Jackson's First Road Trip!

While we likely could have picked a more exciting destination than Bartlesville, OK - it is where the heart is that settles the destination. With Jeff still living in OK Monday through Friday, and missing his son extremely (well, before we got here, more on that later)... Anyway, after our interview on Monday 2/23, we packed up (a four hour adventure in memories, as both of us had totally forgotten how much time and stuff it takes to travel with an infant)... I hate to mention how spoiled I had been wit packing in less than an hour and hitting the road. So, four hours later... we departed the house sometime after 1 pm for our 10hour drive (without stops, as previously traveled)... We were both tired already... so here we were in Jeff's truck: Jackson and I in the backseat, Jeff driving, two labs in the bed in their kennels, and we were packed in a style reminiscent of the Beverly Hill Billies (minus the rocker with Granny of course)... We were piled so high on the left I couldn't see out the left side of the truck in the back seat... and Jeff kept saying things like: oh, look at that house or did you see that, or look at that car next to us - FUNNY~ still can't see anything on the left Jeff! Anyway, we stopped in Buffalo for a feeding and diaper change... the dogs got a break in a mini dog park area at the local DQ... I also got a chocolate shake... YUM! Back on the road it was... we stopped in Allen, TX for dinner at Chipotle, which happens to be Jeff's favorite traveling food stop... not mine for sure... and really not easy to eat while holding a baby! After dinner, we really were feeling tired. The stress of the interview for the adoption process, packing up all that crap, driving and driving... anyway, we had to make a decision.... the next 5-6 hours of the drive would be boring with few places to stop... so, all things considered and Mr Fussy Pants time not yet arrived, we decided to stop... find a hotel that takes (big) dogs, and pack it in for the night... We ended up at the Best Western Suites (not a bad place actually.... we were both pleasantly surprised at how nice the place was) and they allowed the dogs... so two queen beds and 30 minutes of unpacking... followed by a couple of dogs walks for facility locating... we were set for bed. I got the awesome privilege of sleeping with my favorite little guy and the only problem that posed was when Jeff started snoring (LOUDLY) - I had to get out of my warn bed, walk across the room, and make him roll over... this happened several times through the night! Jackson had his little sleep with adults hard sided co sleeper thing (as pictured above) and he was set... and safe from his exhausted mommy rolling on top of him! The bonus of this whole set up? Mr Fussy Pants time lasted less than 30 minutes! YAY! That was a blessing.... and off to sleep went.

Then, we were happily rested in the morning to continue the drive... (doesn't Jeff look totally rested above???) Laughing... Needless to say, he went back to bed until around 10 am... then we resumed packing up (again) - missed breakfast altogether, but were back on the road by noon! YAY! And Jackson slept the entire way to OK.... with only one stop for a diaper change and bottle. He is such a great traveler... the hardest part really is the planning and packing... dang, he needs a lot of stuff! LOL! And, pictured below is my little monkey his first morning waking up in Bartlesville, OK. What a great memory.... at least Jeff is in a little house now (I mean LITTLE) and it has central heat! Way better than Dad's 19 foot travel trailer for visiting! The weather had been warm until last night when it dropped to 30 degrees (Fahrenheit)... But, i is reminiscent of our first condo together (albeit a lot smaller...laughing). Just glad to have the weekend with Jeff... glad today is Friday and he will be off work and ready to spend some time with us, without the drive to Houston!!! On a side note... I am missing Katy... I love it there... missing my friends and family and support system... I am a little like a fish out of water in this element... And there is the added bonus of getting to see my brother this weekend and he will meet his new nephew!! YAY!

