I have written many, many posts about my kids here on this blog, but I realized that it had been awhile since my last one, so I thought today was as good a day as any to share some interesting vignettes.
At age 10, my son remains exceptionally profound and perceptive. We went for a bike ride a couple of evenings ago. As we crested a hill and stopped for a brief break, we had the following brief conversation about the weather:
ME: Wow - you can really see a lot from up here. Check it out! Look at the clouds.
BRANDON: Yeah, but I don't really like it when it's this quiet and the only voice you hear is from the wind. It means a storm is coming.
I told him I thought that was a poetic way to put it. Truthfully, it reminded me of something that Clint Eastwood would say in one of his more recent movies, or perhaps Tommy Lee Jones.
Both Brandon and my oldest daughter, Aleah, have been spending a lot of time practicing piano. I don't even know where this musical ability came from, but it makes for some entertaining days around here when they play for hours on end. They are really good!
Aleah just might be the fastest reader in our house, voraciously devouring books by the stack. After two or three days of marathon reading at night, her bed appears to be perched in a book nest. We are working on getting her to actually put away the books after she reads them. I remain amazed by her information gathering. I rarely read anything out loud that requires her to ask the meaning of a specific word anymore.
Our three-year old, Abby, is exuberant, beautiful and very strong-willed (read: irritating) sometimes. I remember from our two older kids that this is a tough age, and she is no exception. She has almost completely outgrown mispronouncing words, except for when she requests "Piggybank rides". I don't even want to correct this - it's too darn cute. "Dad, can you give me a piggybank ride now?" Sure! The only other words I can think of that she says incorrectly are "juner" for "junior" (as in "Nick Juner") and "overills" for "overalls". Again, no need to correct this - I enjoy it too much and these are some of the few vestiges of her toddlerhood remaining.
On a completely unrelated note, I am happy to report that we appear to have crossed the finish line when it comes to potty training Abby. We had to wait until our baby was born to start this process, since my wife wasn't thrilled about potty training while in her third trimester. :)
Our five-month old daughter, Jenny, is a joy and a blessing. She is clearly an extrovert, and she is energized when she is around a crowd of people at church or when we get together with friends. She is VERY close to crawling now - I give it two or three weeks. She has had a tough time with teething this week, which has affected our sleep lately. Most people ask if she even cries, since she is so quick to smile and laugh, and she rarely seems upset.
Thanks for reading this quick update about my family!
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But where are the photos?....it made me so smile - especially the piggbanking...reminded me of some my kids' quirky words...
Liz - I thought about adding photos this time, then I got lazy, I guess. :)
Thanks so much. Aunt Marcia likes to keep up with your kids progress. I will babysit any time. :)
I'm with Liz on this one Jason. Update this blog with some photos!
And thank you my friend, for an insight into the reason you do all that you do.
It's obvious you do it for the betterment of your kids.
Jason, it was great fun to read this. Sounds like you and your family really enjoy each other.
Jason, this is so great. Thank you for sharing! I understand about the 3 -- "strong willed". My 3.5 yo is very much so, and he is stronger than I am so he can take me! :-)
I agree with Patricia, it sounds like you & your family really enjoy one another. How WONDERFUL! Children are such a blessing!
Jason sounds like you have four truely individual and great kids. Time passes so quickly as I'm sure you are beginning to realize. Enjoy yourselves and oh yes grab a nap now and then too!
What a beautiful family you have, but I agree with the other ladies, where are the photos? You are an awesome Dad!
Thanks for the update...I think ..since I've known you...those kids are just sprouting like weeds :)
Per your suggestions, I have added a couple of recent pictures for your enjoyment. :)
Cute kids for sure. The baby looks just like her Dad....big time!
Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh homes
Jason.
There is a reason for the treble two's! It's the Lord's is putting us in an 11 year training program for teenagers. Teenagers normally act that way until their first reaches two! Hopefully it's a good long time. If we're lucky we love every minute of it!
Your blessed my friend!
Bill
Congrats on such a wonderful family! It's a good thing you are writing down some of the wonderful sayings of the little ones. My daughter is 8 but still says 'skelekins are scary at Halloween' (skeletons) and Ha-le-lu-la when she's singing in church! Enjoy!
That's funny. My son is 11, and loves to sing Tim McGraw's "Indian Outlaw," but still pronounces it "Indian Outhawg." LOL I don't correct him either. :) You have a beautiful family! Thanks for sharing.
Jason...I found that my kids kept me grounded to what was important in life. Now the Grandkids do that!
What a lovely family. God is good.
Nice to get the updates. Dude.....life is so short. You really should consider going to the building champions experience next year. You have the same core values as these folks. This is my 2nd time. Bring the wife, and I'll bring mine. Life change J. Protect yourself, your future and your children. This is a great post. Live and work to protect what God put you in custody of.
What a great update. Thank you for bringing us into your home Jason. I remember how excited we were when our kids started to crawl. It was such a sense of freedom. Then comes the walking... and of course locking up EVERYTHING so they dont get hurt. LOL
Jason, they are growing soooo fast! Wow. Blink and Abby will be in high school! Jenny is absolutely adorable and what bright eyes she has. Seems to me like you just found out you were going to be a daddy again. They are beautiful and I hope Pam is catching up! Thanks for the pictures.
Deb
Those are wonderful pictures of your family Jason. They are all so cute!
Jason - as I've said before ... you are truly blessed, my friend! Thanks for making us feel like we, too, are part of your family. Of course, we ARE your AR family, but ... :)
I see 5 kids...don't you?
Awesome pictures of your family, Jason. Thanks for sharing
Sorry about the three posts...there must have been some sort of hiccup on my part.
What a nice update on your family - your son is a smart one huh !!!
Cheers bud !
Sheldon
What a great update and photos of your beautiful children. Your smiling faces are just beaming.
Hi Jason,
What a blessed family! Thank you for the updates..I can't believe Jenny is already 5 months old!
Jason, I love the bemused look on your face in the picture with Jenny. Have a good week my friend!
Hi Jason, Wow, you must be a very proud father, with such wonderful children. You, my dear, have been blessed. But, what I dislike is how quickly time goes by. It flies and before you know it they are all grown up. Mine are 14 and 16 and I don't know how we got here!
Jason-
You have a beautiful bunch! Your description of Aleah reminds me of me at her age. I'd get lost in books and go on similar marathon sessions. A little bit of that feeling remains when I pick up just the right book, and I treasure it.
I love your son's comments about the wind! What a joy they are for you and your wife.
Jason: There is noting under the sun that is better or more important than family, thanks for sharing yours.
I love the kid reports. They grow up fast, such a cliche' but so very true.