Jadyn Turns 1... And His Beautiful Mama

Happy Birthday to my sweet and adorable grandson Jadyn!  

Jadyn is the son of our oldest daughter, Joneya.  Joneya and I have quite the history.  When Joe and I met, we had a total of three kids from our previous marriages.  He had Jamaal and Joneya, and I had Shandi.  They are all a year apart, with Jamaal being the oldest and Shandi the youngest.  While Shandi and Jamaal integrated into our new family life without much of a hitch, Joneya really struggled.  Like most children involved in a divorce, she struggled with the loss of her "old family", new rules and this crazy red-headed white lady that was her Step-Mom.  When her kids are older I can't wait to tell them about the time she cut the bristles off of my makeup brushes and just sort of left them all over the sink in the bathroom, or the time that she tucked all my lipstick discretely into her suitcase so she could take it home with her (who, me? she said, ha ha).  The years came and went, and eventually she realized I was sticking around for the long haul, and our relationship silently improved.  We never spoke of it, but we didn't need to.  It just got easier, and better.  She knew that I loved her with all my heart, and she knew she could trust me.  

Joneya struggled in high school and eventually dropped out.  And then, I got "the phone call".  I knew the instant she called me instead of her Dad, and I could hear her tears, that she was pregnant.  She probably cried for ten straight minutes before she was able to choke the words out.  She was 19, a high school dropout, and pregnant.  And scared to death.  And then, she got it together.  Quickly. 

She enrolled in an alternative learning center and earned her GED before Jadyn was born.  She has worked incredibly hard on her relationship with Jadyn's Dad and relocated with him to another state to get a fresh start.  She is working not one, but two jobs to support her sweet little baby boy, and although life is hard, she is doing very well.  She knew it would be a struggle, but she didn't lay down, feel sorry for herself, and let it define her.  She got up swinging, and is doing a far better job at life than I would be if I were her age and in the same situation.  

And most importantly, she loves this little boy more than life itself, and it's obvious when you see her look at him.  He is clearly the most important thing in her life, and I know that he is the ground that she needed to get her life back on track.  He has made her a better person, and have I mentioned how stinkin cute this little guy is?  

The birthday boy enjoying his ball pit at his birthday party

Look at that sweet little face

Jadyn is obsessed with Mickey Mouse, so of course that was the theme of his party!

Now Check.This.Out.  Do you see this?  This is a CAKE!  A freshly baked cake that one of MY CHILDREN baked and decorated!  Way to go Neya!

While I love the picture of the cake all pretty and everything, THESE pictures of the cake are by far my favorite!!

Joneya sent a video of him eating his cake, and it was hilarious.  He didn't want to get his hands dirty and refused to eat it with his fingers.  Well, for a second anyway... clearly he got over himself by the looks of the first picture.  

Lots of presents!  

The coolest present he got was one from his Mama and Daddy.  They got him a one year pass to the aquarium, and after his party they piled in the car and took him for his first visit.  Joneya said he loved it, and they even took him back the next day.  

Happy Birthday Jadyn, I know you had a wonderful day filled with fun and love.  I cannot wait till you are a little older and I can kidnap you for a while in the summer!  I love you little boy!

Beautiful little family...

To my beautiful daughter Joneya,  I love you more than you can possibly imagine.  You amaze me everyday with your strength and courage.  I know life has not been easy for you, and certainly not fun at times.  But, my dear child, I am so proud of the woman you have become.  Your handsome little son is blessed to have you for his Mother.  I know how much you love him, and I know how hard you are trying to make a better life for him and for you.  I love you so very much, and I'm so thankful that I have been able to see you grow into the beautiful and strong woman that you are today.  

XOXOXO