Beep Beep!

Okay, so it's a no brainer that I love being a mom! But, I have also discovered some other hidden talents about myself. I apparently can make 1st birthday cakes that look like cars! My nephew's 1st birthday was today and we went down to south houston where they live. He loves cars, so it was necessary to have the cake look like one. I cut and pieced together his cake. The drive down there is over an hour, and we just kept thinking the whole way, "Lord, please don't let the bumper fall off!" LOL

The birthday party was sweet. My mom went with us, too. (Update on mom: She is feeling much better, and has begun to walk without her walker. She is still receiving treatment at home with nurses, but feeling more like "herself" every day) It was fun time, but I won't be going into the cake business any time soon. I've attached some pics of the event; there is a before and an after of the cake.

On another note, little Jackson began to "laugh" today when I tickled him. It sent my heart racing when I heard those little laughs. What a ham!

3 Months Old

Well, our little man is officially 3 months old today. I am pleased to announce that he is growing and learning so much. In the last month Jackson has learned to travel long distances, sleep through the night, suck his fingers, sit-up with assistance, push himself up, soothe himself to sleep, smile, coo and grab things. I am sure I am missing a lot more, but these are some of things that I clearly remember.

When David comes home every day from work, he repeatedly says, "Wow, he has grown so much and changed." Honestly, I don't see it because I am with him every day. Even more honestly, my fear is that when I begin working this fall I will "see" what David sees. This scares me. Being home with Jackson this summer has been amazing; I know that I am the luckiest mom to have this time. But, going back to work will also give Jackson all of the wonderful things I have envisioned for his future.

4 Years and Counting

We celebrated our 4 year anniversary today. Four years of marriage...wow...that's progress. We met 7 years ago in College Station. Apparently David had been "stalking" me outside his apartment window by the pool for a few weeks and called in reinforcements to help with the meeting of my sister and I (he called for his brother and a couple of buds to come over). Funny thing is, David's brother actually started talking with me and making his move...in the middle of our conversation I said, "Hey, who's that guy over there?" pointing directly to David. He sheepishly answered, "Oh, that's my brother, David." A few weeks later we went to dinner at Cheddar's where I ate like a pig (hey, I was a starving college student). David has later told me that he knew I was his kind of lady when I could put down that much food...lol.

So, it was in true David fashion that he surprised me with dinner at Cheddar's this year. Only this time we had our precious addition. It is amazing how our lives have come together.

Daddy's Day

Father's Day was very special and laid back. We originally woke up early to go to church, but decided to go for another "quiet" day with just the three of us. Daddy received some shirts, an "I Love my Daddy" frame, and some IPOD equipment and song updates. It was a special day just for him.

Personally, father's day has been quite depressing the last 10 years because of my family situation. However, having a son has changed the day dramatically. I loved sitting and watching Jackson play with David. He grabbed his fingers and smiled and "cooed" at him. Tears filled my eyes as I watched the two of them interact. It reaffirmed the decision I made 4 years ago when I gave my whole heart to David, trusting that he would be a good husband and father. Today I also thought about God and how exciting it will be for me to sit in His lap one day as His child and listen to him tell stories like we do with Jackson.

Bye-Bye-Daddy

Jackson and I visited David at work today to surprise him with cookies and say goodbye to him. He is traveling out of town for three nights to Corpus Christi. Jackson behaved really well during the visit and loved all of the coo's and smiles he received from all the women at the office. Actually, about 20 or so women were in the middle of a meeting, but instructed David to bring Jackson by; so we knocked on the conference door. As if rehearsed, all of the women said, "ahhh..." about the same time. Well, being the little ham he is, Jackson lit up and gave the ladies a huge, toothless grin. Such a flirt!

Trip to the LakeHouse

We finally visited the lakehouse with Jackson. I must say that it was interesting. I discovered lots of things you cannot do with a baby. It is kind of like David Letterman's Top 10 list. Okay, so here goes mine:

1) You cannot ride the 4-wheeler with a baby.

2) You cannot float in the lake with a baby.

3) You cannot go down to the doc with a baby.

4) You cannot go fishing with a baby.

5) You cannot simply sit around outside with a baby (too many mosquitoes).

6) You cannot "run to house real quick" with a baby.

7) You cannot drink with a baby.

8) You cannot visit other houses for long periods of time with a baby.

9) You cannot apply sunscreen and then hold your baby.

10) You cannot get a tan with a baby.

It was a nice get-a-way, but I think going to the lake will be more fun once Jackson is older and can swim and play with us.

Jackson and the Vance Family

We traveled to Frisco and then to Paris, Texas over the last three days. My Uncle Kim passed and we went to his memorial and then to his burial. It was a beautiful service and it was amazing to see how he touched the lives of others by simply being a man of God. He was a terrific uncle and will always be remembered for that. While we were there Jackson was able to meet all my side of the family (The Vance's) for the first time. He was perfect, and I mean perfect. He slept most of the time, but woke up just enough to smile.

Jackson also got to meet my two hero's: Memaw and Pawpaw. Although things have changed greatly, it was so special for them to get to meet my son. It brings tears to my eyes to talk about it now. They have always been a driving force in my life. I admire so many things about them. Memaw laughed and told stories about how I have always wanted to be a mommy and how I deserved a special little boy. I got just that and I am so glad that they were able to hold and love on him.

The entire trip was emotional. From the purpose, to the family, to talks, to laughs. Jackson, David, and I even learned to travel in hotels together! I love my roots, and hope that Jackson will one day look back and be able to say the same.

Giggles and Coo's

We had some plain 'ol family time and fun today. I really love days like these. We woke up, went to church, came home, and then spent the entire day just relaxing and talking with one another. David and I are the busiest people, and days like these are my ultimate favorite. Jackson was super-content, just smiling and cooing at us all day long. The day would have been better if it had been raining so we could have curled up on the couch with Jackson and his toys. Oh well. We'll take the sunshine and time together!

Grammy at Work

We visited Grammy at work today. We went and had Chinese food and Jackson was able to meet all of the ladies. He received the cutest books from Karen's co-worker, Carla. They are the Christian series from Joel Osteen's wife. I look forward to the day when I can teach Jackson about God and His miracles. It excites me to think of us laying there before bedtime reading. :) He was somewhat fussy during the visit, but I think he was just tired. That night he began sleeping 8 hours consecutively.

Here We Go....Again

Okay, so I am going to launch this complaint out into cyberspace. Let me begin by stating that I absolutely enjoy my job. I love what I do. Not many people can wake up every day and say that they truly enjoy going to work and look forward to what the day will bring. I know that I am lucky because of that. However, this will be my 5th year of teaching (4th year at the same campus) and I find myself packing up everything (and I mean everything) for the summer.

It is truly exhausting. Do all campuses require teachers to move classrooms every year? Must all teachers pack up all of their belongings? Every summer I pay for a storage unit to put all of my tubs, books, games, chart paper, etc... I guess it just becomes tedious and somewhat useless. I long for the day when I get to be in the same classroom for more than one year. I don't think I would know what to do with myself. Oh, and having Jackson there every night while packing and loading wasn't exactly fair on him either. He was such a trooper!