The Alamo Bowl. . .Sic ‘Em Bears!

We went to Mandy’s house for New Year’s Eve and a vendor of hers gave her awesome tickets to the Alamo Bowl on the 29th.  It was definitely my all time favorite sporting event.  I’m not a football girl but this game was a blast.  BU has had such great year in so many sports and it’s been really fun to follow.

At one point they brought out a huge flag and sang “Proud to be an American” while showing a slideshow of all of the fallen heroes from San Antonio.  I of course cried.  It was an emotional day to begin with and it was very touching.  Just seeing the pictures of the young guys with their families was heart wrenching.  We are so blessed to have such freedom.

Mandy and Nick (UT alum sporting his orange hat).

Former Bears.

It was such a close game right to the very end that it was so exciting.  All of us were hoarse the next day from yelling.

The last minute. . .

And the Bears win!

Jay and I out without the kids. . .that alone is pretty amazing!

Sic ‘Em Bears!

The 4 of us sticking it out to the very end.

The victory party and press.

Thanks Mandy for such a fantastic night!

Christmas Night

After all of the excitement of Christmas our kiddos were exhausted.  Jay and I had planned on getting them to bed early and eating dinner and bed while watching a movie. 

Instead Jackson got really sick with croup.  He was coughing like a maniac at 7 when he went to bed.  And by 11:45 his face was blue and he couldn’t breath.  So, off to the ER we went.  Jack and I spent the next 4 1/2 hours in the emergency room and he was a rock star.  He was uncharacteristically calm and well behaved.  Of course I guess not being able to breath makes a guy pretty low key.  He was the only kid in the ER (we were in a room next to a gentleman who was surrounded by police officers. . .so we didn’t really chat him up) and the nurses spoiled him rotten.  He had severe croup and acute bronchial spasms but after a few breathing treatments and a steroid he was doing much better. 

Jack loved the whole experience because he got batman socks, a stuffed triceratops, and a flying remote control batman among other treats.  We also had the extreme treat of discovering that codeine (he was given paid medicine b/c his throat was raw and almost bleeding due to the croup) does not tire Jackson.  Codeine WIRES Jackson.  For those of you who know him you know that we do not intentionally wire him.  We got home a little before 5 a.m. and I slept with Jackson (the dr. advised him not sleeping alone in case he had another attack).  Jack was up at 7 and went strong the ENTIRE day.  I slept and slept some more!  Thank you Jay for helping with the boys so much that day!

Anyway, we were praising God that Jack was just fine and that Jay had the following day off of work. 

Yes, I let Jackson eat the super terrible (hfcs laden) popsicle's.  I figure you get a freebee in the ER.

Oh, I totally almost forgot to add that at one point the nurse and Jack had this conversation:
Nurse: What was your favorite Christmas gift?
Jack: A little brother or sister.  My mom is pregnant!
Nurse: Wow, congratulations, that’s so cool!
Jack: Yep, ya wanna know how I got my mom pregnant?
Nurse: Uh, sure. . .
Jack: Well, I prayed to God for another brother or sister and then one night God snuck in and opened my moms mouth and pushed a baby down her throat and into her tummy.  That’s how I got my mommy pregnant!
Nurse: Uh, that’s great. . .

That kid never ceases to crack me up!

Christmas Day 2011

First of all let me say THANK YOU to Gaga, Nana and Papa who were at our house at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning.  They all wanted to be there for Jackson getting the big news of his brother or sister.  We had the Francis family on skype and showed Jackson the bassinet and then I read him the letter.  His huge and excited response???????  Wait for it. . .wait for it. . .he simply look up at me and said, "I told you so mommy.”  I asked if he understood that we were having another baby (because surely if he did he would be jumping up and down and screaming with excitement) and he said, “yes, God told me a long time ago that we were having another baby.”  So, just like that, the big reaction that everyone was waiting for.  It’s actually kind of cool that Jackson had that much faith.  I wish that I had such little doubt that after being told something was totally impossible I wasn’t surprised when God delivered it to me.  Anyway, despite the anticlimactic response it will make a very sweet story to tell his baby brother or sister some day.

Ok, on with the rest of Christmas day!

Our little Christmas Elf.

More nerf guns!

Bear doesn’t look too thrilled here.

Jack was so excited to give me the votive candle holder that he had made for me at school.  I have it in my hand in this picture.  I just love stuff that my sweetie makes!

Skype made the fact that the Francis family was so far away a bit easier.  We had the computer on most of the morning and were able to talk to them and the kids showed their different gifts etc.  It was pretty awesome.  Here Sissy was reading the “Greenie and Lennon” book to Jack.  The book is pretty awesome and I can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Jack is super excited about the baby, Bear on the other hand. . .not so sure.  He kept climbing into the bassinet and saying, “Baby Bear!” 

Sweet times with Nana and Papa.

A rare family shot.

Yummy Christmas morning Mexican Fudge.

Loved having Sissy and her family with us all morning.

Daddy and the boys with their race track.

After breakfast we headed over to Gaga’s house where there was NO lack of gifts.

I love these stockings.  My grandmother made them for us when we were kids and I love that I’ve always had the same one.

Grandmommy and Jer in their Christmas sweaters and jammies.

Of course Bear would only wear Lennon’s green boots on an occasion as special as Christmas.

Opening presents was a blast with Bear this year.

Jack got several Hexbug Nano sets this year and they’ve been a huge hit.

Bear got lots of Chuck the dump truck toys.

Gaga and Jack, besties.

Jack with his new dj jamz set.  The most fantastic thing about this toy is that it comes with headphones.  He can jam and make all kinds of noise and we don’t hear any of it if the headphone are plugged in!

Jay and Jer in the post present, post huge meal haze!

