New Pledge

Jake participated in all the rounds at RUSH at LSU... he narrowed it down to four, then two and called last night with his choice for BID. He was offered BIDS from three fraternities on campus, but chose the PiKapps... saying they most closely fit him. It helped too that some guys from his high school are upperclassmen there. He said he really felt like he fit in and that is what is important with brotherhood. Each fraternity will be a little different on different campuses and he felt this was the best choice for him and his future. I had never heard of them... so I did a little research last night for my benefit and yours....

http://www.pikapp.org/
Pi Kappa Phi has been building better men on college campuses across the nation for over one hundred years. We are a first class fraternity who firmly believes in the tenets of Character, Leadership, Academics, Sportsmanship, and Service. These principles are not only valued, but instilled through the opportunities you will have as a member of Pi Kappa Phi and as a man of class. Pi Kappa Phi attains a high level of service by raising money for our national philanthropy “PUSH America.” Funds are raised through many fund-raisers including our annual Strongman Competition and Pull for Push skeet shooting tournament. Our past social events include our annual Rose Ball in Florida, semiformal in New Orleans, Pi Kapp Swamp Water, Pure Country, crawfish boils, and exchanges with different sororities. Pi Kapps are known for our brotherhood, athletics, campus involvement , community service, academics, being true southern gentlemen, and ultimately having the best college experience possible.
Founded: December 10, 1904 at the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
LSU Founding: 1968
Symbols: Red Rose, Star, Bell, and
White Diamond
Colors: White, Gold, and Blue
Nickname: Pi Kapp
LSU Awards: Outstanding Fundraiser, Outstanding New Member

http://www.pikapp.org/
“Leaders by Choice”

MISSION STATEMENT OF PI KAPPA PHI
We will lead.
The expression of shared values and ideals as contained in the Ritual of Initiation,Supreme Law and fraternity policy;
The pursuit of brotherhood through scholarship, leadership, service and social experiences;
The achievement of personal excellence in each member and collective excellence in our fraternity;
A lifelong brotherhood of its members

where did August go?

So, time is flying by and things have been very, very busy. Sorry for the delay in updates. I will work backwards:
Jackson crawled around all morning chasing Maya... still doesn't move those back legs independently of each other.. wait until he figures out that it will increase his speed. I am already in trouble as he is a mover and a shaker. Laughing. But super studly cute!
I went back to work PRN this week. PRN means as needed, or basically I work when I want to and there is a need in the department. Which is quite often. I am back where I left 18 months ago, before Jeff's dad was ill, before Jackson came into my life... where I used to work full time as a case manager. Now I am back doing it. I did three days this week and it felt more like old home week than actual work. But, once I get that computer password assigned to me... it will be more work than play. It was good to see my old friends and the group that I chilled with. It felt so weird having adult conversations about something other than family business and drama. It felt good.
I missed Jackson, though and it makes it all worth it just to see the complete excitement rock his world. He is also saying bye-bye with his hand sporadically. Like the other day, Jeff got home first and he was so excited. Cheri handed him to Jeff and he gave Jeff a big love and then turned and waved bye-bye to Cheri (who he calls nanni). Kinda like, oh, ok my dad's here now - you can go. SWEET! He is a character.
He is pulling himself up on everything and starting to "cruise" 0 he has taken two steps consecutively that I have seen, while holding onto furniture or other things for balance. This kid is amazingly strong and no comparison to the other two... Jacque was close, but not Jake. We couldn't stand this early and wasn't walking even at a year old. Jacque was for sure... individuality.
Its great to have Jeff living in Houston again... enjoying having our family back together...
except that last weekend we hugged Jake goodbye in Baton Rouge, LA as we left him in the dorms at LSU. He is a Tiger now. And tonight is at the second night of Rush, looking for a fraternity to join. His daddy is Kappa Sigma and Jeff would LOVE for him to be a brother in that house, but he received an early bid on the first night from Pi Kappa Alpha... but told them he was keeping his options open and wanted to wait. He is having a great time and has been there a week now - classes start Monday. We are so proud of him, he is really doing a great thing with his life. Proud, I tell you - I am proud.
All my travel is done for August... and in September I have no new plans... maybe something for my birthday weekend, not sure. But, nothing concrete and that is a good thing. That's the scoop for now!

Happy August!

...and my big boy is sitting up all the time now. this is a picture with Auntie Cheri... She is amazing. I love my friend Cheri for many, many reasons... the most of which have to do with how she loves me and our whole family. She is always there for us: taking care of my children and my parents for the past 7 years... Thank you Cheri for being the BEST Nanny, Personal Assistant, Housekeeper, Nurse Assistant, Dog Watcher, Kennel Keeper, Seamstress, Chauffeur, and Therapist! You are the best and we are blessed to have you!!! As I get ready to return to work on a very flexible schedule, Cheri is going to be with Jackson... and I am glad not to call it child care... but we are blessed to be able to leave Jackson with someone who LOVES him and whom he loves...
Speaking of little Jackson, who is cutting his second tooth... on Saturday (8/1), he went from lying on him tummy - getting up on all fours - to sitting up all by himself. Of course, be the over zealous, excited mom that I am, I clapped and cheered, scaring him half to death and then put him back on his tummy to do it again - and he did! Again and again and now, we just can't stop him!!! WOW! He is out of control... Saturday night was also the first night that we moved Jackson to his big boy crib in his own room. For six long months, he has been sleeping in the co sleeper right by my side. I have loved every minute of it, but now that he has started the pseudo-crawl and scoot with rolling, it just wasn't safe any more... So, off he went. And he did awesome, he is so amazing, slept great. He did... me, not so much. I kept waking up looking at the baby monitor and checking the time. Needless to say, the 830am church service came awfully early. Too early for me. But he is growing and developing and amazing me every day.
Did I mention that I am glad July is over... I am so happy July is done. Welcome August!! Only two more weeks and my amazing Jake will be moving into the dorms at LSU... this summer has gone way too fast!!!