Today Jackson is 17 years old!
My sweet second son is one year away from adulthood. These years are speeding by!
Let's see what Jack's been up to this last year.
We had a combo birthday for Zeke and Jack last year on Sunday June 2nd. Ga-Ga had bought that cool Christian t-shirt for Zeke so she had to buy a cool one for Jack. He loves this shirt! Just recently though we've had to start buying him shirts in size L. I told him he could always go shop in his Daddy's closet since they now wear the same size.
Of course he got to open the OJEZ box as well.
Jackson is not a cake person...he'd much rather have pie so we had pie and cupcakes.
What Jack really wanted to do for his birthday was go to an escape room. Michael and I have been to a couple, but we've never taken the kids. I asked on FB for help finding ones that were more kid friendly. The last thing I wanted to do was have it be super scary or gory. I got tons of recommendations for Sure Lock Escapes so I booked the Abandoned Mineshaft room. I booked the room for 8 of us. Originally Zeke didn't want to go so it was going to be 6 kids and 2 adults, but then Zeke decided he wanted to go and Michael was sick so it still worked out. I was worried that there wouldn't be enough puzzles to keep all 8 of us busy and someone would feel left out, but there was plenty to figure out. We did have to ask for a few hints though, but we ended up making it out with 5 minutes to spare.
Right after Jack's birthday we left for the rafting trip with our church. Jack and Zeke rode down with Mr. Micah and Micah even let Jack and Andrew drive on the freeway since they both needed practice. We stopped at Cousin's for dinner and had some fun with photo props.
I don't know why, but this horse totally just makes this picture feel like one of those crazy Old Spice commercials.
Jack and Andrew wanted to be on the same raft so they were hanging out together waiting for the safety instructions. It was really nice that Youth Dynamics let the kids choose who they wanted to ride with. I was sure it was all going to be based on weight and where they put you is where they put you and you wouldn't have much say in the matter.
Our "campsite"- I say that with parentheses because it was a fairgrounds so it was just a big grassy field - ended up being the place where the kids hung out. We brought a few games and borrowed a game from one of the other guys there. We also brought outdoor toys so we spent some time playing catch and volleyball as well.
Last day of 10th grade!
Jack loves comics and he's created this comic strip with Pounce Puma, Staggy the Stag, Bill the Beaver, Cuddles the Bear, Will the Wolf, Cash the Squirrel. Pounce and Staggy are the main characters! I need to compile them all into a book. They really are very well done and funny!
One of Michael's co-workers gives us clothes every now and again for the boys. Jack's favorite is this Bass Pro Shop sweatshirt...it's definitely a staple in his wardrobe.
Owen and Caleb love all these super long turn based games which are not really Jack's thing at all, but while we were camping he joined in and played Nemesis with the guys. He actually won the two times he played.
Jackson would much rather play shorter silly games or sports.
Jack attended Drivers Ed with Andrew starting in March of 2024. They finished up in May and then Jack took his Driving Test on Thursday, May 30th. He passed on the first try, but you have to have your permit for 6 months before you can get your license so he couldn't get it right away. He didn't get his permit until mid-December so he had to wait to get his license until mid-June. I got him an appt on June 21st so we went in and got his license. On the very first day of having it he drove himself to MCD's.
Jackson is such a good eater. His favorites include...burgers, hot dogs, spaghetti, beans and fruit.
Jack and Zeke helped out at Kent Cornucopia Days for just a little bit until Owen came and picked them both up.
On Michael's birthday we went and did a nice hike. The weather was gorgeous, but unfortunately after lunch Jackson started not feeling the greatest so we headed back without making it to our final destination. He ended up getting sick on the side of the trail so it was good that we turned back early. Poor guy felt much better after that, but we made him stay home while the rest of us went out to dinner.
Summer Camp 2024 - Jackson is such an easy going guy. I love that even though his best friend Andrew wasn't able to come to summer camp that didn't worry him at all. He's able to go with the flow and have fun with all sorts of people.
Jack and Justine had some nice bro bonding time at summer camp. They even got up and watched the sunrise together and had bro talks. I can't get over how much Jack's hair looks like the 80's Ken doll.
Even though Jackson was working last summer we made sure to plan things around his schedule so he could still go with us. I love having all my kiddos with us on adventures.
