Jacob & Aiden

I've told you previously about my friend, Jennifer Brown, whom everyone thinks is my sister, & who much alike we are. Well, we did it again! Sunday during church she saw Jacob & thought he & her baby, Aiden, had on the same outfit. Her husband, Chuck, made the comment that we are beginning to scare him. It is a bit freaky how we do things like this. Well, it wasn't the same outfit, but they were very similar, so we had to make pictures.

Buddies

Highchair

Here is Jacob sitting in his highchair at home. Doesn't he look like a big boy? Dad came home just in time to see him sitting in it. He said a few words to Jacob.

TPC Christmas Musical

Sunday was our annual Christmas musical at our church, The Pentecostal Church. It was really good, as always. Brent Edwards, our new worship director, did a fabulous job. This program requires a lot of work, more than most people realize, & he did it with a great attitude & lots of talent. I think the program was excellent, but I think I can speak for all those involved & say we're glad it's over! :) Go to our church website when you have time to listen to the TPC mass choir sing. The date for the Christmas program was Dec. 14. http://www.tpcmemphis.org/

Sharing

Jacob & Isabelle were laying on the bed yesterday & I looked up & Jacob had Isabelle's pacifier in his mouth! She was trying to keep it from him & he was fussing because she wouldn't let go! It was really cute. Don't worry, Aunt Jill. I washed it off before giving it back to Isabelle.

Sunday, Dec 7

Pawpaw & Mimi with The boy

Sunday was the kids Christmas program at church. It was really cute. I look forward to that every year. Ellie & Amelia are part of the ANTS (angels in training) choir, although Ellie didn't sing this year. I actually teared up when they sang the "Happy Birthday Jesus" song. It was so sweet! It touched me.

We got some pictures of the 4 cousins. They weren't excited to pose, but we did the best we could.

More Pictures

Waving snowman



Jacob holding Ellie's Goldie

Jacob & Uncle Bill

More Parade Pictures

Bartlett Parade

This past Saturday, Dec. 6, was the annual Bartlett City Parade. It was fun as usual. There were 5 families that attended: the Terrys, the Webbs, the Hensleys, the Jason Sykes family, & Pawpaw & Mimi. We missed Janet. She went to the Youth Banquet instead. After the parade us & the Terrys went to Pawpaw & Mimi's to eat soup & visit. I think this may become a family tradition.

Jacob had a new snowman outfit to wear. He was sooo cute! I'll let you decide that for yourself, though.

Praise Report

Dad had a heart cath done on Dec. 2. The doctor wasn't expecting to find anything but was doing this a precautionary measure. Still your mind begins to go to the worse possible scenario & we were a little concerned. Thankfully, the test showed a normal heart & arteries. What a sigh of relief.

Behind As Usual

I haven't posted some important dates, such as Thanksgiving, so let me catch you up to date.

To begin our Thanksgiving break, Jason, Jacob, & I went to the Youth Convention in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel. Janet & Sarah Ford rode with us. The youth choir was asked to sing that night & since I am the director we all went. The choir did a fabulous job. The Lord ministered through their worship. I'm so honored to work with such a great group of young people.

From there we went to my parents' in Hohenwald since they live fairly close & spent the night. The next day we enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving Day with the Jackson family at Uncle Al & Aunt Carole's home. Always a pleasure to be there. Jason said it was the first year he could remember the football game being turned on. The Titans won.

After dinner & visiting with all the family, we went back to Hohenwald where my siblings would be joining us to eat Thanksgiving dinner with my parents & grandparents. Jason has already posted about his exciting day on Black Friday. It was pretty funny. I knew the guys would be so wound up after their 'hunt' that they wouldn't be able to go back to sleep once they got home. I didn't sleep much that night because of the baby & Jason getting up at 3:o0. I heard them come home & got up soon after that. I was afraid I was missing something & wanted to share in their excitement. The girls (me, Mom, & Jennifer) didn't go until later in the day.

Saturday morning Jennifer & I got up & went to the junk store. The 'dig' has been reopened! We are so excited. We actually found some really good items. I bought the cutest Gap denim sports coat for Jacob for only $6 - I think that was my most expensive item. Needless to say, we are very grateful to the man who has returned the junk store to it's glory. If you're ever in Hohenwald you have to go.

Jacob had a few 'firsts' at Grampy & Grammy's that weekend - first time to sit in a highchair & a walker. He looked so big sitting in the highchair. Jason wasn't prepared for that. We now have ours out at home & will be using it consistently. Hard to believe he's big enough for that. He also played with a little green man. He loved it & it was the perfect size for him to hold & chew on.

Granny can get Jacob to laugh every time she holds him.

A Thanksgiving Miracle

Well, I braved the elements and the crowd to visit Wal-mart in Hohenwald for the "Black Friday" sale. It was no doubt the social event for the small town. My goal was to secure a flatscreen tv they had advertised. I joined certain members of my family (they asked to be left un-named) to experience a Thanksgiving miracle. Long story VERY short, I was able to get a better flatscreen than advertised for the same price- and I got 1 of the 3 they had. See, getting up at 3:00 AM did pay off! - Jason

Isabelle Candace Terry

Today was Isabelle's first day to stay with Jacob & me. Today & tomorrow will only be half days as Jill is returning to work slowly, for her sake & mine. But next week we'll have Isabelle all day, 5 days a week. It will be an adjustment, but we'll be fine. Gotta find a routine for the 3 of us. She did really good today. It was cute to see Jacob's reaction when he would hear her cry. He stopped & looked around, but he soon got used to having another girl in the house. I anticipate them being close as they grow. It's gonna be fun!

