Happy Birthday John McMillan - JACK!!

In some ways I think this picture says it all! Jack turns 6 years old today and I could not love him MORE!!

Jack is such a precious gem in our lives. I will have a hard time describing all the wonderful things about him here, but I will try.
(You will want to click on the photos to enlarge them because some of the expressions are hillarious!)

• Jack is such a spiritual kid. He always has great questions and can tell us detailed descriptions of what he learned in Sunday School. He seems to always see the deeper meaning of things.

• Jack notices EVERYTHING! He remembers what people have said, what color they were wearing, what music was playing, and when things happened. I can tell that he is always taking in everything around him. He is very observant.
• Jack has a very tender heart. He doesn't like to see anyone else hurt or sad. He also gets upset very easily if I get angry with him. Jack is SO QUICK to forgive...a very Christlike trait. I'm so happy for that because I have needed it from him a few times.
• Jack LOVES sports. I feel sometimes like a bad mother because he is now 6 and I've never signed him up for any organized sporting program. He will do swim team this summer, but I'm not quite ready for the rigors of Baseball, Basketball, Football, etc. I figure he is still a kid and we do a lot of those at home.

• Jack is really good at everything he tries. I think this comes from a lot of natural ability, but also the patience and determination to do things right. He is doing so amazingly well on the piano. He has the self dicipline to practice and learn it until it is right. That's how he was with riding a bike, golf, reading, etc.
• Jack is so darn handsome. I know I'm biased, but I can't get enough of that auburn hair, big blue eyes, gorgeous skin, smiley full lips, and winning smile. I could eat him up!!

• Jack LOVES his brother and sisters. Of course he and Max spend half their time as best friends, and the other half wrestling, but I'm shocked at how well they get along given their ages and differences in personalities. Jack loves his sisters so much. He is so sweet and helpful to Nora. One time a couple of weeks ago she got hurt in the playroom and came out crying "JACK"! She ran to him and he scooped her up and comforted her. Ella and Jack are good buddies too. They are only 22 months apart and have always gotten along SO WELL.
  

• Jack's Daddy is his hero. NO JOKE! He always wants to be doing what Dad is doing, wearing what Dad is wearing, and sitting by Dad at the table, on the couch, or in church. I love this...and so does Paul.

• Jack has a really fun and silly side. Of course I would be lying if I didn't say that this can get annoying at certain times, but I love to see him enjoying life. He has so much energy and spunk. He is a lot of fun to be around.

Some girl someday is going to win the lottery when they get Jack. I've already arranged Ella's marriage, now I think I just might have Jack's settled too. Doesn't that sound appealing once your the parent?

I have to document what his teacher said at his recent Parent/Teacher Conference. We were chatting about Jack's school work. He is a straight A student and has 100% scores for almost everything, and then it's 99%. He is an excellent reader and has no problem so far with academics. I was interested in his behavior and asked the teacher if he behaves well. She told me that he is very social and does need to be told to not talk so much (I wonder where he gets that from?). Then she paused and got uncharacteristically serious. She looked at me and in a very determined voice said, "Jack is one very special kid. I'm not kidding when I say he is going to do amazing things someday." Of course I cried! (I always cry at P/T conference) It is so neat to hear someone else tell you how great your kid is. I appreciate her telling me. There is nothing better for a parent. I am going to try to always remember to tell a parent when I have something nice to say about their child.

WE LOVE YOU JACK AND ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE A PART OF OUR FAMILY!!