time at his own pace.  I should have known when he didn't decide to walk until 17 months...and then the next week went for an adventure without permission (opening the front door, walking outside and closing it behind him).....took a stroll across the yard to our neighbor's porch...that he would be the child to truly keep us all on our toes!  He also decided that he didn't have much to say until he turned two...and then wham!  Who knew that child had so many words in that big head of his!  He hasn't stopped talking sense!  He is one smart boy and particularly good with his hands and fingers.  Go figure a 17 month old opening the front door, closing it and helping himself to a stroll!!  Lord help me!  He can open anything, climb anything and with curiosity like his.......theres no telling what he will end up in each day.  He's always been my kitchen helper.  He loves to help me wash the dishes, cook dinner or bake a yummy dessert.  He tends to be always up for an adventure but yet he is our most sensitive child as well.  I will never forget the time that we turned on the blender and he broke down in tears shaking!  The sound was so loud it just scared him!  He likes to be somewhat prepared for loud noises and unfamiliar things.  He loves to do puzzles!  He is the master of his wooden puzzles...even the tricky pieces!  He loves to snuggle up and read a good book or 10. =)  He's definitely the chid on the carousel that is looking up at all the gears and trying to figure out how it turns round and round.  He's the only child that we've had to turn the bedroom locks around for.....but the funny thing is even that won't keep him in his room.  For the first few weeks, we would tuck the boys in and sure enough Tuck would come walking down the stairs!  Every night, he seemed to have a different gadget or toy he had hidden under his pillow to plan his escape...and he would successfully pick the lock!  Go figure!  So now, we've learned to check his pillow and under his bed for any creative objects that may be used as a key! Haha  He has a huge heart and a fun-loving spirit.  He's always up for a good time, a fast ride, a funny story and a yummy cookie.  He can hold his own in this family and no one pushes him around.  It is so exciting to watch him explore, grow and learn...I look forward to seeing what this next year holds for him!

His Growth Stats:
34 inches 50%
33 pounds 70%

Here are a few pictures from his Birthday party....at the Fire Station!!

Jackson & The Praying Tree

On Wednesday, July 12th, the kids and I were all in the van running errands together and Jackson shared with us that earlier that day he had said some special prayers at their praying tree outside.  He said he prayed for Papa's shoulder, he asked Jesus to heal Mimi and then he asked Jesus to come into his heart and save him.  Jackson had been talking more and more about spiritual things the past couple months, so I just responded to him that I would love to talk more and out that and we could answer questions he may have about it all.  Well, later that evening, Jackson came up and asked when we were going to sit down and talk more about Jesus saving him.
I have been praying since my children were in my womb for their salvation.  I pray they will be sensitive to spiritual things and that their hearts will be turned toward Jesus at a young age.  But, I also pray that the Lord will make it so completely clear to Jeremy and I that it truly is the Holy Spirit working in their hearts and not just "what everyone else is doing" or "what they think they should do."  We pray the Lord will capture their hearts at a young age and then the Spirit will be persistent with pressing in on their hearts.
So, when he came to me again that same day on his own initiative, I was overwhelmed with the assurance from the Lord that I needed to carve out some time and sit with him to talk uninterrupted. I put the kids down and then Jack and I went to my room and crawled on the bed together to talk.  He shared with me once again that he asked Jesus to save him by the praying tree earlier that day.  He said that he knows he does bad things (sin) and that Jesus died on the cross for him and hat he wanted to go to heaven one day.  So, we talked about sin and how it separates us from God/heaven.  We talked more about How God sent Jesus to save us and he took our punishment on the cross when He died. I then explained that we just ask Him to save us, forget for us and then we ask him to be in charge of our loves.  I explained it to him that it's kinda like we have a pretend chair in our heart and we have to choose whether Jesus is on the chair and in charge or if we are in charge of our lives.  He quickly said, "oh I want Jesus in charge."  Sweet boy.  So after taking some more, I just told him he could pray and just talk to Jesus about his decision and thank Him for dying and tell him He wants to live for Jesus.  So, right then and there...Jack prayed the sweetest prayer.  "Dear Jesus, I'm so sorry I do bad things and sin.  Thank you for dying for me.  I want to be saved.  I want you to sit on the chair in my heat. Amen."
Sweet childlike faith.  It's been so neat to see the Lord work in His life this summer.  With Mimi battling ALS, we openly talk about life, healing and death....and heaven is talked about very openly. We talk about how God will either choose to heal Mimi on earth or in heaven but she will be healed one day.  We talk about how there is no more sickness in heaven.  This summer, we also made a visit to Ieremy's dad's grave.  We talked to the kids about how bodies are buried in the ground but that the soul of a person who knows Jesus is in heaven.  Jackson and Bella both were very inquisitive about this and it really spurred on discussion with lots of questions.
As difficult as the passing of Gaga was nearly 6 years ago and has heartbreaking as it is to watch Mimi suffer from this cruel diseases, we see God working and changing lives including Mimi's grandchildren.  She has prayed and prayed for their salvation. In fact, within 2 weeks of each other, Jackson, Sadie and Houston all accepted Jesus.  God is amazing....He offers such peace, hope and faith.
I praise Him for the answered prayers....the prayers I began praying when his little body was forming and developing in the womb.  I praise Him for reaching down and rescuing Jackson, Sadie and Houston all within such a short time...a direct answer to sweet Mimi's prayers and a reminder to us all that He is good...He is God...He is in the life changing and miracle working business.  He loves us so much and is so kind to allow us to share in this time of rejoicing amidst the grief we are all enduring with sweet Mimi's progressing disease.
May all those who see and hear of His kindness and goodness be drawn to Him.

