Jett is ONE!

We were so happy to have celebrated Jett's FIRST birthday with so many of our friends and family.  The birthday celebrations went perfectly and there were no big fires to put out (literally).

It truly has been a crazy year and we have ALL been through a roller coaster of emotions with this sweet, little boy.  It was so nice to CELEBRATE his birthday and remember all of the positive things that have happened this past year.

Cody and I had decided early in the year that we wanted his first birthday to be a huge deal.  We knew that we wanted to light off wishing lanterns, but didn't quite know how it was going to work out.  When we ended up ordering 300 lanterns, we knew we were in for a great party!  We sent 100 lanterns back to Utah to give to our family and friends so that they could celebrate with us from afar.  Here in Omaha, we delivered about 100 lanterns around our neighborhood and then kept 100 lanterns so that we could pass more out at the actual event.

Below is the invitation that was sent out, along with the poem that I wrote to give out with each lantern (printed on the picture collages).  

Over 100 people showed up to help us celebrate!!  Conditions were perfect...no wind and no fog, which we had been worried about earlier in the day.  We lit the lanterns off and they all floated East over the Missouri river.  It was such a magical moment.

Afterward, we all came back to the clubhouse and had all sorts of "In-flight snacks and beverages", which included hot chocolate, Capri Suns for the kids, donuts, airplane suckers, and little airplane treats made out of Tootsie Rolls and lifesavers.

In the clubhouse, I set up a display to celebrate Jett's Flight Plan, which has been taking place this past year.  I put up pictures of our friends, family, and complete strangers wearing the "Jett" shirt all over the world.  It was so neat to see all of the places Jett has traveled so far.

Thank you to those who have been a part of our lives this past year.  We truly are blessed to know you!

A big thank you to Jett's grandparents, as well, who all made the trip out here to celebrate with us.  We loved having you here and Jett LOVED cuddling with you.

To Jett,

 You are one amazing little boy.  I am humbled and grateful to be your mother.  You have taught me more things over this past year than I have learned my entire life.  You have taught me what it means to be strong and how to be patient.  You have taught me how to appreciate the little things in life and to celebrate the tiniest of accomplishments.  Your presence in our home brings us so much JOY.  Happy 1st Birthday!   

Love,

        Your mommy 

Fighter PILOT Jett Boseman

I wanted Jett to be a super hero for Halloween and for some reason it was taking me FOREVER to think of a good costume.  Should he be Batman, Superman, Mr. Incredible, Buzz Lightyear??? I was at a loss as I kept reeling over options in my mind.  They all just didn't feel right.

It wasn't until last week that the lightbulb finally turned on...DUH! 

Jett needed to be a FIGHTER PILOT.  

Those serving in our nations troops are our true super heroes and it is no coincidence what happened next.  Literally the day I decided that Jett was going to be fighter pilot, we received a package in the mail.  As I opened it, tears came to my eyes....like huge, alligator tears.

Utah's Alpha Company 1-211th, a combat air squadron, had sent Jett an amazing gift.  One soldier, in particular, had heard Jett's story and wanted to do something for us.  Cameron Landies (pictured below) ordered a "Jett" shirt for his entire squadron and had them shipped to Afghanistan.

On July 4th, they flew a mission over Afghanistan and proudly wore their Jett shirts.
In addition to this, they also placed an American flag inside the cockpit in Jett's honor.

Inside the package we received was a neatly folded American flag, a certificate of authenticity (proving that Jett really did take part in a mission for our nation!), and a "Jett" shirt SIGNED by every member of the squadron.

Cody and I were both blown away with this gift...seriously one of the coolest gifts ever.  It was so thought out.  Many hands had to take part in this gift to make sure that it was carried through and completed.  We are so grateful.

How funny for a package to arrive like that right after I had decided Jett was going to be a fighter pilot!

Anyway, I quickly ordered a flight suit and then had a good friend make his hat.  I needed a cool way to incorporate his feeding pump backpack...thus it became his parachute backpack.

The pictures below are of Jett on Halloween (posing in front of his very own American flag might I add!) and then the air squadron who took part in such a precious gift that we will cherish forever!!

A Couple Jett "Firsts"

 This past month has seriously gone by so fast.  Usually I try to blog (keyword: "try") once a week.  I can't believe it's been three weeks since I have posted.  August has been a great month for me personally.  The fact that we have nurses to come help take care of Jett during the night has been a life changer!  I am a firm believer that SLEEP makes the world a better place.  I am incredibly grateful that we even have the option to have nurses come to our home.  Jett definitely needs around-the-clock care.  He wakes up in the middle of the night with severe chorea/dystonia.  You can read about it here if you are interested.  Therefore, Jett's nights can be pretty miserable, which can make my nights miserable.  Now that we have nurses, I am completely confident that Jett will be taken care of at all times.  It is such a comforting feeling! During the day, I can actually function like a human being (not a zombie) and take care of Jett better than I ever have.

Cody is back in dental school full-time.  Even when he is home, his mind is still "in school".  His studies occupy most of his time, but he has made it a point to not let school take over his life altogether.  A couple weeks ago, he had his first patient.  It was an 83-year-old man who has probably never brushed his teeth a day in his life.  What an awesome first patient, right?  Cody had to do a thorough cleaning on this guy's teeth and from what I've heard, he did a pretty good job!

I have stayed busy with a million different projects.  Yes, you read that right.  Me....Tennille Boseman...does projects.  So far, I have remodeled my front room, built and painted furniture (well, Cody did), and made some wall hangings.  Thank you, Pinterest!  My next project involves the sewing machine.  I'm not sure if I'm capable, but I'm going to try to make some throw pillows for my couches.  But before I turn all Martha Stewart on you, I have been thinking about teaching fitness classes again.  I MISS it SO much.  For now, I'm just THINKING about it, but in a couple months, I may actually DO it.

The pictures that you see are from Jett's First Air Show that we went to over the weekend!  The weather was super hot, but Jett loved being out in the sun and around all of the cool planes.  The show was held at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE.  It is a short 15-minute drive from our house.  Cody was like a little kid in a candy store.  Unfortunately, we were only able to stay about 1.5 hours....which is about 8 hours too short for Cody.

We stayed long enough to look at all of the planes and watch some great flying.  Now that I have some flying lessons under my belt, I am in even MORE awe at what some planes can do and how close they come to one another.  It's so crazy!  Cody thinks he is going to fly like that one day.  Sorry, dude...that's not happening. 

 

Jett, of course, wore his "Jett" shirt

 

 

He was one tired guy afterward!!

 

 The next group of pictures are at Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs, IA.  I took Jett there this week along with a bunch of friends from my neighborhood.  There is a little beach area where kids can run around and play.  It was so nice to get out and be near the water!  However, it's also a bittersweet feeling because I want to be IN the lake...IN a boat.  Oh well, that time will come again someday!

Jett was brave and stuck his toes and legs in the water

 

Last night was Jett's first Utah State Football game!  We had a little party at our house and wore our Utah State gear.  Even though we are a couple states away, we still have to cheer on our Aggies!!  Watching the crowd and seeing the stadium made me so homesick, though.  Oh how we miss Logan.  I never thought those words would come out of my mouth, but its true.  You don't realize how good you have it, until its gone!  Logan...we'll make it back someday.  Just you wait.