Jack is the most affectionate when it comes to hugging his sister.
Jack and Justine get along really well and it's been nice seeing their relationship grow. They definitely like to give each other a hard time and be silly...more Justine than Jack, but Jack's a good sport about it.
All of Jack's completed work from his 10th grade year!
On one of our hikes Jack didn't bring a coat and it was a bit chilly starting out...Justine...being his amazing benevolent self...lent Jack his hoodie so he wouldn't be cold.
My sweet Jackers!
Jack is most definitely the quietest of all my kids. You have to word things just right with him or you get the typical teenage responses of, "Yeah", "No", "Sometimes", "I don't know".
We had so much fun last year going on hikes with the kids. It really is an awesome, basically free way to get them away from electronics and have a fun shared experience with them.
All of my kids are big readers...they could sit with a book and read for hours. Jack is so funny when you ask him about camping he'll say..."It's so weird that we spend a bunch of money to live outdoors when we have a perfectly good house!" Don't let that fool you though...he loves camping!
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These two couldn't be more different if they tried. Always disagreeing and always butting heads. If I tried to have one of them help the other in regards to school work, WWIII would almost break out. They have zero patience for each other either. It's not a good situation. Thankfully they co-exist pretty well most of the time, but I'm just gonna keep praying that one day they'll actually like each other.
Onto 11th grade!
School for Jackson just comes naturally. He honestly doesn't struggle much at all. Geometry was the subject he's had the hardest time with, but even that he just focused and with a little help from me he got it done. He consistently is finished with all his work before 11am.
During his 11th grade year he completely finished all his PE requirements since he had the job as a swim instructor. He was in the pool for hours swimming with the kids. He also finished 2 years worth of French in 7 months. Like I said...school just comes easily for him.
On Saturday, September 21st, Yeaab (Youth Pastor) and I took the youth kids to the Puyallup Fair. It ended up only be the 5 of us since a bunch of the other kids couldn't make it.
We had such a great time and the weather was amazing!
Jack and Justine had to try out the mattresses in the Showplex.
Jack is always quick to volunteer for anything in regards to church. For the Fall Festival he and Andrew ran the golf game.
I doubt Jack is gonna turn down free candy anytime soon!
Jack is definitely the most clothing conscience boy in the family. He likes certain styles and when he likes something he wants whatever it is in multiple options. For example...he still loves flannel shirts and he has numerous flannels in different colors.
Jack also loves Diet Coke and fast food in general. Many many times he's come home from working at the Federal Way Community Center and he's carrying a MCD's bag and a large soda. It's so fun to see him being independent and spend his money on things he enjoys.
Look at this Beef Cake!
That's one of my favorite nicknames for Jackson. He actually has meat on his bone so he's beefy...I'm not saying that negatively though. It's nice because I can squeeze him when I hug him and there's actually something to squeeze. He's also such a handsome dude!
Jack is still shorter than Owen is and for the most part I don't think it really bothers him. He has bigger feet than Owen does so I would assume that he would be taller, but maybe that's just a silly old wives tale. I just measured him a couple weeks ago and he was 5' 8". He was just complaining of growing pains so there's still a chance he could add a couple more inches in height.
Another piece of clothing Jackson really likes is a good jean jacket. He is just like his Daddy though and he has monkey arms. He also likes the jean jackets that are lined with wool. I will definitely be on the lookout for a new one for this fall since he's grown out of the one he had.
Since Jackson's been in the pool for months working he's been getting more and more conditioned. He also decided to start using weights at home to build up his muscles. He doesn't want to get "Jacked" per se, but he does want to be in good shape.
Baking with my sweet guy!
I love how Jackson can smile and look so good without showing his teeth. Some people can smile better without showing teeth and it just works for them.
Jack and Zeke still share a room and they co-exist quite well together. There is occasionally a little arguing over the fan being on or something silly, but for the most part they are good roommates. They also love to play with the same things so that helps. Right now they are really into this new racetrack we bought Zeke for his birthday. There room has basically been completely taken over by this racetrack, but it doesn't seem to bother either of them at all.
Jack very much wanted a new guitar for Christmas and that's just what he got...not that that was shocker at all come Christmas morning!
