The Birthday Day and the Zoo

Here is the first picture of Jackson as a 2 year old. He went to church with Daddy about 8 minutes after he woke up...and Daddy looks a little tired too. Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Seriously, WHEN did Rhinos get SO big. They were HUGE. it had been a while since I'd been to the zoo...

One of Jackson's most favorite things at the zoo had NOTHING to do with animals at all...he LOVED the chains that were in the indoor exhibits. He would run and run and run and then go through all the chains. I was having to chase him all over the place. I finally caught him and was coming back through the last set of chains and Daddy took the picture of us coming back.....I was sweating galore and he couldn't have been more happy.

This is the one we stopped on and as you can tell, it was way more difficult than we had anticipated to get us all looking and in a hole. It was fun though.

That's my little boy monkey for ya.

I did a good job of getting them to look and then I wasn't! AUHH...photoshop anyone?

I was holding Creighton here.
opps

I did get this one that I thought turned out pretty good! Jackson looks tired already and this was like only an hour into the zoo....we were there for 3!

He enjoyed the petting zoo for kids. It took him a little while to get comfortable/brave enough though to pet them and brush them. For some reason they had these balls in there for the animals to play with but the kids weren't suppose to touch the balls, that didn't go over so well with Jax. He wanted to play fetch with the goats...opps!

This was one BRAVE squirrel. Jackson had some goldfish in his seat and Creighton had some crackers. So, while we were in the petting part, he decided to have a snack of his own. I went back to the stroller to get something and he scared me to death. Jeff snapped this...

Creighton was really good at the Zoo. She road in the stroller most of the time but either way she was happy. She was laughing so hard and loud when I put her on my shoulders...it was priceless and this photo doesn't do it near the justice the memory in my mind holds! Here is Jackson kissing bye'bye to the tiger! Isn't he sweet!?

Here is our sweet family photo outside the Tulsa Zoo with the Tiger. We had a good time, this was on the way home and we were ALL tired and ready to be sitting in the car to go home. Jackson and Creighton both were out before we made it out of the parking lot!

The flood

Jeff took some pics of the flood here in Bartlesville. This is a major road in town Adams off of Silverlake Dr. Lowes is right behind them, the parking lot was totally flooded too.

This is a picture of the OWU baseball field. I am not certain how high the back fence is but you can see that it is OVER however high it is. The soccer fields for them are directly behind the field and you can see much of that either.

This one you will probably have to click it to make it big to see, but if you look in the water you can see the top of a 7 foot soccer goal post....that is an extremely low lying area, but still! It is just crazy stuff.

I talked to a friend of ours today and they are flooded IN their home. The water isn't inside, but they can't get out of their home either direction. Their neighbor has a boat and that is how he is getting to/from anywhere. He parked his car on the other side of all the places he knew would flood and he boats to his car everyday and boats back to the house after work. CRAZY! I hope this all goes away soon. I am sure there is going to be MUCH MUCH damage but it is still so high they can't even tell what/how much.

Independence Day and Today

We had a great (albeit, long) day yesterday. We drove and met up with my parents and then all piled and packed into the Yukon and drove together to Oklahoma City to go to the Omniplex. It was great! I knew Jackson would enjoy all of the hands on things to do. Creighton has been the best baby lately. She is just so happy-go-lucky most of the time. Here are a few pics of the day from the Omniplex. My brother and his girlfriend, Lacy, and her two little sisters, Taylor and Ryan, also met us there.












Yes Jackson has a Monkey on his back. It has a tail and so it is like a leash. It is the only thing that works with him. It is a necessity sometimes, although he did pretty well most of the time and it wasn't too crowded so we took the tail off and just kept the monkey on for good measure. (just in case).

This is the picture of my mom and Jackson sliding down a HUGE and LONG and FAST slide. I went down it once and I was dizzy afterward. Jackson loved it, I am not certain my mom hated it like she claimed, and she went on it several times...













After the Omniplex we stopped Jeff's Aunt Sherri's to say hello and then we headed back to Tulsa. We stopped off in Jenks and ate at Los Cabos and it was AMAZING. It was a really great atmosphere out there on the Riverwalk too. There were two sets of live music, people dancing, LOTS of people waiting for fireworks, people eating, kids playing in the splash water--it was just great! I love events like that and so I was really dissappointed when I was overruled and we left before the fireworks started up. We saw a ton of fireworks from the car on the way home, but that just isn't the same. Jackson LOVES fireworks and he really didn't get to see any on the 4th of July because it was too hard for him to see from the car...although once we got back to my parents house there were a few going off in her neighborhood, so he saw those for about 4 seconds! Then we got everything back in our car and headed home and the kids went to bed late. Unfortunately they were both up staggered throughout the ENTIRE night. I saw each hour from midnight to 4 on the clock at some point within that hour, adn then I got a bigger chunk till 7, then everyone was up at 8. AHHHH! I am tired. Oh well.


Today we spent the day up to this point cleaning and picking up and mowing. We are still far from finished but I was in need of food and a break. But the kids' rooms and the living room are good to go! I have laundry up to my ceiling in our bedroom and also huge piles in the garage. The kitchen looks as if a tornado came through, and the sunroom, I need a worse natural disaster than a tornado for that to be properly described...but the backyard and front yard are mowed...not edged or weeded or anythign of the sort, but we are making progress...and there was much progress to be made.

Good News/Bad News

Good news its Maria's birthday! Yeah for you Maria! Hope it is wonderful! Can't wait till you are back to OK so we can have a playdate!

Bad news: Kara's dog Lucy died last night and she is very sad by this obviously. It makes me really mad because the dogs next door attacked her. If you didn't know Lucy, she was like MAYBE 4 pounds at the most...TINY TINY TINY....and I feel so bad for them.

Good news: My friends in Dewey didn't get flood water in their home like they thought.
Bad news: softball fields are still swimming pools & I am sure there are people who were flooded in their homes.

Good news: Jeff is home from his trip
Bad news: Jeff is at work and swamped there

Good news: Creighton slept through the night for the FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!! 10-7:20 YEAH Creighton!
Bad news: I didn't sleep well. :(

Good news: Jesus died on the cross for all of us so we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven!
Bad news: if you don't decide to accept that FREE GIFT of salvation, you will spend eternity seperated from him in Hell.

Jackson, 2 years

I have posted several posts today, so read them all! :)

But here is an update on Jackson!

We went for his 2 year check up and the doctor was very pleased with his progress on his speech and hearing and so we don't have to do anything else for him (for now) as far as that is concerned. She thinks he is a little behind but will catch up now that he has started. His vocabulary is expanding daily....and as far as words he understands, there is endless...but for saying them, probably between 30-50. (the low end of normal).

