Sea World Day 1

Sunday morning we got up early, despite the fact we lost an hour, and drove to San Antonio.

Jackson was very excited and couldn't wait to see what Sea World held.

First up was the Shamu show!

Jackson was into every show and pretty much smiled or laughed the whole time.

The Shamu show did not disappoint. 

Next was the Bay of Play. Brian went on every ride with Jackson. Lincoln and I sat and watched them on every ride:)

Fun times with our sweet boy!

The Journey to Atlantis ride; Jackson's first time on a BIG ride

He wasn't quite sure the first time down, but went 2 more times in a row. I couldn't believe how much he liked it!

 



The Sea Lion Show was very entertaining and funny.

 It is amazing what they can get an animal to do.

We also went to the Azul show. 

This show had aspects of Cirque du Soleil show, but in/above the water.

Jackson found this show the funniest of all. There was a man who acted very silly and Jackson couldn't contain it:)

 Successful first morning/afternoon at Sea World!

 We took the shuttle back to our hotel and let Jackson nap. Once he woke up we went to dinner, and then took the shuttle back to Sea World.

Hardly any one was left at the Park. Brian and Jackson went on a bunch of rides at the Bay of Play with no wait at all. 

We checked out the penguins.

 Brian rode the roller coaster by himself, and Jackson and him rode the big boat drop two more times.

We stayed for the Shamu Rocks show. It was similar to the morning one, but was more upbeat and had different music.

The park closed after the show, and we took the shuttle back to the hotel.

 

We were all wiped out, but fell asleep (in one king bed) with smiles on our faces!

FUN, FUN, FUN!



27 Weeks

Cravings: Nothing specific this week

Sleep: Pretty good, minus the bathroom breaks and a few crazy dreams
 

Symptoms: Feeling good, thankful for that

Movement: Lots and lots, love this constant reminder of my little boy

Maternity clothes: Yes (still some mix and match)

Size of baby: Cauliflower, about 14 1/2 inches and 2 pounds

Gender: Boy, Lincoln Wayne

What I miss: Nothing, glad to have the glucose test behind me (praying I passed)

I forgot how nasty the orange drink is, especially since you have to drink it in 5 minutes. At one point she said I had 2 minutes left and I still had about half left.

 

Looking forward to: Spring break, painting Lincoln's room

Everything looked great at my appointment. I am measuring right at 27 weeks. We got a little peek at Lincoln and saw his sweet little face for a brief second. He is breech right now but will hopefully turn around. I am so humbled my God's goodness and provision on our lives. Thanks for praying for Lincoln and me, it means a lot.

 

"Great is The Lord, and most worthy of praise." Psalm 48:1

Real 4th Birthday

Jackson asked all week when his real birthday was and when his fake birthday was meaning his tractor party.

 

Last night as a 3 year old.

He walked in our bedroom Sunday morning and asked, "Am I 4 now?"

 We went to Church and then headed to BJ's for lunch.

His new "cheese" face

 What he had been waiting for!

 He told me later that the cookie and ice cream was the best part of his real birthday, ha!

We spent the rest of the day doing what ever our birthday boy wanted to do.

Jackson has pretty much wore his new cowboy boots everywhere since he got them on Saturday. Pick my battles, right?

 

In Jackson's words, "I think 4 years old is great, but being 3 years old was boring."

So FUN celebrating our boy all weekend!

Tractor Party

I started planning pinning ideas for Jackson's tractor at the end of January. He had been pretty set on a tractor party since before Christmas. Despite my Dad's love of Oliver tractors (and Jackson's middle name) not John Deere we had a lot of John Deere decorations.

 

Invitations:

Decorations:

Happy Birthday banner welcoming guests outside, John Deere pennant banner inside with yellow and green balloons and favors, barn doors on fire place

Frame with pictures of Jackson on tractors, tractor (pinata) centerpiece, green chevron with tractor banner that I made, tractor cake and cupcakes, more yellow and green balloons

Food:

Farmer Jackson's Mac and Cheese, Pigs in a Blanket, Chicken Feed (popcorn and peanuts), Spare Tires (Thin Mint cookies), Strawberries

Drinks:

Water with wrappers I made, Tractor Fuel (Lemonade)

Birthday boy and Mommy

He was so excited about his party!

Friday night he couldn't sit still, and I didn't think he would sleep.

The bounce house arrived about an hour and half before the party started. Jackson jumped a little bit with Daddy, and then impatiently waited for his friends to arrive.

So glad we decided to rent one. Jackson said it was the best part of his party!

Cake:

Tractor pulling a wagon full of strawberries with a field made by Aunt Midge



Super cute and yummy too!

Jackson loved his cake!

Us with our sweet 4 year old

Blowing out his candles

Look at all the kids watching the cake, let us eat!

Jackson and Aunt Midge 

Pinata:

This was Jackson's first experience with pinatas. He was up first and gave it a few good whacks.

His friends got a turn and after about 50 hits the tractor was cracked open.

The kids jumped and jumped, played on the fort and in the sandbox, and played inside. I believe everyone had a wonderful time. As they left Jackson passed out his favors:

Hay bales (yellow and green play dough) and Worms and Dirt (gummy worms and brown peanut M&M's). The tag said "Life is short, eat dirt."

Once all his friends left Jackson opened his presents. Then, we gave him our present. He walked outside and was like, "What!?! A new 4 wheeler!" He hopped right on and gave it a spin. 

Happy 4th Birthday Jackson!

It was a perfect day celebrating our little guy. He was blessed by friends and family and had a great time!

Jackson is FOUR!

It is always fun to look back and see how much he has grown and changed over the years!

Not sure how I have a 4 year old! 

 

Dear Jackson,

Happy 4th Birthday! I continue to love you more each day. You have such a sweet personality, but you also have a temper. I love watching your learn and love listening to your thoughts. You can carry on a conversation like no one else. Your vocabulary is amazing and you are very creative. You know God died for your sins and loves you. I pray that you learn to really grasp how wide, deep, and everlasting His love is for you. I pray daily that you will have your own personal relationship with the Lord and choose to walk with Him daily. You love to worship through songs and it just melts my heart. You are very excited to become a big brother. I can't wait to watch you love on Lincoln and become the very best of friends. I know you will be a great example for him. You are constantly worried about time and if you have enough time to do something. You are my son! You are determined, hate to fail, silly, loving, kind, shy, imaginative, and my true joy. I am so glad God picked me to be your Mommy. I make my life so much richer and you teach me daily to rely on God's strength, peace, and love. I can't wait to see what this year holds for you and for our family.

Jackson, I love you 40, 20, 90 million!

Love, Mommy

Memorizing Scripture V2:5

I memorized Philippians 4:6; ("Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to the Lord.") last time and I am going to continue onto the next verse because it provides great encouragement.

Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ. "

Peace instead of worry or stress is a great replacement. And I have to tell you that while memorizing my last verse, praying, and giving thanks more often I have already experienced some of that peace. I want more of it, and I want it to consume my heart and mind and be reflected in my words and actions.