Happy Birthday Jaden!

With Johanna in Vicksburg, admiring a house they liked.

Jaden is a semi-expert on weaponry.  He enjoyed posing next to this cannon in Vicksburg.

A self-portrait with my phone

Cheesy smile, but still sincere

Jaden and I, about to go to the park for some outdoor recreation

He’s becoming quite expert at the swing.   He enjoys the thrill of jumping out and landing safely.

Johanna, Jaden and I at the park.  It was rather blustry that day.

Jaden having a uniquely Japanese experience, eating Green Tea ice cream with chopsticks!  We visited friends of our uncle who live in Birmingham, and they treated our family to some authentic Japanese food.

Jaden and a Chinese dragon, at the National Missionary Convention, Atlanta Georgia.  I took him for several strolls around the exhibit hall, due to his restlessness.

We found a kids station at the NMC and he spent a lot of time creating cool things out of the toys they had there.

He was so proud of his creation!  Jaden is very creative, and loves to build things.

With Phoebe, reading plaques at the USS Cairo memorial in Vicksburg.  He was fascinated by this gun boat that was sunk during the Civil War.

In downtown, enjoying the festivities of Dickins of a Christmas, and the race Caleb ran in.

He has begged me to take his picture on this spiraled staircase in downtown many times.  The Saturday after Thanksgiving afforded us an opportunity, and it turned out to be a cute picture of Jaden.

One of his favorite things… with Caleb. Legos!  For his birthday, he got a huge trains set.  He’s in love.

Posing beside his new set!

Jaden joined our family nine years ago tonight.  I was excited to be a big sister once again, and it has been my privilege to help take care of him from the time he was just a few hours old.

Funny thing: our family held a contest of sorts in the days leading up to his birth, whoever guessed the day nearest to the actual day of his birth got to give him his first bath and dress him.  I choose December 17th, and two days later he was born.  I got to bathe and dress him.  Such a sweet memory.

J — Jovial, joyous, just goofy
A — Alert, always ready to play Legos, all-boy
D – Daring, darling, dimpled, dandy
E – Eager, earnest, ever-ready to assist Caleb or spend time with his chicken
N – Now nine, naturally a lover of outdoor activity, neat in his dress

He’s my little brother, and its hard for me to believe he’s growing up so quickly, the years have slipped past and I look back upon them with fondness.

Happy Birthday Jaden!  I love you.