aoption update

We were able to assemble all our letters of recommend as requested by the court. Mucho thanks go out to those of you who wrote the most amazing letters... after reading them, I totally want to be friends with Jeff & I and be part of our family... who knew we were so awesome? We also had our home study done by the court appointed representative. She came out to the house first thing Monday morning and asked us like a billion questions... all very personal of course, she toured the house and she left Jeff & I with the impression that all would be good in her report. The next steps you ask: waiting for the birth certificate to come in the mail so we can supply it, verification of employment (apparently you have to be working if you want to adopt your own child, but not if you can have your own)... and the ad lid em appointed to represent Jackson should be contacting us to also interview us an tour our home. Can't wait to see who represents him.... shouldn't that be a mom's job? I mean, who else has his BEST INTEREST at heart, besides his MAMA???? So, that is the update... then, we get to wait six months... why the wait you ask? have no idea! You would think the judge would waive that waiting period since we are adopting our own biological son... (see photo above of Big Brother Jake and his mini-me, Jackson).

February 21, 2009!!

I just can't believe my lil' guy is one month old today! Where did that month go? Already he barely resembles the photo on the left... he has grown so much and is developing those awesome fat rolls on his legs and his double chin... its just too cute. We feel so blessed t have this miracle in our lives everyday! There isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful to Jaime and our whole family for the love and support and making this miracle happen for us. One thing that stand out when I reflect on the last month is how much Jackson loves me... how attached he is to the sound of my voice and how sometimes just talking to him will calm him (not usually during Mr Cranky Pants time, though... that would be rare). I can be walking by talking to someone else in the room and he will rubber neck it to look in my direction... I LOVE that! He is developing a personality and it is so great. He has times of intentional smiles now, as some of you have seen the video on Facebook. Especially in the mornings, he is such a happy baby. Definitely a morning person at this stage in his life. Which is good, because I am SO EXHAUSTED in the mornings, it is good he is happy, babbling, cooing, and smiling... it gives me reason to face the day. I love the way he looks at me... with profound love. It is the joy of motherhood for sure. Jake was home Thursday night and kept telling me how much he loves me... and at one point I asked him why he was saying it... (I was rocking Mr Cranky Pants Jackson during fussy time and singing to him - I am such a gifted and talented singer... laughing) and Jake said, just because of "that" right there... he wanted to know how I could do that while Jackson was fussing... I told him I did it for you and your sister, that is what love and parenthood is: love, trust, consistency. He said he didn't think he could do it and I told him, when the time comes and you are blessed with children of your own, you will. And you will remember the patience seen with your mom, and you will love your child wholly and unconditionally, even through the rocky times... and fussy time is one of those rocky times for sure. I love my boys. They are just so awesome. It is great for me to watch Jake bond with this baby... as most of you know, Jake is a terrific and well-balanced, loving young man and he is so attentive and loving to his younger brother. It is rewarding to watch them together. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to raise both a boy and a girl and even more blessed to raise another child... and truly I am happy. There has been no greater gift in my life than my children.

