This morning I was awakened by Jackson kissing me on the cheek and snuggling me saying, “mommy if daddy didn’t marry you I would have. Ya wanna know how? I would have put wooden chairs under my legs and worn big pants over them. Then everybody would think I was 19 or 20 and old enough to get married. I might still marry you some day. But daddy could stay. He’d just be your step guy or something.”
Back in April we went to Tyler for a day at the water park and for a time share presentation there. Yes, we will drive all the way to Tyler for 2 free days at the Great Wolf Lodge. Anyway, it was a fun family day at the water park and I just found this picture on Jay’s phone and had to post it. Love these two guys so much!
As Jay and I looked at this picture today we also remembered another story. On the drive to Tyler Jackson had been begging Jay and I to get him baptized. We told him that he needed to be a little bit older (he was only 3) before being baptized and he kept saying that he was old enough and did understand what it meant and that he wanted to be baptized to “wash away all of his bad decisions.” We discussed it a little more and he finally said, “please baptize me today at the water park because I’m tired of getting time outs!” We explained to him that he would still get time outs after being baptized. He looked so sad and said, “but my teacher said getting baptized wipes away all of your bad decisions. I’m so tired of getting in trouble but a lot of times I can’t choose right because being wrong is more fun.”
We of course told him that getting baptized does signify the washing away of your sins but that you still have free will and can choose right or wrong. We also explained that we have the same problem and that we all make mistakes and choose poorly sometimes. I just love the honesty of kids though. And I love that he wants to make good decisions. Although Jack does choose wrong quite a bit (as most boys his age do) knowing he has such a great heart and such a heart for Christ makes me happier than he will ever know.
What a fun surprise to find this picture that brought back such great memories of that family day!
One of my favorite pictures from our wedding day:
Today is our 7th anniversary and we had an awesome time celebrating last night. Thanks so much to Gaga and David for keeping the boys so that we could spend a wonderful night away.
This is one of my very favorite songs and I thank God every day that I married a man who believes in the promise:
Feeling blessed beyond measure today to be hanging out with my man and my two little super heroes. And wondering what fun and precious traits baby #3 will bring to our bunch!
This morning Jack made breakfast, scrambled eggs, for me and the boys (the boys and I? I feel like I’ve lost 33% of my grammar knowledge with each pregnancy. . .). I of course turned on the stove and stood next to him to be sure that he didn’t burn himself or anything. But he cracked the eggs, and completely handled the “scrambling” and putting them into the bowls.
Not that it’s hard to make eggs or anything but it really made me realize that my little guy is growing up WAY too fast.
I remember when I learned to make scrambled eggs. My mom taught me because I was going on an Indian Princess campout with my dad and the girls/princesses were going to make eggs for the dads on Saturday morning. I was so proud of myself and still clearly remember both learning and making eggs for dad while camping. Jack was so excited today that #1 I would let him and #2 that it was actually a success.
In other news, Jack’s had TWO straight weeks of great days at school (meaning not getting into trouble at all for anything). That is pretty huge considering he’s now there 15 hours a week. When I was praising him for making such great decisions at school I asked him how he was doing it. He pointed up towards the sky and then to his head and heart. He said that God was in his head and his heart and was helping him make better decisions and obey.
While he’s still his normal wild, fun loving, funny and unbelievably active self I’m really seeing him grow up a lot lately. The conversations that we are having and the things that he’s saying truly convey his precious heart and sweet spirit. I still want to pull my hair out sometimes as he’s literally swinging from things but the little man is at such a great stage right now.
I’m reading (and seriously need to finish because I have about 7 books that I’m half way through) Wild at Heart right now and I love it. It not only helps me to understand Jay and men in general a little better but also to see the parts of Jackson that are such “God things.” How God made men to want to guard, protect, and be just be heroes in general. How men love adventure and game. Most men have toned these traits down considerably but in Jack they are raw and it’s just amazing to watch. While watching Star Wars with Jack the other day he said, “why is a girl in this fighting movie? Oh, of course, so we have someone to save!” And before anyone freaks out about him being sexist or anything he knows that his daddy takes care of the family and that his mommy takes care of his daddy. But it’s just neat to read about the nature of men and see it so clearly in Jack. While putting him to bed tonight he said, “mom, I love you so much that I would fight an army to save you. I have awesome skills and would save you with my light saber.” Of course I think Jack is a pretty extreme version of a little boy. The term “all boy” has been used to describe him more times and by more people than I can count. But he’s just my little buddy and while I miss him while he’s in school (Bear spends most of Monday morning crying for Jack) it’s also cool to see him develop into such a cool kid.
And for those of you wondering if I’m going to have tons of hormonal/sappy/lovey posts about my family while pregnant. . .it’s pretty likely!
