Jude is 3!

He is 3! He is a BIG boy now! Just ask him and he will tell you! This awesome little boy...er, I mean BIG boy, has taught me so much in the last three years.

Through him I have come to understand just how fragile life is. With two hospitalizations in his first 11 months of life I came to understand unequivocally that God is in control. He is faithful to see us through. He answers prayer. I remember being in the doctors office and being told that Jude needed to be taken by ambulance to Mary Bridge. The fear that came over me was more intense than any I have experienced in my life thus far. This is my little boy. It is my job to protect him, keep him safe, keep him healthy. I had failed and worse yet I had no knowledge of how to help him. I couldn't fix him. Then the nurse grabbed my hand and said that we needed to pray. An overwhelming peace came over me in that instant. God. God loves Jude even more than I do. As that nurse prayed over my little one and me I felt God's presence. I KNEW God was with us. That gave me immeasurable peace.

Jude has an insatiable appetite for physical contact and activity. He loves to wrestle. He loves football, basketball, soccer ball...well anything that includes a ball really. He loves to climb, jump and tackle. The other day I watched as he was formulating a plan to climb to the top of the refrigerator....Mt. Everest in his 3 year old mind to be sure! He is a boy and I am learning how to let him be a boy...encourage him to be one even. It isn't easy for this mama but then I remember that though he is my son God is alive and active with a plan for Jude's life. So I will do all I can to let him be that boy.
Jude has this sense of humor and these facial expressions and hand movements that accompany his goofiness that just gets me. My heart often melts into puddles at my feet. He gets some words wrong and the associations come out of no where and it cracks me up. For instance he once told Kyle (out of the blue) that if he or sissy gets lost they just need to go to the Olive Gardens. Kyle couldn't figure out what he was trying to say. It was Kylee who figured out that he was talking about our trip to The Great Wolf Lodge where he was instructed if he should get lost to go the Lifeguard. Olive Garden is close I guess? Instead of saying shut up he says shut off. Now, just so you know we don't allow him to say this but I have to admit that I am laughing inside each time I have heard it come out of his mouth. It is such a joy to be this boys mama!
Jude is learning to be a protector. He loves his sister....and then sometimes he doesn't love her so well but he is learning. He watches out for her and consistently shares his booty with her. It isn't often that if he is receiving a piece of candy or some such treasured item that he doesn't request one for his sister too. I have seen him shove said treasure in his mouth before it reaches her hand...but that is the exception.
Jude loves his daddy. He wants to do everything that daddy does. The other day Kyle was working outside and Jude went upstairs to get his "work clothes" on and his tool kit. He made his way outside and worked right along side his daddy. It was adorable.
Jude is really into muscles. Having big muscles is apparently the thing right now. We talk a lot about eating good foods so that our bodies can be strong and healthy. The other day I wanted to Jude to finish his fruit smoothie and I told him that it would help his muscles get big like daddy's. This was all the motivation he needed to scamper back to the table but as he was going he told me, "My muscles are already big like daddy's but I'm gonna make them bigger!" Those big blue eyes were sparkling with the thought.
Jude is learning about Jesus. When he gets a cut or scrape he is always quick to respond, "God will heal it." He is inquisitive. He is sensitive. He is bold and unafraid. He is tender. He is sweet. He is rough and tough. He is 3! Happy Birthday Jude Robert!
Mercy, Peace and Love be yours in abundance! Jude 1:2

2009 in Review

2009 was an amazing year for our family!
Starting with Kyle....who completed his 3rd year of teaching Science, a Masters degree in administration of education, and an internship as an assistant principal. It has been a busy year to say the least.
Kylee celebrated her 4th birthday and has grown so much in the last year. She is learning to read and has a very mathematical mind. She experienced her first ballet recital, soccer season and a second set of stitches.
Jude spent 2009 as a 2 year old learning to talk, climb (anything and everything) wrestle, play ball, in short, showing his mama what it means to be a BOY. a BIG BOY.
So my year was spent keeping up with these three. It is an amazing priveledge to be wife and mommy to these precious ones.
One of the highlights of our year, besides Kyle's amazing opportunity at work, was going to Hawaii to witness and celebrate the marriage of Sanchai and Natalie, Kyle's brother and his bride. Another highlight was training for and completing a Half Marathon on San Juan Island. One other oppurtunity that 2009 brought was the chance for me to participate in the Breast Cancer 3 day...walking 20 miles a day alongside some amazing people for a wonderful cause. It was certainly one of the most incredible things I have done.
And as if that weren't enough we spent another year with amazing friends and family. Truly blessed we are! We look forward to seeing what 2010 brings! We hope that your 2010 is blessed.