The Fish Tank

I have to write all the funny things down that Jackson says so I can cherish them forever! "Whew! Mommy, what are you going to do with that belly?" Me (in the car): Is Grady asleep, Jack? Jack: No. He's looking out the window. He's having some quiet time. He needs it because he's cranky. In my Sunday school class he referred to me as "Mommy Teacher" At the end of any conversation in which he is trying to convince you to do something he says: "Does that sound like a good idea?" "I like this brother. I want to keep him." I know there are a million more and I will be back to this post numerous times to add what he says. I will miss these funny days! Noggalygockers= Binoculars Jack's three pets: hamster, dog, and a CRICKET...yes, a cricket Our conversation: Jack: My leg hurts. Scott and I explain to him that it's because he is growing. Jack: I don't want to grow anymore. Why am I growing. Me: Because God wants to make you big ...

Scott and I are so proud of Jackson. It is incredible how much he has learned this year! This past week he has really gotten into spelling and reading. He can spell and write his name and spell and read mom and dad. He is an absolute sponge! Yesterday he "read" a book to Grady! So cute! This morning Jack told me he HAD to tell daddy something. He ran out the door and shouted, "Have a great day, daddy! Be a good boy at work!" I hope Scott gets a good note from his boss today! Grady-isms: Grady is one little piggy! I am going to have to start going to Costco just for him! He LOVES pancakes!!! He will eat two regular size pancakes for breakfast along with fruit and a bottle! Oh my! He is also going to be walking soon! He pushes around this rocket ship we have "walking" through the house. He is getting WAY to big WAY too fast!

Jackson has been hilarious lately! He cracks us up! Here are a few funny things he has said... Mommy: Jackson, did you toot in the bath? Jack: No mommy. A skunk snuck into the bath and made it stinky. Jack's serenade to Daddy: "Daddy I love you. Daddy I love you. Daddy I love you. Daddy got eaten by a shark." Mommy: Jack, how did a wipey get into Grady's crib? Jack: Well, a coyote got in Grady's crib and left a napkin there in case he needed one. Quite the story-teller. And we can't forget about Mr. Grady! he is hilarious too! He is such a happy smiley little guy. He is REALLY enjoying being "mobile." He pushes backward and gets his knees moving with a few lifts of the hands. Anyway, i have now found him twice by my fireplace when he started at the couch. Somehow he figured out how to get across the room. When I catch him, he just smiles at me so proud! Man, I am in trouble when he really starts moving!

Jackson has been pretty oblivious to the whole baby thing. He even went to one of my ultrasounds and thought we were just checking my belly to make sure everything was working properly. We didn't want to share the news with him until we knew the pregnancy was viable and the baby was healthy. Well, apparently there are other ways to find out mommy is pregnant other than us telling him or seeing his baby sister/brother on the screen. He and I had the following conversation while I was getting dressed a little over a week ago: Jackson: Mommy, why is your belly growing bigger? Me: (laughing and contemplating if I should tell him) Well, mommy has another baby in her belly. Jackson: What? How did another baby get in your belly? Me: God was so nice and loved us so much He gave us another baby. Jackson: Well, tell God to take it back. Me: I can't tell God to take the baby back. He already blessed us with another baby. Jackson: But I just want my Grady. Me: You'll love another baby,...

The other day Jackson woke up from his nap he was a little sensitive. He got into trouble for bugging Grady. When he got out of time out we had the following conversation: Jack: I want Grady to go back in your belly. Me: Um, he can't. He won't fit. Jack: How can we make him fit. I want him to go back in.

I got Jackson a new backpack the other day. I let him choose from various super hero selections. He chose Batman and was EXTREMELY excited! Later that day we were playing with his backpack. He began to examine it quite intently. He then asked me, "Mommy, why does my backpack have boobs?" Above is the backpack in question. I had to explain to my three-year-old-going-on-sixteen that Batman has muscles like daddy and those are not boobs but muscles. Batman has to have super strength to save all those people. My answer seemed to be sufficient and we moved on. Whew!

Jack and I were driving the other day when I heard some whispering. I looked back and Jackson was praying. I didn't want to interrupt him so I let him finish. When he was through, I asked him what he was doing. He said he was praying. I asked what he was praying for and he said: "I was praying to God to say thank you for giving us such a beautiful day." What a sweet boy! And thank You, God, for giving me such a beautiful boy!

