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Jacob is a unique and spirited soul.  He teaches me everyday about myself.  He started a new semester of Kindermusik this week with his teacher, Ms. Jeanie.  Jeanie has been teaching music for 25+ years and right now teaches 19 music classes out of her home.  She’s wonderful in every way and I love that my children have her as a mentor and teacher.  I admire her and appreciate her influence.  On Monday night I sat in Jacob’s first class of the semester and watched with awe and sometime frustration as he answered all of the questions and commented on every aspect of the class (always with appropriate answers though).  He was just so thrilled to be there.  At one point he inserted a funny comment and made everyone laugh and said, "we’ll just make this a laughing house!"  He wants everyone in his life to laugh and be happy! 

On Wednesday when I went to take Caleb to his music class, Ms. Jeanie said to me, "Do you see what I mean about Jacob…he’s so special!?"  I said yes, but I admitted to her that he is a challenge for me…always talking and commenting and making people laugh.  I think I wanted a child that would sit still like the other kids and listen attentively and keep thoughts to himself!  She gave me a funny look that stuck with me.  It was like she couldn’t believe that Jacob would be a challenge, and actually said to me, "Oh Meredith, I don’t consider that a challenge."  I spent the next hour pondering on why I felt like that.  And I came to several conclusions.  How could any child as special as Jacob be a challenge.  A challenge would be if he didn’t really listen, if he wasn’t really interested, if he never did what he was supposed to.  A challenge would be if he couldn’t play soccer, or participate in music, or learn because of physical handicaps or disabilities.  A challenge would be if Jacob wasn’t who he is.  I came to the determination that Jacob is NOT a challenge…he’s a stretching opportunity for ME.  He makes me stretch…allows me to grow…makes me think outside of my tight, little box.  He is wonderfully animated, social and smart.  He loves to learn, to participate, to be with people.  He is talented and quick and witty.  He is unique and special and so very important.  He is happy.  He is wonderful.  And I’m grateful to be his mother.

Here are some pictures of his first soccer game yesterday…he scored a goal and ran the length of the field celebrating.  For a second we thought he might take his shirt off and swing it around like a towel. 🙂