Three kids....Three different parenting styles--Jack

Jack. For most of you I could stop right there and big smiles would come to your faces. I have never met someone who loves life more than him. He is my people person and seems to draw everyone into his happy circle. We'll pass old women in a store and he'll yell, "Hi Grandma" and they will stop in surprise and then begin to have an animated conversation with him. He is very touchy and likes to make sure I'm paying attention to what he is saying by touching my face and pulling it toward him. He gives hugs and kisses and is just so incredibly loving. He never stops moving either. He is always running (I should say bouncing) and finding something to get into. He spends his time playing trains and matchbox cars and following his sister around. He loves to wrestle and jump on his daddy. He plays in his poop and drinks rainwater off the trampoline. Well, those were only one time occurrences, but it's something like that everyday! His personality is infectious and it is truly hard to say no to curly blond hair, big blue eyes and his impish little grin!

When my little Jack is in trouble, all I have to do is look at him and he begins to cry. He is heartbroken if I am angry with him and devastated if the crime warrants a spanking. Sometimes, since he can't sit still, I will hold him in my lap and not look at him for a time out. He doesn't like not being able to play and so it does work for him. Then I turn him around to face me and remind him of why he was in time out and his eyes drop and we hug. I always make sure to hug him after he is in trouble because "little bit" needs to be reminded that he is loved.

My prayers for Jack is that he would be able to use his outgoing personality to reach people for Christ. That he would always be sensitive to people's needs when they open up to him. I pray that he will desire to walk the straight and narrow while continuing to be larger than life. And that God would press on his heart the dire need for unselfish servants in this world. I pray that he would be filled with the knowledge of who he is in Christ and that when things come naturally or easy for him that he would act with humility. I desire for him to jump without hesitation when the Lord says, "go." That he will always feel loved by us, but will know there is One who loves him more.

He is my precious little man, and I love him.