Almost Summer & Jack Updates

Jack is Mr. talkative these days. We're always surprised at the things he comes up with. it's so fun to see him grow & hear him explain the things going through his head. Here's a recent conversation we had in the car:

Me: What do you want to eat?

Jack: My want some hay bales. My have a cow in my pocket. Cow is mooing in my pocket.

Well, ok then...

He is also pretty consistent with some favorites lately:

Color: green

Food: not much - yogurt

Question: what does ....eat? (Fill in any & every type of animal in the blank. He is very interested in what they all eat.)

Song: Lay Me Down (Chris Tomlin) He's heard us play this one at church & has been known to belt it out at the most random times. It's pretty awesome.

He has also started singing his ABCs. We didn't even know he could until one day he just sang the whole song while playing on his own. Yay, Jack!

Jack loves the piano, guitar, & drums - really any music. He is always singing songs- sometimes there's a melody & other times it sounds like some kind of tribal chanting. Every Sunday after church he plays John's drums & sings. 

Favorite Movie(s) - We've moved on from Cars & Cars 2 to Finding Nemo. He also likes To watch Bubble Guppies & Team Umi Zoomi.

His last day of preschool for this school year is Wednesday. We conferenced with his teacher who praised his verbal & motor skills. She also mentioned we might want to focus on him following directions. (Can you say strong-willed?!) Other than that it was all positive. He's even started napping again, which was a bit of a battle at school for a while.

I'm really excited to have to summer break in 2 short weeks to just be Mommy & hang out with my little man.  He is so challenging in some ways, but an absolute joy in so many other ways. I know we will have fun playing & learning. I see lots of library & zoo time in our future! :)

Toe Talk

Since Jack is getting so good at expressing himself, there have been several funny conversations lately. Example from last night after hurting his toe:

Toe is crying!
Little tiny toe is crying!
Need ice pack. Mommy get ice pack please.

After he feels better, he notices my toes which are in need of a pedicure...as in, one big toe is lacking the red polish of the others. He pointed at each of the other nine saying, "Pretty toe", then stopped at the ugly one:

Where that come from?
That toe not pretty.
That big toe crying.

Winter Update

I have to laugh at the word "winter" in the title as it is currently 72 degrees outside & it's absolutely gorgeous! Jack and I are hanging out & working on the house while John is at a rehearsal, so I thought I'd take a moment to document some of Jack's recent goings-ons.
- Jack is very talkative and can communicate almost anything he wants at this point.
- Says: love ooh! Gank you! Alwight! Oopsie daisy! And lots of other cute little phrases & exclamations
- Loves playing chase & tickles
- Laughs a lot and loves to be funny- often says "Jack being funny."
- Is obsessed with the move Cars & "Light Keen" & "Ma-doe"
- Still loves playing with trucks, trains, and puzzles
- Loves going to the zoo & the park
- Helps with things like sorting laundry, putting things in the trash, or sink, getting himself dressed or undressed, & cleaning up his toys
- Loves eating pasta, okra, fruit, And lots of other foods
- At prayer time he often thanks God for family, friends, water, chips, Pio, and many other things. Pretty fun to listen to!

Hope

This Christmas was a rough one, but there were some shining moments that really stood out & reminded me of God's presence, His work in our lives, & the hope we have in Christ.

As I listened to Dori sing O Holy Night on Christmas Eve, the words of the first verse hit me anew:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

A thrill of hope.
The weary world rejoices.
For yonder breaks a new & glorious morn.

I am in need of hope. I am in need of rest. I am I need of joy. I am in need of new beginnings. I am in need of Christ.

I praise God for his promises of all of these things and more. He provides more than I could ever ask for or imagine, & He carries me through the valleys of life when I've no strength left.

Thank you, Lord, for your mercies being new every morning & for the hope of a new day everyday. May I live a life of expectancy as I wait for you.

Gingerbread House

Just for fun! :) I like how he starts off as Mr. Serious, then the sugar kicks in...

December??

It was 82 degrees today! We decided to enjoy the beautiful weather at the park.

Advent

I love this time of year because it reminds me to live a life of expectancy- to live with my eyes & heart open to the work of God all around me. Now for some pics of Jack during our service this morning celebrating the first week of Advent.