The Big Reveal

Well, what our entry and living room looks like now is a far cry from the day we first toured our future home. I am glad we were able to see past what it looked like then because I am in LOVE with it now.

Entryway BEFORE:

AFTER:

Looking left from the entryway- Formal Living room BEFORE:

AFTER:

Living room BEFORE:

AFTER:

A few other views of the transformation:

Mel did an AMAZING job and it all looks even better in person. I think he needs a few weeks to recover for all the work he did.

Next up: the kitchen!

Teething? Allergies? A Cold? I Just Don't Know

Jackson has had a runny nose and fever on and off now for the last week. Last Sunday we stayed home from church and by Tuesday night he seemed to be better. But, then again on Thursday he was running a fever and needing his nose wipped every 2 minutes. After we give him a dose of tylenol (which he loves!) he is all smiles and laughs. This morning his fever reached 101.3 so I decided I better take him in to the doctor just in case. Everything looked ok, she did give him some allergy medicine to see if it would help dry him up. He has been drooling a lot so I wonder if it is not his 1 year molars coming in. This "case" of whatever it is has not stopped Jackson from eating. He can and does eat for a straight 20-30 minutes at dinner every night. I'm just ready for my little boy to feel 100%.

Children's Museum

Saturday morning, Mel and Sharon offered to take Jackson downstairs and play with him at 7:00 and let us go back to sleep. We slept in until 9:00. It was a wonderful and rare thing because today Jackson had me up right at 6:00. Thank you Mel and Sharon!

That afternoon we headed downtown to the Childrens Museum. Jackson was a little young for most of the stuff but loved watching everyone and everything. It was hard enough to get a picture of him looking at us, much less one of him smiling. I was impressed with the museum and can't wait to go back with him when he is older.

We went up to the Tot Spot and Jackson had a blast climbing, crawling, and jumping.

He did not even hesitate, he went right through the tunnel.

Everything was so FUN!

Update on my dad: He had surgery Wednesday afternoon on his eye. He has 60 stitches and a bandage over his nose, but he is doing pretty well and not in too much pain. I'm sure Garrison is enjoying having dad home more. Thank you so much for your prayers, he has felt them all.

Please Pray For My Dad

I received a call from my mom tonight that my dad was in the hospital. That is always a very scary phone call. He had an accident at work. A bungee cord he was trying to get loose off of a truck snapped him in the face. It just missed his eye, but shattered his nose. He is on his way to Milwaukee now to see a plastic surgeon and see if there is any other damages. I hate living far away at times like these. I just want to be by my dad's side and able to give him a hug. I did hear from the ambulance driver (Mel has connections) that my dad was joking with them on the way to the hospital and wanted them to stopped and get him some dinner. At least he is in good spirits. I know there are a lot of other pray requests and needs that may be more urgent right now, but if you would pease pray for the doctors to know what to do, that there is nothing else wrong or serious, that he heals quickly, and for his business. He is already anxious to get back to work.

My sister sent me a picture of my dad and it is pretty gross. I was going to post it but decided that this was a much more pleasant photo of my dad and he is at his shop.

I love you dad and it was so good to hear your voice tonight. Take it easy and get some REST!

Thank you Lord for watching over my dad today! It is such a comfort knowing our God is ALWAYS in control!

Some Work While Others Play

Mel gets up at 7:00 everyday, goes to get breakfast, and then starts working. Today he was able to start painting. It is looking really good. The rest of the house is a different story. I can't wait for the built ins to go up. (Sneak peak at one of the colors we chose.)

Jackson, Grandma Sharon, and I played outside with his cars. He LOVED standing up in it and pushing himself backward. Somehow he caught a little cold or his allergies are acting up so he nose is running like crazy. But even so he enjoyed his time outside.

The other day we made it over to the park and Jackson thought it was cool to roam the equipment like a big boy!

He always enjoys the swing, so much fun! He looks so grown up in this picture.

Ok, we did let Mel take a little break and play at the park with us.

I was also able to enjoy some much needed walking outside. I think I may have been having withdraws.

Under Construction

Brian's parents arrived from Wisconsin yesterday, and we (I guess I should clarify we as mainly Mel) are working on our house again.

This time we are taking a wall out, actually it is already gone, taking some wall paper down, putting up some built in shelves, painting, and doing some other little projects.


When "we" took the chair rail down we found more floral wallpaper. Surprise!! Those spots are dust floating around the house. Jackson loves watching them work, ate some dry wall, and even took 2 good naps while they were making a racket.

