Finally - A "How You Growin' Owen" Post

It occurred to me recently - along with a small side of guilt, since this is essentially Owen's baby book - that it's been a looong time since I've done the kind of "Owen update" that use to be the bread and butter 'round here. But, I thought happily, what better time than the eve of a new year to jot down musings and memories of how our little guy is growing?

We continue to be very blessed in regards to Owen's good physical health. Though he remains at the low end of the charts in terms of height and weight (although volunteering at his school and going for lunches, I wouldn't say that he is noticeably smaller than most of his classmates), he progresses on his own track nicely. He likes to jump on the bathroom scale and announce his weight - last check it was 43.6 lbs. More importantly, he very rarely gets ill and has only had to take antibiotics once.

I sure believe God knew what he was doing when he gave me Owen, because, just like his mama, the kid seems to struggle with some anxiety issues. This past spring, he had a tough time dealing with Dennis' accident and disappearance from his life (they were good buddies), and at the same time was struggling with some social issues at school. We ended up taking him to a child therapist, and Miss Kate helped Owen a great deal. He learned some solid coping strategies that we still practice, and has moved forward with confidence and his usual happiness.

And 98% of the time he is pure joy (although absolutely stubborn and opinionated!). Happy, inquisitive, sweet, funny and still, at 7, cuddly. While most people think of Owen as being on the quiet side, he is very talkative with us, and Bob and I often chuckle at the insightful and witty comments that pop out at unexpected moments. He likes singing along to "Sweet Caroline" with me, eating anything from the ocean, staying up late, and has a fondness for accessories! He does not like collar shirts, brushing his teeth, salad, or shopping.

He is doing great at his new school, and has made many friends. As we suspected from the start, he shines brightest in math, but I'm also amazed daily by how well he is reading. He continues to love all animals; his favorite being the cheetah. I've learned quite a bit about crocodiles, spiders, snakes and other big cats as well via the books he brings home from the school library.

Owen still likes dinosaurs (and John Deere, and Monster Trucks ... he's loyal), and has recently become interested in rocks and minerals. He enjoys learning about the presidents and the states, will sit for an hour or more making bracelets on the Rainbow Loom, and runs wild with a new Nerf gun (what is it with boys anyway?).

Like most kids, Owen's favorite place to be is outside. He loves the beach, fishing with Daddy, and sledding with the neighborhood kids. Indoors, its Wii, games on his Kindle, anything that involves me sitting on the floor and playing, and a new found interest in drawing (yeah!).

So, to wrap this up, let's take a peek of the transcript from a recent "interview" I conducted with Owen:

Me: What's you favorite book?
Owen: Mmmm, hard one; I don't like to read.

Me: What were your favorite things that we did this past year?
Owen: RVing and Hilton Head

Me: If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go?
Owen: Chicago

Me: What is the best thing about living in the United States?
Owen: Don't say "awww" about this, but YOU!
Me: awwwww!

Me: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Owen: India

Me: How would you describe yourself?
Owen: Friendly. Oh, and handsome and smart and weird.

Me: What is your favorite number?
Owen: 26,000

Me: What would you like to be when you grow up?
Owen: A ghostbuster

Me: Where would you like to go to college?
Owen: Somewhere close to you and Daddy

Me: Do you think you will get married and have kids?
Owen: Yes and yes. Probably 9.

Me: If you could invent anything, what would it be?
Owen: A fireworks machine that shoots fireworks that spells my name in lights.

Wishing you a blessed 2014!

We Wish You

With gratitude for your love and support, we wish you a Merry Christmas and blessed 2014.

Bob, Jodi, Cearra & Owen

Wonders of His Love

Joy to the world! The Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Dennis' legal guardian is still refusing to allow Cearra to visit with Dennis. She continues to spread lies and viciously blame Cearra for the long fractured relationships in her family.

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods

Rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sound in joy

Our niece Hannah remains in the hospital, being poked and prodded, as doctors struggle to determine why her sodium levels are unstable. 

No more let sin and sorrow grow

Nor thorns infest the ground

He comes to make

His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found

Bob is in Cumberland with his father, who now needs round the clock care. His "wife" can't be bothered to take care of him, and he is refusing to go into assisted living.

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of his love

And wonders of his love

And wonders and wonders of his love

Yes, we could all use some wonder this season. 

And while sometimes I feel like I'm holding on to the cliff by my fingernails, I still believe. It's been promised. Good triumphs over evil, truth wins out, faith and love are stronger by far. Joy ... it's coming. 

A Christmas Tree

This season, this year, is hard. To celebrate Christmas while still nursing heart wounds is a daily balancing act. We choose not to ignore the joy and hope and promise of the holiday, but we do so always with the lingering sadness that we are not yet whole again.

My parents asked if they could gift Cearra with a Christmas tree; an idea I thought was wonderful. I happily dug into the box of ornaments to gather those which had been given to C through the years, and last night Nana, Pop-Pop, Owen, Bob and I met at her apartment to surprise her with this touch of holiday brightness.

It was a good night. We believe that family and love are everything, and in our gratitude for these steadfast truths we honor Dennis and his place in our lives, forever.

Oh Snow Fun!

We love a good snow 'round here! Got one today, about 7 to 8" of pretty white stuff.

I've never seen a cat like snow, but our crazy Blazy loved it!

 

And who doesn't love sledding?

Snow makes Christmas lights look even more beautiful!

Yes, we love snow! (and our Ravens, who pulled off an amazing win today!!). Hope that where ever you are, and whatever your weather, you are enjoying an evening of warmth.