All About Jacob

In honor of Jacob’s 5^th birthday yesterday I wanted to write a little about him. He has really been looking forward to turning five. Now that he is 5 he thinks that he is taller, stronger, and faster than he was when he was four. He actually has gotten taller lately, all of his pants are looking a little short. He is still little for his age though. When I went to buy him new pants I had to buy 3T, and they are still too big. I just couldn’t buy 2T for my 5 year old, he can wear a belt. Yesterday morning I overhear him asking Randy, “Am I stronger now dad?”, while he showed his muscles. He also thinks he is smarter now that he is five. About a year ago he was feeling bad that he can’t read and I told him that it was okay, that most kids don’t learn to read until they are 5 and go to kindergarten. A couple of days ago Jacob said to me, “Emily (his preschool friend) is still going to be in preschool, but now I get to go to kindergarten.” I guess when I said he would go to kindergarten when he was 5 he took me literally. I had to explain that he has to finish preschool and won’t go to kindergarten until the fall. He was sad, I guess he is really looking forward to it. He is also looking forward to learning how to read now. I think he is ready to start reading, he is a smart kid, and usually picks things up fast. I will have to start working with him. Jacob is a very sweet boy. He is an excellent big brother. He helps me watch out for Nathan and Adam. He is good at making Adam laugh by singing silly songs and dancing. He just started a new class at church. He is in CTR 5 now. He likes it, but he is still a little nervous about going to a new class with new teachers. He tries so hard to be brave. The first three weeks he ran back to me crying after I dropped him off. When I dropped him off yesterday he looked like he was going to cry, but then his teacher, Brother Meek, showed up and he gave me a big smile and said, “Bye Mom”, and went and sat by him. He likes Brother Meek because he brings chocolate.

Here are some of Jacob’s favorite things:

The color yellow

Corn on the cob- it is yellow and yummy

His Friends- Isaac, Alayna, Lexi, Mom, Emily, Enoch, Nathan, Dad

Lightning McQueen and Hot Wheel

Playing fun games like tag, hide and seek, racing, and computer games

Curious George (He had a Curious George birthday party, but in my attempts to keep 8 children occupied, I forgot to take pictures!)

Wrestling with Dad

Reading books

Jacob is the sweetest, cutest, most wonderful 5 year old in the world, I am so proud to be his mom.

Nine Years

I have been a blogging slacker, sorry. I have just been really busy with Christmas less than a month ago, my parents being in town for two of the last four weeks, and teaching preschool this month (I do a little preschool with my sister-in-law and my neighbor, we each teach every third month). Anyway, today I have something truly special to blog about. It is my 29th birthday. Holy Cow! Can that be true! It looks so old when I put in writing like that. Well, I still feel young. Wii Fit says I am a very old 29, but whatever. Anyway, my birthday is not what is so special. Today is also the ninth anniversary of my first perfect, magical date with my husband. We had been seeing each other for about a week, but the demands of college classes, work, and a previously scheduled blind date that Randy didn’t think he should break (he did call me during the date and let me know he wished he was with me instead, how sweet) kept us from going out on an actual date until my 20th birthday. It was the best birthday I have ever had. I was so excited to go out with him. I thought he was so cute, and fun, and nice. It was a Saturday and we decided to go out for lunch. He scored major points when he showed up at my door with red roses. When Randy asked me where I wanted to go and eat I didn’t want to tell him that Macaroni Grill was my favorite restaurant because I thought it was expensive (I was super poor back then) so I told him he could pick. And guess what he picked! Macaroni Grill! I couldn’t believe it, he scored tons more points. It was a little early for lunch so we decided to go for a drive up Provo Canyon. On the way back down the canyon we stopped at Bridalveil Falls and took a walk along the trail holding hands. Because it was January no one else there. We stopped in front of the waterfall and had our first electrifying kiss. We were having such a good time together that we ended up spending the whole day together. We saw each other every single day from then on. Two and a half months later, on April 8th, he took me back to Bridalveil Falls and proposed to me. We were married exactly three months after that. We had a typical whirlwind BYU romance. Sometimes I think I must have been crazy to get married so fast when I was so young. But, I think it was the best decision I ever made. Randy makes me happy every day. He is a perfect husband for me, and a perfect daddy for our boys. This has been the happiest 9 years of my life.
Then and Now
Randy had hair, and I pretty much still look the same, just a little older

Our Happy Holidays

We had a very busy and very happy Christmas and New Years. The best part was that Randy did not have to work from Christmas Eve until today. It was a lot of fun to have him home with us. My parents were in town the week of Christmas. It was fun to have them here. My dad set up a photo studio in my basement and took some great pictures of my kids, posted below. We had fun making gingerbread men with Grandma Gina. And of course it wouldn't be Christmas without a day spent making Tamales with my family. My brother Aaron and his little family came up from Provo on Christmas Eve. They stayed overnight so we could all be together for the fun on Christmas morning. With eleven people we had a lot of present under the tree. I felt very blessed to have so much. After my parents went home we spent the rest of Randy's vacation working of projects and enjoying each others company.