Very recently Jackson has started actually telling me stories from his days at school. Here are a few stories from the last week:
Story #1 as told by Jack:
Today Garrett pushed me down and I said, “good job buddy. You’ve got some pretty good skills. I’ve got massive better skills though and could probably throw you into space. But I won’t because you are my friend and I love you. But still your skills are good.”
Story #2 as told by Jack:
Today McKenna was being ugly with her mouth to me. I was hugging Rachel and McKenna said, “don’t be her boyfriend!” And I said, “McKenna stop your smart mouth! We aren’t doing boyfriend we are just friends and love each other. I’m not going to worry about a girlfriend until I’m 19 or 20. I’m just hugging her because she’s beautiful.”
Now I have no idea of the accuracy of these stories but they just cracked me up! I tried to film him retelling them a few days later but it just wasn’t the same.
Since I’m usually super late with pictures I actually decided to get Bear’s early this year. So, this morning he and I attempted the impossible-good 2 year pictures. Unfortunately Jackson combed out Bear’s hair (meaning all of his curls) this morning but we still managed to get a few decent shots of tiny man.
Bear is such a joy these days and just so dang sweet, affectionate and loving. I put him to bed at night he always wants more kisses and loves. When we eat, he always reminds all of us to pray. He loves the ready, set, go loves and the first words out of his mouth each morning are always, “Jackson up?” He pats my back first when I pick him up and constantly tells everyone that he “wuvs them.” He loves to be read to and always begs for “mo!” He reaches up to Jay or I and says, “hold you? Hold you me pease?” He loves choices and I let him choose his own clothes (I give him options) and he loves to say, “how bout dis one? How bout dat one?” He cracks himself up and is obsessed with his loveys. He sleeps with 3. One of which is a blue beanie baby teddy bear. We’ve always called Jack our little man and Bear our tiny man so Bear calls his lovey bear, tiny bear. It’s so hard to believe that it’s already been (almost) two years with Baron. Already we can’t remember our lives without him!
Yesterday we celebrated Gaga’s birthday. As always it was a great time to hang with family!
Grandmommy of course made her family famous pistachio chocolate cake.
David made 3 different flavors of his super delicious wings!
Jack with Gaga and David. The funniest part of the day was when Jackson said, “Gaga, since it’s your birthday it would be nice for you to wear something with ruffles. Something girly. And pink would be great if you have it!”
Grandmommy and Jackie.
Bear had a blast playing in the sand box for most of the afternoon so we don’t have any pictures of him but we had all had a great time. Happy birthday to the best Gaga ever, we love you!!
Gaga used to stop by randomly all of the time. Now that she has a new job she’s working much more and isn’t able to have as free a schedule. The boys were thrilled when she came by for some unplanned play time last week:
Can you imagine more fun than Gaga tickle time? The guys were in heaven and cried when she left!
Jack has started attending school on Mondays (in addition to Tuesdays and Thursdays) and now gets to go to Little Chef’s class. I was pretty torn about whether or not to put him into an extra day or not because I knew how much I would miss him. His love for school won me over though. Here’s his first little chef’s masterpiece:
He made deviled eggs and was so proud of himself. The plate looked much nicer when he brought it home and this verse on the cover.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
A few weeks ago we had a totally free weekend. Nothing to do Friday or Saturday and nothing but church on Sunday. It was so nice to just relax and hang out with my guys. We went to the park and cooked and played and played some more. Saturday night was family game night.
Now, don’t get me wrong I have tons of days where I’m just praying for patience and counting the moments until bedtime. But then there are some days, and some nights, where everything is just amazing. Those days I just want to freeze everything and remember every second, every snuggle and every precious look from my boys. Anyway, here are some pictures because my photo addiction will never change.
I have wonderful memories from my childhood of having family night with nachos and games. So, that’s what we did. Bear loves Sheriffian nachos!
I’ve never doubted that I was Jackson’s mother until this day. He “doesn’t like nachos.” Not to worry, I’ll have him checked out at his next doctor visit!
Can you imagine a better dinner? Maybe it’s the prego hormones talking but YUM!
And of course sweet Jay got the boys and I a special family night drink.
These boys are besties!
After dinner Bear went to bed and Jack, Jay and I played Disney Yahtzee Jr. for over an hour.
Parenthood is so magically wonderful and yet so emotionally difficult and I sure love (and appreciate) that God throws in such great days with those I love the most!
After Christmas we had the awesome opportunity to have Carolyn, Cora and Annaliese over for a play date. The kids had a blast and were instant buddies. Jack is almost exactly 1 year older than Cora and Bear is almost exactly 1 year older than Annaliese.
Bear and Liese had some fun parallel play time.
And of course, the kids favorite game ever, cushion jumping from the coffee table.
