Saturday, September 26, 2009

Jackson Three Point Five

Dear Jackson,
At three and a half years old, you are a very energetic and physical little person. Actually, you don't like to be called little. You like to be referred to as a big boy, preferably Big Boy Jackson Jones. I'm amazed when I think back to what you were like exactly one year ago. At that point we were struggling through potty training and sharing and Annabeth was still in my tummy. A year later, we are well past the potty training marathon, Annabeth is almost 8 months old, and you have made huge strides in sharing.

When you were a toddler, you'd often be around bigger kids and they'd be so patient with you and willing to share their toys. Now you've had several opportunities to share and show patience with littler kids. It makes me so proud to see. You are not as willing to share with Annabeth though. You put your cars within her reach so that she will grab them and you can say, "Look, Mommy! Annabeth took my car!" You also like to take Annabeth's toys and put them out of her reach. We are working on treating others like we would want them to treat us. We're experiencing many teachable moments in this season. Having a sibiling definitely exposes the sin nature. I can say that for myself too, little man! I'm trusting God that these moments are bringing us closer and closer to the time when you will surrender your heart to Jesus.

Even though you act cheeky with your sister sometimes, it's obvious that you love her. You have this little language of high pitched nonsense words that you use to communicate with her. It sounds like "Peezy, squeezy, sheezy!" You still call her Annabess or sometimes Ann'bess. When we're in the car, you go to great lengths to make her laugh, but then you say, "Annabeth's laughing at me!" We've tried to explain that Annabeth is still just a baby and is incapable of making fun of you. She laughs because she loves you and thinks you're great.

You like to play in your ball pit/tent, ride your trike (we're going to get you a real bike soon), run, climb, be at church, play with other kids, go to school, sleep on the floor, read your Thomas the Train books, be with your grandparents, get presents, go to Walmart (?), and listen to music. You especially like David Crowder and Charlie Hall. You still love cars and get excited when you see airplanes in the sky. You enjoy donuts, Capri Suns, pretzels, carrots, PBJ's, Chick-fil-a, chips and salsa, Fruit by the Foot, and real fruit. Yesterday you told me you needed to drink lots of juice so you could be big like your daddy.

Every day you say the most hilarious things. Of course, sometimes we can't let you know how funny they are. Yesterday morning Daddy apologized to you for being cranky. He said, "I shouldn't have gotten so upset with you. I'm sorry." You asked him if he does wrong things. Daddy said that yes, we all do wrong things. Later that day you were throwing yourself on the floor and having a fit because Daddy wouldn't give you any more cookie-brownies. You looked him in the eye, gritted your teeth and said, "You do wrong things!" Daddy had to come downstairs where he and I laughed so hard, we cried.

You love to play with the girls who live next door. You call them "my girls." They are already in elementary school, but they love to play with you too. Sometimes they knock on the door and ask if you can come out and play. We let you, but we have to come outside with you. Three-year-olds don't get to roam the streets. The girls are probably moving soon and I'm so sad for you. I'm dreading the day when we'll have to break the news to you. Maybe the Lord will bring another neat family to be our neighbors.

Jackson, you're such a great kid and your daddy and I are lucky to be your parents. We think you're the handsomest, smartest, strongest, fastest, funniest, big boy God ever made. We love you to infinity and beyond.
Love,
Mommy

21 comments:

Shelly said...

I'm cracking up over the cookie-brownie moment...

Love that you pause long enough to write these things down to be cherished in the future.

I CANNOT believe Annabeth is nearly 8 months old...

Moose Mama said...

Incredibly sweet and touching, Amanda.

My oldest child accepted Christ at 4. Some people say they don't understand what they are doing at that age. I think they understand enough to know Who HE is and WHAT HE did for them. You will feel like your heart will burst when it finally happens...

Melana

Smelling Coffee said...

What a precious treasure you are building here in journaling these letters to your children. Thanks for sharing those memories with us. :-)

Jennifer

Bobbie said...

Happy 3.5 birthday, Jackson! You're such a handsome dude that gives your Mom, Dad and Annabeth lots of love!

Amanda, he's going to really treasure all your posts to him. This is when I really wish we had had computers when ours were little!

Wish y'all were going to be at the Aggie game tonight.

Gig'em, Bobbie

k and c's mom said...

So, so precious. I loved the list of what he liked and how he didn't understand when Annabeth laughed at him. Jackson: welcome to a lifetime of of not understanding the female mind! Thank you from someone who is closer to being a grandmother, but who remembered her little boy back when he was Jackson's age...

AKat said...

So, so sweet. Jackson is such a handsome little man. I can't believe he is already three and a half! WOW!

The Reardon's said...

So sweet! =)

Kristen said...

Aren't those brother/sister moments just the best? The attempted conversations and the laughing just melt my heart.

Kiki said...

Love this letter. Jackson is so sweet.

Heather said...

I love your letters to your kids Amanda, they are so sweet. Absolutely precious. You have a very funny boy on your hands!

mariel said...

...what siblinghood fails to expose of our sin nature, marriage WILL!! Having a sibling is certainly good practice!

:)

Nancy Mon said...

Love this post!

Rose said...

HELP!!!! Sometime ago you mentioned a clinic that was opened 24 hours and weekends, my 5 year old is running a 104 fever. I got laid off 4 months ago and the insurance we have ER is $100 copay. Please help me will you kindly post the name of this clinic soon. you can delete soon after. Thank you so much, I have tried to search your blog but of course can not find it!!
I've been doing a google search but can't find it for the life of me!! Thank you Amanda!

rose

Marla Taviano said...

Hi, Jackson. I have a little girl named Nina who is just your age. She would LOVE you!

Amanda said...

Rose, you should be able to find a Care Now or some other urgent care clinic in your area. The one I think you might remember me mentioning for kids was in the Dallas area. I pray your son's fever breaks and he gets better soon!

Kelli said...

I am not sure why but the loving to infinity and beyond just choked me up... apparently Toy Story quotes now make emotional. HA! :)

Jackson you are such an amazing 3.5 year old!

amykat said...

These posts are my favorite posts of yours. Love them! My Luke is 3.5, too....and when I read your letters to Jackson, my heart identifies.

Deirdre said...

Love these open letters you write to your kids. This is so important. As the years go by everything will start to muddle together.

I just posted to my baby at one year and I was amazed as I went back through the year. Wow! how did we fit so much into ONE year????

By the way, Jackson is simply adorable.

Lauren said...

Sooo stinkin precious!!! :)

Sarah said...

What a great post--you must print this out for him to read later when he can understand it fully! Love it! :)

katiegfromtennessee said...

This is good for me to read, each age has it's own challenges, I see. It's a crazy ride bringing up little ones, but a super blessing, right? You and Curtis teaching Jackson biblical life principles reminds me of that verse about when you rise up...if I can remember it well enough...very summarized, take every opportunity to teach your kids about God!:) It's good to see how you all do that:)

katiegfromtennessee