Plea Letters

Dear Grandma Sharon,

Thank you so much for watching me for a few days while mommy worked. It was nice to sleep in and not have to watch mommy do her hair and make up. That blow dryer is awful loud and you're more fun to play with.
Thanks for making dinner, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, going grocery shopping and cleaning up the house. I sure got to spend more time with mommy after she got home and I heard you're a great cook. My clothes smelled really nice too.,
Thank you for all my hugs and kissess. I am sorry I cried for you the first few days. I guess you need to hurry back so I don't forget who you are:)
I always get a new tooth when you are here. I am not sure why, but I feel so much better when they come in. So, thanks!



Dear Grandpa Mel,
You sure a busy guy when you come here. Thank you for playing with me outside all the time. I loved going to the park with you and swimming with you.

Thanks for making me laugh. You're just as funny as my daddy and can sing just as good too:)
You're the best at putting me to sleep, no one can do it quite as fast as you. I miss your shake.

Thanks for all you did around my house. The paint in the entry way and front room make my pictures on the wall look even better. The toilets flush quieter and don't wake me up.

Grandma and Grandpa PLEASE COME BACK SOON!


P.S. Do you think you could tell Grandpa Gary and Grandma Elly I miss them too. Maybe you could remind them to use their webcam to see me if they are not going to come visit anytime soon.

P.S.S. I love you ALL!

Love your adorable grandson,
Jackson Oliver Hartzler

It Was a B-E-A-utiful Weekend Here in Houston

Jackson is smiling because we spent most of the weekend outside because it was a "B-E-A utiful" weekend here.

Saturday morning was a little cool, I even went and bought Jackson some winter hats.

Jackson loves to do anything outside. I think he loves to listen to all the different noises and just take in all of God's beautiful creation. We walked down to the parks many times this weekend. I think we tried all of the ones in our subdivision:)

He loves to swing and usually laughs the whole time at Brian and me

(Pause my music at the bottom of the page before playing video)

Climbing with daddy

Trying out a different park after Church

Grandpa Mel even put a swing in the garage so Jackson can swing when it is windy or rainy outside

I put some magnetic letters on the fridge for Jackson and he sat there for almost an hour playing with them... I guess tomorrow I will teach him the sounds the letters make. HA!

I love my job, but hate Mondays because I don't get to spend the whole day with my family. I love them so much!

And "That folks is the way the cookie crumbles!"

Happy Birthday My Love!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday my love,
Happy Birthday to you!



I am so glad you were born 26 years ago, my life would not be the same without you!
I love you!

Christmas in October

No Christmas tree, no stockings, and definitely no snow but there was a present! Brian and I bought Jackson a toy for Christmas. We thought he would enjoy playing with it now and since we will technically be in Wisconsin for Christmas and he needed some practice tearing wrapping paper, we decided to give it to him a little early:)

Ripping the paper all on his own

Once we gave him the toy we couldn't get him to look at us for a picture. I guess that means he loves it and we are suckers!

Pumpkin Cutie Pie

We enjoyed a nice lunch at Potbelly's before heading out to the Pumpkin Patch. I wanted to take some pictures of Jackson with some pumpkins, but didn't want to spend a fortune going somewhere he can't do anything else. We went to Oldtime Christmas Tree Farm. They gathered a bunch of pumpkins and made their own "pumkin patches". There were a lot of people so getting a good picture was a little bit difficult and by the end Jackson was getting tired. We did a get a few cute pictures and after we edit them they will be even better.

The perfect size pumpkin for Jackson

The weather was gorgeous and we got to spend time together with Brian's parents. However, it was nothing like The Little Farmer back home. It left me wanting a carmel apple with nuts and an apple muffin:)

Friday Night Lights

Mel wanted to see the Berry Center, so Jackson got to experience his first football game tonight. The Berry Center is where the local high school teams play. Let's just say it is nicer than any college stadium Brian ever played in. It was a beautiful night for football. Jackson seemed to enjoy watching the game, especially listening to the band at half-time. I know Brian and Grandpa Mel are hoping that one day Jackson plays football here.

