Jacob you have a very tender and sweet heart - you truly want to obey and do what is right. You have moments where it's hard to always listen, but so often you seem truly distraught when you forget to do what is right.
This week - here are the stories that warm my heart, make me giggle and realize how lucky we are to have you in our family. I love your sweet spirit so much!
*On Monday you needed to take a note back to school that was due that day. I asked Madeleine to walk you in and deliver the note, but you replied right away that you'd remember and to let you take the note in. I was hesitant to try this - as it had to be turned in today, and you have a record of not really remembering to turn things in....your homework tends to stay in your backpack for days! However, you were so determined that I let you try and told me that you really, really would remember that I decided to give it a go. I folded the note and put it in your pocket thinking it might be a better place as you'd feel it there through the day. However, when you got home and I asked if you turned in the note and then I touched your pocket I heard the paper crinkle and saw your face crumple and I knew the note didn't make it to its' destination. "Mom, I tried to remember! I really was going to remember, but I just forgot!" Thankfully we had to go pick Madeleine up from an after-school activity and the Secretary told me I could slide it under the door and they would count it on time. I need to figure out how to put a screen on you that flashes reminders of what you need to turn in or do! You forgot your lunch box on Thursday, and when you came home again your face crumpled when I asked where it was - you promised you'd get it the next day. The only problem was that the next day you took another lunch box and forgot to bring that one home...and your other lunch box - so now both are sitting at school and none at home. Oh, what will we do to help you remember these things?!
* Yesterday (Friday) was a big day for you - with memories as well as activities! You were the only one home in the morning to get off with the carpool, as Dad had already taken Madeleine to her violin lesson and Bryson Jr. to Chess Club before school. When the car pool came, I was tying your shoe and you were getting your coat on. I was trying to open the door, when you reach up and gave me a big hug and kiss and said, "Mom, I hope you and Emilia have a good day at home and that you're happy!" And with a big smile you walked down the stairs and driveway and got in the car.
You left my heart so happy and I vowed then and there to do everything in my power to send you off every day with the same feeling of love in your heart. It was the best way to start my day!
* You had a birthday party a little bit later in the day (still on Friday). Drew's mom was going to drive you both to the party and then I would pick you up. As I was helping you get the present and your things together, you stopped and asked, "Mom, can we say a prayer before I go to the party?" My heart warmed again. You said a sincere prayer that Drew's mom would drive you all safely to the party and that you would have a fun time bowling for Gabe's birthday party. You have a lot of faith, and I often realize how perfectly your name fits you - not only being a family name, but also that Jacob and Nephi were great men of faith in the scriptures.
*When you came home from the birthday party, you started to twist your front tooth that has been loose for at least the past two weeks. This is your first loose tooth! I was feeding Emilia when you came in and showed me that you could basically turn it 360 degrees around in your mouth. That tooth was finally going to come out! You twisted and turned it a few more times, and it came right out - and you were a little surprised telling dad "Look, my tooth came out! I was as brave as a soldier, wasn't I? I didn't even cry! And there was not a lot of blood!" You had been a little nervous for this tooth to come out, although it desperately needed to as the new tooth was already coming in behind it. Thankfully this first tooth came out so easily that I think you'll be much easier with all the other teeth that you'll lose in the next few years!
The sad part is that this morning you woke up in tears because the Tooth Fairy forgot to come and visit. I've heard that this happens in many other houses as well - perhaps she's overworked and just can't make it around all in one night. Which after you cried and cried, you dried your tears and said, "Maybe she was visiting another child who lost his tooth." You have this awesome way of getting upset, mad, sad, or whatever -- and then turn around and can be smiling and all right within a few minutes. I hope it's a trait that you'll keep through life, because it is a blessing to be able to look at the bright side like you do!
2 weeks ago we went up to the Krim's to celebrate the girls birthdays - Madeleine, Noel & Juliet all have February birthdays! You showed everyone that you had a loose tooth, and when Scott offered to help you get it out with some pliers - you surprised us all and agreed. As a joke, he pulled out this big tool and your eyes got huge and you would not open your mouth! You gave a nervous chuckle when he told you this big tool was just a joke! He did bring out the smaller pliers and you let Dad have a try pulling out your tooth...
....you were very brave to let Dad try this way - there was a little slip of the pliers and I think that's when you realized this was a crazy idea! You decided to wait and just let the tooth come out on its' own. Wise choice my son - very wise choice!
The last story is from last week when we were reading scriptures. You tend to balk a little at first about reading the verses when it's your turn, so we try to find new ways to get your attention. Somehow it started that some of the words you were reading sounded better with your little french accent, so you started to say them more with the rolling 'R's and with extra emphasis on an accent. You were reading along and really rolled your 'R' on suffeR with hungeR and the more you said it in your accent, the more we started to giggle, laugh and then we just couldn't stop for a few minutes. You are such a funny kiddo - even when you aren't trying to be funny you tend to make people laugh and are the life of the party.
We sure do love you and are so thankful that you are such a hit in our family!
