That's my boy...

Just when you think you're gonna hang 'em up by their toes...they start growing up!

Jonathan has certainly been a loveable challenge from day one.  When he was little he cried...A LOT!  Of course the doctor said "oh it's just colic"...isn't that always why babies cry?!  He didn't sleep through the night until he was 9 months old.  And he would not drink his formula...any kind.  Oh almost forgot...he hated riding in the car...screamed from the second his bum hit the seat until you released him from his car seat prison.  As he got older things became much clearer about his behavior.  He does NOT like milk...still not a big fan, chocolate milk occasionally...but loves ice cream and cheese.  Therefore, his tummy was never really full until he started eating solid food.  He's also a pretty light sleeper, until recently, if you walked in his room he was awake.  We had to be very creative about leaving his baby teeth in places the "tooth fairy" could find them without waking Jon up :)  And he still gets bored in the car...thank goodness for iPods and GameBoys.

He is very head strong.  If it's what HE wants to do he is devoted and determined.  However, if he doesn't want to...he won't!!  No matter what begging, pleading or threats take place. He enjoys all the typical "boy" things.  Likes guns and hunting, going fishing, playing outside with his friends, racing his junior dragster and loves eating junk food.  He still doesn't like to sleep anymore than necessary.  He's a great baseball player, too!

Jon likes to "know what's going on" but is starting to learn to sit and watch and listen...requiring much more patience than just asking/demanding to "know"...a sign of maturity.  Yesterday was a busy, rewarding and healing day.  We took 2 hours as a family to clean!  Everyone pitched in and worked steady for two hours and the house definitely looked much better.  Then his buddy from school came over...much to Dad's dislike.  This young man has been a friend of Jon's for years and at his birthday party a couple years ago was quite a handfull...therefore Frank was not happy about his coming over.  But thankfully he is growing up too...(Mitch not Frank...ok I guess Frank too hehe).  They had a great time playing and were very well behaved..I'm sure there will be many more play dates.  Dear friends of ours who have had an extremely difficult time came for a visit...felt like old times.  A little tense at times, but it felt great to be together again laughing and telling stories.

Jon has been working hard back at his old/new school.  He is starting to enjoy reading and I've had alot of good reports from his teachers.  After everyone left last night Frank and I were sitting in our respective chairs and Jon came to us and said he had something to say.  With a tear in his eye he said how thankful and lucky he was to have a roof over his head and parents who loved him.  He said we probably wouldn't take it but offered us each $5 as a thank you "from his heart" for all we do.  We refused his money but said we would accept a hug and a kiss as "payment".  Yep...our little boy is growing up!  And just in case your not sure...a hug and a kiss from your 12 year old little boy (young man) is worth soooo much more than $5.