Mommy and Jackson at the game

The boys

With our little "star"

All is Well

*Brian is home after being gone all last weekend and having to work a few very late nights this week. This makes me oh so happy. I underestimate ALL he does for Jackson and me. I am so grateful for him and it was a reminder I need to thank him daily for all he does. (I LOVE it when he gets done with work early and surprises me by cleaning the whole house:)

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

*I am finally feeling better. After being sick for a week and all last weekend, I decided to go to the doctor on Monday. She gave me an antibiotic and told me to take a day off from school and REST. That is what I did and have been on the mend since. Thank goodness for medicine and that is was not the flu (and my students were wonderful for the sub:)

Though the devil will ruin, though trials may come

Let this blessed assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And He shed His own blood for my soul

*The heat index of 108 left for the weekend at least and we are experiencing some cooler weather. I love the warm, but I was ready for some cooler weather to dress Jackson in his fall clothes and wear mine:)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

*Brian and I found some deals at Lowes, just in time for Mel to do a few more projects at our house next week. Jackson also enjoys sitting in the cart, seeing and GRABBING everything:)

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

*We get to see Brian's parents in a few days for a week. My mom's surgery went well, and she is home resting and recovering. God remains the same, is our strength and CONSTANT all the time, through the good and the tough times.

It is well, with my soulIt is well,

it is well with my soul!

I'm 7 months

Since mommy is not feeling very good, I am going to do the blogging for her. I love my life. Here is some things you might want to know about me at 7 months.

I:
-sit up for a long time by myself
-get up on my knees and stretch myself out and get whatever I want
-eat breatfast and dinner and still have 4 bottles a day ( I love sweet potatoes the BEST, applesauce is OK now too)
-like to smack my lips together, it makes such a cool sound
-can talk ALOT but mommy and daddy don't really know what I am saying, they think I am saying "dada" and "mama"
-LOVE cats and dogs, I think they are so silly BUT mom says I might be allergic to them, I hope not I like going to Miss Sandy's
-like to take daddy's credit card out of his wallet and play with it
-am very happy and smilely 99% of the time, my daddy sure is silly I love laughing at him
-look forward to playing peek a boo with mommy at night, I think it is funny to pull the bumper now and pul myself up over the rails and look for her
-like to crinkle paper and sneak it in my mouth when mommy and daddy are not watching (along with everything else)
-weigh 20lbs and am 29 inches long, I now have to wear 12 month pjs the feet are way to big, good thing I can't walk or I would fall
-nap 2-3 times a day, I take a good morning nap but I am not really a fan of the other ones
-my soft spot has closed already so I have to go see a specialist to make sure I am ok
-I wish mommy could stay home and play with me everyday


I got new jammies and books for my 7 month "birthday", Mommy likes to spoil me!

That's all for now, I wonder what I will learn this month.
I love you all, thanks for praying for me.

Parent/Child Dedication September 27th, 2009

We dedicated Jackson at church last Sunday. Dedicating Jackson was an outward expression that we will raise him to know and love Jesus and that he is a gift from God to be given back to him. Jackson truly is a gift from above and we are blessed to have him in our lives. Brian and I want to be the best parents we can be for him and be Godly examples for him to see daily. We know Jackson has to make the decision to make Jesus the Lord and Savior of his life on his own. Our daily prayer is that one day he will make that important decision.

Here are some pictures we took before the church service:

I have never seen this before...

Yum, grass is sure good!

Jackson started crying right before we went up on stage. It was his naptime and he was overtired. He also puked on himself twice before. Oh well, he did great once we were up there. My Aunt Midge and Jonathan were able to join us at church. We celebrated Jackson's dedication with lunch at Panera (and cupcakes from Frosted) with my aunt, uncle, and cousin's family. Jackson slept through our whole lunch, no pictures with Aunt Midge:(

Please continue to pray for our family and that God may grant Brian and I the wisdom we need to raise Jackson.