Our little man turned 5 yesterday. For 5 short years this guy has had so much life in him. From the time he first started kicking during my pregnancy, there was not one single day that he didn’t kick…even on the delivery day-he was still kicking. From early on after his birth, he would shoot his fist in the air, grunt, and never sleep! In fact the only time he was completely calm that first year was the first week after birth when he had jaundice which made him sleepy.

To settle down to sleep we would often find ourselves sitting his bouncy chair underneath the kitchen exhaust fan or placing him in the bathroom (for a short while) with the exhaust fan on as well. Within a couple of months he was pushing himself to standing up while strapped into his bouncy chair. This guy found a way to wiggle out of things. And he would get his leg moving in that bouncy chair and it would rock so hard and almost fall over. When he sat up for the first time I was delighted that I would have several lovely months (as I did with the daughter) to enjoy him sitting, but not moving around the house getting in to things. But then a couple of weeks later he was crawling! As soon as he could stand he found his sister’s doll highchair, got behind it and zoomed all over the house. His grunts and coos were constant and it seemed he could never calm himself down, nor sleep through the night. This was a new adventure to me.

And (as a former hyperactive child and strong willed one) I was reading Dr. Dobson’s “The Strong Willed Child” learning how to possibly parent him differently than the first. I had assumed a lot of him in the 12 short months he was alive.

And then a year came. And things totally changed. He slept through the night. No more fist pumping and endless crying. He was walking and so much happier and he was talking….a lot and all of the time. He put words together quickly into sentences and then into phrases and then into complex thoughts. I can only think he had so much to say that first year that he just wasn’t able to get out.

And since that first hard year since his birth, we have had the most delightful following four years. This may sound cliche, but to know this guy is to love him. To us (grandparents & sister included) he is one of the most interesting individuals we have ever met. His thoughts are so intriguing and complex. He wakes up in the morning ready to go for the day and he plays….every minute he can. In fact, when we took a short trip overnight he cried when we arrived at the hotel, because he didn’t “get his playtime in.” He loves his sister dearly and holds his own playing with her despite the age difference.

Those who teach him in class or come across him often get a twinkle in their eye when they speak of him. He finds humor in things and loves adventure and travel. His heart is so tender and he always tells you (and often others–cringe) exactly what is on his mind. He will challenge you on your knowledge of animals and he always has time for cuddling with mom and dad. He breaks out in “expressive dance” regularly when you are not looking. Several years ago while singing “Living La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin he said “Living Va Lida Locust”. Nothing says it clearer.

When I think of the past 5 years of his life, my overarching feeling and thought is, “Thank you Lord for this wonderful gift of our son. How did we ever get so blessed to be his parents?” So today, happy 5th birthday Young Jedi. You are truly amazing.

-julie

Our tiny dog Celli (named “Botticelli Venus” after my favorite painting) passed away January 22nd from mast cell cancer. For several months she had battled fast growing tumors popping up near her mouth and salivary glands. After 3 successful surgeries catching them in the initial stages, she took a turn for the worse when a growth in her salivary gland decreased her appetite and made it difficult to keep food down.

God had planned the timing because she died, much to my shock, on the very day our family was in flight over the Atlantic Ocean back to Wales. My mom took her to the doctor that morning after taking us to the airport only to find out that another tumor was growing. After struggling with her food for days, by night she was barely reacting. When you only weigh 3.5 pounds, days of little food have a great effect on your body.

I have to admit that it was a strange homecoming to Wales mourning the death of one’s beloved dog.

It was always hard for us leaving her in Texas with my parents when we moved to Wales because we knew it would be a dreadful adjustment for her coming to Wales, but God had amazing grace on Brad and I as we were able to enjoy her fully for the 6 months we spent in the US. She was happy and herself until the very end and loved our children very much.

I said goodbye to her on the morning we left the country, knowing that I would never see her again, but God, in his extreme kindness allowed me to be with her for all of her last days. And how amazing was that?

My parents were saints through it all and loved her immensely. They had to say goodbye to their children and grandchildren as they left on a plane in the morning and goodbye forever to their precious little adopted dog as night came around. What wonderful memories we have with such a small dog who held a large place in our heart.

-julie