As I sit here today, and write, my heart is full! One year ago, October 3, 2010, our lives changed forever when this sweet boy entered the world. Unaware that he would be born with Down Syndrome, unsure of how to express my emotions, my thoughts, my fears, and, yet, this precious little boy immediately stole our hearts all the while looking up at us with his innocent eyes as if saying, "I know I'm not what you expected, but please love me!"There are no words and no doubt to how much we love this little guy!
It has been an exhausting week...reliving memories, fears, times, and places of a life once lived one year ago and, yet, here we are...survivors of emotional triumph, physical triumph for Jack, and more sure than ever that miracles still happen, God truly loves us, and his mercy is Great!
I look back at this picture (above) and remember the tears and see the exhaustion and worry through my tear-stained face and puffy eyes.So, this year is a celebration...celebrating Jack, the miracle of his life, the JOY he has brought into our home, and the celebration of family and friends who have shared their love, given us strength, and empowered us each step of the way!
It is difficult and painful to remember where we were one year ago, but so joyful to see where we have arrived...it is such a good place to be--very full circle!
We felt it was ever-so appropriate to Celebrate all of the Super Hero's in our/Jack's life and feel Jack is quite the "Super" himself! Having survived 2 weeks of near-starvation, 2 surgeries, 45 days at PCMC, pneumonia, a partially collapsed lung, Pulmonary Hypertension, it is a miracle he is still here and our family and friends are our Hero's who helped saved our year!
Several friends helped me make these adorable "Super Hero" cookies as party favors. Each cookie, we attached a message that said : "Super Jack thanks you for being one of our Super Hero's and for Saving our Year."
And, of course, his own miniature tiered cake to dive into...
My parents flew in from Nashville for the party...two of my greatest Hero's! They have lived and breathed every moment with us. Words cannot express the love and gratitude we feel towards these two amazing people!If only Devon's parents could have been here to celebrate with us as well...we never would have made it through those first few months without them! We love them and missed having them at the party!
I went a little overboard and invited every friend and family we have in the area. We were lucky enough to take a few pictures...Grandpa and Grandma visited Jack and I several times at the hospital, brought me lunch, and shared stories.
We had somewhere around 65 people attend Jack's party...the moment that everyone gathered to sing Happy Birthday was emotional!
We truly have the most AMAZING family and friends!
Little Jack-Jack! He has brought feelings of joy, peace, love, and inspiration into our home that we never thought possible! Happy Birthday, sweet baby boy! We love you so much!
