Henry has been a sweet delight to me as a mother. He has also been a very challenging child to raise. Very. Henry has a very curious mind and never ceases to amaze me and his father at the things that he does, or is interested in.
A Few Moments in Henry's life:
*at eighteen months old Henry set our couch on fire by striking two matches and laying them down beside him - with me in the room with my back to him.
*at 12 months or so Henry repeatedly stuck bobby pins or anything he could fit into the outlets (after peeling out the safety covers) Did you get the repeatedly part?
*climbed TWO gates on his doorway to escape when he chose to do so. (We finally, for his own safety, turned the door knob around so we could keep him in the room when needed)
*during his nap time one day he put on seventeen (17!) pull ups.. all at one time.
*wanted to marry me for many years in his toddler- preschool years.
*while his friend, Summit, was shooting a target with a high powered pellet gun he went to kick the target.. yep you guessed it.. he had a field pellet to go through two of his toes, finally exiting into his shoe. The pellet took part of his bone off in the last toe it exited. This was just three or so years ago. He did not cry.
*he has adopted two brothers (Summit and Ryan) and two sisters (Sarah and Mary) whom he has all known since he was a wee one. An only child can be a lonely road (though he is not really an only child, 9 years in between only two siblings is great span and it feels like we have raised two only children. I am glad he has developed such deep meaningful relationships. May each of them help him to become the man that God desires him to be.
Got the bull by the horns!
Do you see that "I gotta know" in him?
(most recent pic)
He was awarded "most improved" on his swim team this year.
It says: Between the innocence of boyhood and the dignity of manhood we find a delightful creature of a boy. It is so true!
Henry and his sister Mary, playing King and Queen!
Evidently the album with Henry's birth pictures is already packed away. I had hoped to find this one picture of when he was first born but you will have to settle for these.
On some days I am worn down at all of the areas I fell like I have let him down as mother. Worn down by the mistakes I have made with him along the way. But then, I am encouraged because God has a great plan for him, He has given Henry a specific make up for a specific purpose which will be carried out.
Happy Birthday Henry, your dad and I love you very much!
Lynnie...Happy Birthday to your dear boy!! I LOVE his name. Henry is my Dad's name and after having my 4 children it struck me a great idea to name a child after him (I didn't think about it before then because my brother was also Henry and I felt it was his name to pass down but he and his dear wife were not able to have children). I didn't have a fifth so I have no Henry of my own.
ReplyDeleteBTW, your Henry sounds very much like my 2nd son, Jared...we could swap war stories, lol!
Blessings!
Gail
oh the joys and heartaches of motherhood!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Henry! I have a 15 year old of my own....different in many ways but the same in others!
Hope it is a special day!!
Blessings!
Gail- I too, love the name Henry. Always have! Perhaps you will get a grand that bears that name!
ReplyDeleteHey, just a side note.. I bought some beautiful etched glass plates and mounting pieces today.. can hardly wait to make some tiered servers, cake stands! Thanks for that post!
Holly, Yes - Motherhood! Henry has had a great birthday and it will continue a bit into tomorrow too!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the picture of Henry taking the bull (world) by the horns! It is so Henry!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love Henry!
I love, love, love what a awesome parent you are to Henry.
I love, love, love that for many years we will smile and laugh as we share together the MANY Henry stories we have in our hearts & minds!
Love........love......love........Franziska
Lynette, please send belated Happy Birthday hugs to Henry from all of us! I had to laugh reading your posting...I remember some of those days. The fire on the couch, and yes, the outlets, and the ever-running outside faucet. I just remember you saying so many times, "and he did it AGAIN!" But I also remember lots of other fun memories through the years...shaving cream and "razors" for bathtub buddies, endless adventures in the woods (with must have rubber boots!), crafts at the kitchen table, peanuts for Ryan, running errands and reading books in the back seat of a Camero, swords for young knights, musical instruments and dress -ups. Too much to name it all. I couldn't agee more with Franziska...You ARE an awesome parent to Henry, and to all the other kiddos you have mothered over the years, including mine!
ReplyDeleteJenn, on a day like today, you have no idea yourself how God used you with that last sentence. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteOh such sweet memories! What about Ryan with the baby magic? and the fireplace ashes? OH my!
Love you all!
I hope he had a wonderful Birthday!! He sounds ALL (plus a little) boy to me! My Jonathan has the same kind of curiosity so I can relate. He could wear me down (still does) unlike any of my other children. I used to say it was like having 10 kids in one!!
ReplyDeleteI love the name Henry too ~ I had a Papa Henry so that name is very dear to me. :-)