Just because

he is so stinking cute.
I can't believe how big he is all of a sudden.  So just for memories sake, and for your enjoyment, here is a bit about Charlie.
He is tech savvy and can maneuver his way around the cyber world and the Wii.

Newly potty trained and loves his underroos.

 Loves his brother and misses him when he is at school.

Loves basketball and isn't half bad at it.
Sings his questions and answers.  Makes it more dramatic.
Has a perpetually dirty face despite my best efforts.
Has the cutest little buck toothed smile.
Goes to bed really well but then lays in there and talks to himself and sings into the wee hours.
Heard from the hall the other night:
"It's not nice to poop in your underwear.  That makes mom sad."
"Alright." said with exasperation.
"We only poop in the toilet"
"I know! I will."
"Be good and we can go to Kangaroo Zoo."
"How many minutes?"
"23."
"Okay."
"I love the see the temple..."  followed by a booming rendition of Book of Mormon Stories.

5

 My sis-in-law Heidi's works of art for dessert. 

 Even though Jackson has major anxiety over all things birthday, not just his own, we managed a fun weekend.  No singing, no hoopla, not overly decorated, just his some of his favorite things: Family, slides, trains, and of course Mario.

I can't believe he is 5. He has had his share of ups and downs but now we are in such a good place.

His language has made giant strides, his anxiety has equally decresed, he loves school and learning, and he has friends. 

In the words of Signing time, "So,maybe we won't find easy, but baby we've found the good."

Happy birthday sweet boy.

Lots of Happy

To say that church with Jackson has been challenging would be a gross understatement.  Some of his finest meltdowns were reserved for church and Mark and I even joked that he was a different religion. 

I would gird up my loins every Sunday and prepare for the worst. 

The last few months we have finally started to see some improvement.  He will go to his class by himself, kind of sit through sharing time and singing time, and the instances of leaving sacrament early have decreased significantly.

Well, after years of enduring we had our big payday on Sunday.

He happily went to class.

Sat mostly reverently through Sharing time.  Even participating when his name was drawn.

Sang and led the music through singing time.

When singing time was finished he walked to the front of the room and pointed to the pulpit. "I want to do that."  he announced to the primary president.

"You want to say the prayer Jackson?"

He looked at me for reassurance and I nodded.

"Yes, I want to say the prayer."

He climbed the two stairs and peered over the pulpit with his arms folded.  The primary president helped him but every word was clear. 

Tears rolled down my face during his sweet prayer and when I lifted my head I noticed that I was not the only one crying.

He bounded down and hugged me still beaming from his accomplishment.

"Jackson, I am so proud of you."

"Ya, because I have lots of happy."

Today there was "lots of happy".

Sunday's at Grandmas

New

He started a new school this year.  New teacher, new friends, new building, new bus.  
He doesn't like change.  New is hard for him.
He is still so little.  It is hard to expect so much of him. I still want to protect him.

He did great!  Loves his new school, his new friends, and especially his new bus.

He didn't mind the change.  I underestimated his abilities. 

He never ceases to amaze me.

Me:What did you do at school today?

Jackson: I didn't cry. I not sad even a little bit. 

Labor Day

Labor Day, the unofficial mark of the end of Summer. BOO! This is when I start to get that pit in my stomach. Not because I don't like fall, in fact, I love fall as much as the next guy.  It's just, I know what inevitably follows fall that makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit---Winter.

I am going to cling to the sun, warmth, outdoors, family BBQs, and perpetual wet children like my fragile mental health depends on it. 

This will NOT be the last time you see us swimming pool.  I may even wear white, all white, after Labor Day just to show my conviction to the cause.

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