Happy 9th Birthday Jack

We celebrated Jack's 9th birthday today. To say time flies is an understatement. I told Jack last night how I felt taking him home from the hospital 9 years ago in Cambridge England and specifically how scared I was. He was amused to know that I was scared. He seem to kind of get it - a sign of maturity in its own right.

Here is a picture of our nine-year-old and a questionnaire I asked him to fill out today:

Growing Up....

So I was crazy enough to do two milestone events with Eliot in the same day! We cut his hair, and we started potty training!  What? I told Charles that only with your fourth child are you this silly. Both make him feel so big. In fact, Jack pointed out that we really cannot call him Baby anymore. And Theo just kept saying we have to record this on the calendar. They are both right.

Here are the pictures recording the day:

We started like this (sigh)....

We had some moments like this....

We ended like this...

And we had lots of this....

To celebrate the day, Jack and Theo insisted that Eliot throw the first pitch of their imaginary baseball game. And he did - oh the sweet life when you have have two older brothers doting on you.

Behind Every Great Man and Grandchild...

Today is the two year anniversary of the death of Charles's mom. It seems like it was just yesterday in many ways. I was just sitting here thinking about her and all the things I am so grateful to her for, and it reminded me of this post I wrote to her a few days before she died. I have copied it below.

As I reread it, I am struck by how true those things still are. However, what I am even more aware of is how many of her traits are living on in her four grandchildren. There are times when Jack ask for the salsa to be passed, or Theo stares intensely at the puzzle trying to figure a way to solve it, or Addie cocks her head with an earnest face, or Eliot grabs his mémé that I am reminded of her. She has left a legacy. My life is better because of her. She is missed but far far far from forgotten - she is near in very tangible ways.

Originally written October 2012 -

Many times throughout life you are given the opportunity to thank someone. Often these opportunities are quite mundane such as thanking someone for holding the door open or passing the butter. Other times, however, the opportunity to say thank you is much grander, but unfortunately the chance often passes us by, and we don’t take it. It’s the latter type I want to do here – I don’t want to miss the opportunity to thank my mother-in-law for molding my husband into the man he is. 

For the past twelve and a half years I have had the privilege of sharing life with Charles. He is an incredible man and even more amazing husband, but that is not what this writing is about. This entry is about his mom, Monette.  Over the years, it has become obvious to me that many of the things that I so appreciate about Charles he has learned from his mom. Here are a few things that come to mind:

• Charles cares for and makes time for people. I see this same openness in you. Many times I have seen you open your home to someone who has a need.  Countless time I know you have been a listening ear to another homeschooling mom who needs advice.  I wouldn’t even be able to guess how many babies are holding mémés (blankets) that were hand knitted by you. Undeniably, you have been a good friend to many.

• Charles is very accurate in his speech and with details (much to my dismay sometimes!). You and the rest of the family are very precise people. I tried to come up with some examples, but I could only remember them generally, without any of the necessary detail!  Nonetheless, you have been very patient with me and have warmly welcomed me and my ‘less’ precise nature into the family, and I am grateful.

• Charles has often been described as ‘smart’, for a lack of a better word. His ‘smartness’ is largely driven by his inquisitive mind. I know from an early age he would ask questions, and you and David would encourage him to find the answer out for himself – not in a mean way but in a self-sufficient knowledge gaining way. I see this same inquisitive, loving to learn aspect in you as well. Thanks for teaching him to work hard to understand things.

• Charles loves games. It is not hard to see where he learned this. You and David are always ready to play bridge with us, or play a family game of Geek (much to my dissatisfaction!) or Empire.  I know it is not the game that you are so keen on, but instead the opportunity to spend time as a family. I love this and hope we can continue this in our immediate family.  

• Charles has an amazing ability to stay up until early hours in the morning. You are clearly the other night owl in the family. Both of you make me look wimpy with my need for sleep!  I know Charles has always appreciated your ability to stay up late and has enjoyed many late night conversations with you as a result.

• Charles is an excellent dad in many ways, but one way that has particularly ministered to me is his love for newborn babies. I still remember how competent he was with Jack when we first brought him home from the hospital and I was so clueless. Both you and David are so great with babies. He has had excellent role-models in this area and it has paid dividends in our family. I am not sure I know another person who enjoys rocking a baby more than you. It was a joy to have you in England after the births of Jack and Addie, and recently it was incredibly special to watch you rock Eliot during his whole two hour nap (gasp!).

• Charles aims for the gospel to affect every area of our life. This is something I am very grateful for because often my sin tries to push other ways. He is quick to point out that he has learned this from you and David. You all have been excellent examples of living out your faith in the midst of hard situations and even to the extent of sometimes looking foolish in the eyes of the world. This is one of the best gifts you have passed to Charles. We hope our kids can say the same of us some day. 

Monette, there aren’t really words to describe how grateful I am for Charles. It seems overwhelmingly inadequate, but thank you. Thank you for helping to make Charles the man he is today. Jack, Theo, Addie, Eliot, and I are forever indebted to you. Thank you for being my mother-in-law and friend. It is so simple, and I am sorry if I have not said it more clearly before, but thank you.

Jack's First Game Pitching

Making Memories

Anyone who is around our boys (Charles included!) will quickly learn that they love the Royals. After 29 long years, the Royals are making it fun to be a fan again. Only Charles can truly understand this drought, but Jack and Theo are loving the post season fun the Royals have been providing.

Last night Charles and Jack drove to Kansas City (with Nathan and Jack Tiemeyer) and watched the Royals clinch the American League Division Series against the Angels. It was a great game - lots of fun stuff to see - and even better that most of it was being done by the Royals. Here are some of the fun pictures taken during that trip: