Jackson gets his picture in the paper

I have been needing to catch up a little on the blog, but as I don't have a lot of time today I at least wanted to put on here that Jackson got his picture in our local paper. If you want to see the photos you can go to www.columbiabasinherald.com and view the photo gallery near the bottom that has the pictures from the easter egg hunt at mccosh park. There are a few of him & Jason and a few of him by himself. The one that made the paper isn't in there (weird huh?) it is just a sideways shot of him starting to lean down to pick up an egg.

Happy Baby!

I know it appears that I am favoring my daughter here these last couple posts, but I assure you I have a load of picts of Jack, he just refuses to smile for most of them so I don't end up posting many. Also I promised my mother "tons" of pictures of Jessa smiling so that is why there are so many! I have told some of you, but I am just so thrilled to have such a happy baby. Jack and I have so much fun figuring out what we do that makes her smile. Jack will stand behind me when I am taking pictures and say "give us a smile baby girl" it cracks me up.

More of Jessalyn

Fallin asleep on daddy!

Photo's by Jack

Jackson actually took these two photos so I just had to show off his talent!!

big brother

So I am always telling people how Jack is with Jessa and here are 2 examples. If I leave her on the floor while I run to do something I have come back more than once to find that he has rolled her up onto his chest. Usually I remove her, but I realized that I needed to capture this for stories when they can't stand each other! The other photo he is apparently using her as a pillow...she didn't seem to mind one bit.

the many faces of Jess

Jason was capturing a progression of smiles & faces one night...too cute!

My little buddy

So my little Papi Chulo (handsome guy) was helping me make sugar cookies one night and I just thought he looked so cute I had to snap some shots. (He hates it when I call him papichulo which I've done since he was a baby - he says "I'm not papichulo I'm Jackson).

how sweet..

I couldn't help but capture this sweet moment... Jack asked me "Can I just have her for a bit mom?" I wish you could hear it... it is so cute the way he says it! PS - he set up this little scene with the pillows & blanket!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's ... here are my little cherubs that day...

In Memory..

I just wanted to take a second to remember one of the sweetest men in my life... my Grandpa Harold. I was thinking as I was blogging last night how much I miss him. Whenever I have a funny story about Jackson I realize it afresh that the pain of loss never totally goes away. He would tell stories about the grand & great grand kids over and over and I feel cheated not to have been able to share my kids with him and have the joy and pride of hearing the way he would talk about them. I know I'm not alone in my sadness over his loss. I am so thankful for all the memories that bring laughter & tears. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Dress up time!!!

Jack got a couple of fun costumes and Jane made him his own superhero outfit... He's Super J.J. -- he loves to run around yelling some super hero's name "Saves the day". He loves the cartoon Super Why and so when he is leaving he says ... "Gotta Dash!" It is too adorable.

TOO CUTE!!!!!

So thanks to Tyff and Toni -- I have the most adorable clothes to put Jessa in... Jack decided if sis was wearing a hat to church he needed to also!! He always insists that we need to take their picture because as he puts it.. "We're cute". No self esteem problems for this kid!!

Eatin leftovers @ his new Lightning McQueen table--

They might not appreciate me blogging this ....

but who cares??? :-) Trent getting some practice and Ann's cute belly!!

No fork necessary....

I didn't quite get the shot, but apparently the ONLY way to eat birthday cake is to run Lightning McQueen through it and eat it off the wheels.... to mom's dismay and everyone else's amusement.

More snapshots of Chuck E. Cheese Fun!!!

Jackson's 3rd Birthday!!!

I can hardly believe it... I have to stop and catch my breath when I think about how fast the last 3 years have gone. It is hard to accept the fact that the tiny baby boy that I cuddled and kissed what seems like just days ago is now this handsome big boy that looks so much like his daddy! I am so blessed to have this little character in my life. He makes me laugh out loud many times each day and if I started to write all the adorable phrases he comes up with this entry would be miles long. I thank our Lord for answering the desperate cries of my heart when His will for my life brought a precious boy into my arms. Every parent loves their children, but I'm convinced that the waiting & longing brings a perspective to treasure each moment just a little bit more. What a gift these kids are and how I pray that God will continue to shape us into the parents that they deserve and that He desires for us to be.

Jackson's birthday was spent at Chuck E. Cheese in Richland and he was thrilled!! He was spoiled rotten by all those who love him and he had a blast playing games and running around like crazy. Thank you to all those who were able to come and enjoy it with us!

Jackson doing his chores...

Not really he just loves to help shovel the snow!! Such a sweetie (well most of the time).

Musings on my daughter

I often thought how wonderful it would be to have a little girl and it is... it is one of the most treasured blessings of my life. She is a gift from God, an answer to so many prayers, and an absolute JOY to my days. I am in awe of what the years will bring and so full of hopeful prayer that God will turn me into the mother that He wants me to be for my children. I love dressing her each day and anxiously await my husband getting home to hear him say how cute she looks. Jackson tell me daily .. "Hers cute Mom". It makes me smile every time and never gets old. I thank our Heavenly Father for allowing me this privilege of raising children -- I pray for those whose hearts ache for children as much as mine did and are still waiting. I am thankful for all the lessons that waiting for and having children has taught me about the AMAZING love of our God!