Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Then There Is Sam...


Thank you for all your sweet comments that were made to Ben yesterday. He read each and everyone of them and totally enjoyed it!

As a mom, you know that I can't talk about one of my children without talking about the other two. So, for today let me introduce you to Sam, our second born. Sam has recently just turned 12 and will be starting 6th grade next Tuesday. Words that best describe Sam are disciplined, serious, balanced, dedicated, and compassionate. We often refer to him as "Steady Sam". Life with Sam is simple, predictable, and organized.  It's not uncommon that when someone in the family has misplaced something that Sam knows exactly where it is. Sam is an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy. 



Sam wanted me to do the commenting for now. That's Sam. Quiet and reserved. 


Here is a glimpse of more of who he is...





If there is any place Sam loves to be it is outside. He truly is my "outside boy" in every sense of the word....

Whether it's the in the snow...



Or the sand... 



When it's time for play, Sam spends hours (literally) building with Legos...


Or with G.I. Joes...





One of Sam's biggest passions is his love for history. When he was 4 years old he wanted to be a fighter pilot so that he could serve our country. This love of history has developed into a knowledge that is really quite amazing for someone so young. He devours books about military history, American history, and his all-time favorite Civil War history. Normally, Sam is a pretty quite boy but get him talking about this stuff and he'll talk for hours. 

Some of Sam's most treasured possessions are his grandfather's dog tags, and uniform from when he served in the Navy, pictures of his great-grandfather serving in the second World War, and metal soldiers that his grandfather played with as a young boy. Last year, through family records we found out that Sam is the 19th cousin to our 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. What God does with this deep love and loyalty of his country will be neat to see.

It wouldn't surprise you then when I tell you that Sam's favorite vacation (besides Sunset Beach) was when we went to Washington D.C. and to Gettysburg....


Sam is now taking over the commenting. I told you when he sees or hears about history he's got something to say...

Here I am on Little Round Top where Joshua Chamberlain led his regiment in one of the most successful battles of Gettysburg. I've learned so much about the Civil War because of my all time favorite movies Gettysburg and Gods and Generals and reading. My favorite people from the war are Joshua Chamberlain, and his brother Thomas Chamberlain. From the south, Jeb Stuart and James Longstreet.



One of my favorite sports is doing swim team. I'm on the Greene Valley Gators. My favorite strokes are all the strokes. The picture below is me swimming the butterfly, my least favorite but it's o.k. I like swimming because it gives you a chance to show how fast you can swim. Over the past two summers I have about twenty five 1st and 2nd place ribbons. My swimming idol is Michael Phelps.





I don't play football right now on a team but when I did I played for Beavercreek. My number was 47. I played almost every game as linebacker. One of the reasons I don't play is because you get banged up really bad!! 





The only thing I liked about baseball is that my dad was one of the coaches.






Something else my mom forgot to mention is my love of geography. When I was about five I could say my states and capitals because of Leap Pad if you know what that is.


So now you've officially met Sam. We love you Sam and God has blessed us by having a son like you.




Me and the boys...



Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him. ~ Psalm 127:3

13 comments:

  1. I feel SO honored to meet you Sam! You are truly an amazing young man!

    I find it interesting that you have a lot in common with my daughter Ashley. She too is a LOVER of history!! She just returned from Washington DC and she too said it's one of her favorite places to visit.

    My prayer for you is that you seek after God with your WHOLE heart; and as you do, he will lead and guide your every step.

    I'm excited to see the amazing man of God you become.

    Follow your dreams buddy...God's placed them in your heart!

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  2. Oooh, another wonderful, strong, Biblical name. Sam, one meaning of your name in Hebrew is "God hears".

    "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14).

    We live near Washington, DC; it is rich with history! A few weeks ago, we visited the Holocaust Museum. It was a rather sobering field trip. :-(

    My daughter is beginning 6th grade, too (TOMORROW!). Blessings to you both for a wonderful first year of MIDDLE SCHOOL!

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  3. Hi Sam! I too love history, especially during the Civil War and love to read books about this time period. Washington DC was my favorite vacation too.

    Have fun on your first day of school!

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  4. Sam, we are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished! Uncle Mike and I love you very much! You are going to be an awesome 6th grader!

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  5. Sam sounds like every mother's dream..organized and disciplined. Mine doesn't even know the meaning of those words!!

    My little girl loves history too. It is her favorite. That is one of the reason's she loves American Girl dolls so much ...because every doll has a historical story.

    Pleasure meeting you SAM!

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  6. Well, Sam, I do wonder why you never shared any of these wonderful insights about yourself during Sunday school? (wink) Yes! We loved the LeapPad, very educational. Back in my dads, we played "tag" football, don't know if they do that in school anymore, but your didn't have to get banged up. I mostly liked it cause it gave me a good excuse to chase boys. Thanks for sharing a little about yourself Sam, I always did think that you were pretty cool :)

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  7. *edited above to say, "back in my days"... not dads.

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  8. Nice to meet you Sam! I love history and used to teach American History to 8th graders. "The Killer Angels" is one of my favorite Civil War books, too! You have great taste, and it is very cool that you got to go to Gettysburg to see everything for yourself. What a cool passion!
    -Carrie

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  9. Hi Sam,
    It is really great to meet you. You sound like a GREAT guy!!

    Michael Phelps is a great swimming idol to have and wow 8 gold medals!! You have won a lot of ribbons so who knows, maybe someday you will be there!!

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  10. Sam I love you!!

    Youre awesome and I'm so lucky to have a brother like you:))

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  11. It has been wonderful reading about your children. This will be a treasure for them to always be able to read back on your thoughts of them.

    WELL DONE!

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  12. Papa and I are so proud that you're our GRANDboy! We love you!

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  13. What another great post! It is very nice to meet you, Sam, and to read a little about you. My husband and I are lovers of history, too, especially Civil War and Southern history. We live in Georgia and are so lucky to have LOTS and LOTS of historical sites and museums close. I think that is so exciting that you can trace yourself to Andrew Jackson. In fact, he would be one of my top picks to call an ancestor! :o) (That's probably because I grew up around Nashville and learned alot about him and his wife, Rachel Donelson.)

    I love that action shot of you swimming! The butterfly stroke looks so hard!! We have been watching the Olympics, and, of course, Michael Phelps has been our favorite Olympian to watch.

    Thanks for telling us about yourself and sharing all the pictures!

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