24 Day Countdown

WITH......BOOKS!!!!!

I love Christmas. I love traditions. I love books. I started this tradition last year and it is one of my faves. I wrapped 24 Christmas books and put them under our tree. Jacob gets to open one every night leading up until Christmas Eve. Last year he so enjoyed opening his books and reading the stories. This kid LOVES to read so I have high hopes that this year will be wonderful.

We open our first one tonight. Can't wait to see which one he picks!!!

Christmas time is Here

Two nights ago we put our Christmas tree up. I just LOVE a decorated house at Christmas. Jacob really got into it this year. He had such a good time putting ornaments on the tree and looking at the lights. We had some yummy finger foods and listened to Christmas music while we decorated. Then, we watched a Christmas movie and ate popcorn and peppermint brownies. YUMM!!

my two sweet boys

putting his ornaments on

so excited about his big bird ornament that he picked out

a final pic cause I just adore these two

Our Tiniest Friend

We had a visitor arrive last night.

Jacob was getting ready for bed when the doorbell rang.

We ran to see who it was.

Someone had left a package on our doorstep.
Jacob was SUPER excited!!!.......
and, Samson was too. :)

special delivery....all the way from the North Pole

What is it mommy?

Say hello to our littlest friend........Nordy.

Last night when Jacob went to bed we read the book that Nordy brought with him. It explained how he comes to stay with a family until Christmas and every night he flies back to the North Pole to make a report to Santa. Then, he will be back at our house by the time Jacob wakes up.

This morning Jacob rushed to see where Nordy was hiding. :) This is going to be such a fun few weeks. I have a feeling Nordy is a pretty mischievous little dude. :)

Here Comes Good Old Santa

Jacob saw Santa over Thanksgiving break. He wasn't scared at all. Ya'll he just hopped up next to ole Santa like they were best buds and told him what he wanted for Christmas. In case you are wondering, he wants a "money thing" (cash register), some sunglasses, and "taco cat" (Richard Scary Busytown stuff). Seems pretty easy to please....hopefully Santa can deliver!! Jacob has been very curious where Santa keeps all the toys so he asked him. Santa told him they are in the toy shop at the North Pole. We've been talking about the North Pole a lot the past few days. :)

I just LOVE Christmas and am thrilled that the season is upon us. I also LOVE traditions. We started some fun ones last year and I have a few new ones to add this year. I hope to share some of them with you. First up.....we have a new little friend that will be coming to stay with us until Christmas Day. He arrives tomorrow. Ah. I. Can't. Wait.

Hope you all take time to really enjoy this season, be present with family/friends, and most importantly remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Super Sweet 3

My Sweet Jacob,

I have thought much about what I wanted to write to you on this, your 3rd birthday. Three years ago today, your daddy and I rushed to the hospital - you were on your way. We had no idea what you would look like or be like. All we knew was that we couldn't wait to meet you. The moment they placed your tiny little body (all wrapped up in a blanket) in my arms, I knew it was over. How could I love someone so much? And, I have not stopped loving you. Three years later I still love you more than life itself.

There are days when I feel like life is moving too fast. You are growing up too quickly. Sometimes I wish I could reverse time and go back to when you would just lay in my arms all day. But I can't. And you wouldn't want to. I know I must embrace the present and all the ways that you are growing and learning. We talk all the time about how you are becoming such a big boy. And you are. But know this - you are not just any old big boy. You are nothing but regular. You are special. You are one-of-a-kind. There has never been and there never will be another Jacob Thomas Vaughn.

You are becoming such a wonderful young man. You are learning to use good manners, you are learning what it means to be a good friend, you are caring and gentle, you are thoughtful and oh so smart, you are learning to make good choices, you are a great sharer, you are loving and kind towards others. These things and so much more make me so proud.

You are also full of life, exuberant, joyful, playful, easy-going, mischievous, strong-willed, wild at heart, full -out/head on ALL BOY!!!! And, I love every bit of you.

One of my favorite things about this stage of your life is watching you grow to love God's Word. Your Bible (front cover missing and all) is your favorite book. We read a story in it every night before bed. You get so excited to see what story will be next. I love seeing your excitement and wonder over stories such as Noah's Ark, Jonah and the Whale, Adam and Eve, and feeding the 5,000. May you always be amazed by a boat that held every type of animal, a man that got swallowed by a whale, a snake that can talk, and how 2 fish and some bread could feed so many people. It is my prayer that you will grow to delight in God's Word more and more and that you will continue to discover the wealth of riches among it's pages.

