Three Years Ago

Three years ago I got an awesome gift which I named Brady. This gift takes a lot of effort to take care of and maintain, but the rewards are worth it. Brady has a certain power over me...his smile and affection can cheer me up even on my worst days. His expressions and mannerisms are priceless, especially his dancing. He loves making people laugh.

So today I give thanks for my little boy who fills me with so much joy. May we have many more years together ~

My Birthday Boy!

What is today? Since I have been reminded every day for the past few weeks, I am certain that today Jacob turns 7 years old! My baby is growing up. This year he is in 1st grade and has been doing great...especially in math and spelling. That boy has a fantastic memory! The only time he gets in trouble in school is for not being a "quiet worker" :) Jacob has taken an interest in sports this year. Played his first year of summer ball, and now also likes basketball since Jeremy got him playing it on Playstation. The boys ask constantly to play PIG on the little hoop they have upstairs.

Some highlights of the year have been taking his first trip to the ocean, receiving his Nintendo DS for Christmas from Papa D (which he plays frequently), moving into his "own" room, getting his first pair of "tie" shoes, singing his first solo at church, and of course losing a bunch of teeth! Today he wanted to be a "packer" and bring a PB&J sandwich. Then later we are off to Acres of Fun. Thankfully the snow has stopped so we can go!

One more year that I'm amazed at watching my son grow and learn. One more year that I am humbled and challenged through my role as a mother. And one more year that I am thankful for the love and grace shown to me along the way. Praying for many more...

Happy Birthday, Isaac!

Although I've been saying it for a month now, today it is official...Isaac is 4 years old. He is full of mischief, but is cute enough to get away with it :)

One day I came into the kitchen just in time to see Isaac shut the fridge. I came up and asked him what he was doing. He of course says "Nothing". So I asked him what the white powder was all over his face. "I don't know." Hmm...after smelling it I realized what he had done and couldn't keep from smiling. It was Parmesan cheese! But sometimes Isaac doesn't get into trouble on his own...

Jacob started using Isaac as his scapegoat at an early age. Isaac was about a year old at the time. I could hear that he was awake in his crib, but wanted a little extra sleep, so I told Jacob to go in and keep Isaac happy. I was pleasantly surprised that he obeyed...until I walked in a while later to find everything covered in white powder! Jacob says "Isaac did it". But he left out the fact that he was the one who handed Isaac the open container of baby powder...

And of course since Isaac is the middle child, he can learn from his older brother ways to torment the younger one. There are many days that Isaac is just cracking up laughing, while Brady is screaming due to him taking a toy away (and mom is about to lose it...lol). But along with the mischief comes an adorable little boy who brings a lot of smiles and laughter into our home. Thank you God for this wonderful gift.

How Do YOU Eat an Oreo Cookie?

This is how the Gessners eat an Oreo cookie...on a fork! Jeremy came up with this idea as a child and began a tradition. He wanted to be able to immerse the Oreo in milk without getting his fingers messy. Now even little Brady enjoys his Oreo on a fork (actually, it's a generic sandwich cookie...but he doesn't know the difference)

Speaking of Brady, he turns 2 years old next week. My "baby" is growing up. I'm trying to treasure this time with him. He is the only one of my boys that is still a mama's boy. He wants to be with me all the time and smothers me with hugs and kisses. Last night I was laying on the floor and he was blowing raspberries on my stomach, making his brothers laugh hysterically because it sounded like mommy was farting (for those of you without boys...this is what it's like!) Then I got out the video camera and taped the boys playing hide and seek with daddy...all of them screaming like little girls when they found Jeremy. Moments I will always treasure.

Brady turning 2 is significant, because if I would have kept to my child-bearing pattern, baby #4 would soon be on the scene! Thank God for vasectomies...lol. I love my kids, but I have enough :) And when I start to miss holding the little babies, I can always volunteer in Hopeland.

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

My little baby is now 6 years old! Everyone has told me how quickly the time goes by, and they are right! I can remember holding him in my arms, thinking how long it would be till he started school. Now he is in Kindergarten learning to read. Math is his favorite subject...just like his parents :) This picture of Jacob captures his personality well...full of joy and excitement (when he gets to do what he wants of course...lol)

This year I decided to start a tradition of writing a letter to my children on their birthdays. Telling them what I enjoy about them at this age and any other words of wisdom I want to pass along. Then I'm going to put the letter in an envelope, seal it, and file it away. I'm not sure exactly when I might present this gift...I hope I am around to do it. But it puts me at peace knowing that if for some reason God does call me home unexpectedly, I will have left this gift for my children behind.