The Fish Tank

Jackson and I headed to Target today. He has been such a great boy lately that I told him he could get one prize. He chose some bowling pins and a ball. I told him he could play with it after we got home and he ate his lunch. He was doing good but then just couldn't wait any longer. When I told him he had to finish his chicken before he could play he said with great expression and hand motions, "Are you kidding me mom?" Um, are you kidding me? Since when did I have a teenager and where did my toddler go??? And yes, he did finish his chicken:)

Ah, faith; difficult to take that leap of faith and believe and difficult to talk about with others. I sit behind the protection of my computer not having to look any of you in the eye. If I offend, I am not always aware. I am in a safe place. Although guarded with some things, I am pretty transparent on my blog. I don't hold much back. It is easy when you are in the comfort of your home sitting behind the computer typing away. Speaking of comfort, I am actually in a pretty comfortable place in my life. Yes, there are unsures and instabilities, but, for the most part, life is comfortable. Whenever I get comfortable, though, I get challenged. I must admit that I have enjoyed this time. Last year was pretty tumultuous. I feel like if I look the wrong way or say the wrong thing a trial or conflict may rear its ugly head. So, I have remained in my little suburban bubble going about my daily routine not taking risks or stepping out of my comfort zone. Of course this game could not go on...

Scott got Jackson ready for church yesterday and Jack decided he didn't want his socks on. He kept hounding Scott and I to take them off and we kept telling him no because we were going to put his shoes on. His argument went as follows: "The Bible said I don't have to wear socks." What? Seriously kid? Where does he get this stuff. Scott and I just looked at each other stunned and laughing. Later, after church we were on our way to Home Depot and Jackson had this to say: "I want to see Jesus at the Depot." I actually said that may not be too difficult given Jesus was a carpenter. Lol! What are they teaching these kids in church these days! Too much!

Ever since we started the Kindness Box I have noticed a change. The stress level in our home is down to the point of almost being extinct. Rarely do Scott or I yell. Jackson follows directions and says "please" and "thank you" without being prompted. He has always been a sweet and joyful boy but now it seems as though his peace and joy has increased a hundred fold. I get countless kisses and hugs throughout the day with lots of "I love you mommy!" I think we all needed the Kindness Box. Changing our behavior as parents by focusing and encouraging the good things Jackson does throughout the day has changed our entire family. We were always pretty joyful and loving but now that joy and love is spilling over. I learned that many times it takes a change in the parents in order to change the child. Now Jackson, Scott, and I enjoy (almost) every minute that we have with one another instead of focusing on the constant "no don't do that". I no lon...

Words inspire me; written, spoken, heard in a movie, from a great friend, a great leader. Words encourage me, challenge me, disturb me. I love to read and write. Both are true passions of mine. There is nothing like a good book or a good story to be told. I was sick (again) last week and Scott, bless his heart, let me jump in bed at 6pm to rest. I took advantage of the quiet to read. The words in this book spoke to me and I enjoyed every minute. One thing I noticed, however, was that as the authors words were inspirational and encouraging what spoke to me the most was the verses at the beginning of each chapter. As words touch my life, there is nothing like Scripture. Some verses hit me so deep in my core that I cannot remain the same once I have read them. I must admit that I am in a lull when it comes to reading the Bible everyday. I have allowed the busyness of life to infiltrate and not allowed time for the most important words of my day; those spoken by God. I went back through th...

The Valentine who stole my heart almost thirteen years ago! Thanks for always making me feel so special no matter what day it is! Love you, babe! My little Valentine! He was over me taking his picture! Mmmmmm! So sweet! Scott is teaching him well. I always get flowers from Scott and Jackson. Jack LOVES giving them to me. So sweet! Good job teaching our son to be a romantic gentleman babe! I taped clues around our house downstairs so Jack could go on a scavenger hunt to find his little Valentine's Day present. He had a blast and did really good! Notice the boots with the pjs. I found those when I was going through tubs of his clothes for Grady and they still fit. He calls them his "happy boots" Yes, I put a clue in the fridge...lol! Is the present in here??? Yippee! You found it! Gotta have heart pancakes on V-Day! The other one is supposed to be cupid but it didn't come out as good...lol!

It's official. I have decided that I am definitely a "boy" mom. I guess I really had no choice in the matter but came to this epiphany today anyway. Although boys are stinky, mischievous, thrill seekers, busy ALL the time, loud, uncontrollable, I still love every minute! There is nothing like the love between a mama and her boy! And I am going to be blessed with another boy! I cannot wait to watch Grady and Jack interact and terrorize each other:) Gavin came over for a little while and I LOVED watching and listening to Jackson and Gavin talk and play. They are too much and SUCH boys! We ended up outside to take advantage of the near perfect weather and I LOVED watching the boys play soccer, search for bugs, shoot hoops, and fill their cars with "gas." They had so much fun and so did I! I can't wait to really cheer this guys on at their sporting events!

