We love this man of ours and were so grateful to celebrate his birthday with him.
For the last 12 years, April 4 has been my favorite day of the year because it is the day Jacob came into the world.
I am so grateful to his mother and father for giving him life. It was a blessing to have them here to celebrate Jacob.
The morning started out a bit rough. We woke up around 10 and were just resting in bed when Jake suddenly got stomach sick. I cleaned him up and gave him his medication which seemed to settle things for the rest of the day. He ate a bit of breakfast, but was tired and took a nap for several hours.
He woke up an hour or so before the girls got home, and in good time as they were bursting to give him his presents. Since we usually open gifts in the morning it was a long wait for these sweet kids. It was a gift so see them love on their Dad. Each child was so excited to give him his or her gift and Jacob so lovingly received it and thanked them.
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| Lauren custom made him this heart poster |
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| Tommy giving Jake a bubble blower which he promptly regifted to use for himself. |
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| All the kids gathered around Dad. Grandma and Grandpa video/photographing in the mirror. |
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| Ada gave Jake a "BYU blue soft blanket for us to snuggle together." He has had it on his bed ever since. |
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| I love how he is looking at Ada. He has been so taken with and loving to our kids for the last week. |
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| Ellie was sick and missed the shopping trip, but gave Jake some of his favorite dark chocolate almonds. |
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| His face shows how much he loves those things. |
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| I gave J some new ball shorts and his favorite hostess snack- Ding Dongs. His face lit up for those things. |
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| Jacob's parents gave him a book by Elder Oaks with some very tender inscriptions that they read to him. |
Our neighbor Teresa stopped by. She is Jake's birthday twin and brought him a plate of lemon cakes. He received several deliveries at the door from some thoughtful people and as the girls left for school there was a giant wrapped box with balloons floating from it on the door step. He opened it at the end of his gifts and inside found cards- stacks and stacks of cards from friends at work, from church, the neighborhood, our kids school. It was overwhelming to him to see such tangible evidence of the love and care that surrounds him on his birthday. I've been opening and reading cards to him all week and they are full of the kindest wishes, remembrances, and thoughts. Thank you so much.
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| Our wonderful neighbor Teresa |
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| So many birthday cards! He can hardly believe it. |
Gift opening seemed to wear him out, so he took another nap during the afternoon. The kids and I went to get him brownies and ice cream (which he actually ate) and we got takeout BBQ for his birthday meal. Matt and Jess came over for the evening celebration and Jake roused for his birthday song complete with 37 burning candles. Those things put out some serious heat, but with the kids help he got them all blown out. He watched the end of the NCAA final game with his Dad while Matt gave him a birthday foot massage.
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| Placing the candles. Everyone wanted a turn. |
I think the best part of the night was the end. After cake we did our traditional birthday family dance to Stevie Wonder's rendition of Happy Birthday to you. Everyone took a turn holding Jake's hand and dancing with him and it was fun to sing and move. When everything had quieted down Lauren reminded me that we forgot to say our three things. Usually, we go around the table at dinner and say three things we love about the birthday person. We were all gathered in the room to say family prayer, so before that we each took a turn telling Jacob some things we loved about him. It was a sweet time. He looked us each in the eye and thanked us one by one. And we got to tell him why we love him. It brought a great spirit of love as we then knelt and prayed as a family together.
The kids then got in bed, and everyone headed home as Jacob and I settled in for what turned out to be an awful night. But at least for the clock ticking hours of April 4, this now 37 year old man was able to feel loved, cared for and celebrated on his birthday.
12 comments:
Really loved the cards on the doorstep and Lauren remembering to say the 3 things you all love about Jake. Thanks for sharing this. Happy 37th Jake, I love you!
Thanks for sharing Jake's birthday with us. I loved seeing the tenderness and care each person extended to Jake (even if Tommy took his present back!). It is evident how much he is loved and cherished by so many people, but especially his family. Jake holds a special place in all our hearts and he is such a dear man who I love.
I am so grateful Jake was able to feel some relief on his birthday. Looks like it was a good day for everyone. I too loved the cards and balloons on the doorstep. You all are so loved. I am so sorry the past few weeks have been so rough. When it rains it pours, and unfortunately you are wading through a hurricane. I am impressed, but not surprised, you have the courage to see the blessings amid all the grief and pain. I don't know if I could be as brave as you. Give Jake all our love; we're so proud of him. Love you all.
I love birthdays at your house, and have adopted some of your traditions (like morning presents). So glad Jacob had a good one. Those pictures with each kid are priceless. They are so thoughtful and sweet to him.
What a special day to celebrate Jake. I'm glad it was a good day for you all and hopefully created good memories for the future. That pile of cards was amazing! What a special thing for all of you to see. The 3 things you love about the birthday person is a fabulous idea! I may borrow it :) Happy birthday Jake!
Thanks for sharing his day.
Thanks for sharing his day.
Thanks for this post, Jord. I am also so glad that this was a good day for Jake, you, and the kids. There are so many things to say about Jake, and three seems to be such a small number. I love him because he is good, through and through. I love him because he is kind, and has put so much effort into thinking about others and taking care of their needs. I love him because he is a wonderful husband and father. Thanks, Jake, for making it so easy to love you and notice your many good qualities.
vfr
Dear Jake and Jordan,
You don't know how much we appreciate the time and the effort, both physical and spiritual, that it takes to let us be part of your life in this wonderful, joyful, and difficult time. Aunt Helen and I pray for you and think about you many times every day. We keep your names in the temple. Jordan, I know how special you are because of the love and support that Helen has given to me during the difficult times that I have been privileged to experience. She, like you, has been my spiritual and physical support during these trying times. Love is the light and lifting of Christ's care for us. Helen has carried me through some very difficult and trying times and without her I don't know what I would have done. As important as Jake is to you, you have bave been even more so to him. This eperience multiplies love in both families and marriages. So in many ways which we may not understand now, it is a wonderful blessing to us as well. I wish I could hold you and carry you both in my arms and take some of your load away. We love you so much.
Uncle David and Aunt Helen
Stevie Wonder's happy birthday will always remind me of Jacob! ❤ I am so happy you could have this day to celebrate him. The box of cards just warms my heart. You guys are so loved. So very, very loved.
Stevie Wonder's happy birthday will always remind me of Jacob! ❤ I am so happy you could have this day to celebrate him. The box of cards just warms my heart. You guys are so loved. So very, very loved.
What a special day for a special man. I'm so glad he felt sorta good for parts of the day even though the before and after weren't so good. I'm so grateful I have known Jake since you guys have been married and consider him a true friend and the greatest example of living life to the fullest when you know you don't have long to do so. Happy birthday dear Jake.
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