Pure Joy Pt. 2

Gregg's sister Staci took this photo the night we found out about Emme.  The best thing we could come up with in a hurry to share the good news with Gregg's parents was to tape a piece of paper to one of Herc's bandannas. 

This is what happiness looks like.

Pure Joy

2 Nephi 2:25
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

September 1st will be a day we never forget.  It started on my way to work. I was down that day and felt the need to pray. I turned off the radio and poured my heart out like I had done so many times. I told Heavenly Father I was trying, REALLY trying to live in faith, but I wasn't doing a good job at it. I felt we had a baby coming soon, but every day went by without an email from a potential birth mom or even a hint we were being looked at.  I'll always remember rushing home from work to meet our caseworker after finding out we needed to sign paper work.   The shock of reading I was getting a baby. The deep gratitude that Heavenly Father did remember me and has a plan for me. Talking to Emme's aunt and setting up a time to meet {M}.
Most of all I'll remember the JOY. PURE JOY I felt that night. We called each of our siblings and my parents and shared the spectacular (there's not even a word good enough) news. We had screamers, bawlers, and just plain excited responses. A few people even collapsed to the ground. It made us realize how much everyone was on our team. After having so much bad news from us it was the best thing ever to give them good news.

This year we celebrated by getting in our Utah gear for their first game and going to dinner at Olive Garden because that's where we met Emme's birth mom and aunt. We reminisced over pasta and proudly showed off the girl that's made our lives amazing.

Tubes

At the end of June we were finally able to get tubes in Emme's ears. All went well and we had a good experience.  I only wish they'd let us keep the hospital outfit because she looked so dang cute in it.  Emme was grumpy after they woke her up, but it was mainly due to her being hungry. After we got food down her she was fine and back to normal. A girl after my own heart.  The surgery was so fast I barely had a chance to get on Facebook before the doctor came to talk to us.  

One thing that was cool was her anesthesiologist told us both of his kids were adopted and he only had a days notice for one of them. For some reason this made me feel safer knowing my child was in his care. Maybe because I felt more connected to him. Funny how knowing others have adopted makes you automatically understand them and all they've been through. 

Emme has had one infection since the tubes, but it was so nice just to do drops instead of taking her to the doctor and doing an antibiotic that makes her sick. It confirmed to me even more that it was a wise decision to put tubes in her ears. 

J Family Reunion 2011

We had another great year at the Jackson Family Reunion.  Some memories we made were...


Giving kisses to those we love,

Hanging out with daddy,

Jumping in the bounce house,

Playing with cousins,

Listening to the talent we have in our family,

Being silly,

and last but definitely not least enjoying the campfire. 

Rudolph the ?

I'm finally getting the courage to post a video that happened back in December.  You can call it stage fright, brain cramp, or just plain forgetfulness.  I like to call it funny and that's why I'm sharing.  

*The video quality is very poor because it's from my phone.  If I'm ever ambitious enough to actually hook my phone up to the computer I'll post it in better quality.

We Like It Here

Thanks to Brad and Tricia, we have a lot of opportunities to go to St. George.  We went back in the beginning of June and enjoyed the hot desert sun. Swimming, shopping, and eating out is always a must.

Gotta start the trip out right, by getting all the Salt Lake grit off the car. 

Big fan of swings.

Swimming is a must.

Emme loves the water.

Hobo Joe's as we Alexander's refer to it.

Such a Ham.

Snow Cone with cream and ice cream at the bottom?  Yes please!

Love Tuacahn.

Emme's first time in Vegas.

Family Fotos

After temple photos we changed and took some family photos.  Our photographer Jess Bishop was awesome and spent a long time with us.  I wish I could go back and change the outfit that I wore, because I look pregnant in it (I'm not), but other than that I love them.  Now you're thinking that too, am I right?