Adoption

I won't go into great detail here, but even though we had the Gestational Agreement, required by TX to allow the hospital to put Jeff & I on the birth certificate as the legal and biological parents - which we are... the hospital refused to honor our document. They cited a couple of different reasons and suffice it to say that the nurse/risk manager - who I won't publicly flog here - was condescending, rude, abrasive, and honestly ABUSIVE to Jaime and myself during a very intense part of labor... saying these horrible things to Jaime like: "you WILL hold that baby" and "we will not band anyone else" and "You WILL wear the baby band" and on and on, all while pointing her finger in Jaime's direction. BAD SITUATION! Anyway, we consulted our attorney while in the hospital and instead of running to the court in an emergency situation (like during labor!), we thought the best course of action would be to go the old fashioned adoption route. The stuff with the hospital got worse before it got better... Jaime completed all the birth certificate information (with herself as the "legal" mother and Jeff as the father), he even completed the paternity paperwork required in TX... all to find out that they submitted the birth certificate information to the state without Jeff's info... hello? Can anyone say ILLEGAL??? They just refused to name a father and that could have been costly to the state... what if Jaime went home and applied for Medicaid or AFDC or WIC... who would the state of TX go after for money??? NO ONE! STUPID! Anyway, we did meet with our family law attorney the next week and started the adoption process. Like poor Jackson won't have a story enough that his dad's sister was the pregnant one and all the fun we can poke at that, but now he will be able to say he is adopted... and wait until he tells his friends someday that his biological parents adopted him because his aunt was pregnant with his daddy's baby and the hospital was too conservative to understand the dynamics... Laughing. Anyway, welcome to the world of adoption in TX! We filed a petition with the court and have been assigned a judge. There is a six month waiting process... we had to take Jaime to a notary and get two witnesses (people we didn't know) so she could "sign away her rights" to our child. She had eleven days after signing that document to rescind it and take custody of the child that was hers according tot he birth certificate, but not hers at all! Seriously! Then, we had to submit a detailed financial statement to the court...really! Every financial obligation income and all the outgoing... that was a little unnerving! We also had to complete detailed personal history sheets: family history, medical, surgical, psychological history... Jeff commented that ANY person can have a child, but those who are unable to have them on their own are penalized and put through a horrific process just to prove that they will be fit parents. We got to pay more fees to the court and we get to be investigated... Jeff and I had to submit fingerprints to the court for background checks and on Monday an investigator from the court is coming to see our home and interview us... the golden question for me is: what if they think I am unfit to raise my own biological child, then what? I am sure it will not come to that, but geesh! So, that is all I know so far and you are caught up on the adoption drama! I have been reluctant to write about it because it is so emotionally charged for me and I still have so much resentment for the hospital. I am working through that and I know that I will find the silver lining and there is a gift coming from this process. Jeff has already identified a tax credit for adoptive parents, so next year is looking pretty good, laughing! So, we need prayers for Monday as this sweet sounding lady will beckon our doorstep by 830 in the morning... to meet us and size us up! WOW! Shouldn't teen mothers or at the very least mothers of octuplets in CA with six other children at home facing foreclosure be submitted to the rigors of these requirements to make sure they are fit, as opposed to someone like us... who have proof that awesome children come from our home and parenting skills? I think I would've been more understanding of the court making judgements the first time around, when I was 17, unmarried and pregnant... I have certainly grown. I send prayers and support out to adoptive parents all over the world... it is a costly, lengthy process, with no guarantees... and top that with finding healthy babies available in the United States... well, I will pray for them that they find a way through the process and their families are made "whole" in some way through their journey to adopt. I will keep you updated as we go through more.... xoxo

Jackson is 4 weeks!

Yesterday marked Jackson being 4 weeks old. We celebrated by running errands all day! Among the errands were a trip to the attorney's office in downtown Houston and getting my fingerprints done for the court. I will have to write more about that later.

Last night was the best... Jackson's God Mommy, Shelley, came to the rescue to sleep over and do the middle of the night wake up calls so I could get some much needed sleep! I was starting to wear down ... being the solo parent during the week can be so hard... rewarding, though... each day is filled with such joy and amazement at this little life... Jackson is too much fun! We visited Auntie Jaime's work yesterday and the staff there got a chance to see Jackson and meet the little miracle that Jaime worked so hard to deliver to us... it was fun for us to show our little man off.

Jake came home today... a bit early because tomorrow he is leaving for Louisiana to go to Mardi Gras with Hannah and her family. He is going to have a great time. Mardi Gras is so much fun...

We also got a great gift in the mail from Colin today... Colin must've seen the UT camo blanket that Carol got for Jackson in a few photos and was feeling a little jealous... so, in the mailbox Jackson got a great OU gift... thanks Colin, our fav OU student!!! (Even though I know its revenge and Jake says the OU one might have to used instead of wipies....????) Don't worry Colin, I won't let that happen and we are equal opportunity college football watchers!