We are so blessed to have such an awesome family-thanks to all of you for such a great day.  We missed the Francis family and the Osby’s but hopefully we will see you all soon!

Santa’s Letter To Jackson. . .

And remember, Santa is not an English major nor a poet. . .but he is a super fun mom  uh, I mean makes some super great toys!  But maybe next time he won’t procrastinate until the very last stinkin’ minute!  Or maybe he will because that’s how I roll he rolls!

Dear Jackson,
I need to tell you about your big gift this year.
You’ve asked for something very special, a gift that is very dear.

A brother or a sister is a blessing that will last your entire life long.
The love, laughter and camaraderie, no bond could ever be so strong.

This year I have been watching how you treated your little brother.
And with a resounding YES I can answer that you have loved, cared for, and protected him like no other.

I’ve seen you hug him and love on him and snuggle him too.
Even begging your parents to let you give him a smore or a few. . .

Always wanting to share with a baby brother is quite a feat .
You must be a special young man because I even saw you gift him half of your special Christmas treat.

After watching and watching and watching some more the elves and I had a decision to make.
I know you love babies so much but three children is a pretty big step to take.

You should know Jackson that Santa doesn’t deliver babies. Jesus makes them you know.
Jesus forms them perfectly inside of a mother’s stomach for 9 months to grow.

Jackson, I’m so happy to tell you that Jesus has answered your prayer.
You are getting your wish-a new baby brother or sister, but I don’t see enough space anywhere.

So, instead of leaving a baby in the bassinet Jesus has put one in mommy’s tummy with time to grow.
You can feel the baby in mommy’s tummy and soon it will show.

Inside of mommy’s tummy God will make the baby healthy and strong.
Jesus will take care of that, you just need to pray for the new baby all year long.

Just be patient until your birthday, and trust me, the time will fly by.
Mommy and Daddy will bring home a tiny precious baby in mid-July.

Another baby is a huge blessing and a responsibility all the same.
You need to help mommy and daddy find space and pick out a name.

Jackson, God wants you to have another sibling and that’s a true blessing .
But I can’t tell you if it’s a boy or girl yet, it’s fun to keep guessing.

You Jackson, have become such a loving and caring brother.
That God couldn’t say no when he saw you love on Bear and then pray for another.

Christmas Eve 2011

We had such a wonderful Christmas Eve!  Jay had the day off which made it so much fun.  In the morning Jack and I went to a brunch at the home of some sweet friends from church.  It was such a nice start to the day and a fun “date” for me to have with my sweetie 4 year old.  During that time Jay and Bear got to have some time alone which Jay said was wonderful.  After naps we headed over to Papa and Nana’s house for a Christmas celebration with Noah and Jessica. 

Laura didn’t think this would be a good picture because the jalapeno’s didn’t look perfect. . .she didn’t understand that my pregnant self (who LOVES stuffed jalapenos) thought they looked PERFECT!  Thanks Laura!

The boys wearing their cute footprint Christmas tree shirts.  Jackson wanted to dress like a hunter and when I told him that his pants didn’t match his adorable shirt he immediately went into his room and grabbed the cameo hat that Bruce and Andrew had given him.  He returned wearing the hat and smiling and said, “now I match!”  Well, who could argue with that?  So, he went as a hunter on Christmas Eve.  Bear still let’s me dress him so luckily he was wearing plain old jeans.

Jack loves his sweet grandparents!

Bear was very excited to see all of the gifts under the tree.

The boys waiting to open presents.

Bear’s “cheese face” is still eyes closed.

We have an old home video of Jenna excitedly opening a present on Christmas morning and B.J. just screaming out of excitement solely due to Jenna.  This moment where Jack was so excited opening his Star Wars tent reminded me of that moment.  Bear was beside himself due to Jackson being so thrilled.

Happy Jack.

Nana wrapped a gift for Noah and Jessica telling them about baby Adams Tres.  They were excited about having another niece or nephew.

Papa and Freckles.

The police costume was also a big hit!

Papa has become a hard core athlete (cyclist) and when you are hard core you have to wear special things for inclimate weather.  Papa is our hero and I’m using him as my motivation after Baby Tres.

Jack adores his Papa.  He said he wants to have grandkids so that he can ride his bike to their house just to say hi like Papa does with us.

After gifts we had an awesome steak dinner.  Since it’s both of my boys favorites they were thrilled.  And yes, Bear had ranch for his.

Jack has always loved Noah and Jessica but he REALLY loves Jess. He stayed next to her the entire night.  At one point he said, “Jessica, you are a really pretty girl.”  He then asked to sit by her at dinner, in fairness, Jack told Noah he could sit on the other side.

Love this picture!

Bear is obsessed with Papa, he talks about him constantly and frequently asks to go look at his pictures in our hallway.  Love that my kids are blessed with so many incredible grandparents.

After Nana and Papa’s house we went home and the boys needed to put out the raindeer food in the front yard before bed.  Jack had made some at school. . .

. . .and sweet Aunt Sissy had sent more that Mia and Lennon had made.

It was chilly but the boys were so excited.

On Christmas Eve our elf on the shelf, Dufus was pretending to be a singing snowman.

A Christmas craft that the boys and I made.

Santa had written Jackson a letter to Jackson telling him all about the baby.  It was supposed to be a big surprise.  He’d also laid out the sonogram pictures and a book opened to the page showing exactly how big the baby was that week.  Since Jackson had been asking for years for a sister named Wendy and more recently had put on his Christmas list at school (and asked Santa) for another brother or a sister, we were sure that he would be shocked and thrilled.

Santa also set up the gifts that the kids had already gotten from Papa and Nana to make the room even more fun for Christmas morning.

And Dufus switched places with the Angel on top of the tree.

 

Then finally it was time for everyone to go to sleep!