Jyson is 8!

This is one of the first family photos we have. It was taken 6 weeks after John & I got engaged (thanks Jill). Jyson had just turned 3 the week before. Five years later I still consider it a privilege to be a part of this family. I know it has not always been easy for McKelle, Jake, & Jyson to go back and forth between homes, but I'm grateful for the time we've spent together.
Last Sunday we celebrated Jyson's 8th birthday. We had 22 people at our house for his party. Thanks to our great families for their love and support!Here is Jyson, doing what he's great at - getting people's attention.

Since it was Jyson's birthday, I have a few words to say about him. I love him dearly! He is spunky and funny and smart and darling (I'm sure he'd prefer handsome).He has always had an obsession about time. Before he could read numbers on a digital clock, he wanted to know, "What time is it?" He loves calendars and schedules. He wants to know in advance what time he has to be where.

Jyson LOVES people, and especially kids. He loves playing with his cousins, neighbors, siblings. When we go to a restaurant, he wants to sit at a table near other kids. He'll say hi or wave to anyone that will give him some attention in return.He has an amazing memory. When he was just little (3 and 4), he could tell you how to get to several places. He learned his alphabet and numbers very quickly. If you tell him some fact, I'm often amazed much later when he can recall exactly what you said.

One of my favorite things that we do is sing in the car (where we seem to spend a lot of time). We've been doing it for years and it still entertains me. Some of our favorites: Zippidee Doo Dah; Mary Had a Little Lamb; Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; John, Jake, & Jyson-heimer Lloyd (adapted from John Jacob Jingle-heimer Schmidt; Baa, Baa, Black Sheep; Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (our recent addition); and many more. He loves to sing in different voices, at different speeds, and with great vibrato endings.
Jyson is a great kid with a good heart. He loves to snuggle up during a movie. He's a great reader. He loves to play games, any kind, any time. He loves movies. He loves bowling. He loves anything outside. His favorite colors are red, orange, and yellow. He's a great eater - rarely says no to trying new food and often out-eats me. I could go on, but I'll stop as I began - I love him dearly!