Happy Birthday, James!!!!!

Well, nine years ago today our lives changed forever. We were blessed beyond compare. At 8:08 pm, weighing in at 8lbs. 7 oz James came quietly into the world. He cried a little, but was really very peaceful. He has retained that amazing peace about him ever since.

In the past nine years we have watched a chubby, bald baby grow and change. We remember fondly all the ringlets of blonde curls that covered his head. How is Bama LOVED those curls! She begged us not to cut his hair.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, James was walking. He was only 9 months old, at Nana and Grampy's camp when he started to try out those chunky legs. He wobbled. He smiled. He worked so hard! Mary kept sitting him down.. not wanting him to grow up so quickly! There was NO stopping him.

Next thing we knew James was talking. Now, anyone who knows James, knows that talking is his thing. After the initial babbling of Mama and Dada which thrilled us beyond compare came James favorite thing the in world.... "elephant" Yes, one of James' very first words was elephant. James still loves elephants today. His vocabulary grew so quickly! He would talk and laugh and talk some more. He was such a happy little guy.

The next few years flew by... (don't they all!) James grew and changed, but yet somehow remaining the same. James started school and blossomed in ways we could have only dreamed. In Kindergarten, we realized that James was one smart cookie. His Kindergarten teacher told us his vocabulary far surpassed his peers. We now know, that someday soon, we will not be able to help Mr. James with his homework We have decided that intelligence skips a generation! It skipped right on past us and landly solidly on James. Grampy and Papa... (yes, Nana and Bama, too) are some of the smartest people we have ever met. He is so like his namesakes!

Now, James is in his third year of Cub Scouts, LOVES books, Star Wars, Harry Potter and most of all his brother. He has become all of our dreams realized. He is a good person, a loving brother and son, a hard working student, a giver, a gem.

We feel so blessed to have him in our lives and cherish each and every day.

Happy 9th Birthday, James!!!

Muah!