Our Baby is Seven?

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When we started moving into our new home the first week of December, our number one goal was to have it feel as much like a home as possible for the kids for Christmas. But we didn't want Jackson's birthday to be lost in the middle of it - so our new number one goal was to have the first night in our new home be December 11th, so Jackson could wake up to a birthday couch, and have things be as normal as possible! Well, not so sure things were "normal", but Jack did get his birthday couch, and it didn't disappoint!
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I will never forget December of 2001 - and all the emotions that came along with it. Our country was trying to heal from 9/11 that was still so fresh to everyone. I was 64 months pregnant (or so it felt) with number four. We had 3 girls who we thoroughly enjoyed, and although we thought another girl would have been wonderful, perhaps deep inside, we secretly hoped for a baby boy to join our family.

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So clearly in my mind, I can see my doctor, who right after delivering Jackson, spread open his legs and put his "boy parts" in front of Chip's face as if to say, "You have a son, You finally have a son!"

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I remember thinking even through the pain and discomfort, how truly special it was to be so pregnant at Christmastime, a time we talk and think about Mary so much. I remember holding our baby boy and thinking of Mary as she held her baby boy too. I remember crying... a lot.

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I remember that even though other emotions got in the way, the strongest was love. Love for our Jackson Lane who seven years ago, made our family feel whole. Not just because he was a boy, just because he was Jackson.

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Jackson was, and still is, the best Christmas present we have ever received.

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We love you "Jackman"!