The Fish Tank

The pictures below explain why we call Jackson "monkey". And yes, I have told him that he is going to fall and break his neck. What can I say? The kid thinks he's spiderman!

Jackson is cracking me up today! I cannot believe the things he is saying! Thought I'd share a few. I hope you have a good laugh:) I told Jackson he was getting a heart candy for being such a great boy and he responded by saying: "Oh, shut up!" After laughing I of course told him that we don't say that but man was it funny at the time! We were in line at the library waiting to check out our books and he said, "Dude, c'mon!" I must say I was a little embarrassed but still laughing. He must've heard that from his daddy! We were in the bathroom at Hobby Lobby and he LOVES to flush the toilet. He was standing behind me waiting for me to finish so he could flush. As I sat down he said, "That's a big bottom mommy!" Thanks a lot Jack. I know I've put on some pounds but geesh!

For the last few days Jackson has been eye-balling a watering can that was in his treasure box. Jackson was SOOOOOO excited for this watering can! He has been working so hard to earn this! He FINALLY was able to get the watering can and had a BLAST playing with it in mommy's bathtub! The simple things in life:)

I decided to read the book, Bringing Up Boys , by James Dobson in preparation for my future fate. I must say that I laughed my way through the first chapter. There is just something distinctly different between raising girls and boys. I am very excited to have two boys who will drive me absolutely bonkers at times all the while filling my life with more joy and love than I could ever know! Below is an excerpt from the book that I had to share! I seriously think Dr. Dobson has met Jackson! "Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable." Plato "If a toddler (boy) can climb on it, he will jump off it. He careens out of control toward tables, tubs, pools, steps, trees, and streets. He will eat anything but food and loves to play in the toilet. He makes "guns" out of cucumbers or toothbrushes and likes digging around in drawers, pill bottles, and Mom's purse. And just hope he doesn't get his little hands on a tube of lipstick. A boy harasses grumpy ...

Jackson LOVES to sing in the shower! I used to sing him this one song that I made up to an old Backstreet Boys tune. He now sings it as loud as he can while in the shower. It goes something like this: Wash your body Ya-a Everybo-dy Wash your body right Jackson's back alright! He's so funny! I love it!

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" I am a recovering "fill the void" girl. I would buy something, do something, anything to fill a void whether it be lack of love, lack of stuff, etc. However, when I'd wake up the next day the void would return. Bummer! Then the cycle would begin all over again. Last year I desperately wanted another baby. I absolutely love being pregnant and was excited to watch Jack be a big brother. Unfortunately, but fortunately, God had other plans. As I struggled through the healing and dealing with the fact that God's timing was not my own, i was emailing back and forth with my pastor back in California. He gave me the above quote and it hit me hard! I have had taped to my dashboard ever since. I suddenly realized that nothing I can do will ultimately satisfy me. I will always want more. We all know we live in a society of consume, consume, consume. Even if we don't have the means we still figure out s...

I am almost at the 6 month mark and feeling wonderful! I cannot believe how fast time is going by or how HUGE I am but I am enjoying every second! I can really feel him moving around now which is incredible! Jackson is excited and proud to be a big brother and talks about Grady all the time. The funny thing is he gives my belly this strange look now that it has gotten bigger. He knows his brother is in there somewhere (he likes to think he's in my belly button) but I'm not sure he gets how mommy's belly has gotten so big all of a sudden! All-in-all, I am doing great and feel humbly blessed! I go back to the doctor the first week of February so I will keep you posted!

Saturday night was Ladies Night In. We had a blast in our pjs eating, chatting about girly stuff, and watching Mama Mia! We all need some girl time every now and then! I love these girls and SO appreciate the joy, laughter, conversation, and bond we share! Thanks ladies for such a fabulous night!

YES! It works! Wahoo! Have you ever had those days with your child where you feel like all you've done is discipline? Not a lot of laughter or silliness, just "no's" and "don't do thats!" Scott and I have felt like that lately. Jackson hit two and a half and decided that it was time to see who was in control. We didn't like that all it seemed we were doing was disciplining him. So, I put my teacher brain to work and came up with the kindness box (or kindness bops as Jack calls it). I took a kleenex box and let Jack decorate it so he had some ownership. Every time Jackson does a kind act or makes a good choice, Scott or I write it down and place the note in the box. Now, we don't write down every little thing. We are focusing on being kind to our friends, listening to mommy and daddy, following directions, going potty all on his own without being asked or needing help, etc. If he gets 5 notes in his box at the end of the day he gets a sticker on h...

Preschool in January? YES! I've had Jack on multiple waiting lists and I finally got a phone call Tuesday morning that there was an opening for Wednesdays. Wahoo! He LOVED it!!! His teacher said he was very polite and helpful! Good job big boy!

