Cirque du Soleil- Saltimbanco

Us before the show

Instead of going somewhere for our anniversary and having to leave Jackson overnight with someone, we just decided to go see a show. Cirque du Soleil was going to be at the Berry Center the week of our anniversary and you can't get much closer than the Berry Center to our house. Brian's parents also happened to be here so they watched Jackson for us while we went out to eat and to see Cirque du Soleil.
After about 5 minutes of the start of the show I turned to Brian and said I couldn't sit through 2 hours of this and wanted my money back. Well, that must have been some preshow fun because when the "real" show started I ate my words. It was beyond amazing. I was truly fascinated by what these people could do with their bodies and even a little scared for them at times. We had a great time and would go see it again for sure!

66% Savings

Brian is always finding us good deals at Lowes and Home Depot. I try to save us money on groceries, household and personal items by using coupons. I then try to wat to use the coupons until the items are on sale for an even better deal. Normally, I save between 35-45% at Kroger and once in a while I hit 50%. I was way more successful at Target today!

I bought fabric softner, body wash, 2 deodorants, gel tabs, 2 packs of razors, and Nesquik all for $11. It retails for $32.

I LOVE coupons and getting a great deal!

Enjoying Life

On Friday Stacy and Cadence hung out with Jackson and me. Stacy and I managed to go to Babies R US, Chick-fil-A, Sonic Happy Hour, and swimming with both of them without any meltdowns. I think we did WELL! Cadence and Jackson are so cute. Jackson will look at her and reach for her. Brian told him not to mess it up with the cute girl:)

It's hard to get them both to look at the camera. I think Cadence thinks Jackson is cute:)

Jackson seems to do something new each day. It is so fun to watch him grow and learn. He is rolling all over the place. He starts on one side of the room and ends up on the other. No more leaving him by himself anywhere. He also wants anything you have. He reaches for everything and then it goes to his mouth. He catches on to everything so fast. I don't even want to think about leaving him and going back to school.

Trying

Still Trying

Did It!

Geez Louise Give Me Some More Peas Please

I decided to give Jackson some food today. He has been more hungry lately eating 6oz every 3-4 hours, wanting some more, and even waking up earlier to eat. His doctor said I could go ahead and feed him some vegetables. I opted for peas mixed with some breastmilk (that I even made myself). The first bite he wasn't to sure about, but after that he couldn't get enough. He was so cute and excited to be eating "food". I was surprised he ate them so well the first time. Although, I am not sure why I was because Jackson has always been a GREAT eater. I am pretty sure he will be looking forward to dinner tomorrow! He went to bed easily after his last bottle. I am hopping his tummy is more satisfied and will sleep until 8:)

Here is the video of his first few bites of food.

July 23, 2005

Brian,

Thank you for holding my hand through this journey of life. I can't think of anyone else I would have rather shared the last four years with. I pray that it is still your hand I am holding when I have gray hair and wrinkles:) I love you with all that I am!

Aunt April Came to Visit

April (Brian's sister) flew in last Friday to meet Jackson. She was only able to stay until Monday, but we are so glad she got to come visit. Jackson will soon have another cousin. April is due in November is looking super cute pregnant. We can't wait to meet her at Christmas. We weren't able to do to much since we were moving in. April enjoyed playing with Jackson, enjoyed the sun, and laying in the pool. We were able to take her to the outlets (she wants to come back when she's not pregnant), get pedicures, and eat at Chuy's. Thanks for making the trip to see us. Come back soon!

Where April spent most of her time, in the pool ofcourse

Eating some Mexican food before heading home

Slowly but Surely

We are all moved into our house. Moving is quite the process, especially if wallpaper is involved. This last week has been one of the longest yet shortest week ever. I feel like we did so much work but when I look at all we have left, I feel like we have not accomplish anything. We worked every day from 8 AM- 10 PM or later. We wanted to take all the wallpaper down and paint as many rooms as we could before we moved in. Brian's parents made it all possible. Mel was the contractor/worker and Sharon was the maid/babysitter/gopher. (Sharon and I did managed to make a few shopping trips:)

Here are a few sneak peeks to our half bath downstairs. The pictures do not really do it justice, it looks better in person.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We took down all the wallpaper, removed the light fixture, mirror, and vanity.

Jackson likes it:)

More pictures to come as we get boxes put away and rooms finished. We love our house already and can't wait for you to come visit!

A Summer Treat

During the summer, I love anything fruity and cold. This fruit salad/dessert is exactly that and delicious.

