He RADIATES

 It's hard to put into words how grateful we are to see Jett reach his 2nd birthday...and reach it BOLDLY, might we add!  He is one healthy and strong boy right now.  This past year has been so much fun with him. We can actually say that now and MEAN what we say!  He really is so much fun. Our first year with Jett was scary and full of hospital visits and the unknown.  We weren't sure he would even make it past his first birthday.  In fact, at times, we prayed that Heavenly Father would do what He needed to do to ensure Jett's comfort...whatever that may be.  However, Jett's strong will to live took over and he stayed with us!  The second year started out rough for a bit (with sickness and such), but from March until now, Jett has been the happiest and healthiest boy!  We couldn't be more happy with our little guy.

Daddy was able to come to Jett's PT appointment last week.

Jett cuddling with Grandma Sherrie

Cody and I talk a lot about what exactly it is about Jett that draws people to him.  There's something about him that just melts your heart and makes you smile.  For the longest time, we couldn't figure out what it was and then, just last night, I was reading a passage out of a book and the answer became very clear.  Currently, I'm reading a book that my mother-in-law gave me called One Tattered Angel by Blaine M. Yorgason.  It is a true story about a family that adopts a little girl with severe disabilities.  She was born missing a large portion of her brain (much like Jett) and was expected to only live a few months.  Well, I'm not finished with the book yet, but I do know that the little girl lived until she was 8-years-old and greatly impacted the lives of those around her.  Below is the passage that I read last night.  It starts out with the father speaking to his wife about their daughter, Charity.

Passage from One Tattered Angel:

"That little girl touches me in ways I have never been touched, " I told Kathy one day. "I absolutely love and adore her, but I'm also in awe of her; I cry with joy when she smiles at me; I can hardly keep myself from smothering her with hugs and kisses; I find myself constantly singing to her; I feel guilty when I'm around her because I don't know how to care for her the way you do, and yet I know with every fiber of my being that she loves me unconditionally; and I don't think I will ever in this life stop wondering who she really is.  Yet if I were asked what Charity does to affect me like that, I don't know if I could give a sensible answer."  (The last statement is exactly what Cody and I talk about all the time!)

Continuing on:

"Sure you could," Kathy responded.  "She may never talk or sing or run or jump or play like other little girls, which are the things we always talk about when we describe our children, but she does do something.  She RADIATES.  She is like a lamp with a bulb that seems to grow brighter the older she gets, radiating love and joy and peace to any who come near and want to feel it."
                                                                                                   -Blaine M. Yorgason

I couldn't have said it more perfectly myself.  Jett isn't able to do much physically, but what he does for us emotionally and mentally far outweighs any of that.  He simply RADIATES.  When I hold him, I literally feel all of the stresses in my life melt away...and he IS my biggest stress! I don't get it.  I really don't, but I'm grateful for the blessing that he is in my life.

Happy 2nd Birthday to our little Fighter Jett!!  Keep fighting the good fight little man.  We love you so much and look forward to many more years with you.

One of Jett's nurses did this fun Christmas craft with him.  Jett's hands and feet were painted and stamped onto the canvas to create the pictures.  Too cute!  It immediately made it's place on our wall.

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