Jake is TWELVE

And truly our Gentle Giant.  January 25, 2019. It has been a month since we celebrated his Big Day, but live moves at a break neck speed, and this post is a hard one to write, so it kept getting pushed to the back burner.

Jake.  TWELVE.  Doesn't even seem possible.  He is the third of four children, and many days displays all of the typical characteristics of a middle child, but some days he is the exact opposite.  He is wise beyond his years, funny and witty, tall and proud, so intelligent and quick to learn new things, but also so gentle, kind, thoughtful, and sweet.  I remember saying when he was a toddler and young boy that "everyone needed a little bit of Jake Weaver in their lives."  While he is not as "little kid cute" as he was back in those days, the endearing qualities that led me to repeat that over the years are still there.  His eyes may not be as blue as they were when he was a baby, but they are still the windows to his soul, and there is so much going on in there you can't help but look into them and wonder just what he's thinking.  But don't wait too long, because then he will start talking, and it can be hard to get him to shut up!  He is passionate about many things, and knowledgeable as well, so the things he can tell you are utterly amazing!

Here a a few pictures to remind us how far we've come!

This is Evie and Jake 1 month after his birthday
See below for the pic of Evie when we brought her home.

Jake started celebrating his birthday as early in the month as he possible could!  I think every dinner we ate for 2 weeks was his "birthday dinner" so he got to pick.  I know we went to New China - his favorite that everyone else kinda hates, but there were a couple of other nights out that were deemed his as well!  He also has a basketball tournament the weekend of his birthday - hence not waiting to eat a "heavy" meal that weekend.  So, suckered us out of some extra meals along the way.

He celebrated with new shoes, a new bed, and a new picture to hang above his bed.  He celebrated with his friends at school, his team, and his family.  On his actual birthday night - Friday night, we loaded everyone up and had dinner at Fuzzy's Taco Shop.  It was loud and crazy and so much fun!

And, we ended the weekend on Sunday after we finished up the tournament with a loss by brightening EVERYONE'S day with a new addition!  Welcome to the family, Everest Pearl!

Everest Pearl "Evie" came home to us the Sunday after Jake's 12th birthday

Jake, coming in at 5'10" tall and 170 lbs, had QUITE a 12th birthday!  No real "party" to speak of, but with all the love and adventure he got to experience along the way, I think the memories made outweigh a party any day!  Welcome to your last tween year, Big Guy!  Embrace it - the real fun beings next year!

We love you BIG!