He weighed 31 pounds 1 ounce and was 35.5 inches tall! He is almost 3 feet! He is 75% in height and 85% in weight. She said he needed to not continue on his increase in weight or he will be overweight....I don't think he has much hope in that area if you look at his grandfathers and daddy! He will just always be a BIG boy. I hope he continues to grow tall though!

He is happy and healthy! Yeah Jax!

I am not at home so I can't post pics from the zoo or the rest from the party, but I will when I get home!

daily ramblings

Jeff has been on a wild trip all over Texas with his senior guys bible study. They have had a great time so far and not too many crazy things have happened. I think that as it is wrapping up that he is ready to be home though. He is expected back tomorrow night! I am ready to see him! I miss my baby.
We were at Freedom Fest tonight in OWasso with my parents at their church (Freedom Church). It was really fun. There were lots of activities, jumpers for Jackson, food, live music, and fireworks! Jackson LOVED the fireworks and Creighton didn't like the loudness of it all. Everytime one popped she'd grab a hold of me for dear life...and cry! It was sad. I think she was very tired too though. She was THE BEST baby ever all day. She did great in the nursery this morning and then took a good nap twice and then tonight at the event she just smiled and cooed and talked and laughed and SMILED so big all the time! She was so sweet. Jackson has been a little pill today but I think it is a lack of sleep and a lack of seeing his Daddy and LOTS OF SUGAR. He hasn't had a good meal all weekend really, he just keeps eating snacks and sugar! Oh well...such is life of a toddler when there are all kinds of festivities going on. He will crash hard tonight I think. He played hard hard hard tonight and like I mentioned earlier,l he LOVED the fireworks. Everytime one went off, he scream, MORE MORE! and ohhs and ahhs and wows and excited smiles and laughs each time!
My dad and I participated in the egg toss and I got "yoked" on...and we lost! Oh well. My mom and dad and me all participated in teh golf contest and my dad got 3rd in the mens and my mom did okay a nd I did HORRIBLE! I haven't swung a golf club since I was 12 though...and it was noticible....BUT...I did learn how to throw a spiral and a good one tonight. My dad taught me. I was holding the ball too far down on the seam and when he adjusted my hand I threw spirals every time after that! So that was good.
I am sad that our softball games are cancelled for the rain ....it is like 4ft under water tonight and it is still raininga nd they haven't even released the dams yet....so it will get worse for sure! I LOVE playing softball. It is theraputic for me. I like getting out and being competitive and playing and being without my babies for 2 hours a week. It is NICE! ALthough, I must say that last week was a little rough (or I was) because I tackled 2 ladies and wiped one out on a tag. It was pretty funny hindsight, but at the time I was really sad about it because I was struggling with my identity. More on that later...but anyway, I play rough!

Rain Rain GO AWAY

Havent' posted in a few days...been crazy. We are at my mom's but we were suppose to be in Texas for the past few days and still suppose to have been there through the 4th, but Marble Falls, TX got 19.5 inches of rain and the town shut down because all of the water was contaminated! Well, now that has happened in Bartlesville too...I don't think our town has shut down, and our water is now up and running fine (last I heard), but there are lots of friends and family that are stranded from their homes due to water and more water is coming. They are releasing the dams and it is suppose to be 8 feet above flood level!!!! So scary! Our house is pretty high up in the town and neighborhood, so I think we are okay, but man, we certainly dont' have flood insurance if anything crazy happened!
I am so tired of all the rain! I bet there are lots of people that have said that here recently. Its crazy because when it does stop it is so humid you can cut the thick air with a knife! UGH!
Anyway, I think that it is raining as we speak in Bville, but it is nice in OWasso. I hope everything is fine when we get home.

A Girl Named Bubba

You've all heard of the audacity of a boy named Sue...well I think I can top it. Jackson calls Creighton "Bubba" and there is NO changing it much to my dismay. ALthough it is growing on me. He asks for Bubba all the time. "Err bub-ba?" "Oo Bub-ba"
It is maybe cute...for now, but man I hope that doesn't stick for too long.

Jackson is 2!

We had a spectacular 2nd birthday party for Jackson yesterday! Here are some photos and captions of the days' events. It was a blast and fun was had by all! We had lots of family and friends in town for the festivities.

Here is his Bob the Builder cupcake tower. I heard they were yummy but I didn't ever get one. But not to worry, Jackson had I think 3! Three is seeming to be the theme of this party even though he was only turning 2!

Here is his Bob the Builder Cake from Maggie Moos. It was chocolate ice cream and oreo mix-in with chocolate cake and it was YUMMY. I definitely had a piece of this. Daddy was SUPER excited about the cake. It was good, but really not worth the money and kind of a hassle because it was so hot (to keep it from melting) and also there was like maybe a quarter inch of cake instead of half and half like we expected...but it was cute! And it was a hit...Jackson blew out his candles and couldn't wait for my mom to cut it! So...

he took it upon himself to dig in!

And this is what he looked like...it was EVERYWHERE....but he was pretty dang cute with all that icing all over his face. I think he liked his cake!

Here is 3 generations of John Bergs! It is amazing how much they all look alike in their younger photo comparisons.

My mom rented this little Jupiter Jump and the kids LOVED it! They jumped their little hearts out A LOT! It was worth it I think too, because they got a ton of energy out, but even more so, it kept them busy busy and OUT of the house for extended periods of time. (with 30 some odd people in one house at the same time, that was good!)

Here is Jackson with his Pinata. It was harder than the kids could handle really, but eventually it broke and the candy came out and the kids really loved that! Candy galore since there were only like 6 kids there and two of them were 2 years old. We couldn't find a bat so we were using my mom's vaccuum tube at first until my dad cut off a broom stick (which helped the process along).

Here is Jackson's 1st Car he got. My mom and Dad got him this one. He really liked it and so did the other kids. Here in the back of this picture was his 2nd vehicle (his first tricycle) that Papa John and Grandma Debbie got him. It has the really great handle on the back so I can push him because he isn't QUITE big enough to peddle yet. And we are learning to steer still. We road it today and he hasn't quite mastered the concept yet....he doesn't know he has control. But we are working on it...

He is (much to my dismay) in love with the Wiggles and my mom got him a set of THREE more dvds! AHHHH...oh well...it makes him so happy. And he does the funniest thing to tell you he wants to watch the Wiggles...he wiggles and says "uhh" and it is so funny and he does it a lot! I try and try and try to get him to SAY "wiggles" and he just won't...he just wiggles his hips and says "uhh" every time.

Here is the 3rd Car, yes 3! Obviously this one was a big hit. He crashed it into just about everything he could at my mom's yesterday and then again today at our house he hit everything in site...like I said, we have to work on the steering thing. But I LOVE this truck. It is so cute and he looks so cute driving it and he LOVES it. He gets the biggest smile when he sees it.