Valentine's Weekend

Our weekend started on Friday, with Jeff & Jake coming home. Our whole family loves Fridays, it is usually a time for celebration and excitement because Jeff comes back from OK and Jake will return from college. This Friday the 13th was especially powerful because it was the first week Jeff was away from Jackson. So hard! It was an emotional week for him, he was sad being so far away. I did post photos and he got to hear him on the phone "talking" in his little babbling way, but it isn't the same. Friday the 13th's are very special in our family. As most of our family knows, Jacque was born on November 13th (1988) and whenever a Friday the 13th would come up on the calendar, she would grow in excitement... no superstitious behavior or negativity for her... Friday the 13th was Jacque's LUCK DAY! So, even though I was REALLY excited for Jeff to come home, I was finding myself a bit sad, missing Jacque. Not that I don't miss her every day, because I do miss her every single day... but special days are sometimes much harder... surprisingly so... no matter how much time passes, it is still hard and I still wish her here. So, we celebrated Friday the 13th with Mammie & Poppie over, some take out Chinese, and lots of love for Jake and Jackson. Janet & Howard also arrived from the OC (in CA) to meet their grandson for the first time. So, we had quite the crowd Friday night and lots of stimulation... which put Jackson EXTREMELY out of sorts and Mr Cranky Pants became hysterical... not a good thing. Poor guy was fit to be tied!

On Friday night, Jeff took all the baby shifts and my gift for Valentine's Day was SLEEP. I woke up so rejuvenated on Saturday, I was helping Jake with the bacon, scrambling eggs, prepping lunch, and baking cookies all before 930am!! Valentine's Day for us started with Jake making his famous biscuits and gravy for breakfast... I like to think he make them just for me, but Hannah came over and I know he was just doing it for her... welcome to the world of Jake, as he wears his very shiny silver basketball shorts, combat boots, and a sleeveless shirt with his hat to make that breakfast... so redneck. I mean, you do have to dress the part, right? After a totally yummy breakfast, Janet & Howard joined us for a walk at the local park... it was a great day for a stroll and Jackson slept through the whole thing. We had a vegetarian lunch and then I made an awesome mushroom risotto with scallops, shrimp cocktail and a huge salad. We didn't even have room for the Italian Cream Cake.

On Sunday afternoon, after church, breakfast, and saying goodbye to Janet & Howard, we went over to the Panahi's house for some homemade pizza. Hannah's dad is amazing, he made six homemade pizzas... he got up early and made the sauce from scratch, the dough had to rise all day, and we had a large assortment of toppings to choose from. We pretty much ate ourselves into exhaustion. It was a good time and the Panahi family is so wonderful and it was so great to have the day off from cooking and cleaning! That was a fabulous gift... as you can see by the photos, eating that much just wore Jeff and Jackson out. That brought a very happy end to a wonderful weekend... sad to see it end and Jeff return to OK and Jake to Jacksonville, TX. Here it is Tuesday morning and I miss them all so horrifically already!

Mr. Cranky Pants

So, most of each day is totally pleasant and loving and like most newborns, he eats, sleeps, there are diaper changes and awake time to play and coo and make funny baby noises. I was even inspired to call Jeff this afternoon when Jackson was making those awesome coos and let Jeff hear him over the phone... that was amazing, per Jeff. Which, after being gone this week, I am sure it was awesome. I can't imagine how he is feeling right now being away from his new baby during this important and fast growing phase... makes us sad for the fact that he works in OK... yet, blessed and grateful that he has a job in this economy that looks scarier every day in the news!

Then, sometime around dinner time, Jackson starts working up his vocals. By the after dinner time he is totally stressed out and completely unhappy. Except for bath time, which has become our favorite nightly ritual, right in the middle of fussy time each night - between 7pm and 8pm, I take Jackson into the kitchen sink for a long hot bath... HE LOVES IT! I have never seen a newborn enjoy bath time so much! I wash and massage him and then take the spout and rinse his whole body and he is just so peaceful. The look on his face is precious and it isn't reflected here because I haven't figured out how to bath him, you know prevent him from drowning and with my wet and soapy hands handle the camera and snap a peaceful pic! Laughing... I need a few more weeks of baby care and multitasking to get that one done. Maybe when Jeff & Jake are home for Valentine's this weekend, I can get one of them to snap the photo while I hold the slippery baby!

