Cousin 'Jor-deen'

Two weeks ago my cousin (well, actually my cousin's son, but that is too long to say and I never can remember what our 'technical' relationship is called) came to visit for his college fall break.  I'm sure there were other, more 'flashy' things he could have done for break, but Jordan is family guy.  Enter the fact that my two oldest LOVE him and that he hadn't met Darcy yet and I guess we looked like a pretty good, free option for some home cooked meals and a lot of family craziness!

There's always been something special about Jordan.  He's got such a big heart for family.  He's got a passion for God that is astounding for someone his age.  His maturity and leadership go far beyond his years.  And yet, just before he arrived I think that I got nervous about him being with us for four days.  After all, we didn't have anything exciting planned.  Just four days of life at the M house.  Would that be fun for an almost 21 year old, even as great as he is?

Any worries I had were completely melted in about 5.4 seconds as the kids gave him a warm southern welcome and then Caleb looked up and said, 'Hey cousin Jor-deen, you wanna play cars?'

He equally made a big hit later that evening when he became story man after bath time (allowing Ian and I some rare time for conversation before bedtime for the kids).  

The next day at the park, he was the hit of playgroup!  All of the kids were drawn to him.  It would appear that his future in youth ministry looks bright!

While he gave lots of attention to my trio's friends, of course he did play favorites and devote most of his time to my three.

All day long the entire time he was here he was being pawed by his little fan club.  I'm quite certain that my kids have never spent so much time on some one's shoulders!

He just took our entire life in stride.  All the nap time, all the chaos, all the messes.  It wasn't an extremely exciting time, but it was a real look at our life.  And I think he even had a little fun!

It also happens that his fall break has coincided with Caleb's birthday the past several years.  I had dinner with my mom and Jordan two years ago on Caleb's second birthday as we waited to travel.  (Ever hear of a college freshman who gives up fall break to drive from Ohio to NC to help his cousin move across the state?)  Then last year he visited with my mom and the rest of the crew back in our home city and we drove in to celebrate Caleb's third birthday (his first at home) with them.  That's when Caleb met Jordan the first time and a beautiful relationship was born.  And from the looks of the adoration on Caleb's face in this picture (taken on his fourth birthday) I hope the tradition of Jordan being in town to celebrate his birthday continues!

Man we're praying that this kid gets an internship at a church near us!  How fun it would be to have him for seven months?  We love you 'Jor-deen!'