Summer Fun

Here's a little peek into what we've been doing so far this summer.

We have been working on moving Jackson to his new "big boy" room. I'll post pictures when it's complete. He's adjusting well to the idea so far. He's wearing the back pack we got him for his birthday in this picture. He took his entire nap wearing it.




We tried out daddy's new wireless headphones he got for father's day.



No summer is complete without some side walk writing.



We've gone to the park when it's not blistering hot. And of course he prefers the dirt to the slides right now.

We have been able to make it to toddler story time at the library several times so far this summer. And the most exciting part is that Jackson has checked out his very first set of books. We will go back on Friday for more.

I love this picture of Laine and Jackson watching that show Wipeout. It's really silly but Jackson enjoyed watching the people fall in the water.

We've discovered locusts. He enjoys hearing them outside and saying, "hear that locust?" We found the skin of one and took it in to show daddy. Also, as you can see we've gotten hurt a lot. The scab above the eye was from a rocking chair accident. He has a bruised cheek from a fall and the scabs on his fingers are from a coffee maker burn. I definitely don't think I'd win mom of the year.

We enjoyed celebrating Kaley's and Aunt Anne's birthday. Jackson had a blast shooting everyone with water.

Jackson is in a very independent stage and constantly says, "my do it." So, we spend a lot of time cleaning up messes these days after he has tried to do something himself. Lots of patience needed at this house right now!

Now, on to my completely neglected baby #2! Poor little guy does not get the attention that he deserves. This is my first belly shot this pregnancy. As you can see, Jackson didn't want to miss out on the picture taking. I still have about 9 weeks until the c-section. The following two pictures are at 30 1/2 weeks. The last picture is from the morning I had Jackson. I think my belly is already bigger today than it was the day I had Jackson! YIKES!

This pregnancy has been very similar to Jackson's. I was sick to my stomach most of the time until 14 weeks during both pregnancies. Weeks 14 - 29ish were great! And, like with Jackson, around week 29 my body started aching. But I am still feeling pretty well. I haven't had the gall bladder pain like I did with Jackson so I'm hoping that won't be an issue this time. Here's what is completely different: this baby MOVES ALL THE TIME! He literally does somersaults in my belly, mostly at night. Jackson did not do that. I had a sono with Jackson around 26-28 weeks and they told me at the time that he was breech but that he would likely move into place. I really believe he never moved from that position and of course he was breech in the end. I never felt Jackson move the way this baby does. I think poor Jackson was stuck and I only felt his little arms and legs brush my sides.

Jackson is very sweet and kisses and pats my belly. Hopefully he is getting prepared to be a big brother!

A Soldier's Prayer For His Son

I love this poem. My sister has it hanging in her son's room. It's a famous poem by General Douglas McArthur written during a millitary campaign in the Philippines after watching his son asleep. I pray that God is creating such a boy inside of me now and that Jackson will have these qualities too. The scary part is that I'm going to have such influence on who these boys become. I pray I do them justice!


"Prayer for Arthur"

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the weakness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain"

Jackson's Sayings

Jackson is saying some really cute and sweet stuff these days. I want to write it down so I don't forget it. These are the moments that I want to wrap up and keep in my heart forever.



"Silly Doose (goose)." We like to call Daddy a silly goose.
"See dat (that)?" He says see that rock? See that boo boo? See that moon? etc.
"Hear dat (that)?" Hear that engine? Hear that plane? Hear that truck?
"I need this." or "I need that." Usually referring to something he can't or shouldn't have.
"Trash truck comes on Wednesday."
"Daddy/Mommy did it." Referring to whoever he is upset with at the time.
"I'm tired."
"Make coffee with daddy."
"I want to get the newspaper."
"Sad, sad." This is what he says when he is upset with someone.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh Doodness (goodness.)"
"I want to go to church." This one, of course, makes me smile.
"Ewwww Yutty (yucky.)"
"Pease (please), maam." When he really wants something!
"Honey/Babe, stop." This would be a direct quote of mine. :-)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little boy!

A Very Special First Week at Home

Jackson and I enjoyed our first week together. We had some very special visitors! Aunt Amanda and little Alex came for a visit all the way from Virginia. We went to the mall and the boys rode the carousel. For some reason Jackson is scared to ride ON the horse so we just rode together on the little bench.



This is just a random picture that I took. I think he looks so big in his new flip flops.



We had a group dinner at Babe's. There's no better place to go for down home food! Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of everyone together. We've been doing our monthly dinner together since 2003/2004 (can't remember exactly when we started.) We've added a spouse and several kiddos since we first started this tradition. Since Amanda and Jerry moved our monthly dinners have never been the same. It was GREAT to be together again!

Sweet little Alex.

It is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get 4 little boys together for a picture. This was the best one. Pretty soon there will be another little boy added to the mix and a little GIRL!!!

For some reason Jackson likes to rub everyone's head.

Jackson LOVES Jacob. I guess it's because Jacob is older and "cool." It's pretty funny to watch them together because Jackson love to run around and act crazy and Jacob is much more mature. I think Jackson drives him a little crazy.

We were able to get a little room off by ourselves. Thank goodness because once the boys were done they were able to just run around and chase each other.

Katherine, me, Amanda

The guys with the boys.

Thankfully, we will get to see Amanda, Jerry, and Alex at least one more time before they head back home.

Yesterday, Jackson helped Daddy mow the lawn.

This week was a great start to the summer!

Thank You Aunt Courtney and Mumsey

We had to say goodbye to Ms. Tamie and Ms. Erica a few days ago. These two ladies were amazing. We are so thankful that he had such loving and wonderful teachers this year. I cried on his last day because he had such a great year. I just can't say enough about how great they were. It is such a blessing to drop your child off in the morning and see his teacher hug and kiss him!

I still cannot believe that yesterday was my last day of work. Aunt Courtney and Mumsey were here watching Jackson during my last 6 days since our daycare closes when the teachers are done. THANK YOU to both of you for your help. We love you!

Jackson got to spend lots of time with his cousin Alex while Aunt Courtney was here.



























I hope he improves his technique before his baby brother gets here. He doesn't seem to be paying much attention...

Having to clean out my office gave me the opportunity to go back and reminisce about the last 12 years. I went back through pictures and all of the cards that parents and students have given me over the years and it really made me smile to be able to end on such a positive note. Since having Jackson work has been more stressful and I lost some of the joy I used to have. I shed a few tears reading the notes and cards and it felt good to remember the postive impact that I had on so many students' lives. There was a time when I loved my job and spent hours upon hours journaling with students, reading the latest research, and grading papers.

Now I'm moving on to a different career. I feel the same passion as I head down this path as I did when I was teaching. I cannot wait! I am so thankful for this blessing!

What Did You Do Tonight?

Let me tell you what I did.

First, I decided to put EVERYTHING on my shelves and my toy bins in my bed... it seemed like a fun idea.


Here's my final product. Looks cool, huh?


Then I helped Daddy work in the yard.


Do you have any idea how much I LOVE mud and dirt? I'm helping daddy move rocks so we can plant more grass.

Hope you had as much fun as I did!