Then, after that bath and a bottle,which he totally loves being milk drunk, he passes out into a deep sleep. If I am lucky, this sleep will last until around midnight, but has been more like 11pm before he wakes wanting to eat more, and eat more NOW! But, when the crying and fussing stops and Mr Cranky Pants turns back into this amazing happy baby, I am tired and happy and at peace that I survived another night of fussy butt syndrome!

This shot (above) is how awesome he was just mere minuted before the fussy syndrome started... and you've seen lots of sleeping photos, so I won't add another here, but promise you as I type this, he is so peacefully sleeping and I wish I was sleepy enough to get into bed right this minute... but, I can't do that yet! More laundry to switch over, dishes to do, and the blog to write... not to mention, I am really looking forward to my nightly call from Jeff... XOXO

Swing

So, we finally broke down and got the baby swing... but Jackson isn't too sure of the whole thing. Even if we put him in that contraption while sleeping, he quickly furrows his brow and looks so angry. It has only lasted up to five minutes so far. But, I keep trying convinced that he will learn to love it... who doesn't love to swing? I mean, experts in childcare swear that it can take up to 10 times tasting a food before children begin to like it and that persistence pays off in a big way. So, when in doubt try, try again. So, I keep trying this swing. Today I even put the music on for him... a medley of sugarplum fairies and lullabies. It is a little on the disruptive side to the Oprah show playing in the background, but I am a GIVER! (Laughing)... We had professional photos done yesterday with Alisa Murray. (www.alisamurray.com to see her galleries). She is an amazing photographer and this was our second time to have a day with her. It is really an all day event to have photos done with Alisa. She treats you like part of the family and just loves the babies. We did the newborn photos, most of which were naked for little Jackson and I was christened four - count it - four time by being tinkled on. Poppie only got it once and everyone else steered clear of the hose... Four times I was wearing baby pee pee. We got some amazing shots of Jackson and my favorites are Jake with Jackson, too. Our birth announcements were ordered and will be in the mail soon so make sure I have your home address if you expect to get one... We had all day with baby bonding and baby love and at the end Jackson, as well as the rest of us, were completely wiped out! If anyone (in Texas) wants a great portrait experience, go to Auntie Alisa, she is the best and really does have a gift from God to do what she does. The experience if first class all the way, you won't regret it. Poor Jackson was so tired, he had a very restless night... not good for Jeff and I. Jeff returned to work in OK this morning and Jackson and I miss him already. Can't wait for Friday!

Lazy Saturdays

Lazy Saturdays are the best... even better are spending them with family, all in our jammies! Of course, being with all the boys today was just great. Staying in my pajamas and not doing much in the way of anything really except taking care of Jackson gave me plenty of opportunity to take more and more photos of our little guy. So, as he layed on my lap and (Jake's foot to the left), Jake sat next to me web surfing, and Jeff napped, I snapped photo after photo of coo's and goo's. Jackson was so alert and fun to be with today... of course, the evening has just arrived. And he isn't too sure if he likes this whole baby swing thing yet. As always, more to come...

We had a wonderful visit from Jaime & Alysha this evening. Many of you have been asking how Jaime is doing. She is doing so great. She looks fabulous and at her two week check up found out she has lost 30 pounds already. That is amazing. As you can see by the photos, she is so happy and looks so wonderful. Alysha and Jaime both love visiting lil' Jackson and we love having them over. They got here just in time for a feeding, a diaper change, and then for he start of fussing time. Every evening, right around the dinner hour our little man has been getting a little fussy and can't be still. We are going to break down and buy a baby swing tomorrow and see if that helps at all... maybe he needs a diversion. Jeff says he just needs his daddy and that it is an over abundance of estrogen contact that leads to his fussy behavior... but after about 5 minutes with daddy, he over doses on that testosterone fix and returns to fussy-butt behavior. Its all harmless and reminiscent of Jackson's big bother, Jake.

