7 year old Insight

 Jake is such a cool and unique kid.  I love the way his mind works.  He puts an amazing amount of thought into things.  John and I can say something to him and a day or so later he will come back with some thoughts or comments....he has been thinking. 
Last night at dinner we were talking about how fast his fingernails grow.  Way faster than Brady's.  So we passively talked about this for a minute and on to the next topic.  About 10 min later he said "Daddy don't laugh at what I am about to say: but I think my fingernails grow so fast because I pick my nose." 

Well I will admit John and I busted out laughing - it just took us so off guard.  I could not stop laughing.  Jake got really sad for a minute until we explained that we weren't laughing AT him but that what he said was just - well funny.  

Jake

I had to take Jake back to the doctor on Monday.  He has an outer ear infection that has proven to be quite painful.  I have had to medicate him every 3 hours since Monday.  He went back to school today for the first time since last Monday.  He made it all day.  Brady and I walked up to get him and when he saw me little tears were in his eyes.  He said mommy my ear hurts.  He said it hadn't started hurting till a little bit ago and his teacher told him I would be here soon.  So he is on the couch and probably down for the count.  He was very tired. 
Could you please just pray for God to heal Jake.  5 weeks ago this all started with a bad cold and has included stomach virus, strep throat, mono and an outer ear infection.  It makes me sad to see him feel so bad for so long.  I can not imagine being a momma of a terminally ill child who hurts all the time.  5 weeks is long enough - or so momma thinks. 

I sure hope that one day soon this blog will be more lighthearted and fun again.  It seems that it has been a VERY long time.  My cloud is lifting slowly and steadily for which I am so thankful.  This season, like all others, is passing but not fast enough...do they ever?

The Doctor's Diagnosis

Our real doctor - not doctor Jake did blood work today and Jake has Mono.  I must confess I was relieved to hear it.  This is week 4 that Jake has been sick and completely exhausted all the time.  I was beginning to be anxious and my thoughts went to the worst like Leukemia not mono.  I am not a worrier when it comes to my kids health. But I have started to worry about Jake.  His doc said it will take probably a month or so for him to return to normal.  So we are going to get lots of rest, watch lots of movies, and drink lots and lots over the next few days before sending him back to school. 

Dr. Cook's Diagnosis

Jake is sick again.  Taking him to doctor today to see if he has relapsed with strep.  Yesterday he was really weak and he told me he couldn't walk when he was sick.  He even made himself a walking stick out of tinker toys. (He was serious about it too - don't laugh at the stick - or so I was informed).  At one point mr. drama was laying on the floor wanting me to carry him (yes he is really sick and weak but he is also dramatic so he sucks it for all it's worth :)).  I told him I wasn't as strong as daddy.  And hoping to motivate him to move I played the mean momma card and told him if he was that sick that probably they would have to take his blood at the doctor tomorrow to see what was wrong.  Horrible I know.  So he used his walking stick and managed to get himself up - with lots of grunting and moaning involved.  When I put him to bed last night he told me that he knew why he couldn't walk and that it was not his blood.  I ask him what it was and here is his diagnosis:
When my throat hurts and I don't eat my legs aren't strong anymore.  And the top part of my body is heavier than the bottom part of my body and my legs can't hold it up anymore.  So the top part of my body just pushes me down to the ground and I can't walk. 
I literally bit the insides of my mouth to keep from laughing because this kid was serious.  And to laugh at that moment would have crushed him.  So then he looked at me and said "So dr. Logan doesn't need to check my blood it is just fine" :)
Too funny!!!

For Memories Sake

 

He's growing up but not sooo fast and for that I am thankful. Since he has started school we ask him everyday what his high and low points of the day are.  They have been really great conversation starters.  On Monday when I ask him he said his low point was PE because HE HAD TO DANCE WITH A GIRL!!!  It was quite funny but I was glad to hear he didn't like it.
Well the next day, I ask him if PE was better today and he said "well it was ok.  I had to dance with a girl again but I didn't cry today."  My response: "Bud you didn't tell me you cried yesterday.  Why did you cry?"  Jake - "because momma dancing with girls FREAKED ME OUT!!!"

 

Brady's Going Under

Brady will be having surgery this Thursday. He is having his adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears. We had thought he would be getting tonsils out but doc wants to go with just this to start with. We are doing it now because we change insurance the first of the year and they won't cover it for a year. Thankfully we don't have the recovery time like we would if it were tonsils.


As you know he is our wild and crazy people person. This weekend we have about 17 people coming to our house for Christmas. So please pray he has a speedy and smooth recovery and the battles to keep him not so wild and crazy are minimal.

Please pray that the surgery goes well and that we will be getting much more RESTFUL sleep after this. Pray for me this week too please. I don't have a ton to do for the weekend but this is a hard time for me and this surgery throws just a bit of a kink in the week. Thankfully I have a dear sweet AMAZING husband who is all hands on deck.
Thanks for your prayers

The Artist Meets The Artist

Today was a wonderful day!!! We walked around The French Quarter in NOLA. We went to Jamie Hayes' gallery - one of Jake's favorite artist. And to our delight he was there signing his art. So Jake started talking to him and told him "I am a great artist too!" Mr. Hayes told him to come around and he would teach Jake a new way to do letters. He also wrote a book called Up In the Air with the Mingling Brothers. He signed the book and then wrote Jake's name in the book and taught him a fun way to do letters (see below)

this is Peter the Pianoeater - one of Jake's favorites

If you look close you can see were he wrote Jake's name

here he is teaching Jake how to add color to the letters

here he is PATIENTLY helping/encouraging Jake to write his own name in the book the way he learned. Mr. Hayes spent about 15-20 minutes with Jake. One lady walked up and ask for something and he politely told her he was taking his time with this little man and she could wait until they finished. Well as a momma that delighted my soul. I wish we would have captured the sheepish delightful grin on Jake's face after that experience. It was such a wonderful moment!!!