Papa and Jack are still doing guitar lessons weekly on Tuesday afternoons. Jack and Papa played together for us on Christmas Day. I know they are also planning on playing something for us at Papa & Pa's 75th Birthday Party later in June. The guitar we bought Jack had a few things wrong with it...so earlier this year Papa took him down to Guitar Center in Southcenter so they could professionally tune the guitar. They also hydrated the fret board. After he got it back it sounded much better.
Jackson is my Hallmark Christmas Movie and Fixer to Fabulous watching guy. If I turn on any type of romantic movie or DIY show he's all for it. He also likes watching a bunch of the different Disney Channel shows like Liv & Maddie or Good Luck Charlie.
He has no problem using Ella's tumbler that says Best Girlfriend Ever! :)
Jack is still obsessed with Toy Story all these years later. He had really been wanting a new Buzz Lightyear that was movie accurate and he found one on Ebay. It was a pretty penny, but it was his money and he worked for it so he bought it. It's has some fun features...it glows in the dark, his wings are semi-transparent, it has toy mode and live Buzz Lightyear mode, Buzz's head moves back and forth when he talks, he says all the major lines from the movie, he has motion activated whooshing noises when you fly him around, all his joints ratchet into place to he's posable and his laser lights up. If you put him in live mode and push the button for his laser his head moves so he's looking in the direction the laser is being shot. He also has a microphone so when you talk to him he'll talk back. It really is quite impressive!
Jackson does his schoolwork sitting in the living room and he uses the coffee table that raises up as his desk. Charlie loves to get up and get Jackson's attention by walking right across his work and demanding to be acknowledged. He also loves to cuddle up right next to Jack on one of the pink blankets. Jack always says that he's Charlie's favorite!
Jack and Justine have been helping Michael in the basement by screwing in the drywall for him. From what I heard there was just about the same amount of complaining as there was actual working. :)
Ahhh...they're so sweet!
After Michael and the boys (Jack and Justine) had finished working we took all the kids - minus Owen and Zeke because they didn't want - out to eat at Olive Garden. Jackson loves spaghetti, but most of had a bad experience with spaghetti the last time I made it so we have avoided it like the plague. Jack was so happy to get to order a big plate of yummy spaghetti and thankfully the smell of it didn't make the rest of us gag.
Whenever we are on our way home from church this is the seating arrangement. Owen and Zeke are in the back....I think Owen might have come in another vehicle on this particular day...Jack, Ella and Justine are always in the middle seats. Jack can be a stinker because his favorite spot is right behind the driver. He'll be heading to the van to get in and Ella and Justine will be right behind him and instead of getting in and sliding over, he'll just get in and sit down and look at them like..."What?" Usually that's followed by. "This is my seat." and "Go around to the other door."
Jackson and his Ga-Ga!
Ga-Ga & Pa come over almost every Wednesday for Family Night. It's so nice to get that time with them in the middle of the week. What's even better is they are in the process of selling their house and moving up near us. There new place will only be 1.6 miles from our house. They should be all moved in this time next month. Yay!!!!
Our Youth Pastor, Yeaab, took another job at a different church in a different state. On his last Sunday he preached, but before he got started he talked about having to go through all his stuff and pack it up. He set a couple things aside for Andrew and Jackson since he knew they would put them to good use. He gave Andrew his first bass guitar and Jack a foot pedal board. It was so nice of him!
Jack and Andrew have been friends since before they were born. It was so fun for Kim and I to be pregnant at the same time. They were born 3 weeks apart almost to the exact minute!
The Choralons from Northwest University came to our church back in spring 2025. They had a booth set up talking about NU. The boys were actually interested and wanted to go check out the college. I noticed that they had one more Friday campus visit left before the school year ended so we registered for that one. I took Owen, Jack and Justine with me. It was a whole day and it was so much fun! I had never been on a college campus tour before. NU was amazing...we attended chapel and worshipped together, we heard from most of the department heads getting all sorts of info, we took a campus tour to the different learning centers, we ate lunch in The Caf, we toured one of the student housing buildings and we also got to sit in and listen to The Choralons practice. It was a very full, but very fun day! Ultimately Owen & Jack didn't think it was a good fit for them, but Justine said he'd be interested in going there if he decides to go into the ministry. Such fun experience!
Look at this handsome guy wearing a shirt that Pa gave him. He looked so nice for Mother's Day!