Needless to say, our kid is so spoiled. He got lots and lots of neat toys and clothes and so much stuff it is insane. He got playdoh, videos, puzzles, cars, books, toolsets, bug catchers, bubbles, mr. potato head, firetrucks, stickers, legos, buckets and shovels, towels, suitcase for grammy's, and lots of other things I am sure I am forgetting. He still doesnt' quite get the whole present opening thing. He gets very bored with it and wants to stop and play and couldn't care less about it all....

We were all pooped by the end of the party and didn't leave till LATE! I am going to post about the people and post more pics of people and Creighton and family and friends from the party later on. I have a busy week with volleyball camp so I don't know when that will happen. But I will get to it, because there are lots of fun pics of Creighton and Amari and other family and friends too!

Daddy and Jackson

Here is a picture of Daddy and Jackson

Lots of Pictures!

I haven't posted pictures in awhile, so I thought I'd post a few as I am getting ready for bed. Its been a long and hard past week and a half and I thought pictures would be much better than my insanity complaints :)





Here are the kids in our jungle (aka backyard) in a really awesome sun shade. Crazily they stayed in it and played with bubbles together for quite some time. Even though I covered them in sunscreen....oh well. (*and Jeff did end up mowing finally....so iti sn't so jungle-ish now.)

Here is us playing...they were tackling me! It was fun and they were happy. These moments get me through the days...

Here is Jackson at the Kiddie Park in Bartlesville. This is the greatest little park ever. It is only a quarter to ride all of the rides (each). It is awesome. We went there tonight on a random whim after a fun and crazy dinner at Mazzio's (tuesday is buffet night). On that note...I ate pizza and ranch dressing tonight...and I fed Creighton after we got home. I am curious as to how she is going to be. Currently? ...asleep and not screaming :)

We like to go to the Duck Pond (aka Jo Allen Lowe Park) and feed the ducks and walk...although mostly we just feed the ducks. Here is a few pics from that outing. Jackson is almost too heavy for me to throw over my head anymore. Creighton is fearless of the ducks, and Jackson on the other hand, well, lets just say he was holding some bread and the duck snuck up on him and snatched it away and he is a little fearFUL of the ducks (and geese).

I can't remember if I already posted about Jax and I eating our oranges together on the kitchen floor or not, and maybe I already posted a picture about it too, but I don't know...here is another if so, if not....here is a first. I love it. He goes and gets an orange and calls for me and plops right down in "his spot" and pats "mommy's spot" next to him. If you come to visit, more often than not, it'll be rather sticky around that little patch of the kitchen! I am okay with it though because it is an awesome memory with him!

Here is Creighton playing in the tunnel...Jackson loved it when he was little too....

By the way, she is all over the place crawling and FAST as lightning too! She is saying "dada" as of tonight...so fun! She is a talker. She LOVES to talk. SHe loves being around Jackson and playing. They LOVE to laugh and giggle and wrestle around. She is one TOUGH girl. I love her so much!

Random facts about me

Maria tagged me in a post of hers and although I am not doing it correctly per se I am going to do the main jist and give you 8 random things about me.

1. I was suppose to be 5'11" and I truly think I was not because of gymnastics (stunted my growth to only 5'4.5''). However, I LOVE gymnastics...to do it, to watch it, anything and I am SO thrilled that one day my kids will do it! I am a gymnastics freak. ( I hope that my kids like it)

2. I hate to read, but I am in a book club this summer....

3. I check blogs almost obsessively.

4. My favorite girls name is Alexyn "Lexy" and if I had another girl (which is NOT in my plans) I would do everything I could to convince Jeff that is the name for her. He hates it!

5. I sleep with a stuffed pillow every night that I dubbed "Squish" and he (yes I call it a he) goes with me everywhere, and my pillow too.

6. I HATE eating out of baskets! (ie. applebees)

7. My favorite number is 21 and it is somewhat an obsessive thing too. I have to be 21 or else :)

8. I used to jump (long jump) for Jesse Owens when I was little and I was pretty good at it. I fouled on the greatest jump of my life at Nationals (13 feet 7 inches--I was only 9 years old) to win the WHOLE thing...I settled for 3rd and didn't get to move on to the next meet. I was very very sad.

Those are all really random!

Time well spent

http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com/

Everyone should definitely check out that blog....

Onto other things:
Today was better for sure than the rest of my week, however, God isn't allowing me to get the "miracle drug" for better days just because I realized I hadn't spent time with Him and now I am. I am okay with that. I am rewarded in that my soul is happier (joyful) and my heart isn't heavy and burdened with my own yuck. It has been so long that there is much to rid myself of right now.
This morning didn't start off how I had planned (my goal of getting up before the kids and spending time with God)....but I did do so today which is good. My friend Kara and I are going to be redoing the Patriarchs study by Beth Moore with videos and all...I am thrilled to have something to do, but I know that God wants me to just spend time with Him unstructured by a lesson...and I will do that too.
Jackson went down tonight without getting out of bed once...that is amazing! And it was certainly a really great night for that to happen as I was about to come unglued with the two of my children screaming and whining nad crying and pulling on me at the same time (without Daddy home of course to help). Thank heavens he went down so great. And Creighton was a little bear cub for me but eventually went to sleep on the boob. :) I love it that she likes to nurse to sleep on nights like tonight. (Sometimes I hate it, but it came in handy tonight).
I am tired. But this is the earliest I have been to bed all week! Good night.

Scattered Honesty

I "read" the Bible online this morning before I went off to VBS and it was good, however, I still didn't have an amazing day, which is fine, it isn't like a bad day ward off just for reading...but it was funny, because the Lord is tired of me right now...well not me really but certainly my attitude and I was definitely disciplined and firmly and sternly put in my place...but I must say I haven't fully committed to being where He is leading me and where He wants me, yet...but I will. I know it. I am slowly moving there....It is just hard to hear that my ways, and the ME has to go....oh I am so selfish and lazy and so many other things, and I need desperately to let go of that....to be different, to be like Christ.
I was reading in Colossians and it was so very very fitting...too fitting really for me. I was really slapped with the Word and of course, you know that wasn't what I was expecting or what I wanted to happpen. I was just like testing God almost (hindsight) to see if He'd make my day better because I lazily spent "time" with Him...He wants all of me and I certainly didn't give him that. I am trying to convince myself to spend time with him tomorrow morning before VBS (before the kids get up). I hope I do. I honestly do'nt know if I will or not. But lets say I know I need to and I know it is my goal.
Well, there is me, my realness out there, my dirty laundry...but I needed it to be out there, even if noone reads it or cares, I know it is out there and I hope that atleast one of you will hold me accountable verbally or through thoughts and prayers...

My day today has ended on a good note...ladies night out tonight and some serious music therapy have done me well....

