Dear Jackson, on the eve of your sixth birthday...

You are six. How did that happen?! I know it is cliche, and that people say it all the time, but time does fly by in a wink. It does feel like it was just yesterday that you were born. You came into this world, quite timely as I always say, on your due date. After a long hard labor. You were worth the wait, the pain, and the pushing. You were worth it all. The sleepless nights that soon followed. The constant worrying about whether we were doing everything "right." Every moment that you have been with us has been a blessed one - even the ones where we are arguing about whether you can wear your snowboots on a 75 degree afternoon.

You are, at the ripe old age of six, smart, funny, witty, and most of all -- FUN! You love school - even though you often tell us you don't want to go. You love your friends - Lanae, Jackson George, our playgroup pals, all the kids in the neighborhood, all your buddies at school. You make friends easily, and are excited when you meet new kids when we are out and about. You love your teacher Ms. Jody. You are obsessed with Star Wars and spiders and riding your bike. You eat voraciously, and it is not uncommon for you to ask for a second breakfast, lunch, or dinner -- or all three. You love watching "Phinneus and Ferb" and all the "Star Wars" movies. You love playing "Star Wars" and "Batman" on the Wii. You dress up in costumes just about every single day, alternating between -you guessed it - "Star Wars," "Transformers," and various superheroes. Holden is your very bestest pal. You are a total Daddy's boy. But you cry for Mommy when you are hurt or scared. You are sensitive and kind. You can throw one heck of a tantrum. You are polite - most of the time. You are considerate - most of the time. You are loving - all of the time. When you see an ambulance or a firetruck go by on the street you immediately say "I hope everyone's ok." I love you for that. You are genuine. You can read level 3 books. You are an amazing artist - we didn't see that trait coming, to be honest, but it has become very apparent to us over the last several months. You are tall (who knew!?)! You still have the most stunning blue eyes that have only gotten brighter and more beautiful with age. Your hair is soft and yellow. You are starting to have the real face of a boy - much less "baby" face than before. You have the sweetest voice. And the biggest feet. You are all we could have ever asked for in a son. And we relish the year ahead for you, and all that it holds.

Happy Birthday my sweet Jackson James. We love you all the way to the moon...and back again.

Six years...

Daddy and Mommy just before you were born (yeah, that really is Mommy...)

All swaddled up with no place to go - shortly after you were born

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

Just a bit before age 6