J-man

I feel like I don't write often enough about the little men in my life. So in case anyone has forgotten, I do in fact have BOYS... {grin} not that I could ever forget that. My boys are loud and crazy but also a lot of fun!

I decided this afternoon to do a quick photo shoot of James. He was a blast to play with. I just let him do his thing (with a little guidance of course). The only bad thing about these pictures is that he is badly in need of a hair cut, oh well. I still love them because they totally represent James to me in this stage of his life. James is just one of those kids who, even as much trouble as he can get in, you just love...or at least that's how I feel about him. 

So without further ado I give you: J-MAN

Man I just love that kid! So thankful he is in my life. Life wouldn't be nearly as exciting without him!

The baby door

Tonight as Bill and I were putting the boys to bed we had a little conversation about the baby. I asked the boys what they thought we should name their sister. Of course they came up with tons of crazy names (I'll share some of them in a later post). As we were talking I told the boys that they could talk to their sister because she could hear them. Both Ryan and James put their mouths to my stomach. They said a few silly things and then James said, "come out baby." I explained that the baby can't come out yet because she still needs to grow a bit bigger, but she will come out sometime early summer. James then looks at me and says, "She'll come out the door." I asked him where the door was. He pointed to my belly button and said, "There. There is the baby door."

So there you have it. The secret is out. Just in case you were ever wondering what or where the baby door was. :)

My boy and his cars

His current love. It entertains for hours on end! I love to watch him play.

A boy's dream

Before we moved out here we had 10 days of being "homeless". We had to be out of our house by the end of July, but we were weren't scheduled to move to Missouri until August 10th. The parent's of some friends of ours opened their home to us. They live out in the country on a farm. They have an apartment above their house that they let missionaries stay in. What a blessing for our family.

In the moments that were weren't busy getting ready to go we enjoyed the scenery at their place. The boys especially had fun watching the tractors working in the field. They also enjoyed the freedom they had to run wild for a change. :)

A scary day

But in hindsight it could have been so much worse.

Did you see this story in the headlines? A 3 year old little boy disappears from his home in MO on Monday. He merely slipped out the back door, unnoticed. Bill and I watched a CNN news report about the missing child tonight. This hit REALLY close to my heart tonight. The reason being, this could be us...

This morning I was doing an art project with the kids at the kitchen table. James grabbed a piece of construction paper and said he wanted to color. Since I hadn't gotten the crayons out yet James asked me to help him. I asked him to wait a minute because I was in the middle of helping Ryan cut something out. James got down from the table and went out to the back porch where we keep the art supplies. He was out there for a few minutes when Bill called from the other room, "where's James?" I replied the he was on the porch getting crayons. Little did I know that this was NOT the case.

A minute or 2 later, the doorbell rang. I gasped, thinking it must be James but wondering how in the world he got out the door because he doesn't know how to get it open. I quickly ran out there. It wasn't James I saw but a stranger woman standing there. I opened the door to see 2 woman actually, standing there by MY James.

"Is this your son?"

"Yes" I replied scooping him into my arms. I was totally bewildered. Then the woman explained that they had seen James running across the highway...not once but twice. They pulled over and approached him. When they did, he led them back to our house (which was across the street). I thanked the woman (who by the way explained this in a less then friendly manner. She had a very angry disgusted look on her face.)

I took James into the house, still stunned that this had actually happened. Bill and I talked to James who seemed totally oblivious to what he did...like it was no big deal. I melted into a puddle of tears. I have been officially rewarded "Worst mother of the year". I didn't even know he was gone until the rang the doorbell. The time frame of all this was actually only 5 minutes. It happened so fast. I knew as soon as those two woman walked away that the cops would be the next to show up (of course they reported me). Sure enough 10-15 minutes later a cop is at our door.

Of course my house was messy from a morning of teaching the kids. Toys on the living room floor from Claire and James, art stuff all over the table, and dirty dishes on the counter. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Are you running a daycare facility here." Um no...these kids just all belong to me. He then took my name asked me what happened. I told him the whole thing. He took the the names and ages of all my kids. Talked to Bill. He then told us that he is required to report this to social services. Then he said don't sweat it, I'm sure everything will be fine. (Whatever, "don't sweat it", I've just been told that I am being reported to Social service, and now they may just show up at my door!). He then found an excuse to walk through the house (he said he wanted to see the backyard), I'm sure so he could see if our house was trashed. I explained that the reason for the boxes and bags of stuff on the back porch is because we are moving in a few months...I don't want him thinking we live like slobs. Ug! He left shortly after talking to James and telling him not to run away again.

What a nightmare! I still feel sick thinking about it. I think of all the what ifs. As I tucked James in tonight and kissed him on the cheek, I thanked God for this little boy, for protecting him. After hearing the story about the 3 year old today who is still missing, I feel so grateful that my boy is sleeping soundly in his bed. My heart aches for those other parents. I know how quickly things can change. Life could have taken a much worse turn for us today. I am praising God it didn't, but praying for the parents who's lives will never been the same.

James turns 3

Our busy little man turned 3 on the 21st.

One of the many lego guns that James builds (he is all boy!).

Silly boy!

James, you are a true delight. You certainly give us a run for our money at times (grin), but we could not be more blessed to have you in our family. You are full of such life (you keep me on my toes). You make my heart smile. You make me laugh. It is so fun watching you grow and become who you are meant to be. I know that God has a plan for you. I pray that you will be used by Him in a mighty way!

I love you little man! Happy 3rd Birthday.

Unity

How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

Moment captured #10

This is James enjoying his "new" bike. He LOVES the outdoors! He has been saying for a couple of weeks, "I need a bike", because he sees Anna and Ryan riding their bikes. He was so excited when I brought one home (from a rummage sale of course) today for him. :)

2 years ago today

2 years ago at this time, I was in full on labor with our third child. We didn't know yet whether he was a boy or a girl. After 1 hour of intense labor, (and I mean intense I was screaming for an hour...I waited too long to get the epidural and it didn't work) and 3 pushes, James Ian entered the world at 11:30 p.m. March 21, 2006.

I had no idea how much he would change our lives. The laughter and the joy he brings to our family is indescribable. He is full of energy, passion, curiosity and life. He is our "Curious George". James has a great sense of humor and always has a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He has challenged us in ways we never imagined. Our family wouldn't be the same without him. He brings a smile to my face every day. We are so thankful for our little man.

God I lift up James to you. I thank you for blessing our family with his sweet life. Thank you for who you have created him to be. We praise you that James is fearfully and wonderfully made. I love this little boy so much Lord. His smile and his funny ways bring my heart so much joy. Father, I pray that He would come to understand who you are and that he would place his faith in Jesus at a young age. I pray that his passions and interests would be directed towards You. Make him into a godly man, one who seeks to please You and do Your will. I pray all this in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Happy Birthday James. We love you so much!!!

What James Thinks

James has not reacted to the baby like we thought he would. He has done better then I expected (although, the last 2 days he has been kind of whinny and wanting me more...so maybe it's starting to sink in.). He calls Claire "Car", he can't quite say her name! :) He loves to give her kisses and touch her head...although his touch is not the softest, we are working on that. He gets upset when Claire cries and he says, "Oh no!".

When we came home from the hospital it seemed like James had grown A LOT. Suddenly he is our big boy. I don't know how it happened, but he changed overnight.

Here are a few Pictures of big brother James.

Holding baby ClaireGiving kissesClaire started crying. James is saying "Oh no!"Plugging his ears...I guess he didn't want to hear any more crying! :)

You can go here if you want to see video footage of what a big helper James is!