Foul

Today started off well. Now, however, I am in the foulest mood! Some friends of ours are moving to Texas and so there was a going away party for them and we were invited to go. Well, I didn't have much option other than to bring the kids...and lets just say, that was a BAD, very BAD idea. Jackson has turned into the devil child. I don't know what happened. He is too much for me to handle. UGH!!! Its like I am living a nightmare when he is at his worst. (I must say, that sometimes he is so sweet and a perfect angel). But, lately he is just is out of control and I don't know how to get him IN control....that sounds great. I am the mom...and I sound like I have no control over him...maybe because I don't really. And the worst part is, he caught on. I must find control. He is the terrible two. In 2 weeks from today he will be two! The terrible twos I thought began about 18 months, but really that was just a little precursor, a little mini course on what it was really going to be like.
I must say that he is now talking more. I will try to list some words he is saying now:
Mommy, Daddy, help, more, Bob, Pop, Nahnah (Donna), outside, orange juice, juice, Taylor, home, bye, bye-bye, hey, Mom, Dad, No, bubbles, shoes, yeah, ohhh, wow, duck, I, go, where, and I am sure there are more I just can't think of right now. Anyway, so we are moving up in the world of talking.
That being said, I am grateful he was a late bloomer in that area because more often than not, I'd rather just not know what he has to say---oh as soon as I was thinking that to type it, I realized I am still in a foul mood and that sounded awful, so excuse me. I think a nap would do me some good.
bye.

swim scare

Yesterday was a really long and crazy day, but overall a good day I guess, minus about an hour of it! My saga drama that happened yesterday is this:

We went swimming at the Casselberry's pool and it was a little cold and Jackson decided he didn't want to swim...he was pretty fearful of the pool too because he slipped off the step and went under (no big deal, because he had his floaties on) and he did NOT like that. So he was playing in the yard and on the patio being a sweet little guy...and I was talking to Katie laying out by the pool and watching him. I turned my head for less than 20 seconds and I hear a big splash behind me from the hot tub area. Of course my heart drops out of my body and I get up and SPRINT to him. I can see the terror the absolute shock and terror in his little eyes as he is trying to do anything and looking for me to save him. He was definitely under the water by the time I finally got to him and I was horrified. He was horrified. I was crying, he was crying. He was coughing up water. I was crying some more and praying some more thanking the good Lord for watching over him and letting me get to him as fast as I did. It was awful. I now HATE pools and know the incredible FEAR of losing a child right in front of my eyes. It was awful. I felt like a horrible mother for even turning my head and/or letting him take his floaties off within a pool area. I am still unsure as to how it even happened because I am certain that he was not wanting in teh water, he wouldn't even come NEAR the pool at all, not within even 10 feet of it. So I am wondering if he slipped or what happened ....the hot tub had a floating cover on it and so I think he just didn't know it was a pool. It was so dirty too...full of leaves and bugs and dirt and he swallowed it....ugh! But that was absolutely the LEAST of my worries at the time. I am just thankful he is okay....and I am recovered....my emotions must have been seriously scared because I had the worst dream (nightmare) ever that he had died and what life was like during that. I woke up with a dreadful physical pain in my soul. I hurt. And Jackson slept with me last night too, and so when I woke up I just held him and kissed him and was so thankful for him all over again.

Anyway, besides all that, I have had a good week. Last year at this time I was a basketcase with Jeff gone and this time I have passed with flying colors. It was Jeff that struggled more than me this time. He is missing Jackson (well, and me and Creighton, too) but specifically jackson really bad! Jackson got really upset last night when he heard his daddy's voice on the phone...I think becasue he misses him so much. ...goodness knows he asks about him like every 5 seconds throughout the day. Anyway, and so that upset Jeff a lot that he was so sad about him.

Jeff comes home tomorrow and I am EXCITED about that. I am excited to see him and hug him and kiss him. :)

Well, the kids are all well. Creighton is doing much better now and that is good. jackson is getting closer everyday to being 2. bob the builder party is going to be fun!!!

Jeff gone, Life

Jeff left for Waco, Texas Friday morning really early for the mission trip (Mission Waco). Granted its only Saturday night, but I am doing okay this time. Last year when he left I was a basketcase. I had to go on anti-depressants....but I was pregnant with Creighton at the time and they made me very very sick so I really only took them once and never again, but I was certainly not "okay" last time and although I am very sad he is gone and I miss him, I am okay. Like I said too though, he hasn't even been gone for 48 hours yet though :). I found out today though that they are coming home a day early because they had plans to attend the Collide Festival in Sherman, Texas on their way home and now the festival is cancelled due to weather. I am sad for them that they can't go, but I am very happy to have him home a day early!
Jackson went to be with Terrie for the weekend and Creighton and I have hung out with my parents all weekend...it's been great. Jackson comes back Monday morning early to Bville with Debbie (Jeff's stepmom). And school starts this week (M/W) for Jackson too. So, M/W won't be too bad and of course Debbie will be here to help me also, so it should be fine. Then Thursday my mom took off and we will play with her and then Jeff comes home Thursday night! :)

Creighton turns 7 months old in 10 minutes...well technically I guess more like several hours but in 10 minutes it is June 3. Jackson turns 2 in like 21 days and that scares me. I can't believe he is two years old. I ordered his cake today. We are having a Bob the Builder party for him! I am excited about that! My babies arent so baby anymore. Jackson is getting so big and so helpful (most of the time) and Creighton is unbelievably older than she is in reality. She is doing so much and Jackson is talking more and more each day. He is really catching on to things too. He is so smart. He is very very into details and I can tell he will follow in my footsteps being a perfectionist...which I am sorry for him for that because although it might get him far and ahead it is a pain in the butt!

I turned 27 this past month too...and Jeff turns 28 next month....life is really moving fast. Sometimes the days last for an eternity, but the years go so very fast. So fast...

I miss my baby and my hubby tonight. I am so thankful for my mom and dad and their incredible hospitality and love. I am thankful for my family. I love my family. I love my life and I hate it that I don't always FEEL that....but right now, life is good. I am blessed, so very blessed.

My protector

Hahaha...I had to start out with a laugh because it was so hilarious...and obviously I will never be able to make it sound as funny with just words because actions definitely spoke louder....but here was a tidbit of our dinner table conversation last night:



Daddy: Jackson, I am going to be going away for 7 whole days and I need you to protect Mommy and sister, okay?

Jackson: (silent for a moment) then: MOM!, yeah. (flexes huge muscles and smiles)

Mommy & Daddy: (DIE LAUGHING!)



like I said, I knew I couldn't convey the true hilarity of the event on here, but I needed to make sure I posted about it so I could remember it years down the road. This picture wasnt' from last night but just a reminder to me of those sweet muscles I am "protected" by. I am so blessed!

