Jackson is 6!!

Today I am feeling very nostalgic about our son.  Our son that we brought home at 15 months of age.  Our son that was tiny, delayed, and did not show any joy or understand how to show affection or receive love.  Our son, that if you look almost 5 years later you will see the most joyous child you will probably ever encounter.  He is smart, athletic, ornery, loving and happy.  We are lucky to have him in our life.  I am lucky that adoption has touched me so deeply.  I am lucky that Jackson is my son.  I am lucky he grew in my heart and not my belly.  That's how I feel - lucky.

When I am asked about adoption - I say "the process is not easy but its worth it".  It's true.

Now having a biological child as well, I can say for a fact that I love my children equally.  Recently, I made a mistake and told a stranger Jack's story.  I don't know what compelled me to do it, because I make a conscious effort to make sure its his story.  It isn't my story to tell.  Right when it came out of my mouth I started getting the dumb questions and remarks that  many people hear/say.  Yeah, I felt irritated - but mostly I felt ignorant for breaking my own rule.  Health care providers need this information, and nobody else does.  Its a personal decision for each family to make, however our family discussed it and this is a rule we have set.  Simply, its Jackson's story to tell.  He will talk about it if and when he wants to- but who am I to set him apart or make him feel differently.  Its our job to help him grow and become a well adjusted adult that can think for himself and become the best he can be - whatever that may be.

Today we had a birthday party for Jackson at a local trampoline park.  We ended up having around 20 people.  Jack wanted pizza ice cream and cake (of course a hockey cake).  He had a blast!  The kids and actually the parents also had a blast.  Last week his grandparents and cousin Emily were here and we had a family party for him here at home too.  His favorite gift is probably a hockey game that sits on the floor.  Every time he tried to play with it his sister would come sit right in the middle of it.  I love watching how gentle and caring he is to her.

Jackson also starts public school Kindergarten in a few weeks.  He is super excited but Mom is super stressed out!  He has been at the same private school for a long time.  In our town they just do part day Kindergarten so he has before and after care on site.  He also wants to ride the school bus but I am not ready for that yet! 

In October we are going to go to Disney World.  Jack may lose his mind when we get there, he is going to love it!  I anticipate a very exhausted child(ren) that week.  Next July we are going to go on the Russian Adoption Disney cruise again hopefully.  The group is trying to get together once every 2 years now.  We are lucky to have good friends that have similar experiences as we do.

Jackson is still playing hockey.  He is currently in pond hockey but this Fall he will move onto a more organized team.  He plans to be a NFL player when he grows up.  Plan B is a Pilot or a Fire Fighter, he just cant decide which one :)

I cant think of any more updates.  Sorry its been so long since our last post. Life got pretty busy after #2.   We hope everyone is having a great summer!

Christmas 2013

We had a wonderful and blessed 2013 Christmas.  We are having a lot of fun as a family of 4.  This year we purchased season passes to Busch Gardens Christmas Town, and went at least 5 times.  Jack is fearless as usual, wanting to ride all the big boy rides.  He was quick to teach Alexa about all the rides she could ride with him one day.  We got some nice photos out of it as well as good memories.  Cousin Emily came down to visit and was able to go to Christmas Town as well (see screaming video!).
Bill is still enjoying his job, and I have accepted a new job at the same employer.   Jackson is learning to count to 100, and is almost there.  He is also improving his handwriting and letter/number recognition.  Alexa is just being a baby... she loves her big brother and smiles for him every time he speaks.
We have a trip planned to Great Wolf Lodge in a couple of months, and have a week long trip to Disney planned in October.  Jackson is looking forward to both.  Cousin's Emily, Megan, Amanda and Katie plan to join us on part of the Disney adventure.  I grew up closely with my cousins, so I am thankful that Jack is able to see his cousins as often as he does.
Hope this post finds everyone well, and happy!!

Long time no post!

Hockey Initiation

Soccer Class

Family Date

Family Date Night

Disney on Ice

Jackson using Alexa as a Zamboni

Pumpkin Carving with Papa

Selfie

Before school Nov 2013

Hockey Initiation Game

Watching TV on Mom & Dads bed

Video of Hockey Initiation

Handsome boy

We have been one busy family lately.  Growing our family by 1 and adding so many activities has taken its toll on our blog!
Jackson had Soccer lessons for a few months, as well as Hockey learn to skate and initiation.  He was enjoying Hockey so much more than Soccer, we decided to drop Soccer and go with Hockey full time.  He is currently in initiation and doing very well.  They run drills and practice techniques for the first 45 minutes then scrimmage the last 15 minutes.  The ages are mixed, so he is in with kids ages 5 through 8!  He can actually hold his own against the teens, which Daddy is very proud of.  He is strengthening his ankles and techniques, and hopefully will be on a team sometime in 2014. 
Jackson is an excellent big brother.  He enjoys playing with Alexa, does very well with being careful, and is a big help.  He is really proud to be a big brother and we couldn't be any more fortunate to have such a wonderful family of 4.  I am still trying to talk Bill into being a family of 5, which right now he is only partially open to...but I am pretty persuasive so stay tuned!