California Living- First Installment

Brian has family out in California and has visited them a few times. I have always wanted to go to California and we kept talked about going but never did! We decided this would be a good time to go. We didn't have to buy Jackson a plane ticket and Brian's parents were going to join us out there. This would mean we could leave Jackson with them while we went on our own little getaway for our 5th anniversary!

So, last Wednesday we boarded a plane at 6 in the morning and headed for Orange County. When we checked in they upgraded us to first class seating and gave us complimentary TV on our flight. They also never charged us for our luggage, triple score!!
We had a brief layover in Denver. It was so brief we barely had time to grab a latte and some muffins. Jackson was well behaved on the plane, but flying with a 16 month old is chaotic and tiring. You worked so hard entertaining him and keeping him happy that you can't just sit back and relax.

We arrived in Orange County with no problems. Brian's dad and Uncle Gus picked us up from the airport and we went back to his house in Norco (sidenote- Katrina it did not smell here). The first two nights we stayed with Brian's cousin's family right across the street from his uncle's house where Mel and Sharon stayed. Jackson crashed on the way home from the airport so we laid him down and went and picked up some lunch.

Most of our time in California was the same no matter where we were: swimming in the pool, playing at the beach, shopping, or eating!
Jackson loved the pool at Matt and Laurie's because it had a big area where he could walk around and play.

Floating with Grandma

Brian was showing off for Jackson and Jackson would laugh and laugh

My sweet family (the wind caught my hair at the perfect time)

That evening Matt grilled tri tips, sweet corn, and zucchini for dinner. The sweet corn was some of the best I ever had. Laurie also cut up fresh watermelon, pinneapple, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries. It was all some of the best I ever had. I was in fruit heaven!!

The next morning Brian went golfing with the guys at 6 am and I was going to sleep in. Well, at least that is what I thought, Jackson was up by 6:15! He could have golfed with the guys. I ventured out on my own with Jackson to take a walk. I'm sure I entertained anyone who was watching on this walk. First off, there are no sidewalks in Norco only horse trails. Second, their house is built into the side of a rather large hill, none of the streets I walked on were flat. Thirdly, I was pushing a stroller with a 30 pound child in it. At one point I was sprinting down a hill pretty sure we were both going to wipe out! I guess at least I got a good work out:)

After Jackson's nap it was back in to the pool.

He loved walking behind the waterfall.

Grandpa and Luke are pretty fun too!

While Grandpa is playing we relaxed on one of the most comfortable swings ever! My only complaint about California is that it was never really warm enough for me to swim in the pool or lay out at the beach.

That evening we went over to an outdoor shopping center with everyone from Norco and met Brian's other relatives for dinner.

We went early so we could shop before dinner. It was a really nice place, I wish we had more outdoor shopping centers with good stores around here.

Jackson and Brian played around while the ladies shopped!

We ate dinner at PF Changs and they sat us in the kitchen. When Laurie called to make reservations they asked her if the Chef's table was ok. She said sure not knowing it was literally right in the kitchen. It was a extremely loud and a little wierd sitting in the kitchen. We had never been to a PF Changs before, I would go back as long as we don't have to sit in the kitchen again!

Next Up: Laguna Beach and San Clemente

Toes in the sand

I am exhausted in the best way possible! We got home early this morning and I feel like I have been playing catch up all day on laundry, mail, sleep, grocery shopping, and pictures. Not to mention, I had a staff development to go to this afternoon (thanks Kristy!). I am so sad that this vacation is over. It was like the last hooray before school starts and now my mind can't stop thinking about my million and one things on my to do list for school. I want to write about the many adventures and sweet moments we had together, but that will have to wait because I am going to try and catch up on some sleep.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We ALL love you so much! We hope you enjoy your day fishing and wish we could celebrate with you!

Dad you are amazing dad! Thank you for loving me no matter what. I miss you and pray for peace and strength this coming year for you.

Happy Birthday!!

Home Grown

Saturday morning we headed out to Debbie's Farmer's Market. From the pictures I had seen it looked like the typicaly Farmer's Markets I have been to in the past. When we got there we only saw this little house. Inside she had the fruits, veggies, eggs all seperated like in the grocery store. We got there right when it opened so there was not a lot of variety. She said she had many shipments that were scheduled to come in.
We did buy one watermelon and it was good, just not the best I ever had.

I'm pretty sure Jackson enjoyed it!

I think I will go back some time and see what else she gets in. I really want to plant my own garden of fruits and vegetables, but I don't think I have the patience and I am not the farming type.

TAWG

What I love most about Jackson's naptime is my TAWG time! TAWG stands for Time Alone With God.

Every summer when I was in 2nd grade through 7th grade I went to Camp Manitoqua. At camp we had TAWG time every day and maybe twice a day and it was always at least 30-45 minutes long. I loved climbing all the way up to my bunkbed, laying out on my sleeping bag, and opening up Bible. I kept my TAWG notebook real close to right down whatever the Lord was laying on my heart. I think I loved this time so much, especially at camp, because there was absolutely no distractions! My mind and heart were focused on the Lord and His word. I always left camp feeling recharged in my walk with the Lord. But, once school started back up and basketball practice and homework came I had or in my case made less time for that all important TAWG time. Well, I am no longer a 2nd or 7th grader but the same is true. I am going to fight against everything else pulling for my time and focus on TAWG time even once school starts this year. Not once a week, not three time a weeks but daily sustained time in the Word and prayer.