Scott asked Jackson the other night what he wanted for his birthday and he excitedly shouted "Jesus!" Scott said he would try his best...lol!

Ah, open the windows, breath in the fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, and get in your closet. WHAT? Get in my closet? Already? Geesh! Well, it seems that it is that time of year again in Texas. We had our first big storm of the season and all wound up in the closet around 9:30pm last night. I actually didn't take this storm as seriously just because they had been talking it up all day and nothing was happening. However, I was mistaken. I was in bed enjoying some peace and quiet and a little OC Housewives when the wind started picking up. I thought, "Hmmm, might as well flip to see if the news is showing anything." When I turned it on there was a tornado warning one county over and the little spinning yellow circle was headed our way. It's never good to see the spinning yellow circles on the radar heading toward you...lol. Anyway, I went upstairs to tell Scott that we may have a warning and then our sirens went off. So, he got Jack and I grabbed the computer and some othe...

Jackson loooooves music class! "Thankfully" the music teacher was kind enough to give us a CD of all the songs they use in class. We listen to the CD in the car often. The other day Scott and I heard Jackson singing, "hot hot snot." Both of us were a little perplexed trying to figure out what he was singing. He asked us to play his music CD and that song. When I finally figured it out I realized that he was singing, "Hot Cross Buns." I guess he feels that it is his right to express himself the way he wants to artistically and has changed the words of the song to "hot hot snot" among other variations! Funny kid!

Jackson and I packed up and headed on down to Belton, Texas; our first time in 9 LOOOONG months! My best friend that I have known for 18 years lives in Belton. Her husband is serving in Iraq so she went "home" to California to have her sweet baby girl, Josie, and be with family while her hubby was away. Now she is home and I am a happy camper. It's nice to know that she is a drive instead of a flight away! We had a blast together! The boys were hilarious and LOVED spending time with each other playing, being, loud, and just acting like boys! Thankfully we had princess Josie there to add a little pink and sugar to the mix:) She's so sweet! I added some pictures of Jackson and Jen's cat, Tigger. Words cannot fully describe the obsession my son has with that poor cat. Tigger was a good sport, though. It was sad to say good-bye, again, but nice to know that we will see each other again at the end of the month instead of months later! Thanks for having us, Jenny! I lov...

I am 25 almost 26 weeks and feeling great! Grady is a mover and a shaker shifting and kicking constantly. Jackson was a little quieter when I was pregnant with him so this has been a fun experience. I just had my glucose test and everything came back normal. Praise God! Jackson is already a great big brother telling us how he is going to share his toys with his brother and talking to him in my belly. Scott and I are getting excited to have two boys soon! Now it's finally time for me to get on the ball with starting the nursery and going through the tubs and tubs of Jackson's clothes. It'll all get done eventually...lol! Thanks for all your prayers and love! Grady is one blessed boy already!

Jackson has noticed my freckles and the few he has on his arm lately. He asked me about them and I told him they were freckles and you get them when the sun kisses you (this is what my parents told me when I was little). He was examining my hands yesterday and said: "Mommy, the sun gave you kisses and now you have sprinkles!" He was so excited for me and asked me if my heart was happy because the sun gave me kisses. Can he please stay like this forever! So sweet!

Superbowl Sunday= A day to get together with friends and eat, eat, eat! We did just that! The Bullards came over, along with our friends, Dennis, Heather, Tatum Cindy, and Jacob. We had 5 boys 3 years and under here. They had a BLAST wreaking havoc on Jack's playroom and sneaking into the cookies:) We all loved watching them play together! Cindy is from Pennsylvania so she and Jacob came ready for the game! We ate and laughed and watched a great game even though the Steelers won:) Just kidding! We were happy that Cindy got to see her hometown team win the game! Who knows, maybe Kurt Warner will beat the Cowboys in the Superbowl next year:):) The Gang watching the big game The Ladies...minus Cinday Heather and Cindy ready for the 3-D commercials:) They look hot! Halftime=Cookie time! Mmmmmm! Jackson and Tatum zoned out to Toy story! Gavin found a "cozy" way to enjoy the movie too:)

I was watching Jackson today and in awe of how completely still he was. He is two and a half and a boy. Stillness does not happen often unless he is asleep. Watching him got me thinking and brought a very familiar verse to mind. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 I have gotten my energy back and boy have I taken advantage! I cannot sit still. If I am sitting I am on the computer, scrapbooking, texting, reading, etc, etc, etc. As I watched Jackson in his stillness, I realized that I need to be still. It is okay to be still. It is in those still and quiet moments that we find the most...the most peace, tranquility, answers, memories, enjoyment. I have decided that life goes by WAY too fast and it is time for me to be still.