Jackson is 5

This little handsome gentleman is five!!  He is truly a gentleman...all boy and ready for a wild adventure, yet super gentle and always caring for others.  He has a heart as big as the ocean and the kindest that you will find.  He is brave, courageous and confident.  He is a friend to everyone and always up for meeting someone new!  He loves everything boy!  Fast cars, huge mud puddles, wild rides and scary adventures!  He's determined and focused...always taking his jobs seriously.  He loves to look nice and can pick the perfect clothing attire for any occasion.  Although he loves his cut off jean shorts and comfy tee, he will always look for the opportunity to sport his skinny slacks with a nice fitted button up and a bow tie...throw on a  nice belt and suspenders and maybe even a hat a bow tie..and he is excited!  Jack is all in wherever he is!  You won't ever find 1/2 hearted Jack...if its soccer time then he's out to score not just one goal but 10!  And he sure did this season!  He started his first game wondering why they took his ball and why everyone couldn't play with their own soccer ball.  But by the second game, it was goal time!  He scored and scored and scored and scored! Hahaha!!  Of course there was no better choice than a Super Hero theme for his birthday party!!  Here are some of our favorite pictures from the super fun swim party!!

Bella is Seven!

I can't believe that our first little angel is already 7!!  Seven just seems so much older than 5!  She is continuing to blossom into the most beautiful young lady who loves Jesus with her whole heart.  She has a the most gracious personality and is always looking for who she can take care of and nurture.  She is Charlotte's second mommy for sure!  She takes such good care of her brothers too.  She has such a fun loving, friendly personality.  She seems to be everyone's best friend.   She is always up for a good time and an adventure with a friend.  She continues to thrive and bloom in her ballet and tap classes and she loves all the frills and twirls for sure!  But, she also loves a good afternoon of digging in the dirt with her neighborhood friend and playing in the forts they have built!  She seems to find a good balance of being the prissy girly girl but is not afraid to get dirt under nails or sweat a little. =)  

She has grown leaps and bounds academically this year!  She loves to read and surprises me with the chapter books she chooses to read for leisure!  She will have multiple books going on at one time and finds a way to keep up with all the action and characters.  On any given night, you can find her in her bed singing worship songs and reading her little girl Bible.  Many nights I find myself cleaning up the house and washing the dishes as I hear her singing her little heart out in her room.  Responsible, caring, sensitive, adventurous, tender-hearted, creative, imaginative, fashionable and fun-loving are a few of the characteristics that stand out to me during this season of her life.

Here are a few of our favorite pictures from her Beanie Boo Adoption Birthday Party! We had a blast adopting  the beanie boos as well as making collars for them and birthday hats!  It was a fun afternoon of celebration!!

Charlotte's Month 5, 6, 7 & 8

Sweet little Mae began to come out of her shell around 5 months!  She was full of smiles and giggles...always excited to see mommy, daddy and especially big sister and her big brothers!  She continued to be an easy going little delight!  You never heard much of a peep unless she was hungry or sleepy...and then a little milk and a comfy place to snooze always made her happy again!   

Six months came way too fast!!  Her 1/2 birthday!  How can it be!?  She began loving to bounce in her exersaucer and roll around on the floor!  She loved looking in the mirror and playing on a blank with all her favorite jingle toys!  She got on the growth chart....woo hoo!!!  She was all of 2% in weight!!  Her head and heigh were both hovering around 60%!  

Miss little personality!!  She loved people....loved activity, loved to eat, loved to be held and loved to go for walks with her family!  She was full of energy these days and was beginning to put everything in her mouth!  She loved sweet potatoes, avocados, bananas, yogurt, oats and especially cheerios!!  

A pure delight to all those around her!! 

Eight months and it seems like a blink of an eye!  Sweet little princess is the most precious angel!  We love her so much and her little personality is a easy going and tender as they come!  She's a sweet southern belle to the heart so bonnets are our new obsession!  Her She-She sewed this sweet little outfit for her!  We continue to have so much fun with our little bundle of joy!