Snapshots

Just a few more pictures, mostly from my iPhone, of Papa and Grandma's time here.

 

One night I had curriculum night at school. Brian, Jackson, and Sharon brought me Chick-fil-a for dinner. Jackson had to play in my room and have Grandma read to him.

 One of the main reason for their visit was to fix up their rental house. Jackson was racing cars outside that house one night while Papa and Daddy worked.

 Dinner at Fuddruckers

 It is hard to get a decent picture of Jackson these days, he just want to be silly in every picture.

 We made many trips to the park (and Menchies) with them.

 Whole group shot, notice the silly face below:)

 LOVE him!

Last night at dinner

 

Papa and Grandma were able to pick Jackson up from preschool early a few days and spent their nighst playing doctor and demolition together.

 

Until next time...

 

Beautiful Day

On Saturday, we took a family trip to the gulf. Instead of going to the beach we usually go to, we tried the state park.

 

Jackson has been wanting a boogie board for awhile, well Wal-mart was sold out so he got a fish/squirter board. Of course, we told him it was a boogie board.

 He tested it out first thing!

Not to bad!

The weather was beautiful and the water was nice and warm. What a great day to marvel at God's creation!

I so enjoy watching this boy having fun. He lives out every moment of every day.

 Mel and Brian tried out a little fishing and caught a small fish.

 Meanwhile, someone else was reeling in a string ray. CRAZY! He cut the barb off because he let it back into the ocean.

Jackson had a blast swimming and riding the waves with Daddy, 

and digging with Papa.

 Brian caught about 10 hermit crabs for Jackson. Jackson kept them safe and cool in his bucket. We brought them home, but they died. Now, we just have some cool shells.

Thankful to spend some time with Papa and Grandma

The entire time we were there I kept thinking what a beautiful day it was. I soaked up every minute of sun, fun, and this cute face! 

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24



Goof Ball

I went to get Jackson up one Friday morning, and he had his cowboy boots on. He said he had a party before bed and went to sleep with them on. While I was running, he may himself quite comfy. He got a pillow to sit on in the chair and propped his feet up on the ball.

What a goof ball! Never a dull moment around here.

Guess Who's Here?

This boy makes my mornings so much fun! He is always in such a good mood. He was extra happy Friday because Papa Mel and Grandma Sharon were coming to see him!

Saturday morning the boys went fishing, and Sharon and I went and enjoyed pedicures. 

 Jackson brought one fish home that he caught. Brian said as he would real a fish in Jackson would say, "It's a fighter, yup it's a fighter."

 Having fun swimming and playing with Daddy and Papa.

 Jackson was dying to eat the fish he caught and the fish Papa brought, so Papa made it for him for dinner. He also talked Papa and Grandma into Menchies:)

 

Brian and I went out to dinner at BJ's. I had been craving their Honey Chicken Salad for like a year and yes, I ate every last bite! We walked around the mall and were able to stop in and see Katrina and Louis.

 

Sunday morning we went to church heard a great sermon on grace,

 

and then off to lunch at Firehouse. 

We spent the rest of the day playing inside and outside in the rain.

 

Back to the grind tomorrow...



THREE and a HALF

Jackson turned 3 1/2 last Monday.



He is 3 ft 8 in tall and weighs about 42 pounds. Most of the time people ask him if he is 5. He grew a half inch in the last month and is hungry all day long. He is a good eater. He eats what ever I make for dinner. His favorites are tacos, spaghetti, tater tot casserole, yogurt, and frozen peas. He can easily drink a gallon of milk himself a week. We call him our "Little Chomper" because if anyone has food he is always trying to get a bite.

He is going to Preschool 5 days a week and loving it. One of my favorite times of the day is getting him up. He is always in such a good mood with a huge smile on his face. He does a great job listening and playing kindly with friends. He said his best friends are Seth, Westin, and Mallory. He can write spell and write his name. He loves to read books, some favorites are Little Critter, The Cowboy Gingerbread Man, The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza, and his Rhyme Bible.

 

He still loves to swim, play trains and trucks, wrestle with Dad, and build towers and tents. He is almost mastering his bike with training wheels. He has a sweet heart and prays for a baby brother or sister every night. He loves to help clean toilets and dust. We have tough days to with whining, unkind words, and fits thrown. But the good far outweigh the tough times!

He know 10 verses; Matthew 22:37, Psalm 139:14, Psalm 23:1, Psalm 119:105, 1 Peter 5:7, Proverbs 16:24, Nehemiah 8:10, Genesis 1:1, Philippians 4:13, and Philippians 3:14.

 

Just a few things he has said that I don't want to forget:

 

Every night at bedtime, "I love you forever and ever."

"This is fresh and beautiful."