A-Z about me...these are silly

A--Available, Married or Single: Married
B--Best friend: the love of my life - Jeff of course!
C--Cake or Pie: Pie (especially of the apple variety)
D--Drink of Choice: Water, Sweet Tea, or Purple Frost Gatorade
E--Essential item you use everyday: computer
F--Favorite Color: Bright Blue or Purple
G--Gummy bears or worms: Either as long as they are Haribo brand!
H--Hometown: Pasadena, Texas (born and raised till 13) (Tulsa, OK till after college)
I--Indulgence: Samantha Lin massages....heavenly!
J--January or February: February it is the shortest month ever! :)
K--Kids and names: John "Jackson" (1st born boy) & Creighton Teal (2nd born girl)
L--Life is incomplete without: my family
M--Marriage Date: August 16, 2003 (coming up soon)
N--Number of siblings: 2-Christy Leigh(older sister), Clay Daniel(younger brother)
O--Oranges or apples: I like both, but I have to be in the mood to eat either (I like Pink Lady apples and they never have them at Walmart!) Jackson and I have found our special spot to eat oranges together (just the 2 of us) and so I think I might have a new favorite...they always taste better with my little man by me!
P--Phobias or fears: honestly I am at times terrified of the dark (like when Jeff is gone)
Q--Fave quote:
R--Reason to smile: So my kiddos will smile back!
S--Season: Fall ( like the weather the best here)
T--Tag 3 people: Maria, Rose, Kara
U--Unknown fact about me: I have had 11 surgeries (without a major illness or problem to attribute them to, they are all unrelated)
V--Vegetable you don't like: there are lots I don't care for but if peppers (bell, green, red, any kind) are veggies then that is the one i dislike the most& if they aren't veggies, then maybe cauliflower
W--Worse habit: pacing on the phone, biting my nails
X--Xrays: (see letter U) I have had so many I wouldn't know where to begin. I would have to say the worst xray experience would have to be with Jackson when he had RSV/Pnemonia and he was only 7 months old and they stuck him upright in a tube to xray his chest and it was awful! he screamed bloody murder the entire time and they had to get the right timing of his cries to get the xray right--it took 4 times and he had to stay in the tube the whole time. Here is the picture...(makes me sad still)
Y--Your fave food: I love italian--pasta. I love mexican food as long as there is queso, and i love shogun!!
Z--Zodiac sign: Taurus (May 15th)...

Creighton

Creighton is a machine! She is like a master at crawling, sitting up and now she is pulling up on EVERYTHING. I have another fearless kid also! She is so funny. Poor kid already has LOTS of bruises and bumps and she isn't afraid *(maybe not quite smart enough yet) to go right back at it after she stops crying. She has a super sweet disposition and is really great a majority of the time. She likes to be near me....well, anyone, she just doesnt' like being alone ever. It is a good thing and a bad thing. She is too dang cute though because I see one smile and I melt and I see her HUGE pouty lip and I give in...every time! She has mom figured all out. I love her with all of me...I can't believe she is already 6+ months.

She is getting bigger (longer and skinnier) everyday. She is super lightweight which kinda worries me a little. She refuses to eat food...no matter what it is. I haven't found anything, nothing that she likes yet. Jackson ate like I starved him from the git go and she isn't interested at all. Iam lucky to get a few (as in 3-5) bites in her mouth and goodness knows she doesn't swallow a half of that even.

Pictures and Mommy & Me with Jackson

I feel like he is saying "pfff, what the heck?!"

I really liked this picture that Jeff took of Creighton. We were at Jeff's dads house and their outside is awesome....they have lots of land and beautiful trees and a pond.

The newest family picture from Mother's Day...

This was my mother's day picture...I didn't know we were taking pictures and so we had all already changed out of our nice clothes and got in our "riding home" clothes. Oh well...

Creighton is getting SO big so fast. She is an expert crawler now and she is sitting up really well for the most part on her own and can even get to the sitting position by herself

My babies with their blankies and binkies...how did she catch on so quickly to being like big brother?!


Something is up and it won't let me put anymore pics for now...I will post more later...today has been a good day but a hard and long one too. At moments I didn't think I'd make it (several moments) but then at others, it was the greatest memories ever! It kinda makes me sad sometimes because Jackson adn I have had so much fun today and played hard and well and I just loved it but I rarely ever get the opportunity to play with him like that because I usually have both kids and am holding Creighton or something...I love having them both obviously and I love them both, but these moment and memories I have made today make me wonder what life would be like if we'd have waited and spread them out a little bit more. Creighton has had a rough last 36 hours...so she has rested today well this afternoon and that is why I had so much Mommy and Jackson time. I loved it. I loved it I loved it! THIS is what being a mom is all about! It was just fabulous! I am so tired though I can barely see straight...I know after today that Jackson is missing out on a lot right now from me...but I can't really give him any more than I am usually, not with both of them awake. That is heartwrenching and there is NOTHING I can do about it. I think in a year it will be different again when Creighton is older...but what about the time we missed and the now? Okay..ramble ramble ramble....goodbye

My birthday

Today was my birthday and it was fabulous. My husband is amazing and wins the husband of the year award for making today so special for me. It started with a card key to a local hotel so I could rest alone and rest I did! It was great. (I think that is the greatest present ever!) Then I was on a scavenger hunt around town with my friend Kara for the rest of the afternoon today. She was my "mystery" person who met me at lunch at Aroma's, a nice Italian restaurant in town. Then from there Mikey dropped off $50 in bville citybux for me to use (and get my next clue) at Something Like That. *I ended up not getting anything though* And, then my next clue was to Maggie Moos where I had an AMAZING chocolate ice cream with mixed in oreos and a waffle cone! It was heavenly for sure. From there Kara and I went to the mall and I did buy two shirts for myself (on sale for $5 each) at the Gap and I bought Creighton an outfit and Jackson a cute shirt. Then the plan was originally for me to have a massage from Samantha Lin, MY MOST FAVORITE MASSEUSE ever!, but she is out of town and didn't get in in time, so it is next week....but that is 100% okay. We came home and I played with my kids *which on top of it all, he watched them all night and day for me so I could sleep/play (and he even got work done with them). Then we went to meet my parents for dinner in Tulsa at Olive Garden. It is my Dad's birthday too! He was sweet enough to go to OG with/for me because he really doesnt' like it...but I LOVE IT...the poor guy....he probably hasn't gotten his way on his birthday in about, oh 27 years (that's how old I turned today)...then we went back to my mom's for cake and it was yummy! IT was chocolate cake with carmel layers inside and choc. icing and carmel and pecans drizzled on the top! I ate about half of it myself. I am very dairied out right now.
We are home and I am tired after a long but amazing day. My heart is full, overflowing with blessings and thankfulness and love. I have great family, great friends, and a great God.