Strawberry Fluff
1 can crushed pineapple
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can strawberry pie filling
2 small tubs of cool whip
Fresh strawberries

Drain pineapple. Mix pineapple and sweetened condensed milk together. Fold in pie filling and cool whip. Add strawberries and arrange some on top.
Can be made with raspberries and is just as good!

Frozen Carrots, a Boo Boo, and Pool Time

Jackson now has TWO teeth! He is constantly grabbing everything and putting it in his mouth. Every now and then he bites his finger and starts to cry. Other than that he has not been fussy as the teeth were/are coming through. Grandma Sharon told me about freezing carrots for teething. Jackson loves chewing on them. The only downfall is it gets orange drool everywhere.

I was cutting his fingernails lastnight and I cut the skin on his thumb. Believe me I felt horrible, what an awful feeling. It bled for a long time. We finally bandaged it up and it stopped the bleeding for the night. When we took it off this morning, it started bleeding again. Good thing it stopped shortly after or we were going to take him to Urgent Care. Again, Jackson was calm through the whole ordeal. He didn't understand why he could not put his thumb in his mouth:)

Busy Bees

Mel (Brian's dad) has arrived and has been hard at work helping us get our house ready for move in. We (mostly Mel) have been taking down wallpaper, re-texturing walls, painting walls, etc. It already looks more like home and a lot better without floral wallpaper:) Hopefully, we will be moving in on Thursday. Until then I will be busy taking wall paper down, carrying boxes, and sweating!

10 minutes after arriving from WI

Jackson has also been busy teething. His first tooth popped through today on the bottom right. Grandma Sharon found it after Jackson kept chewing on his finger. I was so excited for a tooth, I can't imagine what I will be like when he crawls, walks, etc:)

Can't really see it, but I promise it is there

Favorites

I thought I would share some of my favorite verses that give me strength and that I find comfort in. Many of these verses have gotten me through some tough times.

Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."

Phillippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transends all understanding will guard your minds in Christ Jesus."

Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says do not fear; I will help you." (I love knowing God is right next to be and with me through it all)

Colossians 3:12-13 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-27 "Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

Pslams 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in time of need, therefore we will not fear."

Pslams 20:7 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the name of the Lord our God."

I am working on memorizing a lot of verses so that I am equipped with the word of God and that His truth is hidden in my heart.

What are some of your favorite verses?

4 Months

Jackson turned 4 months on Friday. We went for his check up today.
His stats:
Weight- 16.5 lbs, 75th percentile
Height- 27 in, 97th percentile
Head- 41 cm- 25th percentile
Dr. Foster said he is doing great! He did NOT like shots today. On the way home he fell asleep and woke up smiling and squealing:) I guess he is feeling better!

Some things you like and are doing at 4 months:
-You love to "talk", it is really a high pitched squeal
-You are wearing 9 months clothes
-You can roll from your belly to back and are really close from back to belly
-You like daddy singing to you
-You still sleep 8-9 hours at night, wake up to eat and go back to sleep
-You learned how to splash us in the bathtub
-You are constantly moving your arms and feet
-You like sitting up like a big boy
-You love being naked!

You are such an easy and happy baby! You fill our lives with so much joy and lots of laughs.

Red, White, Blue and Freedom

I love this country and am proud to be an American! I am so thankful for all the men and women who serve our country. It was a great weekend! Jackson and I always love spending an extra day with Brian. On Friday, we went shopping and Brian treated me to a very cute outfit:) We also spent a lot of the weekend packing up our house for the big long awaited move!

I wore my red, white, and blue proudly all weekend! On Saturday, Louis and Katrina came over and we grilled and hung out. The fire on the grill was so intense Brian singed his hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes! That was just one of MANY laughs this weekend:) I love you, Brian! You make everything so much fun.

Playing bocce ball- Hartzlers vs Yangs

The Yangs were the winners, Beginner's Luck!

We decided to go to the fireworks. Have I mentioned I love fireworks? I wish I would have bought some sparklers. I wasn't sure how Jackson would do. He was a champ!

Sleeping through the fireworks

More red, white, and blue:)

I am so thankful that Jesus has set me free from all my sins and I am free to be who he called me to be!

*A sidenote about freedom: I finished my portfolio which means I have completed my Masters program. I graduate in August! I am excited to have time to do what I want and not have to read, listen to lectures, write papers, or post discussions. I have learned A LOT but will be done with school for a while!