When ever I think about Camp Manitoqua I get a big smile on my face! I loved camp, every single minute of it! I can still sing some of the songs, although I wish I remembered more. I may have to get in contact with Mandy or Toni and see if they remember:) I hope Jackson gets the chance to go to camp like I did. Thanks mom and dad for spending the money and letting me have the chance to grow in the Lord.

Here is a picture of my camp counselor (Aunt Denise) and me (be nice) from the summer 1997 inside our cabin. I could write a lot more on different memories of camp but I will stop and leave you with one of the scriptures I am loving right now:

1 Peter 1:18-19 "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, BUT with the precious blood of Christ."

Nothing else in life matters, He is the only eternal in our lives and He saved us with His blood. Amen! I am trying so hard to focus only on things that have a lasting effect on my life and the lives of those I love and come in contact with.

It Was About Time

Stacy and I were finally able to meet up yesterday with the kiddos. We met at the splash pad and let them play for a while and then we headed over to Chick-fil-a for some lunch. Cadence can say Jackson and it is so cute:) I think they should move back here!

I guess I only could go so long in Houston with out getting bitten by fire ants. They finally got me when I was putting Jackson in his bike seat. My feet burned for the whole bike ride home. Not cool!

After a while of not seeing my friend Katrina, I was able to go over and visit with her without Jackson! Brian got done early so he "watched" Jackson while he was napping. Please pray Katrina's counts go up by Monday!

I have been craving frozen yougurt for a long time. Since Brian is allergic to dairy products it is not often we go out and get ice cream/frozen yogurt. Well, last night he treated me (and Jackson) to some Freshberry. It was beyond delicious!

After our snack we walked around the square and Jackson spotted a water fountain, of course!

Happy Birthday MOM!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,Happy Birthday dear MOM and Grandma,

Happy Birthday to YOU!

We hope you have a wonderful birthday! We wish we were there to take you out to celebrate another year of life for the sweetest person we know. Thank you mom for being you and loving us all unconditionally!

Daredevil

This morning while I was making Jackson's oatmeal, he was playing in the living room with his toys. All of a sudden I hear him laughing and I look over and see him climbing over the loveseat.
Using the ottoman to get up on the loveseat,

And over he goes! He did this no less than 10 times this morning while waiting for our friends to come swim with us.

Emily and Huntley, Jackson and Caroline, and me:) We swam (and I use that term very loosely as we barely left the steps) and talked! Jackson splashed us, went back and forth from the big pool to his little pool, blew bubbles, and jumped in from the side. He is a little too daring for his own good! Girls-I will miss teaching with you next year, laughing and talking everyday!

Jackson got to spend the afternoon with my aunt, cousin, and her son while I went and got my hair done. (I feel like a new woman:) He had a blast following Aaron around and hanging with the big boys! I am sure he learned a few more tricks from Aaron!

Jackson has a new favorite at the splash pad; the bucket dump. He wants to stand right near it or for us to hold him under it. He laughs when it dumps on him and goes back for more!

This kid really has no fear. I can only imagine the things he will do or try to do in the future, especially if he is like his daddy!

A Full Day

Play group:
This morning Jackson and I went over to my friend Jennifer's house to play and swim. This was the first week we were able to go. Jennifer has a little girl, Lilah, who is 1 day older than Jackson. Carolyn and Brooke, Carolyn and Alice, and Cayte and B were there too!
Jennifer, Lilah, and Jackson

Jackson and all the girls, waiting for B man to get there. They all loved playing on the first step and taking toys from one another!

Jackson and Brooke are having a very important conversation. Aren't they cute?

Brooke posing on top of the waterfall. Jackson would get really excited and want to go over by the waterfall, but as soon as we got near it he would want to get away.

Mommies (and babbies) hanging out and talking. We were out in the pool for almost 2 hours. Jackson looked like he might fall alseep in the pool. He was alseep before we got off their street and slept for 2.5 hours. We had a great time!

Ruckus Room:
Up next was the Ruckus Room. I heard about this place from Stacy a few weeks ago and looked it up online. I wasn't sure about it except I saw they had Toddler Tuesdays where you only pay 1 dollar per your child's age. I decided that even it wasn't nice or Jackson couldn't do much one dollar would be worth a try. I asked Brian to try and get off a little early today so we could take Jackson. Brian got home right when Jackson was waking up from his nap and we went to see what it was all about.

Let's just say it is not in the nicest strip center, there is a gun shop and liquor store near by. All of that aside the place itself wasn't terrible. There were not many kids there so that was a plus. Jackson was able to go where he wanted without kids trampling him. He had a BLAST!

Figuring out how to walk and stand up in the bouncer

I don't think he stopped laughing the entire time we were there.

Having fun with daddy

Toddler area

I am glad I had Brian go with me because he carried Jackson to the top of all the big slides and I am not sure I would have been able to.

Jackson kept going back to the slides and

this one bouncer with all the balls inside.

Starting to get the hang of it!

So excited!

I got in on a little bit of the action!

Getting mommy! Jackson is so much fun!

We stayed for a little over a hour and I think we got our money's worth. We will go back on another Toddler Tuesday.

Park:

In an attempt to wear Jackson out because he has been staying up until 10 o'clock we went to the park to play after dinner. We made sure to have him run,

Run, and

Run some more!

Then we took him swimming to cool off once we got home. He was asleep by 8:30 tonight. We might have actually wore him out today:)