Happy birthday to me!

Mother's Day , we're back!

We're back and we survived. We almost, however, didn't even get there. I swore it wasn't meant to be because literally FOUR different routes to get to Jeff's parent's house were closed/blocked. It was ridiculous. Creighton screamed her head off roughly the entirety of the trip coming and going. I was a basketcase! Jackson was screaming at me "MOMMMMMEEEEEE" the whole time from the backseat and most of the time he will just watch his movie and be quiet...but no...not on the way down. I dislike traveling with my kids...they just don't enjoy traveling...they hate being in their carseats...hate it. Let's be honest...I don't enjoy driving much either...when I was little we drove all over carnation in the car all the time and I passed the time by sleeping (which is my favorite thing) so it was Okay but I still didn't enjoy the long long hours and the back aches. Anyway, we did get there...

We didn't do much Thursday night but eat and go to bed. The kids both were wiped and somewhat still under the weather and so that was about all we had in us. Jeff started not feeling well either that night and didn't ever fully recover while we were there...but hopefully it has passed because it is super busy for him the next month, starting with tomorrow!

Friday Jeff took me out for my birthday dinner....very sweet and it was fun, and I loved being out wiht just Jeff, and of course, the grandparents wouldn't rather be anywhere else but playing with the kids....so it was a win win for everyone!

Saturday we celebrated with the whole Enid gang for Jeff's Masters! It was uneventful, which in a situation with several divorced sides of family that is ALWAYS the best outcome and kind of event! Jeff got some money which is nice, it will help towards the loan we get to start paying on!

Sunday, Today we went to church and it was good. I must say I was not thrilled to be going to the Presb. church of his grandparents, but I was quite impressed and glad I went. (nothing against Presby, mainly I was wanting to not go to church at all---bad attitude I know)) Anyway, then we had lunch with lots of people and it was actually not near as chaotic as normal and it was pleasant. We dodged out early though to go meet up with Jeff's dad and family and we were only going ot stay for a little bit, but we decided to stay for a while and we just got home a little while ago about 10:30 or so and I am pooped and ready for bed.

I am so thankful to be in MY house...I love being at home....I love it! I love my house, my bed and my things and MY COMPUTER!...but not more than just my home...and my space and my comforts...i am such a homebody...Maria I don't know HOW you do it. Thank goodness God created us all differently!

Hope all of you had a good mother's day! Mine was pretty good. JEff got me a card and traced both the kids' hands in it...it was cute! Brownie points for him. Smiles for me.

Apparently though he has planned something special for my birthday and I am excited to see what it is...scavenger hunt is what I was told...I will tell more Tuesday!

Celebration

We are off to the MIL this weekend. We are celebrating Jeff's graduation, my birthday and mother's day...can we say a lot of celebration...:)
I will have to post pics when we return. Adios.

Wait, before I go...
Jeff,
I am so proud of you. You amazed me this past year in your dedication, determination, and perserverance towards your overflowingly full plate of life. You worked so very hard for your Master's, to be the very best husband, daddy and youth minister, plus so much more that you do. I couldn't be more proud of you. This weekend is when we celebrate the finality of the hard work you did to earn your degree, however, I know that this has changed you and pushed you and shaped you and that this is also a celebration of a new beginning and of a life of learning for you. I love you with all of my heart and I am proud to be your wife and best friend. Your children will have big shoes to fill now (as if they didn't already?). Thank you for doing this for you and for our family. Thank you for pressing on when it seemed impossible. Thank you for putting up with me when I seemed even more impossible! I love you! Congratulations!!!!
Love,
Courtney

A good quote...lets be real!

"We must be what we seem. I'm just suggesting we quit trying to "seem" perfect. Because we're not...and sooner or later people are going to find out. I'd just as soon tell them in advance."

Rainy days, and updates

Fairly certain that I don't live in Seattle, although this week it has felt that way. It has rained heavens heart out this week. Man on man...the little bit of sunshine we did get this afternoon was marvelous. Seriously though the storms have been insane here. Lots and lots of thunder/lightning. Lots of power outages (thank heavens ours was not one of them). It is flooded in lots and lots of areas...people flooded IN their homes. Not ours....just in our surroundings/vacinity. Very sad! Ready for pure summer

Creighton is so funny...she is doing things crazy fast. She went from crawling along (which I think was early anyway) to sitting up and being able to sit up from crawling by herself and she can do situps already...she has the worlds strongest baby abs I think. A six-pack is sure ot come soon :) Anyway, she is just changing and growing and doing it all so fast. Before I know it she won't be nursing anymore and will eat table food and be walking. I just pray her tummy issues go away soon!!!!! She is eating carrots this week...(although I did give her her first biter biscuit and a bite of my banana today (so funny how different (less anal) I am with her than with Jackson)). WE went to the doctor for her 6 mo well baby visit and she weighed 15.8 pounds and 26 1/2 inches long....she is a very long girl I think! She is average weight which is good, because her diet is weird and she really doesn't do much other than breastmilk and she rarely takes a full feeding still to this day...so we are all glad she is growing well...doc says as soon as she outgrows her tummy issues she'll be good to go and will probably gain a little more weight when she's able to eat more than a litlte bit at a time constantly throughout the day (I still feed her like every 2 hours in the day and every 4 or so at night)....I am ready for sure !!!!

Jackson is my sweet little guy. He can be a million miles a minute and as crazy and rambuncious(seriously i have no idea how to spell that) as they come, but then so sweet and mellow the very next minute. He is loud and he is quiet, he is calm and he uncontrollable, he is a little of everything--kinda like his mommy! I have always said the Garth Brooks song is about me "both sides of the fence" (I don't really know the real name of it, but that is what I call it). I think Jackson will be like that too. My college coach once called me a "jack-of-all-trades" and again, I think Jackson will follow suit. He loves details and is so good mechanically already like his daddy. He picks up on this so fast. He can do anything (atleast he is sure of that). He isn't really talking as much as I'd like, but for the most part I can tell what he is wanting/needing...and right now he wants/needs lots of cuddles and I couldn't be more joyous about it. I love it that he likes to cuddle. I am a cuddler...Creighton is not!

Well, I should put some new pics up soon...

