Last Thursday was my birthday. The evening before, I heard panic in my oldest daughter’s voice when she said, “I forgot to make a card.” I let her stay up a little later that night, to ease her worry. When she woke up the next morning, after wishing me a happy birthday, she informed me that my gift was almost done and that she would print it after school.

Later that evening, right after dance class, she was true to her word. She got right back to work, putting the finishing touches on my gift and creating her own wrapping our of a zip lock bag. Below, you can read my life story, which I jokingly said could be used as a frame for my obituary some day. I thought this was a fitting share for the first day of the March Slice of Life Challenge-if you’re new here, you’ll have a full picture of my life, from the perspective of my nine year old daughter (some of her timeline is a little off…). If you make it to the end, notice all the nods to my kids’ teachers in my life story. A true testimony that teachers matter!

I’ve passed along the writing bug to Wren. I felt really proud that she knew that writing could be a gift…a really great gift. That’s what this challenge is… a gift. The gift of community, an outlet for freeing your mind, and capturing thoughts, ideas, and memories.

 THE STORY OF JESSICA CAREY

By, Wren Teagan Agnes Jean-Jacques

Jesssica Carey was born February 24, 1983. Her parents are Ida and Tim Carey. She was born and raised in Connecticut. Jessica was a very intelligent girl. She had two younger siblings, Dee and Mackenzie Carey. 

 At the age of 18 Jess went to Providence College to be a teacher. There she had an amazing time and learned a lot. She graduated the year of 2005 and her first job was a reading teacher at Kings Highway Westport CT. 

By now she had many friends from school, work, and college. 

Then she met a man. He had dark brown eyes, and a nice BALD  head!!! He went by the name of Arnauld Kerry Jean-Jacques.

Apparently that went well for her because they got married August 14, 2010. Their whole family was there and they had a “ Blazing time!” 

Then they were officially husband and wife. And Jess had changed her job to a literacy coach at Saugatuck. They had two dogs, Moose and Otis. Around 1 year later they decided to have a baby. Jess now had a huge belly.

And on August 13 2012 they had a baby girl named Wren Teagan Agnes Jean-Jacques. Man was she cute. 

Wren, Jess, and Arn were a rocking family of 3, but apparently Jess was not done.

 On May 4 2014 they had another baby girl named Adi Marie Jean-Jacques. She wasn’t as cute as Wren, if I had to tell the truth. 

Wren, Adi, Jess, and Arn, a family of 4, WOW!!! They were on a roll. All the diapers, and that stuff. 

Now Wren went to United Methodist preschool. She was nervous but Jess enjoyed listening to all of her great stories. 

But they were not done yet. 

Jessica had another baby girl named Rose Margaret  Jean-Jacques. She was a cutie pie, but Wren is still at the top.

Now she is done!!!

Then the family of 5, got Wren into a kindergarten in Viki Soto school. Then first grade, Ms. Farley was very kind to Wren.  

Adi Had now been in preschool in Westport. 

Then Wren started second grade, Adi Kindergarten. Mom made some tweaks to get Adi one of Mimi’s friends as a teacher. 

Then the pandemic started. Jessica got nervous because it was spreading fast!!! She was nervous for herself and her family. 

But she made sure they stayed safe. They wore masks, they stayed away from other children, Wren, Adi, and Rose stayed home and did online schoolwork. 

But soon enough, around a year later, everyone went back to school. Jess did have her children work from home once in a while. 

 By now, Wren started third grade, Adi started first grade, She got Ms. Farly, same as Wren so Jess was satisfied that Adi would have a good year.  

Then they decided to move out of 50 Knollwood Dr. and to 40l Hilltop Dr. 

Although they missed their home, they loved the room in the house, the yard, And the POOL!!!

Then Wren started Fourth grade, Adi second grade and Rose, pre- K in Westport. 

Their story continues, I can’t wait for the next chapter.