Happy 4th of July!

What a fun filled day we had! We had my Aunt, Uncle, cousin Kim, her husband Jonathan, and their son Aaron over. We swam and cooked out (no pictures of that), but mostly the boys had fun with fireworks!

We started with a confetti bomb. Jackson freaked out when the confetti flew out until he realized it was just paper.

 Who doesn't love snappers?!?

 Aaron ran through the smoke from the smoke bombs, so Jackson had to try it too. It took him a few tries to be brave enough.

 Watching the snakes grow.

 Jackson and Aaron were buds all day. Jackson loves having a playmate besides mom and dad.

 After the fireworks, it was pie time! Brian made the pie special for me and it was delicious.

 My firecracker and me!

 Jackson was beyond excited to light off the fireworks he picked out with Brian that morning. This was his first time doing fireworks at our house. He was jumping up and down for about an hour before dark. We went out a little early and let him do his sparklers.

 I didn't watch the fireworks Brian was setting off because Jackson's faces were priceless. He would jump up and down the whole time Brian was lighting them.

 I guess a few were a little loud!

 The neighbors came down to join the fun too and brought their rockets.

 I wonder what they are all looking at?

You could see a lot of big fireworks from our house, especially from the pool. So, Brian and Jackson enjoyed a late night swim and some more fireworks.

At one point during the day, Jackson told Brian that this was a fun party. Then, a little later he told me I forgot the decorations for the party. (I guess he was expecting me to decorate like I did for his birthday.) I told him the fireworks on the table and the flag plates were our decorations. I guess I better get working on decorations for next year:)

And, I enjoyed one more slice of yumminess after a wonderful day!

So thankful to live in this great country!

Pump It Up

Yesterday, we were able to spend the better part of the day with some friends. Cindy picked up, and we headed out to Pump it Up. Jackson has been talking about playing with Bailey and Garrison for a week! He loves having a friend or two to play with.

Jackson jumped and ran after them non-stop the whole time we were there. I loved watching him having so much fun!

Three sweaty kids after jumping for almost 2 hours. 

We went and got lunch at McDonald's and played some more. On the way to the car, I got the call I had been dreading. So thankful Cindy was driving and to have a friend who cares right there in time of need. God does care!

What A Difference A Week Makes

Last week I was beyond ecstatic and today I have mostly cried. Life is hard sometimes and not fair. But Jesus did tell us that right? "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33
I don't know why God won't allow me to stay pregnant, but I don't doubt He is able. Today I am holding on knowing that my help and strength come from the maker of Heaven and earth. I am even more thankful (not that I wasn't) for Jackson's precious life. I will honor the 2 babies I have lost by being the best mommy I can be to Jackson!
"Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4

*The following is a timeline of events I was keeping to go with this pregnancy. I am going to post for myself, since this is my journal and I turn them into a book.*

Friday, June 22nd- Before I went to bed felt something I never did before. I felt like I was filled with the Holy Spirit and was completely surrounded by God. That night I had a dream I was pregnant after going to a fertility doctor.

Saturday, June 23rd- Woke up, took a test, laid back in bed, and waited for Brian to break the news to me. "Slap it high!" That's what he said to me when he came out of the bathroom. I said "Are you joking me?"

No joke, here is the proof!

Brian played some worship songs and we thanked our God!

I emailed my doctor and just was part of her response. Love her!

We celebrated by going out to Chuy's!

Remember this picture?

Sunday, June 24th- Took another test just to make sure:) Yup, I am!

Sweet note Brian left for Jackson and me before he went to work:)

Monday, June 25th- Went to my doctor's office to have blood drawn to check my progesterone levels. 

 Jackson and I got to have lunch with Daddy again!

Tuesday, June 26th- Dr. Miller called to let me know pregnancy hormone and progesterone numbers came back great! Praise God!

Wednesday, June 27th- During my quiet time, I read my devotional for the day. Its main focus was that God never wastes our pain and the scripture they referenced was 2 Corinthians 12. Especially 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Which is the exact verse Brian texted me the day I found out I did have a miscarriage and would need a D&C. The Lord has brought us full circle and used this verse to help me time and time again.

We will never know why it took us over a year to get pregnant, but I do know that God is stronger and able to more than we can imagine. I got pregnant exactly 4 years after Jackson without needing fertility drugs. I will forever boast about my weaknesses and His great name!

Sunday, July 1st- Started spotting. Praying for God's protection on this precious little one's life and peace for me.

