Jack

A few days ago I got to go see Kody out in Temecula and take him to lunch and the park. I could not have gone ONE more day without seeing his sweet little face. While we were eating lunch he told me he learned how to scuba dive. (WHAT?!?) I was asking all sorts of questions about it and he said his Papa (Dave's dad) showed him what to do and by the end, he was doing it by himself. I'm the kind of girl who can't even go under water without plugging her nose so you can imagine the thoughts running through my head. He was super excited about it and told me Nama (Dave's mom) took some really cool pictures of it. I said how excited I was to see the pictures andthen he got this weird look on his face as he explained that they are NAMA's pictures and I wouldn't get to see them because they are HERS and not MINE. We changed the subject and continued talking about what he's been up to but in the back of my mind I kept reminding myself to send an email to Nama right when I got home and ask for the photos.

We drove home (in record speed I might add *thank you very much FX Los Angeles Traffic station*) and I logged into my email so I could get it out of the way before I forgot. Inbox had a message. I check it and see it's from Nama. With an attachment! I opened it up and saw the pictures of him learning to scuba with his Papa. I felt so blessed to have such an amazing extended family that would send such small tokens of memories so quickly to me. I know some people may think what David and myself have created for Kody (as far as our family goes) may seem weird or unnatural. I will tell you this- I still see Davids family like my own and I am thankful for what we have created everyday! I am thankful for a Nama who is always so thoughtful and great at maintaining contact with me even though our lives are so hectic and busy. I am thankful for the love they show to Kody everytime they are with him and for the great example they are to him. I couldn't pick a better family to be "ex-in laws" with! :)

I saw some old friends of ours yesterday at the funeral that knew me as Shannon Black. (flashback!) While we were talking, they asked about David. How grateful I was to be able to share with them how great he is doing and tell them about his cute family. I am thankful that we have been able to put whatever hard feelings we have had about each other or the situation aside and make a beautiful life for Kody together!

And what amazing son we have! No joke. I remember one family dinner we went around the table and had to come up with one word to describe everyone. Sharalyn- thorough. Shannon- loyal. Jared- nice. Steve Luke- fun. You get the point. I remember getting to Uncle Kent and his word was- Jack of all trades. (we made an exception to the 1 word rule for him) As I sit here and look at these pictures and listen to Kody talk about how much he loved learning to scuba and how he wasn't scared, "Jack of all trades" comes to my mind. I am so thankful for the things everyone in my family has helped him learn so far. He has such an amazing ability to quickly learn whatever talent is in front of him and does it so well! He is smart and funny. Sweet and loving. Sensitive and in my opinion the best little man in the world. (I might be a little bias though!) He is our Jack.