"Moooooon"

Well, a couple of things...

Last I think I posted Jake had been hit by a stick close to his right eye on the inside corner.  That began to heal and then he fell off his scooter (yes, he rides it like he's 5 or 6 and not 2) and hit the outside corner of his right eye.  It left a little gash that I watched closely and made my own "butterfly stitch" with a bandaid and that has finally healed up pretty nicely as well.  We're grateful for vision in Jake's right eye.  Jeff and Jenna very cleverly coached Jake into wearing his Cars helmet now and so that was a small step towards safety.  It was very hard to explain to him when he first got home why he needed to wear a helmet, but now he understands so much more.  It was also hilarious to watch Jeff and Jenna ride around with that helmet and fight over it and make so much over the cars on it (Jake is a transportation boy....likes cars, airplanes, trains, anything that moves...he's fascinated with them).  It was especially funny to see that helmet sit atop Jeff's head (Jeff has a pretty large head:)). 

Okay, also I have a very dear friend at our homeschool co-op that keeps helping me to take notice of other things that are the same in all languages (like car, motorcycle, and train sounds).  I realized that sounds that creation (both God's and ours) utters are in the same language.  Think about it......  So if Jake imitates any of those sounds, it's the same as our utterance of them.  If he hears a rock plop into some water and imitates the sound, it's "plop" or "ker-plop" just like the sound I make.  It's language that's different.  Words do hold power.  I wish that I could use mine to encourage more and to guard my mouth better.  I want to build up and not tear down.  It also reminds me about what the Bible says about the power of the name of Jesus and that someday all knees will bow and tongues will confess that Jesus is Lord. 

Jake's English is moving along so fast.  It is really unbelievable.  He understands almost all of what we are saying and can imitate almost all our words (though he doesn't always know what they mean).  His understanding though of hundreds of English words just amazes me.  I can see more and more each day what a marvelous addition he is to our family.  We are so blessed.  People often comment that he is blessed, but we are so blessed to have been entrusted with his life. 

The final tidbit that I wanted to comment on is that just about a week ago Jake took notice of the moon.  He just couldn't get over it and the next 2 hours conversation went something like this:

Jake:  "Mooooon"
Mommy:  "Yes, Jake, that's the moon.  Isn't it marvelous.  God made the moon."
Jake:  "Mooooon"
Mommy:  "Yes, Jake, that's the moon.  Isn't it beautiful.  God made the moon and God made you."
Jake:  "Mommy, mooooooooooon."
Mommy:  "Yes, Jake, that's the moon.  Isn't it awesome (here's where I started to vary by adjectives and every response thereafter just had another adjective and then I'd cycle back through....bear in mind we were shopping for shoes)."
Jake:  same thing
Mommy:  "Parker, can you talk to Jake about the moon."
Parker:  real enthusiastic in the beginning "Yes, Jake, that's the moon.  Isn't it incredible."
Jake: same thing.
Parker: same sort of conversation as I had

Well this went on all night and absolutely annoyed Parker to death as Jenna and I tried to find shoes.  Parker was spent.  And every day and night since then has been more of the same.  But this afternoon, something changed :).  Jake added "moooooon, bee Mommy".  That meant "mooon, share Mommy" which meant "mooooon, please get it for me Mommy".  I just couldn't believe it.  He thinks I can get him the moon.  It was just precious.  He really thinks I can get him the moon!  I haven't fully processed that....it's probably just a two-year old thing, but I am just thrilled that he looks to me for so much.  I might even be able to get him the moon.  Don't worry.  I haven't promised him that.  As a matter of fact, I've told him that I can't get it for him but that I would read to him a precious book about another child that wanted the moon.  I just thought it was so precious and wanted to share.

Please keep praying for this little fellow and my other children and for Jeff and I.  We feel like we are on a journey and want to be found faithful to teach this little one as well as our others all about the sweet, sweet love of Jesus.  Pray that our testimony would be strong.

Here are just a few pictures:

Parker has taken an interest in photography and has been capturing some really cool things.  Jenna took this shot, but Parker had the idea.

 Jake watching baseball, football, or some other "ball" on tv with Dad.

 Andrew has taken up soccer and is loving it!

 Here's one of tons of precious pictures Parker took of Jenna.

 All of the children at Carroll Joyner Park.  Jake's hair has been trimmed down a bit since the photo:)

Parker posing for the camera!