Monday, July 2nd- Went for a repeat of blood work- not feeling good about all the spotting. Praying for a miracle once again.

Tuesday, July 3rd- Found out all my numbers dropped big time, another miscarriage. I am devastated and sad beyond words. Jackson was so excited for a baby brother or sister and well, me too! Everything seemed perfect. No spotting at all the first week and strong numbers after my first blood work. I know God loves me and His ways are best, but believe me this is tough even if it was still early and my 2nd one in a year. I know it is not true, but I feel like I am doing something wrong. Jackson is a great source of encouragement; rubbing my back, telling me he loves me, giving me kisses, asking if I need a Kleenex.

Fun Happenings

I have been trying to make the most of each day with Jackson this summer. 

Here are a few more fun things we did this week!

MONDAY

A visit to the library to get some new books, home to make a tent and read them all!

Love that boy is excited about books!

TUESDAY

Sipping smoothies on a hot summer day while shopping at Dollar Tree. He spent the rest of the day playing with his new squirter in the pool!

WEDNESDAY

 We spent the Dad with Daddy just going with the flow!

THURSDAY

Swimming at Jennifer's house

We love swimming with friends

FRIDAY

We met Stacy and her girls to play.

Jackson had a blast playing with Cadence at their church on the indoor playground.

We wish they lived closer!

Enjoying some Chick-fil-a together

SATURDAY

We took Jackson to Bass Pro Shops . He loves everything about this store!

 Drving the boat

SUNDAY

Morning spent at church,

then casting, fishing,

and swimming in the rain!

 I hope the rest of the summer is as fun as the beginning!

Go With The Flow

The other day our neighbor gave us 3 free passes to the Children's Museum. Brian had off on Wednesday so we decided to go.

Jackson seemed excited and had been talking about it for a day or two.  However, when we got there we had was not interested in doing anything. We had to coax him into doing anything. Then, he would play for about 3 minutes and be ready to move on.

He did a little bit of cooking,

 power tower, obstacle course with Daddy,

 and some surfing.

Since, Jackson wasn't really into the museum and we hadn't bought the tickets we opted to leave and go to something else downtown.

We headed over to the park with the paddle boats and train. Jackson was a lot more excited for that! We paddled through the fountain a couple of times to stay cool.

When we were finished with the boat ride, Jackson said he just wanted to go home and swim. We stopped at Chick-fil-a for lunch and then went home.

 After naps, we swam to his heart's desire!

 These next pictures are from Brian and Jackosn playing soccer together. I love how much joy I can see in Jackson!

I guess it is just a reminder that kids don't need to go to certain places or have certain things to make them happy. They just need our time and love!

Memorizing Scripture via Jackson

Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

That is one of the reasons I am comitting myself to helping Jackson memorize scripture. I want these verses to be hidden in his heart, that they are the first thing that come to mind during any circumstance, espesially the hard ones. Jackson memorzing also helps Brian and I memorize the verses because we say them over and over too.

This is my most recent video of Jackson reciting his verses. He knows 6 of them, but will get a little confused on the references every now and then.

Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, and mind."

Psalm 139:14 "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want."

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

1 Peter 5:7 "Give all your worries to God, for he cares about you."

Nehemaih 8:10 "The joy of the Lord is my strength."



Good Eats Weekend

Our weekend was very relaxed! Jackson and I go, go, go during the week, it is nice to stay home and play with Daddy.

Friday night we had one of my all time favorite summer meals; shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches and baked zucchini.

Family Date Night at Panera. Smoothies to cool us down!

Saturday was all slept in and swam the morning away. When it is 100 degree, there isn't much else that feels as good!

I love me some family pictures!

I tried to save all my calories for the day for dinner because I knew we were going to Chuy's.

I can eat a whole basket a chips with jalepaneo dip myself! This was Jackson's first time to eat at Chuy's. He thinks it is yummy too!

We all left with happy tummies! Then we went to walk some of it off on the trail, ha.

We watched the 1st Ice Age because I need to get caught up before the 4th one comes out in July that my boys are so excited about.

Brian worked a 12 hour shift on Sunday so someone could take vacation. Jackson and I went to church and then picked up lunch to take to Daddy.

Jackson got to see the big x-ray machines and ride up and down on the bed. We are thankful Brian does not normally work Sundays.

Jackson and I had a low key day at home just playing and swimming. I did make some chocoalte zucchini bread, but I didn't like it and it is now in the trash can. Since Jackson didn't see Daddy all day, he got to go swimming even though it was his bedtime.

What would we do if we didn't have a pool?