Road Trip Part 1

We hit the road around 5:30 Friday morning for Wisconsin. Brian wanted to get an early start so we could get in Springfield at a decent time. We were cruising along until we started to hear a weird noise. As Brian began pulling over our tire blew out. Thankfully, Brian knows how to change a tire and there was a Discount Tire only a hour and half down the road. They had us in and out in less than 30 minutes thanks to me calling ahead and making appointment. We are so thankful for God's protection and iPhones.

We got back on the road and tried to make up some lost time. When we stopped for lunch in Oklahoma it wasn't snowing, but when we came out we saw some snowflakes. Jackson was so excited and running around in circles.

Despite the detour, we still made it to Springfield by 5 o'clock. First, we went by our alma mater; Evangel. A quick stop just to see what the campus looked liked now.

Our next stop was Bass Pro Shops. Springfield has one of the largest Bass Pro's around. Jackson was running around squealing  about all the different animals. He saw real turtles, fish, and an alligator.

After that we headed back to the hotel to swim and relax. Jackson had a blast swimming. Too bad the water wasn't a little warmer.

We ended the evening watching Jake the Pirate and Duck Dynasty. 

11 hours down, 9 more to go!

Memorizing Scripture V2:1

 

 

 What better way to start 2013 than by committing to memorize scripture throughout the year! I am again joining up with Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory Team. Click here to find out more. Let me know if you would like to do it with me. There is a celebration next January!

 

My first verse is Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

 

I am hoping these verse will challenge me to be the best mom I can be while Jackson tests every button he can. I know if I continue to pray, seek God, shower him with compassion and love it will pay off.

17 weeks

Bathroom tile removed, getting ready for bathroom remodel

Cravings: Water and smoothies

Sleep: Still getting up at least once to use the restroom

 

Symptoms: Terrible heartburn

Movement: Baby is moving for sure, not sure how consistent I feel them

Maternity clothes: Not wearing them yet, hoping to make it until the New Year

Size of baby: Turnip

 

What I miss: Diet Vanilla Coke from Sonic

 

Looking forward to: Finding out if baby is a girl or boy; 3 days until the reveal party

Not sure if I will make it?!?!

Jackson holding the secret results

Christmas Day

Christmas morning Brian and I were up before Jackson once again. He slept until 7:30, but every other day of break this week he has been up at 6:15!

 

Santa enjoyed all the cookies and milk and left Jackson a note.

 While breakfast was cooking, Jackson dug into his stocking. Lots of fun goodies!

 Testing out Finn McMissile on the iPad.

 Breakfast was Jesus' birthday celebration. We sang Happy Birthday and put candles on the monkey bread.

Christmas morning family picture

Next up was presents! Jackson started with presents from Santa. He must have been good because he got exactly what he wanted from Santa plus one. 

His rainbow engine truck and big pirate ship were favorites all day.

He even tried out his scooter!

"This is how you scooter, Mom!"

 

 We spent the rest of the day watching some of Jackson's new movies, playing new games, and with new toys. We went over to Aunt Midge's for dinner. It was a great day celebrating God's goodness on our family and just being together.

Christmas Eve

Since Brian had to work, I decided to plan an outing for Jackson and me. We met Cindy and her kids at Monkey Joe's.

The kids jumped and ran around for about 2 hours.



Cindy and I were able to watch them and talk too.

After Monkey Joe's, we took the kids to McDonald's for lunch and they played some more. This was a great idea and made the morning go by so fast. By the time we got home, it was nap time!

After Jackson's nap, we got ready for church. 

I filled a bowl full of snacks for Jackson and prayed he would sit quietly through the service. 

LOVE my boy even though he is exhausting these days!



Church service was great. Jackson enjoyed the snow and candle lighting.

 Once we made it home, Jackson got to open one present. He had been waiting all day for this!

 Dino pajamas="just what he always wanted!"

 Jackson cuddled with me on the couch as we watched The Grinch, ate pizza, and waited for Daddy to come home.

 

We finished our night with sprinkling reindeer food and leaving cookies and milk out for Santa. Jackson went to bed unbelievably good so Santa would come to his house first!



Merry Christmas!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Party and Show

Thursday morning, Jackson had his Christmas party at preschool. Being the wonderful parents we are, not one of us was able to take off and be there the whole time. Thankfully my wonderful team covered my lunch duty, and I was able to spend an hour with him.

 

Jackson was beyond excited when I got there. He was running around showing me his presents and talking a mile a minute about what they did in the morning. Good thing he didn't miss me too much. I was a little worried because my 1st graders sometimes cry when no parent comes to their party. Aunt Midge being there helped I'm sure!

 I finished eating pizza with Jackson for lunch and then helped him make a gingerbread house.

We had some practice on this activity! As much as I wished I could have made the whole party, we made the most of the time I was there and had a blast.

 (Sidenote about the reindeer shirt: Jackson has wore this shirt no less than once a week since Thanksgiving. It was less than $3 and a bit small, but a 4T was all they had and he really wanted Rudolph with googly eyes.)

 

Jackson had been counting down to go see the puppet show. Second Baptist was putting on The Crazy Christmas Show and he was excited to go. We went Friday night after getting some dinner at Chick-fil-a.

The set was fun and Jackson could hardly wait for it to start.

 The whole show was really fun, upbeat, and about the true meaning of Christmas. They used some oldies and current songs and changed the lyrics to tell the Christmas story. It kept our toes tapping. Jackson even stood up and danced some.

Another fun Christmas activity in the book and on the list for next year too!