Jacob’s 9th Birthday

I do not know where the time is going! Jacob has matured so much this year and is growing up right before our eyes. I so wish I could freeze time.

Jacob was so excited for his birthday. He asked to have pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, sausage, and chocolate milk for breakfast! And that is what we had!

We woke up early because Jacob had asked to go to the aquarium for his birthday celebrations. So after Jacob’s birthday breakfast we headed over to Utah. We met Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Melina at the aquarium in Draper. Jacob loved everything there! He brought his small fish encyclopedia and was carrying it around as he found all of his different creatures. I love his thirst for learning – especially about animals!

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After the aquarium we went over to Gramps and Grammy’s house for a birthday lunch. I am so grateful for their hospitality and for putting the whole thing together. I have felt so scatter brained lately and they were so kind to put together things. Jacob requested tomato soup and grilled cheese – so we ate that in the warm summer heat! The boy likes what he likes! I kept teasing him that he should have been an autumn baby with all of his food selections.

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After lunch and presents we drove back over to Wyoming. Once we got into town, we stopped at IHOP {Jacob’s favorite} for his birthday dinner. We were all pretty tired {and FULL!} and so we snuggled down to watch a movie and called it a night!

The next night we finally had his birthday cake – white chocolate raspberry cheesecake! It was delicious and we were only too happy to stretch out this boy’s celebrations over two days!

Jacob’s Favorites

• What is your favorite thing to do? Draw
• Do you have any nicknames? Jake, Jakobi
• What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian
• What is your favorite thing to do with family? Play games
• What makes you happy? Snow and Lydia
• What do you like to learn about? Math
• What do you do really well? Run
• If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Buy LEGOS!
• What is your favorite thing to do outside? Go on the swings
• If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Alaska and Asia
• If you could have one wish, what would it be? That I could be a child forever!
• What was your favorite birthday present? Camping Legos

• Food: Hot Dogs
• Holiday: Christmas
• Book: Winnie the Pooh
• Toy: Snow
• Treat: Cupcakes
• Song: Better When I’m Dancing by Meagan Trainor
• Animal: Polar Bears
• Movie: Winnie the Pooh
• Color: Red

Our Nine Year Old Boy

There are so many reasons to love Jacob. Here are just a few of my favorite things about him right now.

One thing that has come to my mind several times the last year is Jacob’s bravery. I would say Jacob has a more timid personality – which I realize by definition is the opposite of bravery, but stay with me on this. This last year I have noticed Jacob’s courage. Social situations are really difficult for him. He struggles to engage, to know what to say, and how to act. This last year, Jacob began doing activities with some boys in our church. He would show up to the activities, most of the time it was not boys his age attending, and he didn’t have any friends among them. But he went. He stayed. And he did it over and over again. It’s not easy for him. But I admire him for doing things even when it scares him.

Jacob has an incredible imagination. He loves to make believe and come up with stories and PLAY. I love that he has maintained his imagination in a world that pushes our kids to grow up so quickly.

And I love Jacob’s passion. This boy feels DEEPLY about the things that interest him. His current passion is mammals. His Grandma gave him some old encyclopedias a couple years ago and he loves to read them, make his own books about animals, draw animals, and wants to help them. He loves them and I love watching his love for them.

Jacob you are so very loved. I wish so many good things for you. But my greatest wish is that you never doubt the love of your family and the love of your Heavenly Father. You have so much goodness in you. We love you, forever.