Family stuff

I'm so glad that school is out for Jackson and I can't wait for Phillip to be done. Friday is his last day. We really love having him home. Sure, there are times that I wish he would go away somewhere for a little while, but for the most part, it's great. I'm pretty sure I get on his nerves more than he gets on mine. It will be really good for Jackson to have his daddy home with him for 2 1/2 months. I've kind of felt like Jack has not had a lot of individual time with us since we got the baby. I think we've done the best we could have done, but a second child just takes some time away from the first. It amazes me how patient, understanding, and forgiving Jackson is. He's just been a huge help since we got baby M. Jackson is a very special little boy. Anyway, enough gooshing on and on about Jackson.

(Side note: Phillip and Jackson are playing a Wii game and I just heard Jackson say, "Dad, I'm so proud of you. I'm just so happy at you.")

About the baby, it's been over seven weeks now since he's had a visit with his biological mom. And as of now, no more visits have been scheduled. We were told when we got him that his mom would be allowed weekly visits and so far she's only seen him two times in four months. I feel pretty optimistic that he's here to stay. But until the ink is dry on the paper, anything could change. He has a court date towards the end of June. They could start talking termination at that point. They won't actually terminate at that time, but they may set a termination date. They could also change his legal status to adoption rather than family reunification. It's just terminology, but it's something. Anyway, we've decided that if we're able to adopt him, we're going to name him Micah Benjamin Hintze. His given name is not Micah. But he's young enough that he probably won't know the difference. We call him Micah B. (Micabee) most of the time anyway. So, from now on when I refer to him, I'll refer to him as Micah. I'm tired of calling him "Baby M." on my blog.

Phillip's brother is getting married in August to my "dream girl." I wanted him to marry her way back when she was in our youth group at our previous church. I mean, I didn't want him to marry her then, I was just hoping then that he would marry her someday. Anyway, it's pretty cool. Jackson is going to be the ring bearer, so I hope doesn't screw that up. I'm going to be taking some engagement pictures for them this weekend, and I hope I don't screw that up.

More about Jackson...
Jackson has somehow gotten it in his big head that it's the mommy's responsibility to clean up the house, take care of the baby, cook, and all that other stuff that's stereotypically "women's work." He likes to remind me sometimes of things I have left undone around the house. Not cool, kid, not cool. I can't wait until he's big enough to do some work around here without just making more work for me. I am determined that he's going to be a good husband someday. And that means he needs to know how to do laundry, cook, and clean toilets.

Did you read that, Phillip??? Clean toilets! They don't magically clean themselves. Oh, man, I bet he wishes he was teaching summer school! He thinks he's getting a summer break. Ha!