Ericka J
Just days after graduating from Auburn University, Ericka took a trip to Africa that changed her life forever. She discovered two unexpected things there: a passion for orphan care, and her husband Rusty! Together they founded The Sound of Hope, and have spent the past 10+ years working to provide holistic care to vulnerable children around the world. Though her heart (and time) is divided between other countries – she’s proud to call Birmingham, Alabama home!
When Ericka & Rusty decided to grow their family through adoption, they never guessed it would take five heart-wrenching years to get their daughter home from Thailand. These days Ericka tries to soak up every moment of long-awaited motherhood to their beautiful little girl, Kate. Their Thai darling is growing up way too fast, and Ericka is mildly obsessed with over-documenting it all on Instagram and her blog!
In addition to managing The Sound of Hope, Ericka and her husband run a video & photography business called RJackson Media. In her “free time" (do moms have free time?!) Ericka enjoys gardening, decorating, and DIY projects. She also loves singing, dancing, and acting – and was cast in her very first musical theatre role last year. She firmly believes that you’re never too old to try something new!
5 Ways To Be A Rainbow (as the COVID clouds roll on)
It's been a long, cloudy year friends. Though I know we've been looking for rainbows in the midst of the storm - I also know we're tired! We've passed a year since lockdown began...
Happy Birthday to Me – and Dr. King
I don’t remember when I realized that I shared a birthday with Martin Luther King, Jr. It must have been around the time I started school, since we got the day off each year...
When You Miss the First Four Years . . .
When you miss the first four years of your child's life, you might look at things a bit differently . . .
You might order four little birthday cakes, light a bunch of extra candles,...
A World More Beautiful, A Heart More Burdened :: Perspectives on Living as an...
In 2016, we welcomed our first child, a Thai daughter, into our hearts and lives. Becoming a transracial, cross-cultural, adoptive family made my role as a (new) mother quite complex. My world became more...
Looking for Rainbows in the Back-to-School Storm
"What you focus on, grows."
"What you focus on, grows." This is a quote I've been meditating on for a while now (long before we'd ever heard of COVID19) -- but right now it feels...
Black Americans are Grieving – It’s Time for White Americans to Acknowledge Their Pain
*Black Americans are grieving. Your Black friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and the strangers you pass on the street are carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders and a sharp pain in their chest. In early...
How to Thrive When Working From Home With Your Spouse
I will never forget those first few years of marriage when people would sweetly ask, “Aww, how long have you two been married?!” We’d answer them–one year, two, three, four–and they would respond all...
The Day I Was Crowned (at Shades Creek Dental)
My Crowning Moment
After my first visit to Shades Creek Dental, Dr. MacBeth told me, "You need a crown."
So, I was like, "I know, right?!"
Miss America dreams die hard, and I was looking forward to...
Thoughts from a Mom with Dental Trauma: Why I Chose Shades Creek Dental
I’m one of those people . . . one who cringes at the thought of going to the dentist, who puts off appointments way too long, and who finally goes in for a cleaning...
Crafting with Connection :: A Simple Gift to Make for (or with) Your Child
These little necklaces started as an idea to connect with my daughter as she was beginning preschool. I wanted a way for her to feel close to me while we were apart. We promised...