ROLL TIDE

One of our Fall Traditions is to go to the Alabama Homecoming Parade with the boys. This is the 4th year we have done it and it is alot of fun. This year Nana (who is recently retired and we are sooo glad!!!) joined in on the fun. And for a special treat John, Nana and the boys actually went to the game. They said the seats were terrible but they still had a blast. Here are some pics from the day.

it's blurry but the only family pic from the day

This was Brady's favorite thing in the parade - the very very tall football player

We had got up to leave the parade (been there 1.5 hours and it was freezing and almost over) and I looked down the road and saw this coming our way. So glad I did. Jake had a fit - he was so excited!!! This of course was his favorite part of the parade.

Moss Preserve Hike

A few weeks ago we went for a hike at Moss Preserve in Hoover. It is a wonderful place right smack in the city of Hoover. There are several trails out here and a rock climbing area. We had a blast!!! More and more I am enjoying being more active with my boys.

I love this picture of Jake - he did not know we were watching him. He is a very loud and rambunctious boys when paired with his brother but this very much captures another side of Jake - very contemplative. I love it!!!

They were learning how to balance and walk by themselves across the log. It was a huge feet for him to do it by himself. Of course we picked a log with no water underneath for practice. :)

This place is beautiful. John had cell phone coverage here which kinda made me happy because I might come up missing one day and venture out here all by myself to enjoy the waterfalls. A cell phone will be nice just in case you know :):) how spoiled we are!!!

Tinker Toy Fun

These are some of the boys tinker toy creations from the summer. Enjoy!!!

Be The Man You Want Him To Be!!!

Today I was SUPER encouraged by my wonderful husband and I wanted to share the story with you. As you know we are moving into the house this week and John took the week off to help. That itself gets tons of kudos!!! But this is even better.
John decided he wanted a new TV and for the last nine years we have been a one TV family so we decided to put our old TV in the playroom and get us a new one upstairs. When we went to Wal-Mart to get one Saturday at 5:30 (1.5 hours till kickoff) they did not have the specific one he wanted so he got a smaller one - still big. Then yesterday we were in Sam's and he found the bigger TV there for only 100 more than the one he bought. So he was going back and forth deciding if he should take it back or keep what he got.
This summer Jake saw a double sided light saber and ask for one. John promised he could have one when we got into our new house. Well you better believe that 2 months later Jake did not let him forgot so off to Wal-Mart they go. Jake picks a red one and Brady gets blue. Well this morning - after having it a few days, Jake came in the room with me and said I decided I want a blue light saber instead of red. I told him that he picked red and that was what he would have and then I talked about being thankful for what he has. His response to me was "if i break that one will you buy me a blue on?" UMM -NO!!! So I took it away from him for a little while. He went inside and when I came in after 2 talks he was crying. I said why are you crying "because I really want a blue one." So I really didn't know how to respond at that point and so I sent him to his room until John got home.
So John comes home, goes to talk to him and gives him the once again be thankful talk. Then he keeps on about it and just won't drop it. In the mean time John comes in there where I am and says "I really want to exchange my TV but I just gave him this talk on being thankful for what I have." So a few minutes later the topic comes back up with Jake about the light saber and John just shares his struggle with him. And he said "so when I think about that bigger TV I just have to remind myself to be thankful for what I have and ask God to help me have a grateful heart." Jake said "daddy, I know what I need to do - I need to pray and ask God to help me have a grateful heart too - will you pray with me daddy?"
What a sweet reminder that they just need to see that we really understand their struggles.
So today I got to watch my husband make a choice to be the man that he wants Jake to be. We still have the smaller TV and he loves it!!! I love that man!!!

Central Park Festibul

No I didn't spell it wrong - that is what Jake calls it. John took the boys to Central Park this morning expecting to spend the morning at the playground. But far in the distance Jake spotted some really bright colors and he told John he wanted to go over there and see what it was. And this is what they found:

Personality

Jake has started making this really funny face anytime he is concentrating on something. I tried my best to capture it here. I love that he is so serious sometimes. He is growing in to such a sweet little man. He could have spent hours chalking yesterday. I hope he continues to develop his art abilities.

This is the perfect picture for dear Brady. He is always on the move and so completely carefree. He loves life and lives it to the fullest. He was running on those really high rocks like they were no threat to him at all. I love that he is a thrill seeker much like his daddy. He helps me and Jake lighten up most days.

I love my boys and really am enjoying them so much this summer. They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. I love to watch them make up their own games and play just fine with only their tinker toys and balloons. I have seen such a benefit of removing conventional toys from them (by necessity due to lack of space) and creating opportunities to use their imagination. Yesterday they were playing a made up game and Jake said - "mommy, I love my imagination." Jake I love it too!!!