Happy Birthday Jack-Jack

Jackson, you are 2 years old today. I can't even believe that we are here already. 2 years ago I was 31 hours into labor. It was unpleasant, yes, but totally worth every second. Daddy and I are so proud to call you our son. Every minute with you has been wonderful and exciting.

This has been a big year for you. You learned how to walk at 14 months. You started going to Mother's Day Out twice a week all by yourself. You love school, by the way. It's your favorite place to go during the week. You learned how to color, to share toys with your friends and how to count to 5. This year you also learned how to sleep in a big boy bed. You fell out a couple of times. I even found you under the bed one morning fast asleep. (That did freak me out a bit) Now, you are pro at it and wouldn't have it any other way. In 1 year you started talking A LOT. Just over the past month have you really started to develop your vocabulary. You're favorite things are your soft blankets (you now have 3 that are just alike) and "Go Diego Go!" You love dancing to any kind of music and playing guitar. Cheese and juice are your favorite snacks. Then again, so is ice cream.

Family is big to you. You adore your cousins Abby and Carson and talk about them ALL the time. Mae-Mae and Cai-Cai are your big "sisters" and all of your grandparents spoil you too much. Our church family has been another huge influence on your life. We are there almost every day. In every office you will find a box of toys that have been put aside just for you. They love you and many of them have even kept you over night!

Your are a blessed boy, Jackson. Happy 2nd Birthday!! I can't wait to see what the next year will bring us.

Steven Curtis Chapman

I haven't listened to Steven Curtis Chapman in forever. If he's on the radio and I recognize the song I'll turn it up, but other than that...I don't have a lot of investment in him. However, when I was about 11 years old, my dad became a Christian and had his tape in his truck at all times. I know every single word to "The Great Adventure". He was pretty obsessed with him. This morning I read that his 5 year old daughter was hit a care driven by her teenage brother. She died while being life flighted. My heart broke this mornign on the way in when I heard the news. I can't even imagine grieving for my child and having another one that had to live with that for the rest of his life. Please pray for the entire family.

Megan and Jack

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Jackson. He was on the slide with my sister Megan. She's so beautiful. I can't believe he's going to be 2 years old in 2 weeks!!!

Boy or Girl?????

Well, we went to the Dr.'s office today for our sonogram. Everything looks great. There are some pictures and videos below. It's amazing how the do this.



So, I'm sure you are dying to know what we are having. Well, we are too!

Surprise, THEY COULDN'T TELL!!!!

Yep, that's right. There wasn't any way of seeing whether it was a boy or a girl. The little stinker wouldn't turn around. It just kept kicking it's arms. Ugh....so unfortunately I have no news....but it is healthy and that's always good. In 4 weeks I have another appointment. The doctor said he would do another sonogram then. "sigh". I was bummed, but I am glad everything is okay.

Happy Yo Mama's Day

My pastor Sean kept referring to Mother's Day as "Yo Mama's Day"...and it stuck.

This is my 2nd Mother's Day. Amanda Espinoza's blog on http://www.themomcrowd.com/ inspired me to post about my Jack-Jack. I am so blessed to have a little boy. Boys are an entirely different species, I think. Sometimes I shake my head wondering where it all comes from. At 1 year he instinctively knew that sticks were swords. He knew that a car went "vroom"....I didn't teach him that. I love my little boy. I used to sometimes wonder why I was given a little boy first. Everything in me screamed girl that first pregnancy. I grew up with all sisters and one brother....I thought sometimes he was even a girl. :) I didn't know what to do with a little boy. I know now that God knew exactly what he was doing. I wouldn't trade it for the world or the lessons it has taught me.

Jackson, I love it when you......

* Hear American Idol come on and bring Daddy's guitar into the living room to play.

* Say "cheese" and rub your tummy. You are actually saying please...but I love it anyway.

* Get a boo-boo and run over for me to kiss it, even when it doesn't hurt.

* Pray. What a sweet heart you have for people already.

* Process things before you do them. You watch a lot and then go. You are so much like your Momma.

* Give me kisses and pat my back when you are giving hugs.

I love you.

Snow and Weddings

Jason, Aaron and his Dad are in Estes Park, Colorado this week. They took a much needed father-son trip. I am praying for rest and time with God. For me, I am praying against jealousy. :)

Last weekend Jason did his 2nd wedding as a licensed minister! He married 2 of leaders in our college group at Medina Lake. The photographer kept following Jackson around taking pictures. This was all they sent me so far, but I thought they were super cute.

Congrats Josh and Lydia!! Have fun in Hawaii!!!!

Sweetness

Every night I put Jackson down to bed we pray together. He sticks his little hand out and says "Amen" letting me know it's time to pray. (He doesn't realize yet that is how we close our prayers) When it was time to put Jackson to bed last night, I had just gotten home from practice late and was really tired. As usual, Jackson did not let me forget that it was time to pray. I rushed through it and said, "Amen".

Jackson does not like rushed prayers.....he immediately followed my "Amen" with......

"Again, Mommy. "Maymen" Abby, Carson, Daddy, Mommy, Doggy......" So on and so on....etc, etc.

You can't rush prayers people!!