let her sun never set...

She (Joyce), sounded just like her uncle, her Papa Turtle.  I realized then how happy I am that this 12 year old girl has Jax to look up to.  That he is such a role model for her.  They go on dates for Chipotle.  He holds the door open for her.  He surprises her with little trinkets here and there.  I am so thankful for their wonderful relationship, and the values and morals he instills in her.

...the only way to help a friend is to hurt them. This is a hard realization I've had to come to these past two weeks. And while I know it has nothing to do with being transgender or having a baby, but I just had to get it off my chest.

That’s all for now as my Mexican food (having a business right next to an amazing Mexican restaurant is dangerous) is getting cold.  Be good kids.

9/8/15 A double celebration of sorts. My 29th birthday and one year to the day Jackson started testosterone. I cannot believe it has been an entire year of injections. An entire year of needles and battling insurance companies. High highs, and extreme lows. It feels like just yesterday we were sitting in that Walgreens waiting for that little vial. Your bravery amazes me. You are living your authentic life and look how far you've come in a year. We're embarking on two new adventures (ok, one is more like picking up where we left off), but I couldn't be more excited to walk through life with you.

To the man in Walgreens this morning with his two young daughters. The entire store could hear you yelling at them near the drink cooler. They simply wanted a drink with the fun cartoon characters on it. But you yelling "No! You can't have that! Just stand there, it's not that hard! Jesus Christ." And then a slew of expletives under your breath while you made sure you got your iced tea and cigarettes... Not cool. At all. They are children. They are to be to be cherished no matter how demanding the job of being their parent might be. I didn't tell you then how much your behavior hurt my heart, probably because I was very close to crying. You don't know that my husband and I have been dealing with infertility. You don't know the struggles of someone who wants so badly to be a parent, but despite all their efforts isn't successful. I'm not saying that my husband and I would be "better" parents. And maybe you don't normally treat them in that manner... All I'm saying is, cherish your children. Cherish them as babies, as young people, and as adults, because being a parent is the most difficult job in the whole world, but it's also the best and only afforded to some.

Today is completely amazing. I am so proud of the decision our Supreme Court made and the efforts of everyone countrywide to make this day possible. Through all the celebration, it's easy to forget that not even ten years ago, marriage equality was seemingly out of reach. Today I live in a country where a basic civil right is afforded to all. It's not about religion or politics. Today is simply about love. Today I also pause for reflection. Up until a year ago, Jax and I were still second class citizens in the eyes of our country. Obviously that changed when Jax's gender marker changed, however our lives are still not without struggle. Today is a HUGE victory. But the fight still isn't over. There is still work to be done. Second parent adoption or reproductive rights for LGBT couples. Transgender rights, having trans issues recognized by insurance companies. The list goes on and on. Today we celebrate, tomorrow, we go back to work. Congratulations America.

Birthday boy with his birthday ice cream! First Dairy Palace run of the season! (at Dairy Palace)

Beachside selfie #jacksonturns29

Celebrating this hunk's 29th birthday today! #mywholeheart #jacksondavid (at Purple Parrot Grill)

Driving into Philly for doctor's appointments in rush hour traffic are a pain... But the views are pretty epic. (at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals)

I can't believe it's been six months since Jax first started T. We're sitting in the waiting room at the incredible Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia waiting to be seen by his endocrinologist. It's time for a level check and fingers crossed his dose of weekly testosterone will be increased. I look at the journey still in front of us. I don't think it will ever stop, but then I look back at how far we've come, especially in the last year and it blows my mind. It isn't always easy but this has made me realize how strong not only our relationship is, but my husband himself. I can only imagine what this is like for him, but I am so incredibly proud of the man he's always been and is now being able to become.

There are small moments and there are big moments. Today was a big moment as Jax walked across the stage to receive his Bachelor's degree. What made the moment even bigger, was the fact that this was the first time he received a degree as "Jackson David"... Yes, I cried. Congratulations baby! You did it!