One thing Jackson loves and is quickly becoming a nightly ritual, not because he is so dirty or anything, is bath time. Man, does he love the hot water and being massaged. Especially his head... if he had more hair to lather it would be more fun for me... but he is totally chill in the bath and we are using that to our advantage in the evenings. Who knows how it will be when Jeff goes back to OK this weekend... and I get the fussy time all alone and no daddy fix. For now, here are some of today's photos to enjoy our little guy... as you can see, less sleeping and more awake time. This is a good thing and we are really enjoying our "conversations" as he coos and babbles a bit. The best is still the giggles, which w were blessed to see today when Keisha visited and Jackson was giggling in his sleep while being held by her. Cheri was gracious enough to come over and be Jackson's "nanny" today, while I took a much-needed nap and Jeff got some work done - yes, work! Don't they know he is on vacation!!!

A few of our loyal followers also mentioned the new layout.... THANK YOU to our cousin Leah Ferguson for such an awesome job at helping me create a truly unique and expressive background. Leah was kind enough in her busy schedule with Alex, taking care of John, being sick, doing two blogs, to actually design and implement this new camo background... we love it and we love you... THANKS LEAH!!!

2 week old check up

Last night we FINALLY got a visit from Cheri... she had been horrifically ill since Jackson's birth and was forced to stay away. Her son then got the horrible throat infection and bronchitis after her, continuing to keep her at home, away from our newest arrival. After antibiotics and some recuperation time, Cheri finally got to get her hands on Jackson. She is in love, just like everyone else. So (above) is a photo of the brief affair last night.

Today we had a follow up appointment at the pediatrician's office for Jackson's eye, which turns out to be a clogged tear duct and not conjunctivitis. That is a good thing! We also had our two week check up and we are now 9 pound and 3 oz... OMG! He was just at the doctor a week ago weight 7 # 12 oz... he gained like a pound and 6 ounces in 8 days... I hope he slows down! Laughing. He is now about the size Jake was at birth... still shorter, though. I am sure that makes Jake happy. Jackson also got his first immunization today while we were there. We started the Hepatitis B series and he had that shot in him left leg... OWIE! Boy, did he get mad and get all red-faced, one big wail and he as saved by his Mama and all was well again in the world. We got home to greet Hannah (Jackson's #1 Girl...and I hear Jake's #1 as well)... a little sibling rivalry to keep things exciting. Hannah spent like three hours feeding and rocking or little man. As you can see by the photos, he is quite comfortable in her arms. I think Hannah was a little bummed that he slept so much, but immunizations with do that to the little ones. Its bath night tonight and Hannah said she will be back later to look into his (hopefully, very awake) eyes. We don't go back to the doctor until March (hopefully). Until then, the goal is to get on a normal sleep schedule and keep up with all the new and fun work of having a newborn. By the way, thanks again Auntie Deedee for the awesome shirt... as you see it fits great and he is definitely a "chick magnet."

our first superbowl party

A small gathering at the Hannes' home was just what the doctor ordered! We went over for snackies and to watch the game that had the room divided... most supporting the underdog Cardinals, except Jeff who wore the black of the Steelers proudly and was so happy when they won... what a nail-biter!!

Of course, we can't go anywhere or see anyone without everyone wanting a piece of the little guy... he is so blessed and so loved and so wanted. I mean, we were in the same room with his mommy, his Mammie, his Godmother Shelley, and his number one girlfriend Hannah. Thank goodness there were four quarters in the game!

