Here's my Jesse-bug today. He picked the kind of cake he wanted to take to school today. It's kind of a Bostom Cream cake (but with chocolate cake) with pudding and Cool Whip. He also chose to chop up Kit Kat bars to sprinkle on the top.

Happy birthday, sweetie! We love you SO much!!!

(update on the cake... I picked Jesse up from school today and I asked him, "How did your class like the cake?" His reply - "They said it tasted better than it looked." What?! Yes, you guessed it... Jesse dropped the cake-taker on his way into class and it smeared all over the inside of the Tupperware. *sigh* At least I got a picture of it looking nice -- goober... still love ya, though.) :)

Jesse this past summer -- fishing for the first time in our pond.

I think he's about 5 in this picture. Is he cute or what?!

We've traded the cape for a full Buzz outfit (and no, it's not Halloween). I remember finding him in the dryer one day (stinker) so, thankfully I got a picture.

Mmmmm! Pizza!

I had completely forgotten about this stage... where he wore a cape at every waking moment. (around 4 years old?)

I found this one in an album and laughed out loud -- how CUTE!

I am stealing Amy's great idea and posting a little "tribute" to Jesse. :) I can't find his baby book right now so we'll start at age 6 months. Look at that poochy lip!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESSE MICHAEL!! :)

Today is Jesse's 9th birthday! I canNOT believe it. Time has flown by and my baby boy is BIG!... well, he's always been big, but you know what I mean. :)

JESSE MICHAEL ANDERSON

Nicknames: Jess, Jesse-bug, Jesse-beast, Jess Mike, Jessica when in need of a haircut ;)

Words that best describe him: sweet, sensitive, helpful, fun-loving... and tall

Favorites...

color - red
drink - Diet Pepsi
meal - macaroni & cheese and mashed potatoes
snack - popcorn or chips and queso dip
outdoor activity - playing Ghost in the Graveyard
indoor activity - dodgeball
subject in school - math
toy - Nintendo DS
game - Apples to Apples
animal - penguin
memory - when I played dodgeball and never got out! That was awesome!
song - Gone by TobyMac

What he wants to be when he grows up - a landscaper

What pets he wants to have - a turtle, a dog and a cat

Where he wants to live - near Conner's house (his friend from school)

Where he wants to vacation - Myrtle Beach or Disney

Favorite verse - I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.

Go SAM!!!

Wish I could figure out how to get good action shots AND good lighting with my camera

I know it's a little blurry (sorry)... here's Isaac playing basketball on the "preparing for Junior High" 5th & 6th grade team. It's REALLY fun to watch! :) Go Eagles!!!

Uh-oh.... BUSTED!!

This picture is a belated "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to the big four-year olds, Kira and Bailee. :)

... and shootin' some hoops

Brothers... just hanging out

A sweet friend sent me a passage the other day as an encouragement (thank you!)...

2 Cor. 4:1, 7-9

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be OF GOD and NOT OF US.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...

I CANNOT change on my own. I just can't do it - I've tried for years. And honestly, sometimes that IS discouraging... but I shouldn't "lose heart"! -- because I'm NOT crushed, not in despair, not forsaken!!, not destroyed. And my weakness is so that He can show HIS strength.

Please pray...

For those of you who don't often click on the links to my friends' blogs -- please click on Noelle's blog and pray, pray, PRAY for little Annabelle.