James Is 6 Today

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMES! Here are the Top 6 Things I Love About James . . . #6 He is Really Smart. He could spell his siblings' names when he was 4. He can do double digit math - adding and subtracting in kindergarten. And, he can follow Lego Instructions! #5 The Way He Listens to Music. It moves him, and anyone can tell that by looking at his face. He stops when he hears music, and just listens, and listens, often replicating the music on the piano at a later time. #4 The Way He Listens to Stories I Tell (not necessarily the ones I read). There is something magical about the way he listens when I lay next to him in bed telling him a story - maybe it's because he is rarely that still and attentive- but whatever the reason he is so enthralled that it makes my story telling better. Seriously, I don't think I've ever told stories as an engaging and suspenseful as I do when I tell them to James. #3 His Profound Insight of Eternal Things. Sometimes, with all the fury of activity and noise that he's got going on, one can really wonder if anything is sinking in at all, and then, in one of those rare, but lovely, moments he will say something so profound about Heavenly Father or about why things are the way they are here on earth, that it almost causes me to stumble backwards. I am grateful for his insight. #2 The Way He Hugs and Kisses. It's not often that he really wants to hug or kiss any of us - most of the time I get a good-night hug and kiss from him, but not always. When HE feels loving and want's to show affection, however, he gives the most genuine hugs and the softest, sweetest kisses. I love it when he opens presents from his family members on his birthday or at Christmas; he immediately thanks them, and then leaves the gift to seek out the giver, and give them a hug and a kiss. #1 Who He is! My Son! Life with him has been no picnic, at least not most of the time. And yet I love him deeply for who he is (quirks and all). I am so glad that I get to be his Mom. I am so relieved that I can take care of his needs, and that he can learn and grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually here. I am so glad that James is my son! Happy Birthday, James Boy. Love, Mom ___________________________________________________________________________________ We celebrated his birthday yesterday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, since the kids had the day off from school. He had some friends over from church, and also his brother Jacob came. He had a good time, although a little overwhelmed by it, at times. We had to coax him away from his lego's to come to his own party. The concept was still a little foreign to him. We played some games with beanbags - bean bag toss, and a balancing game with bean bags on the head. We had a treasure hunt for his cupcakes, an obstacle course, bowling, and Birthday Bingo. It's always amazing to me, just how much fun the kids have with the simple games. James was thrilled with his presents too, and kept exclaiming, "Holy moley!" His funniest comment was to a new toy that he had never seen before "Oh, yes! This was my third favorite thing I wanted!" And then when he opened Rebekah's present last night, he exclaimed, "Oh, thank you! I've been wanting this for a whole hour!" It was hard on Joseph to watch James get so many cool things to play with, but James tried to be as kind and accomodating as he could, by letting Joseph build some of his lego creations, and they played together for a long time. James was really thrilled that Jacob could come. Although they don't see each other that often, that bond of brotherhood is still there. He kept asking if Jonathon and Ashley could come too. He still remembers them. I hope he always will!