Jackson Abram Logsdon

Jackson's favorite things in the world (besides his Dad) are hot air balloons. I don't remember exactly when it became his favorite, but he has always just loved airplanes and hot air balloons. When Grandma and Grandpa Schultz were in town in July we went to the hot air balloon festival in Celina, and a few weeks ago there was one in Plano. Chauntel got up really early and took just him out to see the balloons. HE LOVED IT!!! He also got that great blow up hot air balloon that he plays with all around the house. He talks all the time about the hot air balloon "bestibal".
I will have to say that there are very few things that will warm your heart quicker than a smile from my youngest son. He is naturally sweet. You can't help but be happy around him because he is so happy all the time. He loves to laugh and smile. It's so amazing how he can touch each of us. Him and Kayla sleep together at night "so he can protect her". Jackson loves to wrestle or karate Isaac, and it's amazing to me how good Isaac is about not totally destroying him. Isaac thinks it's great how fearless Jackson is. I've taught him how to "wrap up" on a tackle and he goes at Isaac 100%. Jackson will come up to me about 2 times a day and ask me to go to the front room so he can "box me up". I love it. Him and Mom have a special relationship now that the kids are back in school and they are home together alot. I love to hear from him how their day was when I get in from work everyday.
This morning in Seminary, I was teaching 2 Nephi 2 and the scripture about how " . . . and men are that they might have joy" came along. As I was preparing, my thought immediately was "what brings me joy?" The first thing that came to mind was the moment when I come in the back door at the end of the day and get my greeting from my little guy and hear about his potty adventures for the day. He's not old enough yet like the others to realize that I'm really not that cool of a guy and not worth the effort to say hi and give hugs. But I seek all of them out everyday and ask them how their day was because, as I was thinking in my lesson last night, my family truly is what brings me joy. I am happiest when we are doing things together (except fishing on Saturday. That was terrible - that's another story. I learned that kids under the age of 8 require a 1 to 1 parent/kid ratio when fishing. I was out numbered and quickly defeated. We were playing on the slides at that park within 30 minutes. And then it was fun)
With all that he has gone through already in his young life, it has far from soured him on life. Till we lay him down at night, he is still trying his best to "play bowling", or shoot hoops, or wrestle whoever is closest. It's Isaac's sense of accomplishment in spelling a new word for me - Makayla's pure excitement when doing division "clicked" to her - and Jackson's run around the bases after Isaac's baseball games with a slide into home that make being a Dad such a rewarding thing. What a great baby-maker Chauntel turned out to be. I knew she had the hips for it!