Tears, Tears, and More Tears

The Colaw's left today. I have been trying to push back this day and all the emotions that come along with it for a LONG LONG time and so now that today (the day) actually came, it was really hard. They came up to Grace to say goodbye to a lot of folks and I knew that I'd get to say good bye to them there. I shouldn't have even worn makeup...I knew I was going to be crying, but I wore makeup anyway...and as I expected, it all came off!
I kept pushing it off and pushing it off till the very last second still and so I was the last goodbye and I was balling and Becky was balling and Jeff has mascara on his shirt and I had none on my face. I went back into service, only because I had told someone I'd come sit with them, and proceeded to cry (and occasionally sob) my way through the message, through the Lord's supper and the end of worship...ugh!
I hate saying good bye and I am NO GOOD at it. And then, to make it even more ridiculous I watched Facing the Giants (movie) and I cried and I DO NOT CRY IN MOVIES...I have only cried in 2 movies (now 3) in my whole life. I am blaming it only on the fact that I was already emotional...although, I really did like the movie. The acting was next to horrible, but by the end of the movie they bring you in so much to the story/characters that you can ignore it enough---apparently since I was crying!
Anyway, I hate losing friends....not that we aren't friends anymore, but it makes me so sad. I hate it. I wish they weren't leaving but I know this is what the Lord has for them...and they are doing such an awesome job of walking out in faith...and faith alone! The Lord has blessed them and will continue to. He has brought them in and out of so many things and finally has put firm ground under them to stand on...He is good! But I just wish California wasn't so far away.

24

Okay, so we don't get many channels on our tv because we are cheap and only use an antennae and thus, only get about 4 channels or so. Because of this we watch our favortite show...THE Show...on dvd or someone else's tivo.

24

Hello...it is sad how much I think of this show and really it all has to do with my love of Jack Bauer...and really lets talk about that...because I know his name is Keifer Sutherland, but its not...there is Keifer and then there is Jack. Jack exists you know...in my head he does and always will.

Anyway, we are in the middle of season 6 right now and it is awesome. Probably totally unrealistic in a "outsider's" opinion, but amazing if you are addicted like me. I get so wrapped up in it I think it about and dream about it and sometimes that is more "real" than our real life we live in...such as a few seasons ago, I really thought that our President was David Palmer...which by the way, he would do a much better job than we one we have or have ever have...again, like Jack, but not quite as crazy, David Palmer exist(s)(ed)....I loved him as President.

Now I am sure that you are thinking I am psycho...but that is only if you dont watch 24...and if you don't watch 24 then youwouldn't understand a thing this post is about...and if you do watchit and still don't understand, then I suppose that is okay...but you aren't as big a fan as I am then :)

I love it. I can't wait to watch the rest. We have 4 hours to catch up to real time in the season....then maybe we can watch the final epsidoes live at someone's house....so exciting!

sorry for the complete randomness of this post....

yes, 24 is addicting in every way like cocaine and alcohol, so procede with caution :)

I am thankful for lots of things: Creighton is 6 months old! Jackson is being a really sweet and very big helper, Jeff is a wonderful husband, my parents are watching the kids tonight, for summer

May

Its May! May is a good thing. We have so much going on this month though, my head may begin to spin. Jeff graduates (officially and everything) this month May 12! Its my birthday May 15 (and my dad's too). Its mothers day May 13! Its our garage sale May 18 & 19 (ugh). Its the church's garage sale May 25& 26(even more ugh). Brittany, the asst. youth leader comes May 17. Its summer at least in my world, may= summer....I love summer....and I am finally not pregnant for the first summer in 2 years. :)
Sad news this month the Colaws leave May 5th (so so so sad that this day finally arrived as they have been trying to leave for 2 years).

Its just a crazy month!! But I am certainly glad it is here.

Creighton turns 6 months tomorrow. She started crawling yesterday and today she is even better at it. She seriously tried to PULL UP on her crib this morning too....she is ridiculously strong...ridiculously! And now all the fun begins.

Jackson is becomming such a sweet and big boy. He is beginning to talk a lot more...we have added several words to his vocabulary which is nice, but we mostly likely will be no where near the 250+ words at age 2 like he is suppose to be. ...we are definitely still under 20.

No more school work for JEff but now he is working on his portable seminary to be ordained...which is super exciting! Hopefully that will happen here in the coming year sometime. Seriously...he got his undergrad in 2006 (he was only lacking one class from his graduation in 2002), Masters in 2007, and probably ordained in 2008....he's hott~

Me...nothing exciting...I am turning 27 and that makes me feel old. That is so close to 30 it is scary...AND, our 10 year reunions are next summer....ahahhahhhah. I swore I'd never go to mine...but Jeff really wants to go to his and he thinks it'd be fun to go to mine....we'll see...

Rest, Speed, Dairy, Lovin'

Man oh man....Jeff and I went away this past weekend and it was fabulous. The kids were with the grandparents at our house and were well taken care of, and thus, it was amazing to be away. We went to Dallas and we did not see one person that we knew, not one! For those of you who know us well, that is an amazing thing because we know so many people in the Dallas area and we have had so many kids over the years through kamp/youth ministry from Texas that I was absolutely shocked! It was great! I had Jeff all to myself and our cells don't work (roaming) in Texas and so that was even better. We went to Six Flags all day on Friday and it was lots of fun except that there were 5000 Texas Assoc of Student Council teens there with us...(where the amazing that we didn't see anybody we knew part comes in). Six Flags was great because it was free (we had comp tix) and the weather was nice so it was good to be out in the sun and warmth! On Thursday before we left for Texas Jeff got his cast off and was put into a boot (removable, more comfortable, not smelly--all good things), so that was nice because he was able to walk all over the park and not be in too much discomfort or anything...and he got to shower and that is always a nice thing when you get to spedn time alone with your husband. We were gone from Thursday to Sunday and I truly think that it was the perfect amount of time...although I will admit I wasn't really ready to come home quite yet, but I was very tired of pumping and ready to nurse again--which is so much less painful! I got rest which was fabulous. We had no plans really at all except for Six Flags and we didn' trush out the door to get there at 10...I think we didn't end up getting there till like closer to 1 or so. We ate at Bennigans and they took a while to bring us our food so it was free! :) So free lunch, free fun, Friday was a GOOD DAY! Albeit, we were both EXHAUSTED by 10pm when we left and by 11+ when we arrived back at the hotel.
Saturday we were super lazy and I slept till like 11 and then still didn't leave the hotel till like 1 or so. Then we went out to the Traders Village which I can't explain why I like them because I hardly ever buy anything, but I love going to those things and we were there from like 2-6. Then we ate an appetizer/snack since we hadn't eaten all day because we had dinner reservations at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I had never been. It was really good food. We got a free dessert because we were celebrating our anniversary (lets just say a little early :)). Regardless, our meal was like 96$...they weren't hurting for money....Jeff's mom treated us to that meal and so it was free to us either way I guess...but anyway...it was nice...and romantic...but we were still at the restaurant at 11pm....holy cow....seriously who is eating dinner at 11pm...but we certainly were not the only ones there....craziness!
We left Sunday to return home and I think that the drives up and back were some of my favorite parts of the trip. I drove every second we were in the car all weekend long and we just got to talk...heart to heart, surface, deep, laugh, giggle, question, sing together, all that my heart wanted...it was just great! and...I must add that there is no need for race car trax in dallas (although there are some really awesome ones--we went to one) because all you have to do is get on the highway and it is real! I loved it. I drove like 80-90 miles an hour most of the time and was like I was in Nascar....IT WAS GREAT! It was my adrenaline rush for awhile...Oh how I would love to go on the Autobahn and just go go go as fast and as long as I wanted...that would be so great. I love going fast....
Anyway....I had a fabulous time and I am "restored" as a mother and as a wife....My kids are beautiful and healthy and I swear they each grew a mile a minute while I was gone. I missed their sweet faces, but I know that I am a better Mommy to them now because I left them. I ca'nt wait till we go again. Maybe like every 4-6 months or so...jsut to go away for 3 nights and get rest and eat whatever I want...(oh man, the dairy I did consume...at EVERY meal was amazing!....)and just get away and remember why I need Jeff and why I fell in love with him and let me fall in love with him all over again. It was fantastic....fantastic. I feel like a new person! It is amazing what sleep, love, fun, speed, & time away can do to a person....can't you just hear it in my voice...well in my words...I haven't felt like this in a long long time.
I could write forever I feel but I am not really saying anything anymore that I haven't already repeated serveral times, so goodbye for now....

