The Fish Tank

I know I am going to take a TON of pictures on this trip so I decided to blog while away since we have internet here. That way I don't bombard you with a million pics all at once. Yesterday was a fun day. We started at one of my favorite breakfast restaurants, Charlie's Chili, by the pier. Yummo! I stuffed myself! Then we hung out at the beach house and took Jack to the beach. We took him Friday when we arrived but only to the sand. This was NOTHING compared to yesterday! He was in hog heaven! The kid LOVED the sand and LOVED the ocean even more. He jumped right in and kept BEGGING us to go back in the ocean when we'd take him out! So funny!!! He made sand castles with Daddy, chased some birds, found some sand crabs (which he thought was so cool), and even saw a seal playing in the water. We never really see seals in Newport, usually just dolphins, so this was cool for the whole family. It felt so good to have our toes in the sand and was so wonderful to watch my son enjoy

1. To see friends and family (especially new baby Kylie) 2. The beach! We are staying at the beach 3. The food, the food, the food 4. Cooler weather and NO thunderstorms! 5. Taking Jackson to Disneyland...I CANNOT wait! 6. Watch an Angels game 7. Go to our old church 8. Hang with Scott and Jack for a whole week together with no work or responsibilities 9. 4th of July on Balboa Island 10. The smell of the ocean...mmmmmm...I miss it! 11. Palm trees and hills/mountains 12. Did I mention the food??? 13. I get to go back "home" and feel that sense of being home We won't be back for awhile, if we do come back:) Just kidding! I am sure that I will have plenty of pictures to share!

Does this hat make my head look big?

Jackson and I were outside playing yesterday when he heard an airplane flying overhead. He loves airplanes and is particularily infatuated with them since Grandma and Brandi both came to visit via an airplane. Well, last night he looked at me and shouted "airplane." Not unusual. The next moment he was grunting and reaching his hand in the sky saying, "I can't reach it." I asked what he couldn't reach and he told me that he couldn't reach the airplane. I told him it was too high in the sky but he was determined. He began jumping as high as he could and reaching for the airplane to no avail. I can't wait to watch his reaction when we actually go on an airplane Friday. The kid's going to flip out!

My very dear friend, Brandi, came out to visit us this weekend. We had so much fun having her here and I enjoyed some much needed girl time! I also needed a little taste of home and she brought a little California with her which was nice. Brandi and I met in the teaching credential program at Cal State Fullerton when we were 22 and have only grown closer over the years. She was the one who convinced me to get my master's degree and I am forever grateful to her for that. She has seen me through very high highs and very low lows. I love her with all of my heart and miss her terribly everyday! Thank goodness for text messaging or I'd be lost! Thanks for coming out, Brandi! I miss you already! B and I at the Abby. Yummo! We ordered SO much food! Jackson wanted to sit by Brandi at lunch. So sweet! He was calling her Gramma because she was staying in the room Grandma stays in when she comes to visit. Me, Jack, and the goggles at lunch. Jack and his new turtle goggles and lunch box. H

I am going to stick with the "baby theme" for this tale. Jackson went with Scott and I to the doctor's appointment yesterday. We haven't really told Jackson about the baby just as a precautionary measure. We decided that it would be okay to tell him after the appointment because everything looked so great. The doctor left the picture of the baby frozen on the ultrasound screen. We showed Jack the baby and told him that was his baby brother/sister in mommy's belly. The kid looked at us as if we were crazy folk! He didn't get it. How can that baby be in mommy's belly when it is up there on the screen? So, for now, Jackson believes that his brother or sister is "in the show." He thought the picture of the baby was on a show. He keeps telling me the "baby is on the show." Silly kid. His little world is sure going to be rocked in about 7 months!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 ...to pray. Meet our newest addition; baby Fish. I am officially 8 weeks four days pregnant! PRAISE GOD!!!! We saw our precious miracle today for the second time; heart flickering away on the monitor with little arm and leg buds beginning to form. The doctor gave us a great report telling us that everything looks perfect...can't get any better than that. God is so good to us. We are blessed beyond belief to experience the miracle of life once again. Please pray for our growing family and our precious growing angel. We feel the presence of God daily and welcome and need your prayers.