4 months old

Jacob turned 4 months old last Thursday, Nov. 20. We had a doctor's appointment that day for a check up & my boy weighed in at 18lbs 14oz & measured 25.5 in. Growing like a weed! The doctor told us we could start trying cereal once a day to get him used to eating from a spoon, so I guess we'll start that in the next week. I don't forsee a problem, but I'll update you as we go along.

He's sitting up pretty much on his own now. Still a little wobbly, but does really good. He's been reaching & grasping things for several weeks. He loves playing with his keys. He's begun turning over some & is sleeping thru the night! He started that about 3 weeks ago. His momma was very happy!! Of course, that first night I kept waking up to make sure he was ok, thought about getting him up, but decided he'd let me know when he was ready to eat.

We bought him a stocking Saturday. That was fun. We now have the 'family' stockings - Jason has a Santa, I have a snowman, & Jacob has a penguin. They're so cute! Jacob likes looking at the lights on the Christmas tree. I suppose next year we'll switch to the colored lights & more kid-friendly ornaments. No more glass balls. Who knows - we may have a doggy gate around the tree next year!

Sisters?

There is a friend at church, Jennifer Brown, whom everyone thinks is my sister. When she first began coming to The Pentecostal Church, & even before she knew me, people would ask her if she was Becky's sister. Even now we have people ask us all the time if we're sisters. No, we aren't, but I have to admit we look more alike than me & my real sister (whose name happens to be Jennifer). What makes it even more strange is how similar we are. A while back Jennifer & her husband, Chuck, were at our house & as we sat down to eat dinner we discovered we have the same china! We have the same sunglasses, very similar bedroom furniture, neither of us are big talkers, both are very laid back, etc. It's uncanny how similar we are. At times I will see a picture of myself, or catch a glimpse in a mirror, & say "Whoa! That was Jennifer Brown!" My own mother says we must have been separated at birth. So we claim her as one of the family.

One funny story to prove my point - right after I had my baby & was at home recuperating, Luke Bullard, one of the quizzers I co-coach at church, passed Jennifer Brown, who was also pregnant, in the hall & said "Hey, Sis. Becky." Jennifer tried to explain that he was confused & said I was at home with my baby. She said "I'm Jennifer." The conversation went on & Luke continued to argue with her that she was really Becky! I'm not sure he was ever really convinced.

Love you, Jenni Brown!!!

Dedication, Nov. 16, 2008

Jacob was dedicated to the Lord Sunday, Nov. 16, along with 11 other babies. That included cousin, Isabelle Terry. It was a very special service, especially sharing it with our families. I'm so glad Grammy & Grampy were able to come. It's very rare they get to be away from their church on a Sunday. Uncle Barry, Auntie Jennifer, Judah & Cherish were able to attend as well. Of course, Jason's family was there as we all attend the same church. It was so nice to be all together.

Bro. Wilson, our Family Ministries pastor, had asked me to say something about what dedicating Jacob meant to Jason & me, & as I was thinking about what I would say an old song came to my mind - "I Know What Prayer Can Do." This service reminded me - again - of the goodness of the Lord & of His faithfulness to His promises. He is so good to us! What a perfect time of year to dedicate our precious gift.

Jacob did so good. His outfit was sailor suit style with his initials embroidered in sky blue on the collar. Hate we didn't get a picture with the hat.Laying on of hands. From left to right, Grampy, Pastor Black, Jason.
Notice Jacob watching Pastor. It was funny - during the ceremony Pastor Black got confused with all the names on his list & called Jacob a strange name, which wasn't the first time he'd called him the incorrect name from the pulpit, & later called me Jennifer while looking directly at me. He realized later what he'd done & got tickled at himself. We love you, Pastor!

Trip to Washington D.C.

Everyone knows of my (secret) political ambitions, right??? Well, I recently had the privilege of being invited to Washington to explain my views of the erosion of the family institution on Capital Hill to a panel of policy makers. Here are a few pictures of me at the Oval Office inside the White House on a tour.

Yeah right, just KIDDING! These are pictures at the President Clinton Museum and Library in Little Rock, AR.

Hot Springs, AR

This past weekend was our annual couples trip. We were in Hot Springs, AR this year. Jason & I really enjoy this opportunity to fellowship with other couples. The scavenger hunt is one of our favorite activities of the weekend. We always 'almost' win & this year was no different, despite my effort to run my answers to the judges! Oh, well. Guess we didn't really need a free dessert anyway.

This year was extra special for Jason & me. At last year's retreat we had just been told we may not be able to have children on our own. The doctor had advised us to consider Invitro Fertilization, which was something we were not prepared to hear from him. During the devotion at the retreat, I felt to ask everyone there to pray for us as I didn't want my pride to stand in the way of us receiving a miracle. A few weeks later I found out I was pregnant! Having Jacob in attendance this year was a special reminder that the Lord knows exactly where we are & He is concerned with the desires of our hearts. I thought the shirt Jacob is wearing in the picture below was very appropriate. He is our daily proof of a miracle.

Playing pat-a-cake with Dad.

The Jason Sykes Family

3 months old

Jacob turned 3 months old Monday, Oct. 20. We go to the doctor at 4 months, so I'm guessing on his weight, but I'm thinking he's about 17 1/2 lbs, give or take. He's getting so big! Yesterday, his Auntie Jennifer was holding him & she asked me how could I hold him for very long! :)
Here are some pictures from Jacob's 3 month birthday. Pawpaw & Mimi came over with this sweater & matching hat. It was intended to be a Christmas present, but Mimi was afraid he might not be able to wear in 2 more months, so she gave it to him early. Isn't it the cutest? Can't wait for him to wear it.

Jacob & Aunt Janet

New pictures

Here are some other miscellaneous pictures. Enjoy!

"The Twins"

Laughing at Uncle Eric

Sweet Angel

Harvest outfit

Thing 1 & Thing 2