Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A Birthday Greeting!

Tonight I'm reflecting on the past 22 years.  Jordan, aka Jo-Man, aka Jo-Jo, turned 22 today.   We have a video of his birth.  It was discreetly done, with no body parts revealed, except for Jordan's when the doc held him up for me to see my handsome son for the first time!

I recall when I was 7 months pregnant with him.  I was at my 8-year-old's wrestling match, when a woman, whose son was also wrestling, commented on my pregnancy.  She asked if it was my second.  I told her it was my seventh!  With disgust written on her face and in her voice she boldly stated, "SHAME ON YOU!"  Shocked I asked, "why do you say that?"  She stated again, "Shame on You!!  How can you take care of so many kids?"  As I turned to leave, I simply said, "Fine, thanks!"


With 4 older sisters and 2 older brothers, Jordan had many opportunities to be spoiled or abused,  depending on who he was dealing with!  The first time his 16-year-old sister went on a date, Jordan (then 3) stood at the front room window, and said in a loud sing-song voice, "You gots a lovely boyfriend!" 


He's grown up somewhat since then. 
He returned in August from serving an LDS mission to South Africa.



He joined the Army Reserves right after high school.


Going to school, working, being Uncle Jo-Jo to 10 nieces and nephews, and socializing keeps him busy.


There's no shame bringing Jordan into this world. The world needs more men like him!


Happy Birthday, Jo-Man! We love you!
(I hope he shares those peanut M&Ms)

25 comments:

  1. You have amazing children, Connie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love it! Thanks for having such an amazing son!

    ReplyDelete
  3. And I might add...the world is in need more mothers like you! What a handsome, good son...and he likes peanut M&M's...so he is just perfect. (That lady....what a sad cause she is!) Come say hi :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't undersatnd people sometimes, that's where the shame is, on her.
    Happy Birthday Jordan, hope it;s the best ever!

    My DIL's name is Jordan and the GRAND~girls call her Jor-Jor. She loves being called that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy, Happy Bithday Jordan!!!
    You remind me of my son! He is servng a spanish speaking mission in Virginia, and will be home at the end of August or the very first of September. He joined the Army ROTC when he was 17, and has finished 2 years of his pre-law, and will finish the rest when he gets home. He LOVES the Army. DO you? You make mama's like me happy! It's wonderful to know that there are such fine young men such as yourself in the world!!!! Keep up the great work. Standing as a beacon of light, and setting a good example for others to follow!!
    Have a wonderful birthday!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The very fact that he loves Peanut M&Ms says it all…

    People who love Peanut M&Ms = Good person.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds and looks like Jordan is an amazing young man!! Happy Birthday!!

    By the way...Shame on THAT woman!!!!

    Connie, Happy Day to you for being the Mother of such an amazing individual!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Once again, I'm with teachinfourth - Peanut M&M's = good in every way.

    South Africa would be a very cool mission.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's shocking how strangers feel they can dictate how we live our lives.

    Happy 22nd birthday to Jordan!! Loved the pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  10. He's a cute guy!!!!
    Looks like he hasn't suffered much from being with SO MANY KIDS! I can't believe how some people can be so rude.

    Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  11. On behalf of him, myself and other youngest children---thanks for being willing to take care of that many kids!!! We didn't want to get left behind:)

    Happy Birthday to him.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I know how much you love your kids because I see your face light up when you talk about them. An I admit to getting choked up over this post. The world does
    need more men like him. And less women that the wrestling match woman!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Birthday! Come see you won Summer in Paris book on my blog. Please e-mail me your mailing address asap to tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Connie,
    Your family is the bestest! :)
    Happy Birthday, Jordan!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy Birthday to handsome Jordan. You are soooo right. The world does need more men like him. I think it's great that you had all of your childrn, each and every one of them. So sad for those who do not understand what treasures children are.
    You look beautiful too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I forgot to say that Peanut M&M's are a prized comodity here. When one of the missionaries gets a bag in the mail they are gone before the day is over. They do share of course.
    I wanted to add that you seem like a super Mom and I can't wait to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. and Norman never asked me out again!

    Happy B-day Jordy-pants!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy belated Birthday to your handsome young man.
    Shame on you? For raising a fine young man? Shame on that woman! How truly sad and lonely she must be right about now!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy, Happy Day to a very handsome and lucky young man to be born with so many to love and adore him and have you as his mom!
    Did you also have a son and daughter in the Mission field together? He is amazing and any mom would be proud to be his mama.
    I'd say we are both lucky moms in deed to receive as many blessings as the Lord would send us. You really got lucky. I had to have a hysterectomy at age 29 or that lady would have gotten to ask me the same ignorant question!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy birthday indeed. It is so fun as a mom to relect back on the births and lives of our children.

    what a guy.

    ReplyDelete
  21. He seems like such a wonderful young man, but, of course, he would be--he has a wonderful mom. Hope he had a wonderful birthday.

    I can't believe someone would say that to you about having another baby. Children are such a wonderful blessing. I love being a mother and I know you do.

    I hope he shared his M&M's with you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Peanut M&M's are my favorite. Did he share?

    I love your response to the negative woman.

    ReplyDelete
  23. How did I miss so many posts? Oh yeah I haven't been home - ha ha.
    So I am catching up and I love the very last photo the best. What a handsome cheeseball! Ha ha

    I love your family Connie you are a great mama to a bunch of super kids!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wait, stop. Really? A woman actually said, "Shame on you!?!?!" I will never understand people like that.

    This is a sweet post. I hope he knows how special his mama is.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcome! Let me know you visited.