Dear Jackson,

Happy birthday to you!  I wish Babu and I could be there to celebrate your very special 8th birthday with you.  I know you have to be so excited and looking forward to the birthday party your family is going to have.

Looking back I remember how excited I was to be home from Africa when you were born.  I actually got to see you the minute you popped into the world and even took pictures of that incredible moment.  That was the best day!!! You were quite a big boy even then.

The next time I saw you was when you were six months old when you and your mommy and sisters came to Ohio to visit us at Nan and Baa’s house. All I can remember is how squishy and cuddly you were.  I loved to just sit and hold you. You were such a happy baby and you sure kept your mom and dad on their toes. How special that they named you Jackson “Hayburn” Slater! Baa and Babu are so proud of that.  I couldn’t believe how much you had grown in such a short amount of time.  I knew from that moment you would be a very tall man some day–maybe even taller than your daddy.

I have so many wonderful memories of our visits with you in Portland at your house in Hillsboro.  Remember your 4th birthday?  You were really into Toy Story and must have watched the DVD at least a hundred times.  I think I have it memorized after watching it with you so many times.

I can’t even remember all their names but I can still picture all the characters lined up on your bed.  What amazed me was how organized you were with all your stuffed animals and characters.  I wonder what plans God has for you with all your organizational skills.

I also remember how much you loved to go to Starbucks for hot chocolate with Babu. I don’t know who enjoyed it more–you or Babu.  He told me that he asked you what you wanted to eat and you told him you didn’t want anything.  He bought himself a pastry and offered you a bite.  He said you ate the whole thing.  From that day forward, you always ordered your own.  Going to a coffee shop is Babu’s favorite thing to do and it became a tradition with your mom and Auntie Jen all through their growing up years.  We called it “Cwoffee Twok” (I don’t know how in the world you spell it).  I guess you and Babu are going to carry on with the tradition.

It was such a blessing when we were able to visit you the year you turned five. You were growing up so fast I couldn’t believe it. This was when you all moved into your new house.  I remember how difficult it was for you to be the little brother with two older sisters.  That was probably very frustrating for you at times.  What a blessing to finally have your own room.  That was the year I started noticing you working very hard on having self-control.  I was very impressed and knew you would grow up to be a kind and thoughtful young man.

The first time you all came to visit us in our new home  in North Carolina was when you were six.  We had so much fun. You and your cousins really got to know each other that summer. You were just starting to get into swimming in the ocean and before I knew it, you were swimming like a fish.  Playing in the sand making sand castles and on the days we went to our swimming pool, you were getting braver and braver by the day.

Last summer we had even more fun than the one before.  That first day you arrived, we went for Khol’s ice cream, which I think is also becoming a tradition. Just looking at these pictures gets me so excited about this summer when you come back to the beach for vacation. We are busy getting the house all ready for you and we are excited for summer to get here.  Only 6 more months!!! We are going to have soooooooo much fun!!!

Before you know it, you will be all grown up and I believe God has a very special purpose for your life.  You are not only growing physically into a handsome young man, but I see you becoming a man after God’s own heart.  I know that Jesus is also very proud of you because Babu and I are very proud of you.

I am counting the days until you come to North Carolina for vacation.

Babu and I love you and are praying for you.  Have a wonderful day today.

Love,

Shosho