"It is so beautiful out."

I said to him "you're goofy" and he responded "you're Mickey/"

"That looks sparkly and clean."

He will ask us, "Were you a good girl/boy on your date/at work? If you were you can have a treat."

An answer to something he wants, "Oh, yes!" or "Well, of course!"

While I was gone one night, "It's just the boys. Huh, dad?"

Brian and Jackson were in the pool and I was inside, he needed his goggles, "Call for honey, dad. She'll get it."

While swimming in the pool, "Did you hear my goggles toot? They almost pooped."

 

Jackson,

 Mommy and Daddy love you beyond words. We love watching you grow and learn more about the world around you. We are so proud of the way you are acting at preschool. We pray for you daily and can't wait to see the plans God has in store for your life.



Nothing Exciting

After a long, tiring week our weekend was just what I needed.

RELAXED.

 

We had to take a detour before our McDonald's date on Saturday, I had to get my first (of the season) Pumpkin Spice Latte. Already had my second on Sunday:)

Somewhat of a cool front came to town (high 80's instead of 100), so we hit up the park 3 times this weekend. It seems like forever since we had been to there. Jackson even rode his bike the whole way there and peed in the bushes.

 I had 5 loads of laundry to wash, hang up, and put away. But, I got it all done in 1 day!

 

Jackson was preparing his heart and mind on the way to Church, ha!

 We watched the Packer's play lose, and I worked on objectives, math warm ups, and grading my students' spelling inventory.

Brian made cooked BBQ ribs for dinner, and we had fun playing in the pool.

Now to get the house ready and clean for Papa and Grandma to come this week!

 

 "For you are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God." Psalm 86:10

Dinner With Friends

Why do the short weeks always feel the longest?

 

Anyways, I made it to Thursday and met the girls for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. We ate, drank (I had Diet Coke), and talked. Between the 7 of us there was plenty to say!

I tried a chicken enchilada for the first time, It was very yummy!
 

I didn't make it home until about 10:30, which is way after my bedtime, but it was just what I needed! I was blessed with great conversation, lots of laughs, and words of truth and encouragement from friends.

 

Most Fridays you can find us dining out at Chick-fil-a. It's our Friday night tradition since Jackson loves it, it's quick, and it's yummy! One of my new team members has never eaten at Chick-fil-a, so we invited her along.

Jackson really likes Lindsey and Sam. He thinks they are funny and loves coming up to school to see them. He was so excited they were meeting us for dinner and talked about it all week.

We had a fun time with them and are glad they were able to a break from working in their classrooms to join us. When we were leaving, Jackson started bawling that they weren't coming back to our house.

 

I am again blessed to have these two working right next to me.

 They are fun, funny, and super sweet!



Birthday Weekend II

Sunday morning we went to Church, and I served in Jackson's class.

 

Then, we went to Firehouse and Jackson and I both ate free!

While Jackson napped and Brian did yard work, I went shopping and spent some birthday money!!

 

After dinner we went to Menchies because no birthday weekend is complete without Fro-yo!



 

 

Monday was my actual birthday, and I woke up to a homemade Mocha Frappuccino. Yummy!

My boys got me a new blow dryer (which I desperately needed) and a watch. Jackson told me "Mommy, I hid your present and you can find it. It is a blow dryer. It is purple." Love my boy!



It was really nice to enjoy the morning together taking a bike ride and shopping a little bit more.



I am blessed!

 

After Jackson's nap my aunt, uncle, , and cousin's family came over to swim and for dinner. My aunt cooked dinner for us!

She also made my favorite cake! We made do with the candles we had on hand.

 Jackson had been looking forward to my birthday cake all weekend.

 It was evident this weekend that I am loved, spoiled, and beyond blessed.

Here's to making year 29 the best yet!

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.'" Isaiah 43:18-19

Birthday Weekend

It's fun to have your birthday fall on a Holiday weekend!

 

It started with a yummy Chick-fil-a breakfast with my sweet team at school.

 

We went out for dinner Friday night.

Saturday morning, after a stop at Starbucks:), we headed to the Zoo.

Jackson (and I) love the zoo and naming all the animals.

The chimpanzees were incredibly gross, I'll just leave it at that!

Some "snow" to cool us off.

We paid extra to go through the dinosaur exhibit. Jackson couldn't wait to see the robots, as he called them.

The dinosaurs moved and were life sized.

T-Rex!

Jackson always talks about feeding the giraffes, so we let him do it again.



I love how close we can get to them!

 

Jackson has been asking for a Thomas umbrella, but I can't find one. We found a cute giraffe one in the gift shop. As we were walking to the car, it began to pour. Good thing Jackson was prepared!



We had a fun time, but were hot and sweaty by the time we left.