In light of Father's Day I thought I'd share some of the countless things that I love about Scott being Jackson's daddy. 1. His son adores him 2. He adores Jackson 3. He LOVES spending time with Jackson no matter how tired, grumpy, or busy he is 4. He will drop EVERYTHING for Jack 5. He is so proud of his son bragging about everything he can do 6. His face lights up with pride when he's with Jackson 7. He LOVES to make him smile/laugh 8. He teaches him everything from colors to baseball and gets so excited when Jack learns something he has taught him 9. He likes to snuggle with Jack and watch a movie 10. He lays with him at night if Jackson has trouble going down 11. He gives him a bath every night 12. He prays for him everyday 13. He couldn't imagine his life without Jack Thank you, Scott, for loving our son unconditionally and without limits. You are an amazing father. I am in aw of you everyday. I cannot get enough of watching you and Jackson together! God has bl

Jackson started his first day of school/summer camp today! He was SO excited while I was a little apprehensive. However, watching him carry his backpack and grin from ear to ear was pure joy! When we got to school he saw his buddy Gavin and was excited to be going to school with him. He was ready to start the day even knocking on the door to get the teachers to let him in. Once inside he ran to his classroom and wanted nothing to do with me. He began playing and off he went. So, off I went for five hours without my baby boy. I had a lot to do and got a lot accomplished. It's amazing what you can get done without a two year old around! It was a little strange being home without him here. I felt like I had to be quiet because it seemed like he was taking a nap. When I went to pick him up his teacher said he had a fantastic day and was very sweet. His only downfall was that he didn't want to nap. I think I'd struggle, too, if all my friends were laying next to me. All-in-all h

We had our friends, Travis, Whitney, and Macy over for a BBQ Saturday. We had a blast! Enjoy some pics! Enjoying some yummy BBQ. Mmmmmm....brownies! Having some dessert together.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

they pee in the backyard. Let me explain. We went to have dinner at the Bullards house last night. Gavin was in his pull-up(he's potty training) because he had just woken up for a nap. The boys went out back to play while the grown-ups stayed inside watching them through the window. Well, I look out and see Gavin with his pull-up off about to do the deed. Jackson is mesmerized by what Gavin is doing. So, he thought he'd join him. The four of us watched the show through the window as Jackson tried to get his pants and diaper off so he could join his buddy in this cool activity. We were on the floor laughing! It was hilarious! Jackson was trying so hard to get his clothes off. Scott couldn't take it anymore and went out there stopping Jackson before he had his chance to do what all boys do; pee wherever they feel like it. The funny thing is we caught them trying to participate in this activity again in Gavin's room about 45 minutes later. Too much!!!

So Jackson received a rinky-dink tool bench from Scott and I for his birthday and he LOVES, no is obsessed with, it! The kid passed up swimming to play with it. The funny thing is he calls he tools, tootles, and is hammer a hamburger. So funny! Crazy kid! Of course I don't correct him because I think it is too cute. He will have many years to use the proper vocabulary!

Wow! Jackson had quite a birthday party! He woke up singing "Happy Birthday Party to Me." He was very excited for his big day! He had 14 of his friends join in his celebration (and I thought we'd struggle to get enough people to come because we just moved here). The kiddos each got bug boxes and nets to catch their "bugs" in, a jump house, bubbles, toys, and lots of yummy food! Jackson was on cloud nine having all his friends at his house. Everyone seemed to have a great time. He received so many awesome gifts! He has played with all of them LOVING each and every one! Everyone was so generous and sweet! I cannot thank all of you enough for helping make Jackson's birthday so very special. After the party we hung with the cousins and then went swimming. After all that excitement we went to dinner at Manny's (mommy's choice). Jackson was worn out when we got home so he cuddled in bed with Grandma and watched a show. At the end of the day he crashed, and

Jackson had an amazing and very special 2nd birthday. Grandma came to celebrate for the weekend and Jack was very excited. He was a little disapointed at first that Grandma didn't bring cousin Alli but, after a few minutes, he was ok. He began his birthday morning with two small toys at the top of the stairs from Grandma. Then he got his presents from us and his favorite breakfast of waffles and fruit. We went to Target (his FAVORITE store) to get some more birthday party stuff and then to Chilli's for lunch. He got a special ice cream treat which mostly landed on his shirt. That night we went to Ghatti Town for dinner and games. Jackson loved his Mac-n-Cheese and running around like a wild man. We went home for cake which he was excited about. He was so excited about his birthday candle that he kept blowing it out. I had to re-light it 3 times. Jackson had a wonderful day! I was so blessed watching him really understand and enjoy his birthday this year! The Fish Fam! Looks li