J--It's your birthday!

We found out we were expecting you in 

October

and we started calling you our 

little pumpkin.

You arrived one warm June evening

after dinner and hanging out with friends

my water broke and 24 hours later we saw your face

for the first time.

J's baby announcement designed by Amy Rahm

We gave you names

with family sentimentality & meaning

and you gave us names

Mom & Dad

Mama & baby J--3 mo old

We have watched with joyful 

anticipation, gratitude, & awe 

as you have met milestones...

observed, learned, & discovered

month by month

year to year

and now... 

Now you are four years old.

You know how to put on your own clothes, 

get yourself buckled in your car seat, write your name, 

do a somersault, & sing Primary songs.

You have two younger siblings

who look up to you and for whom you offer daily service--

for which we are so proud & thankful.

The three muskateers: J, Miss N, & N                 06.13.2012

You have learned many things in our

pre-school co-op this year

that is laying an early foundation for a lifetime of learning.

You have made friends every place you've lived

So far: Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, & Minnesota

and continue to draw people's attention to your bright smile 

& cheerful attitude.

You have new freckles this year...

they are like little kisses from the sun

and when you are sleeping I like to stare at them

and remember when you got your very first one.

J & his awesome freckle collection:             06.13.2012

 Today was your birthday, and it was fabulous.

We slept in (as usual), you woke up and hung out for awhile with Dad in his office (he got home last night from  Nebraska) while I nursed your sister in bed. Our typical oatmeal breakfast was made special with mini marshmallows. We practiced showing the number four with our hands so you would be ready to tell everyone how old you are now. You said in a serious voice: "Mom. I'm still a little bit little." I suppose all this talk about how BIG four is made you think you would FEEL bigger too.


You chatted on the phone with Grandmama and we sang a few rounds of Happy Birthdays. I showed you some photos of when you were born and shared birthday wishes with you from facebook and text messages. We got ready for the day and before I knew it SUPERMAN had arrived.


You were wearing your green apron to help me make cupcakes--you creatively decided it would double as a cape and zoomed around the house being superman. I said "superman, we need to wash your hands!" and you said "I'm not superman, Mom, I'm just a boy. When I fly with my cape, then I'm superman." I apologized for my obvious mistake and you flew around the corner in a green woosh!

SUPER J

We made lemon cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese frosting (your request). We ran out of powdered sugar so we enjoyed a smooth frosting glaze. Your friend Dallin came to play with us while his Mom took his baby brother to the doctor--you two had lots of fun playing with trains downstairs and making up new games on the recliner chair. You even gave him a gift to take home--a small dinosaur toy. That was very kind of you.


You had a birthday nap and then we got ready and went to the Mall of America--where we enjoyed a special birthday dinner all together as a family. We went to the Rainforest Cafe. You were captivated by the rushing water, fish tanks, and moving animals on the ceiling. You were not too sure about the gorilla around the corner, you kept your eye on him though. You were given a special ice cream dessert with a candle & the waiters sang a birthday song to you. You felt shy so you didn't say much but you sure loved the ice cream!


We came home and even though it was late we still had more partying to do! You chatted on the phone with Aunt Katie while I was setting everything up in the kitchen. Some friends dropped off a stack of moving boxes in our garage and left a paper crown on top--you wore it for the rest of the night.


You opened your presents with a big smile on your face--your favorite things were the glow-in-the-dark bracelets, train pieces, and the yellow smiley face helium balloon (N got one too and it was a good thing!). The other things you will enjoy later, I'm sure :)


We skyped with Nana & Papa--they sang Happy Birthday to you and watched you blow out the candles. We skyped with Grandmama too and she sang one last birthday song before bedtime. You showed her your new balloon too. You went to bed one happy four year old. I am going to bed one happy Mom. 


Earlier today, you sat down with me for a little 'birthday interview' (See video on youtube HERE).You were quiet & shy at first but then you said "Time for me to fly now!" 

And flying you are. 

It is your time. 

You are learning so much, being so much, helping so much, and becoming so much. You are strong, smart, courageous, quick to forgive, willing, curious, trusting, loving, and happy.

So many people love you, Jackson Scott

and we are so grateful for you.

Most of all, God loves you 

and my biggest birthday wish for you 

is that you come to know that for yourself.

Happy Birthday, baby boy.