Ten

To quote from my own Facebook status update earlier today,  "I can't believe that it was 10 years ago today that my name was changed to Mommy! Happy Birthday to our first-born, Jack, who daily brings SO much joy & laughter into our lives!"

So, in honor of his 10th Birthday, I have compiled a Top Ten List!

Top Ten Things I Love About Jack

Number 10--His boundless energy...Jack is always moving, jumping, throwing a football & catching it, diving onto the furniture or running around. I wish I had just a few ounces of that energy!

 Number 9--Jack's great sense of humor & his precious smile...he is always telling jokes or doing little things to make us laugh. His famous "monkey face" almost always does the trick when Drew is having a melt-down...a few looks at "monkey-face" and Drew usually dissolves into giggles! Although it is often difficult to capture on camera because he prefers to make funny faces, he truly has an awesome smile!

Number 8--His kind & generous heart...Jack is always thinking of little gifts that his friends or siblings would like. Then he often uses his own $$ or trips to the "treasure box" to get things for others!

Number 7--His strong sense of justice...I'm thankful that Jack notices when someone is being treated unfairly & he is not afraid to stand up for what is right & defend others.

(Here is Jack with his teacher & some classmates right before they sang Happy Birthday.)

Number 6--His attention to detail...I can always count on Jack to notice what's new...an outfit or earrings, a new home accessory, game, toy or if I have rearranged the furniture or moved a vase 2 inches to the left! (Although, somehow this attention does not translate to his own room where he somehow doesn't notice clothes strewn on the floor.)

Number 5--His sharp mind...we praise God for giving Jack a good mind & a genuine love for learning new things. Jack loves to read & figure out the way things work. 

Number 4--His helpful attitude...Jack is a great helper around the house, often picking up toys & messes that he did not make. (And sometimes even with a smile!)

Number 3--Just being around Jack is nice, his company is enjoyable. It is nice to have a conversation with him & hear what he has to say. 

Number 2--Jack is an awesome big brother! Granted, he has had lots of practice, but he has risen to the occasion each time a new brother or sister has been added! Jack dotes on Lucy, wrestles with Drew, reads to Darcy & plays games with Sophie. He looks out for his younger sisters & brother & that makes my heart smile!

And the Number 1 thing I love about Jack is....

His love for the Lord!! Jack truly enjoys reading the Bible & hiding its Word in his heart. He has an amazing ability to memorize Scripture & understand Bible stories & their meanings. We know that the Lord has great plans in store for Jack (Jeremiah 29:11) & we pray that he will continue to grow in his walk with Jesus, seeking Him daily & growing to more & more like Him each year. 

We have had a great time celebrating Jack this week! We started with our traditional grandparents/cousins party last Saturday night. 

Today, we followed that up with lunch & donuts today with Jack's class. 

And we still have one more celebration in store, this weekend Jack has invited a few friends for a sleep-over & minute-to-win-it style games! 

Ten. I still can't believe it, but it is certainly true, and definitely something to celebrate!! Jack is worth all the parties, doughnuts, fun, and much, much more! We love you, Jack! Thanks for being the first little one to call me Mommy, what a blessing you are to all of us!