It already looks better. I can't wait to see the finished project and I bet you can't either.
Now come on Texas sun and warm up so these folks from Wisconsin can enjoy some nice weather!

Just a Few Things

Today at school during read aloud with accountable talk, I was reading Martin Luther King, Jr. At one point I asked my students to turn and talk to their partners about how things would be different for us if MLK hadn't been brave, stood up for what he believed, and fought for equality. One of my Africa American students turned to his partner and said so bluntly, "I wouldn't be in Mrs. Hartzler's class with you and I couldn't be your friend." He didn't know I was listening in on him, but he caused a lump in my throat and tears to form in my eyes. Thank you MLK I don't know what class would be like without "Richard" and the many others just like him. Just remember no matter what you are special!

**********Switching gears to Jackson**********

Jackson crawled to the fridge stood up and was waiting for supper. HA! He loves to eat.

This week he has tried and LOVED french toast, waffles, cheese ravioli, and grilled cheese. He has thrown up a few times but not right after eating, so we are not sure if it is due to the cheese. He eats yogurt and hasn't had any problems with that. Hopefully, he is not lactose intolerant like his daddy. Jackson is a sharer, he likes to feed you his food.

Jackson also really likes drinking water from his sippy cup and copy us. If we take a drink, he take a drink. When we tip our heads back, he will tip his back too.

Oh and I am ready for this cold weather to be gone for good! Walks outside are calling my name:)

Love Being a Mom and a Teacher

Not everyone gets 3 months off in the summer, holiday breaks, and other random days off in a year. But, I am SO thankful I do! I love teaching with all my heart and believe it is God's calling in my life. However, it is nice (and FUN) to play the role of a SAHM every now and then! (Thank goodness I'm not because I think we would be broke)

I immensely enjoyed my 18 days off for Christmas with Jackson. I cherished every moment with him during this time, especially napping with him. If you know me, you know I don't nap so this was a very rare but such a sweet time with my baby boy.

These first three days were easier than I thought they would be. (Besides my Jeep not starting Wednesday morning and being a little flustered once I actaully made it to school.) Jackson did well at the babysitter's house and I had fun learning with my students. They make me excited for Jackson to be going to school with me. I am again rushing to pick Jackson up after school and have lots of school and house work to do, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.

I have the TWO best jobs in the world!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The First of More I'm Sure

Tonight we watched our friends' daughter while they went out to dinner alone. We decided to go to Chick-fil-a for dinner. After eating Autumn asked if she could play in the playland and wanted Jackson to go with her. Sure thing, because entertaining Autumn here probably would be easier than at home. Ha! She is a GREAT girl just has a lot of energy:) Jackson couldn't have been happier that Autumn brought him here.

Autumn and Jackson playing, they both made many friends while playing.

So much fun, when can we come back!

Jackson just learned he can climb up on things. This week he climbed our whole flight of stairs, climbed up on the dishwasher, and climbed up into the slide tonight.

No tears were shed or temper tantrums thrown tonight when we left the playland, but I'm sure that is all to come as we embark on the future visits to many restraunt play zones!

Flashback: The Rest of Our Time in Wisconsin

After Christmas Day, we spent our time hanging out with our families. We were also able to see some of our friends:) It is always so good to see them. It never fails, when we are home someone asks us when we are moving home. As much as we would love to hang out with our family and friends more often, I don't think we will make our way back to the Frozen Tundra anytime soon. Jackson was not a fan of the cold. He hated being bundled up with a big puffy coat and covered with a blanket. We took him out once in the snow. He wasn't sure about it, probably because he could barely sit up with his snowsuit on. It was so cold we decided to skip sleeding, but maybe next time.

Garrison wanted to show Jackson the cows, so we headed out to Jared's farm one day. I think it will be more fun for him once he can walk. And he is close. While we were home he started pushing a shopping cart and baby stroller by himself. Jackson enjoyed playing with all the kids and LOVED the variety and vast amount of toys at Grandma's house.

My parents enjoyed a night away from the kids as Brian and I took them to a movie and Sharon and Mel watched all the kids. We saw Blindside and all loved it!

I made a slideshow of some of the pictures from our time at home.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

10 Months

Is such a fun age!!

Jackson is up to a lot of things this month. He is happiest when he is pulling up on things and walking from one thing to the next. His new favorite toy is his walker and the kitchen chairs. He can now stand for a while all by himself. His crawl is lightning fast and one minute he is next to me and the next he is into something else.

This is such a fun age!