Super fun Aunt Carolyn throwing the kids into the pit of cushions.
Jack and Cora took lots of hug breaks. At one point Cora called Jackson “handsome legs.” It was pretty funny.
Story time. . .
Buddies.
I’m starting to think that Bear’s cheese face will never change. Good thing it’s funny.
This was the best picture that I could get of the 4 kids together. Bear was NOT cooperating for this shot at all.
Can you tell that Jackson loved both of the O girls?
He was one happy little man.
“Please don’t go!”
Who’s taller?
Parting is such sweet sorrow
A few days later we were able to meet the O’s and Aneta and Alexander at the park. I love this shot of the 3 big kids! Alexander is 5, Cora is 3 and Jack is 4 in this picture.
We had such an awesome time and look forward to many, many more fun times in the future. Thanks to Carolyn for a lifetime of fun play dates, first for us and now for our kiddos!
Last Saturday Jay and I had a training at church from 8:30-1. Luckily the church provided child care and anyone that knows our kids knows that our boys LOVE the church child care. Anyway, the guys were thrilled to get to go to church on Saturday and Sunday.
About half way through the training Bear’s sweet teacher sent me this picture explaining that they were playing dress up and there was only one costume left for Bear to wear. . .he definitely doesn’t seem very happy about it!
I know he’ll hate this picture someday. . .but it’s just so dang funny!
As usual we had a fantastic time at Mandy’s house! It was so nice to relax and seeing the boys laugh and run and wear themselves out outside has even further motivated me to try for a back yard!
Jack and Mandy are definite buds!
Love tiny man’s cheese face!
The boys wearing their “Sissy hats.” A friend asked me why we called them sissy hats saying that the boys don’t look like sissies wearing them. I had to explain that they are “sissy hats” because Aunt Sissy made them.
Mandy got a “pick-up-trike” for the boys and it was a huge hit. Jack loved driving Bear around and Bear loved being chauffeured.
After about 10 minutes on the trike I packed up the boys and went to buy some helmets. As soon as we got back Bear fell off back wards and hit his head on the concrete drive way. Luckily the helmet took the fall and there weren’t even any tears. Thank God I know those boys well!
I’m such a sucker for this sweet little face.
Jack wanted to get the bounce house balls and was willing to do all of the work to set them up.
How do you taunt a pregnant lady? Leave a delicious recipe for a yummy chocolate drink on the bar for me to stare at every day.
Bear loved the bounce houses and wore himself out jumping.
And of course there was a lot of golfing.
And gathering of sticks for the fire.
Jack became a master fire apprentice.
Bear loved just relaxing.
And Jack even got a smore one night! I know, I’m such a push over these days.
Nick and Mandy.
Kelsey and Jack.
It was not easy to get the boys to actually eat breakfast every day before running outside to play.
Bear loved helping to move the fire wood from the front of the house to the fire pit in the back.
Jay had to work a full day from Mandy’s house on Friday. He opened the window to enjoy the nice weather and the boys immediately ran in for a daddy hug.
There was a lot of football played during the weekend as well.
Even the puppies wanted in on the game!
We love our handsome little quarter back.
And sweet baby Bear.
This is one of my favorite pictures of the trip!
See how pooped the boys were from running, riding and jumping?!
One of the days I went to get Bear up from his nap and realized that Jay had put him to bed with a mint (which he is NOT allowed to have) in his mouth. Luckily the mint stuck in his hair and not in his throat during the nap! I let Jay have the pleasure of showering with Bear to melt the mint out of his hair.
Ready for fireworks on the 31st!
My bestie 4 year old!
I am so thankful to God for my awesome guys.
Mandy and Jack are so photogenic together.
The men grilling the steaks.
Bear has daddy wrapped around his little finger!
Time for sparklers!
Mandy, aka the greatest hostess ever, had TONS of fireworks, sparklers etc for the boys. The fireworks were amazing, it was like a professional show!
Filet, jalapeno cheddar grits and spicy asian green beans. . .yes, the pregnant lady is still thinking about that dinner.
More fireworks. . .Jack begged to be one of the pyro technicians with Jay and Nick.
Jack and his girlfriend Kelsey.
My little guy was all smiles all night. . .
. . .and so was my big guy!
Cheese!
A drink with a tomato, celery and bacon??? Only at Aunt Mandy’s! And no, I did not touch this thing. . .yuck. . .
One last slide.
After such an awesome time it was no surprise that both boys cried when it was time to leave. With the animals, 4 wheelers, bounce houses, fireworks, pick-up-trike, bakery tours, filet mignon, etc., Aunt Mandy’s is like Disney World to my kids.
Thanks for everything Mandy, once again we had a fantastic time! What a way to start 2012!