Yesterday Jackson continued to melt my heart. Three times yesterday Jackson said to me, "You know what mommy? I love you!" Precious. Just precious! Today as we were driving Jackson was telling me of all the things that God made & then added one thing that God definitely did not make. "God made me, and daddy, and you, and Grady. God didn't make hot ants." Lol! We have been teaching Jackson about the fire ants that we have so bad out here and he has been talking about them since. Apparently there is no way God could make "hot" ants!

Birthday season has arrived here in Frisco! It seems that we are celebrating somebody's birthday every weekend. Jackson is getting EXTREMELY excited about his birthday, excuse me, his pirate birthday. Somehow as we got ready for school today we got on the topic of his birthday and Jackson being two now and turning three. Scott and I told him that he was almost three and he said to us, "I am not three yet. I have to go learn. I have to learn about Jesus and then I will be three." Okay then. I guess he's on the right track. At least he's desiring to learn about the one who created him. Silly boy!

Jackson and I sat together watching a Veggie Tales movie the other day. As we were watching Jackson told me that Grady wanted to watch too. I told him that I am sure he does. Jackson then decided that Grady couldn't see very well so he lifted my shirt. "Now Grady can see the show," he said. So funny!

While we were away Jackson got his fill of basketball with the boys. Last night he watched UNC vs. Michigan State with us. As we were watching the game, Jackson said some pretty funny things. Here are a few: When a player missed a shot: "Dude! C'mon! Give him another chance!" When a Michigan player missed a free throw: "Oooohhhhh! He's not gonna win this time" As the players ran down the court: "Oh oh oh oh oh oh OOOOHHHH!!!!" He was so into the game it was hilarious! We had a tough time convincing him to go to sleep last night because he wanted to watch basketball. Love it!

Jackson is really into God and what He made. Yesterday we went for ice cream and as Scott stopped to get gas our conversation went like this: Jack: Mom, did God make you? Me: Yes. Did God make you? Jack: Yeah. Me and Daddy. Me: Did God make Grady? Jack: Yes. He made your belly! I love the conversations I have with this little guy! I hope they never end!

Jackson and I were at the grocery store on Monday and he was so beyond sweet! I had him sitting in the front of the grocery cart and halfway through our shopping extravaganza he began hugging and loving on my belly. He was telling Grady that he loved him so much and he was going to be a good big big brother! He wouldn't let go of my belly and gave it a million kisses. He was telling Grady things he was going to teach him and singing him songs. I am not kidding you, I began to get all teary-eyed right there in Kroger and it wasn't pregnancy hormones. I was so proud of Jackson and his kindness and love for his brother who isn't even here yet. I cannot wait to see what a great big brother he is going to be and the bond that these boys are going to have. I have been praying for that bond everyday for a few months now and I can already see the Lord's love bonding my boys! Man, am I blessed!

I couldn't choose just one story this week so you get three:) Enjoy! Story 1: Jackson went with us to our ultrasound appointment. Because Grady wasn't moving, the tech asked me to walk around and drink a Sprite. When we came back Jackson told me it was his turn and he climbed up on the table and lifted his shirt ready to go. She was so sweet and let him see what was in his belly. It was hilarious! Story 2: Another belly story...My friend came over Sunday to do some belly pictures. She did some shots of my laying on my bed. When we finished he climbed up, layed down, lifted his shirt, and once again said "my turn." Crazy kid! Story 3: We were all playing in the playroom last night. Jack came running up to me and gave me a huge hug! He then told me, "God is happy when I give hugs!" I must say, mommy was happy too!

We don't usually have candy in the house but with me being pregnant all bets are off! I have chocolate malted eggs in a bowl on the counter out of my little munchkins reach. Or so I thought. Yesterday Scott and I hear Jackson wake up, come down stairs, and push his large plastic dump truck around the downstairs. We thought he'd come into our room to get us up but he apparently had other plans. "Clink, clink, clink." I asked Scott if he could see Jackson getting into the candy and he said no. A few minutes later Jackson came into our room with chocolate on his breath. Scott asked him if he ate a candy and he said the following: "Ya. I was a good boy and slept all night in my big boy bed so I get a candy!" Well, he was right. He was a good boy and slept in his bed all night so I guess he deserved that piece of candy. Oh yeah, he got the candy by standing in the back of the dump truck.

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:)

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...

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 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!

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!