Giving Thanks

For what seems like weeks, Connor has been begging me to put up our Christmas tree.  When I asked him why he wanted to he said "presents."  I nudged him more and asked him what Christmas was all about and he said "It's Jesus' birthday.  He needs a party!" 

Score!  I won there...but...what about Thanksgiving?  Never did I ever think to sit down and explain Thanksgiving to Connor!  In my firm stance to not decorate or even think about Christmas, I totally forgot to celebrate Thanksgiving with him.  But what was my stance really about?  Is it about tradition?  I mean...is it because I'm truly thankful or because it's always been this way?  

So, what about Thanksgiving?  I've seen plenty of posts on facebook talking about thankfulness, etc and all I could really think to be thankful for is a wonderful Savior, who came to earth to love me and all my faults.  A wonderful Savior who saw me fit (broken, sinful me) to be James' wife.  A Savior who loved me enough to give me two beautiful, healthy, awesome little boys.  

As I go into this holiday season, I am not going to be blindsided by tradition. This year is a "model" year as I'm going to call it, because it will be the first time we will be celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving with just our family (not traveling home).  I have also thought a lot about how I want to make Christmas less about traditions with our boys.  I want it to be less about what they are going to get under the tree and more about what we already have.  I want them to be joyful and thankful...always, in everything. 

So, James and I have decided to only give the boys three presents a piece.  Symbolizing the gifts that Jesus received at his birth from the three Wise Men.  Other than that...there are no traditions to uphold.  Because like Connor said it's Jesus' birthday and he needs a party!!

Jacob is ONE!

How is it possible that he could go from this....

To this...in just one year? 

His first year of life was a rocky one, but blessed none the less.  After the most incredible birth, he started showing signs of colic around 6 weeks.  From there it continued until he was finally diagnosed with silent reflux around 8 months.  Then entered Prevacid & saved us all!

After getting the Prevacid, he blossomed.  He started schooching, babbling & SLEEPING!   He currently will say sounds of things (like...vroom vroom for car, mow mow for cat, nahhh for horse).  He even started crawling & is getting very brave with walking while holding onto things.  He hasn't let go or stood on his own yet, but he'll get there.  He only has 2 teeth, but the boy loves to eat!  He's adventurous & I finally have someone else in the house that likes sweet potatoes.  He's been feeding himself for about 4 months now, so dinner time is always very messy :) He's lived in three different houses and states in his first year.  Military brat at it's finest!

This year just flew by to me...but stood still at some moments.  There were countless nights I just had to resolve to get no sleep, rock & hug him.  It was those nights I prayed for him, for our family & begged for mercy.  Jacob taught me that I'm a lot tougher than I thought.  He's taught me that my wants & needs aren't always met, but that it's the kid's that the most important. 

I will never forget the incredible joy when the Dr said "It's a BOY!"  I couldn't imagine my life without this precious little boy and I am so incredibly thankful and honored that God chose me to be his mom.  Happy Birthday little Jacob!!