As a mom, it is so hard for me to not want to control every part of your life. Up until now I feel like I've been able to do a pretty good job of knowing what was going on. I have taken care of you, provided for you, clothed you, fed you, rocked you to sleep, been with you every second of every day. As you are getting bigger I realize that this is going to be harder. You are beginning to have experiences and relationships outside of me. I know that I must trust God to take care of you and to be there when I can't. I know this is something I will have to pray for continually.

I wanted to write down a few of my favorite things you are doing/saying at 3:
-you are now in your big boy room. every morning you run into our room saying, "i looked out my window. it's light out. i can get up now.
-you love to read books
-"i don't need you anymore. i can do it myself. (this one kinda makes me sad, but you say it so cutely).
-noodle (needle), bleed (blood), shadow (the hangy thing in the back of your throat)
-the way you say the street to get to our house - Pennywinwin
-you are learning to play board games
-you are learning a lot more Spanish
-letter sound/recognition (A,B,C,G,H,M,O,W). you can also spell your name.
-get so excited about going to sporting events. we just went to your first hockey game and you loved it.
-you love to go to church
-you love your friends
-you love to spend quality time with your daddy
-you give me great big hugs and say "i love you" - melts my heart every time.
-when your daddy or I have been gone and we come back you wrap your arms around our neck and say, "I sure did miss you".
-you love to have your back scratched
-your FAVORITE thing to do right now is watch the garbage truck. we sit outside or sometimes ride your trike down the sidewalk and watch it pick up all the trash. you love to shout, "it's garbage day!!"
-going to the library
-you have so many facial expressions and voices. i really think you might be the "class clown"

I still can't believe you are another year older. I am so thankful everyday that you are healthy and growing strong. I am so thankful God gave you a mind that can think, a heart that can beat, eyes that can see, ears that can hear, and legs that can move. I am thankful you are active and love to be with other people. I am thankful you are not chronically sick. I am thankful you are mine. Out of all the children in the world, I only want you. And out of all the mommies and daddies in the world, I am thankful God chose us to be yours. May we strive to be the example of a Christ-centered life for you. May everything we do point you to Him and remind you of your need for a Savior. We are not going to be perfect. We are going to make mistakes (as you already know). But know this, no two people will love you more. No matter who you are or what you become. No matter the choices you make - good or bad. NOTHING. NOTHING will make us stop loving you.

You fill each day with so much joy and laughter. I am so proud of you my sweet blessing. I love you more than words.

Mommy

It's a Goldfish Party

We had a few friends over on Saturday to celebrate Jacob's 3rd birthday....goldfish style. It was the cutest theme and I'm so glad we decided to go with it. We have such sweet friends and it was a beautiful day for a party!!

Above is the cupcake area. I found a fish net and cut some goldfish out of construction paper for decor. Jacob and I also went to the pet store and got some goldfish. They are in the bowl on the left. It was a cheap and fun addition.

the present area
you can see the streamers in the mirror
they went across the whole ceiling to create
an underwater feel

cupcakes with chocolate goldfish

sweet little Walter

Andrew went straight for the tball
that boy can hit!!

getting ready to eat some snacks

blowing some bubbles

not sure about this pic, but his hair cracks me up

we pulled out the parachute
so fun

jacob loved it!!

taking out the candle

mmmmm...this icing sure is good

Favorite part of the party was the Go Fish game. I found some fabric that looked like water and made a fishing pole out of a dowel rod and some string. Each child got to go fishing for a prize (thank you Dollar Tree!!)....it was a huge hit!!!

who's first?

little miss meg

abraham checking out his cars sticker/stamp book

jacob got a car puzzle

princess necklaces for miss addy

and finally, we opened some presents
thank you to our sweet friends for being so thoughtful

the youngest guest....precious Milly

Jacob and Addy sat on the front porch to eat their gummy fish suckers
what silly friends these two are!!

What a great day for a celebration!!! Happy Birthday to you our sweet boy. Every day with you is such a blessing.