My sweet Jackson...I told Jackson that he had to be nice and helpful to me today because I am sick. He looked at me with a concerned face, placed his hands on either side of my cheek, and kissed my nose. "Now you're all better mommy." Aw...so sweet! I cherish these moments.

Jackson brought me a screwdriver while I was in the shower proclaiming that he needed to fix the broken cabinet. Enough said!

Close your eyes and picture a man with Caucasian features, maybe a little tan, a beard, long brown hair, wearing a robe and sandals. Who are you looking at? Jesus right? Now close your eyes again and picture a large African American woman wearing an African inspired dress and headband cooking and singing to funk. Jesus is not the first person that comes to mind when you see this image. Isn't it amazing how we are all so programmed to view God, or Jesus, as just one image. Even if you are not a "believer" you still can visualize this image of Jesus. Who came up with this picture anyway? I have read through the Bible a few times and studied much about Jesus. Never have I read a description of his appearance other than what we can "assume" based on where he came from. What if God, the Trinity really, doesn't look anything like the picture we have seen a million times? What if he, or she, shows himself, or herself, in a way that speaks to each of us individually...

Whenever Jackson and I go out in the morning we always pray on our drive. I ask him if he wants mommy or him to pray and usually he wants me to. Yesterday he decided that it was his turn. I turned down the music to hear him and watched him in the mirror (keeping my eyes on the road, of course). Anyway, I looked back and he had his eyes closed, head bowed, and hands clasped. He was whispering his prayer to Jesus. When he was done he told me he prayed for daddy at work, mommy, to be a good listener, and a nice boy. I was so very proud of him! Sniff! Later at dinner I asked him to tell daddy what he did in the car. He told Scott how he prayed and then proceeded to give him a lesson on how to pray. He told Scott that he had to close his eyes, fold his hands, and pray. He even prayed a little for an example. So funny! Just when you think they aren't listening or paying attention they do something to totally blow you away! So this is how you pray...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 Isn't it ironic that whenever you are going through something you are "spoken to" somehow. Whether a believer or not, something in your life hits you at the core making you think, "How did they know that was exactly what I needed?" I had this experience yesterday. Life has been pretty hunky-dory for me for about two months or so. Everything seems to be going along swimmingly with no "serious" issues and I have finally experienced some joy. Of course this doesn't last too long. I don't want to get comfortable where I am at or anything, geesh! But our culture wants me to believe and think that life should be "comfortable" all the time. Anyway, I have been hit with some pretty serious and heavy stuff to deal with since the new year. Nothing in my immediate surroundings, but something that hits me at the core. Although I am at great pe...

So I have made it to the half-way mark. On one hand, I cannot believe I am already half-way through, on another, I feel like I;ve been pregnant forever! I guess I have in a way...lol! Anyway, I am cherishing each and every moment with this little guy. I LOVE being pregnant; especially this month and the months to come. I am always amazed at those little kicks and flutters I get to feel and I love having Grady all to myself. He is mine and I don't have to share him with anyone at the moment! We went for our "big" ultrasound where they measure everything and Grady got a shining report card. We were even told he has a buddah belly (mommy has gotten her appetite back). My due date has been moved up again to May 21st which makes me happy. I'd like to recover at least some before celebrating my soon-to-be three year old's birthday! We are more than pleased and gratefully humbled that the Lord has blessed us with this thriving miracle and that He has allowed us to watch ...

Just a couple of pictures of Jackson to bring a smile to your face:)

Jackson got a haircut yesterday (I'll post a pic later. He's sleeping right now.) and all I could do was look at him and wonder when he got so big. We were at Nordstrom today and the make-up lady was having a full conversation with him. I didn't have to translate the babble for her or help him. He just talked away. I LOVE what stage Jackson is at right now. Yes, he is "testing his limits" trying to see where his freedoms and control lies, but he is so much fun. I just cannot believe what a little man he is becoming. It is incredible! Being pregnant I keep having crazy pregnancy dreams. All of you who have been pregnant before know what I am talking about. Anyway, anytime I dream about Grady or a baby they all look like Jackson did when he was itty bitty. Even though I love my "little adult" I cannot help but get a little teary-eyed that he no longer has those sweet baby toes, or makes his "duck face" when he stretches, or snuggles against my ch...

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 As I look ahead to 2009 and look back on 2008 I can easily say, "Good riddens 2008! Bring on 2009!" I think many of us are happy 2008 is over and ready to start a fresh new year full of new hopes and prospects for a better future. However, I have a much different attitude and perspective than I thought I would. I can actually look back at 2008 and honestly say that the Lord truly has done GREAT things for us! Yes, we have definitely had some major trials but I would not be where I am or who I am today without them. My trials have taught me so much that I am grateful for: compassion, empathy, appreciation, love, defeat, endurance, patience, being still, trust, letting go of control, a need to help others, and the list goes on. God has also blessed my family with a year of health. Besides the sudden passing of my dear uncle, everyone has been extremely healthy. He has also blessed me with...