Boys and Their Toys

Jake loves his toys. He'll pick one that he'll favor for a period of time, and take it everywhere he goes. Then, once he's had his fill of that toy and another catches his eye, he'll find a new favorite. First it was his blocks, then airplane, then magna-doodle, then musical books, then singing Elmo dolls. 

Now, he's fixating on Matchbox cars. He has a whole collection handed down from Jon, and he can always be found with two tiny cars gripped tightly in each hand. He takes them in the car, he lines them up on his high chair tray during meals, and he falls asleep with them. He loves his cars. 

This past weekend, when visiting my grandparents after the blizzard, Jake had his car in tow. He also got a dollar from my grandfather. I'm not sure if he understands monetary value yet, but he values his car! 

I ended up sleeping at my grandparents house for a few days because it was closer to work and the snow doubled my commute time. Sunday night when I climbed into their guest bed, I found something hard shoved between the bed and the wall. 

This is what I dug up:

I'm still not over the preciousness of this picture. Or the owner of the car and dollar. 

I am so incredibly blessed by Jacob's presence in our family. It's the little things like Matchbox cars with crumpled up dollar bills shoved in the back that make me stop and remember what took place in my family just months ago. This boy is just so precious! 

Every once in a while, as I'm straightening up the TV room, I'll stop and realize what I'm putting away. Toy cars. Puzzles. Ni Hao Kai Lan figurines. Books. Size 3T underpants from the laundry. A few months ago, these things didn't belong in my house. Now it is just normal, and I love it. 

This Christmas Eve, as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus tomorrow with the rest of the Christian world, we also celebrate the 6 month anniversary of our new normal. June 24th, 6 months ago today, Jake came home.

Merry Christmas!