And of course, he ended the evening in the arms of his Godfather - THE GODFATHER! Bud was reduced to giggles and coo's with Jackson in his arms... that was a precious site to see. The game was good, albeit sad to see the Cardinal loss... the food yummy, and the family dearly loved as always.

Counting My Blessings

We have been so very blessed. Loving this new baby and caring for his sweet spirit has just surrounded us with joy. Do you ever feel so strong about something, so passionate, that you can’t find words that adequately describe the depth of the feelings and emotions? That is totally how I feel about our new little man, Jackson. It has been so long since we were blessed with a baby in our home, that this is such a treat and a pleasure. Even though we are totally sleep deprived and basically walking zombies, it only takes a second with our son in our arms to alter that stupor into a warm melting of the heart and a smile.

We received a baby gift yesterday from this wonderful lady who sits behind us in church, Ms. Shirley. We used to sit behind her, but as our family and visitors and friends that continued to join us on “our” bench or pew grew, we moved forward to the second row, where it was totally empty. Why is it that no one ever wants to sit at the front of the church? I digress, she lost her husband, Mr. Godfrey, last year and he was such a kind and gentle man, we enjoyed greeting him every Sunday. Anyway, this generous gift (of blue clothes with footballs all over them… awesome… and more), caused me to reflect on just how much love Jackson brings to our family, our extended family, and our world. Having traveled to the depths of emotional Hell in losing Jacque, I think I am more appreciative of the joyous events and reasons for a smile. I found myself teary-eyed (again), thanking God for such a miracle of life to fill our hearts with more love than we could’ve ever imagined. I am thankful for our family and friends, but also our church family that continues to surround us and support us and lift us up. We are blessed.


Jake continues to excel at school and we are so proud of his decisions. Have I said what an amazing young man he has become? His heart is huge, he is loving, smart, supportive, and just a joy to be around... I can't sing his praises enough (typical mom stuff, I am sure). I just love it when he is home for the weekends. His friends join him at our house and fill our house with the laughter and good times indicative of young adulthood. He has always chosen such great friends and people to surround him. Each one of his close friends has brought fun, laughter, support, and amazing sensitivity to our lives. We just love having more and more in our home… it adds to the fun; something else that blesses my life. Especially Jake’s (using the following term loosely, so as not to cause concern with the youngsters as I haven’t heard they are “official” or “exclusive”) girlfriend, Hannah; she is such a source of joy for us. Not only is she this totally amazing young woman with a completely loving and awesome family, but she seems to really enjoy being around our crazy family, too. We love her family, her mom and dad are some of the sweetest, kindest people and her younger brother is simply smart, cool, and funny. Hannah is gorgeous, and her resume boasts that she plays the clarinet, was the head drum major her senior year in high school, she has been accepted to multiple colleges including the prestigious SMU (Southern Methodist University), but accepted the scholarship to LSU, she will be auditioning for the Tiger marching band there. She has awesome goals set for herself, loves her family, her grandma is her hero, and she has a passion for mission work. Hello? What is there NOT to love? She is so amazing and we are so blessed to have her around, she has even taken to “seeing” Jackson when Jake is away at school: little bit of brotherly rivalry on Jake’s part, but I think he is getting used to people falling all over Jackson… laughing. Even though she is a little on the older side for Jackson, we approve! So, we now refer to Hannah as Jackson’s girlfriend and it is great to have her come over and play with our little guy on the occasional evening, it really helps me get time for the house and other stuff I am supposed to do with my days, while someone keeps Jackson awake and entertained, fostering a healthier sleep pattern by being totally worn out.

I must be emotional today… the song Count Your Blessings (name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God hath done) is going through my head this morning. And it would seem I am doing an awesome job at starting to count all those blessings, hope not to bore you with them! There are so many more and I just couldn’t blog them all. But, this was a good start and I just have to say that I feel such pride and love in our family. For Jeff, for Jake, and for Jackson: I am blessed in the love of my men.