He is beginning to eat less and less baby food and more table food. He loves chewing and saying "mmmmmmmmmm" as he does. Although when he feeds himself we have quite the mess to cleam up. Jackson has tried the sippy cup and does ok. He really likes getting some water to drink. Daddy and him have a secret little high-five signal. It is really cute.

This is such a fun age!

Jackson has been taking better naps now that he tires himself out from all his walking and crawling. He usually gets up around 6:30 or 7 in the morning, so no sleeping in for me. Each day he is more verbal trying to repeat what we say. He can say mama and dada not always in the correct context. It seems like each day he can do something he couldn't the day before. He is such a smart little boy.

This is such a fun age!

He has quite the personality! He is extremely happy, loving, and funny. He likes to play tricks on mommy and daddy. However, we noticed this month he can have a bit of a temper when he can't have what he wants.

I can't believe my baby is almost a 1 year old boy. But, I love seeing him grow and experiencing it all along with him.

This is such fun age!

He continues to LOVE his baths, rubber ducks, and daddy! For all of you who love Jackson's laugh as much as I do this is for you:)

This is such a fun age!

Flashback: Christmas Eve and Christmas

We woke up at 4:00 am on Christmas Eve to catch our flight to Wisconsin. Jackson was a great flier both ways. Each time he feel asleep right before take off and slept half of the flight.

My mom and Garrison picked us up at the airport and we were off for Brian's parent house. Once we arrived we got to meet Alivia and have a great dinner with the whole family. Then it was time to get ready for Christmas Eve service at church.

Us before church

We met up with my family at church. It was nice to see some old friends and familiar faces. After the service we tried to take some pictures with them but Jackson was tired from the flight and the service, so they didn't turn out so cute. Oh well!

After church we headed back to the Hartzler's to open presents and eat some more food:)

Jackson wasn't interested in opening his presents but once they were open he was very focused on his new toys.

Jackson and his cousin Leo

Jackson and I are wearing our Christmas jammies from my mom. Every year growing up my sister and I got to open one present on Christmas Eve, which were always jammies. I love this tradition and am glad my mom included Jackson this year (Mom, fyi Brian felt left out).

Jackson and me, Traci and Leo, April and Alivia

These grandbabies were all very spoiled by grandma and grandpa

We spent the night at Brian's parents house so we could spend some extra time with everyone and got up early on Christmas morning and headed out to my parent's house.

I made French toast and sausage links and then we opened more presents. Jackson must have been one very good boy this year. I can't believe I forgot to take pictures Christmas morning.

We had lunch at my parent's house and spent the day hanging out and watching movies. It was a great day!!

Last year Garrison and I made a birthday cake for Jesus so we continued that tradition and made one again this year. Garrison is such a goof ball!

Jackson had a great first Christmas and it was wonderful to be surrounded by the ones who love us the most.

More to come on our week in the frozen white tundra, aka Wisconsin!

Top 10 of 2009

#10- Losing all of my baby weight and fitting back into my regular clothes!

#9- Getting my first ever Coach purse! I love it and it even has purple inside:)

#8- Not the best moment for sure but one I won't forget, when Brian rear ended another car and wrecked the front end of my Jeep. Praise God we were not hurt.

#7- Brian was offered a full time job at TOH with great benefits!

#6-For Father's Day we were able to travel to Alton, Kansas for Brian to be with his dad and Jackson to meet his Great Grandpa. We were also able to get a Four Generation picture of Hartzler boys.

#5- We just got back from spending time with our families back home in Wisconsin for Christmas. We are so thankful that we were able to go home this year to see everyone.

#4-Valentine's Getaway to the Woodlands with Brian-It was our last big event before Jackson was born and our last trip overnight by ourselves since.

#3-In July, we were finally able to move in to our new home after waiting for several months to find the "perfect" house for us.

#2- In August, I graduated from Lamar University with my Master's in Teacher Leadership and Curriculum and my parents were able to be in attendance.

AND the #1 moment of 2009 happened on March 3rd when

God blessed us with a healthy and beautiful baby boy, Jackson Oliver Hartzler. We love spending time together as a family of three. Jackson has made this last year a year to remember with all his smiles, laughs, and other firsts! Everything we do is magnified and better because he is doing it with us.

There were many more great moments of 2009. I wouldn't have changed one thing. I learned many things about myself as God grew me and worked on my heart. Each day truly is a gift from God and I don't take any of them for granted. As I was typing my top 10 list I started thinking that the BEST moments are ones that aren't planned but just happen when I am with the ones I love.

We are extremely thankful for all God has blessed our family with and pray that in the new year we may be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Happy New Year!