**I’m going to take a little time to write a “featurette” about each of the kids this Thanksgiving season. Because, well – I’m thankful for them! And I love ‘em. How unique they are! We are blessed by them being a part of our family and we enjoy watching each unfold into the person God has created him or her to be, and we are grateful.**
First in the line-up is Jake. Simply because he was born into our family first. Jake prefers to be called Jake now. So we call him Jake. Sometimes “Jacob slips out”. He doesn’t mind. ‘Cause he’s like that. He is very forgiving and understanding. Some of his greatest qualities are his consideration and thoughtfulness of others.
What’s he been up to lately? School. He’s facing 9th grade head on and is doing great! We knew this year would challenge him like no other has, since we enrolled him in Circle Christian School. It’s sweet, because of this year he says, “It’s hard, but I know it’s good for me. And I’m learning a lot, so it’s good!” That’s my boy, turning difficulties into learning opportunities and making something positive of it. 🙂
Now, I have to brag about him for just a moment: he’s getting superb grades. Like, “straight A’s” superb. And we’re not talking simple subject matters. He’s read books such as The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne), America’s Last Best Hope (William Bennett) and Know What You Believe (Paul Little). He’s writing essays and giving presentations (including one on the Great Awakening in full costume– wig and all! I promised I wouldn’t include a photo of that. You know, he *is* 15 and all.) He’s had biology quizzes and passages to memorize and hours of algebra.
Jake is smart but I want to say, because I’m just so proud of him, school truly doesn’t come very easy to him. So I admire how hard he works to reach such high achievements in all his honors’ classes. And the only reason I mention that is because I believe it displays part of his character. Not to say that coming by something easily isn’t wonderful, but when one truly has to work hard to obtain what one earns, it’s exceptional – it shows commitment and determination. I see that in him.
Besides school, he’s enjoying the youth group at River Run Christian Church. I can’t say enough good things about them! He’s meeting friends (some he calls “buddies” because he doesn’t think they’ve become close enough yet to reach “friend” status – this guy gets it! Facebook doesn’t have anything on him!) He’s volunteering with Sunday School classes on Sunday mornings. He’s getting the hang of texting and loves to try keeping in touch with friends and family far away.
He loves to fish, has started running, and has a new pull up bar scored at a yard sale that now hangs from a door way in the house and is put to use several times a day. He’s begun collecting quotes and has a penchant for sharing them at appropriate moments, which of course, I think is fabulous. I do love some good quotes myself! He writes down his favorite songs and enjoys music, as the whole household does.
Being Jake, he has a knack for stirring up trouble with siblings and getting them riled. But one would be rather boring if one didn’t have a sense of mischief now and then, don’t you think?? 🙂 And I have to remind him regularly that he was once 7 (like his little brother), and just as much a rascal!
I just love this kid, no longer a kid. Recently, in line at a local store, a mom was chasing down her active toddler, looking weary and tired. She made a comment about “kids!!” I turned and looked at the “kid” next to me – now taller than me, with broadening shoulders and masculine features . . . amazingly, looking like his father and mother, all in one person. And I smiled at him. My “kid” is almost grown up. And I love him more than I did the day I gave birth to him. My heart aches knowing I’ll send him off on his own — too soon! But it also soars, knowing this young man loves my Jesus – HIS Jesus. So I trust him to the One that created him and is allowing us to “borrow” him for a little while. My, how fast it goes! Yep, I’m thankful for Jake.
P.S. Because just one cute young man holding a cute baby photo is not enough . . .
I’m in agreement. Jake, you’re growing up way too fast for me but you are turning into such a wonderful man that it makes the speed a little easier to take. But always know, you may be too big for me to play the piano on now, but you’ll never be too big for me to throw a cup of water on you! 😉 And I’ll definitely have to see the Great Awakening pic! Love you.
So sweet, Crys. Ha! We got a kick out of your comment. I’ll have to text you the picture 😉
Love this post, BUT love Jake even more! He truly is a remarkable young man and as Crys said, growing up way too fast. It’s been such a fun time seeing him grow from that little baby who loved to eat to the person he is now. His amazing spirit and the way he is with others is a good example to all of us.
P.S. All these pictures are too cute of him, but I really like the first one! 😉
Awww, thanks! He did have a funny way of eating, didn’t he??! That first picture is one of my favorites! It’s my laptop wallpaper right now. 🙂
I really love Jake and can’t think he is going to be driving soon. I mean, it’s crazy to picture my older brother in a car, driving to school, to Publix, etc. Anyway, I got off track. Jake does love kids, just like kids love him. He did look nice in the Great Awakining picture! 😉
I love you, Jake!
-Halia
That’s so sweet! You’ll love it when he’s driving and can take you to the store or youth group! 😀
She’s right, Halia. I still remember when my big brother got his license and we were going to piano lessons together at the time. So he drove us both to our lesson and then we went out to brunch to Bob’s Big Boy or something like that, just us two. So very special.
It sounds VERY special!