Selfishness vs. Sacrifice

Bible study today was awesome. The Beth Moore study on Daniel is incredible. Its odd though because it isn't her typical bible study...but today was great and this past weeks homework was great. Her video today was definitely from somewhere deeper within her than could be from her alone...the Lord was all over it. I don't have my book in front of me with all my notes I took, but I was so challenged today...I am still processing it all though and haven't really had the opportunity to really know exactly what it is I am going to do about it all...ie, how I will apply it. The application part is the challenging part of it all...she was talking about selfishness and how we will miss our calling if we are selfish and how the world in which we live, and especially the culture in which we liveis constantly telling us to be selfish and that we shoul dhave what we want, when we want it and how we want it...but that isn't at all what God's plan is and if we give in to that lie then we will miss our calling...We were called to be living sacrifices (if I remember right it is from Romans 12:1) and that the antichrist is demolishing daily sacrfices like Antiochus did in Daniel...and how that is what he is trying to do is make us forget the daily sacrifice that we personally are. Its so big of a thought that I can barely wrap my tiny brain around it...but I am trying. I want to get it. I want to be it. I want to do it. I want to not be selfish...I want to be sacrificial...and be that living sacrifice. I know that I want that...but it is hard. And that is something else she said...if you aren't doing anything to deter it, you will be selfish, plain and simple. Motherhood has been the best thing to show me just how selfish I really am, and I have had to be selfless so many millions of times already and I know I will continue to be with them, but I want to be in my everything. However, this is where it gets really really hard to apply, because I feel I am so selfless in being a mother, that in everything else I should be able to do "something" for myself...but that wasn't promised us, nor is that even close to what the Word says is for us. I remember memorizing this verse at kamp in volleyball in Mark 10:35 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many." He did it. My selfish me wants desperately to say, well, He was God, he was perfect, and he knew he only had to do it for 33 years. I am not God, am far from perfect and only God knows how many my days are numbered...I could be 90 or older :) I am just being real here, real and honest and vulnerable for sure. I don't get it all. BUT...I want to. I want to be different. I want to be something I am not right now...something I have never fully been before. I don't want to wait till I am done being a tired mommy...because that day may NEVER come (sure seems like it).
Anyway....I wanted to get that all down and out...it was for me really...but maybe someone else will gain some insight or atleast questions from it. Who really knows with my head and thinking if you even followed it (especially since it was written in 2 parts on 2 seperate days...I could'nt finish the first time I sat down and I never made it back to the computer till today).

I am thankful for my comittment to learn that I made...because I am learning and that is good.

a lot of nothing

I had a fabulous time at church last Sunday. It was really great just to be there and to be worshipping. Its been so long it seems since I was at church and actually able to enjoy it and relax and BE there in the moment, in the uniqueness, in the presence of the Lord...it was nice. I hope that the kids stay healthy for me this weekend so that I can go again...they also seem to get sick Saturday night...I think the devil enjoys watching me, preying on me, and loves to make it happen so I can't go and worship. I hate that! Fevers and puking for little ones make it not possible to take them to the nursery....therefore, I can't go....I pray for their health every Saturday....well usually most days, but very fervently on Saturdays :) I really wanted to get that on the post, just so I would remember...thanks for listening

I had dairy out the wazhoo last night and it was terrific....we went to Ted's-mexican food-where they give you free queso, chips, salsa, flour tortillas, and sopapillas...that was fabulous! I ate queso like I was a starving child or something...I think literally I had 4 bowls by myself....it was so yummy....and I had cheese on everything I ate (except of course the delicious sopapilla--I had 2). Then later that night we went to Cold Stone...which I was disappointed in for sure, but oh well....oreos and ice cream....
I am shocked that my stomach isn't hurting as bad as I thought it would be...I am doing relatively okay. We went out with our friends Becky and Brent Colaw because they are moving to California in the next week or two. We had a good time...but it is sucha shame that I am so tired because after like 10 I was just in zombie mode...and I was planning on spending time with my husband together at home since we had no kids, but I just fell right asleep...poor him. Oh well...this too shall pass---I swear I hear that almost daily...I think that is my least favorite quote...not because I don't like it...but because EVERYONE uses it and thinks that it just should solve all of my problems...well, it doesn't. UGH! sorry about that little rampage for a split second...I think I am just really tired of everyone throwing that around and at me.

Well this blog was super pointless really but that is okay....by the way...I have left 2 huge picture posts (Easter pics & Family Update) and no one is commenting on them...I like comments...I like to see who is reading...so comment! :) Especially when I leave fun pics behind for all to see... :) (thank you for those of you who do comment, have commented and ahead of time for those of you who will comment now)

I am thankful for my night without children that I was able to sleep through the night...that was amazing!

Easter Pictures!

Easter pictures:

I love my babies...I thought that they were so cute...Creighton's dress was so sweet...too bad she had to wear a sweater over it because it was too cold for no sleeves...who knew...the days prior to the weekend it was 86 degrees! This picture makes me laugh...they were on the little Thomas couch and it tipped sideways on them...it looks funny like they were on a ride together or something.

Jax wanted to show his eggs and his muscles at the same time!

This was the best we got...not too bad considering everyone was hungry and tired and ready to be doing anything but taking a family picture! Oh well I tried. :)

Here is Jackson's first easter egg hunt at a local church in town and it was too cold outside so it was inside....he loved opening the eggs, taking out the candy and trying to eat it...he couldn't have cared any less about the "hunt" or the eggs or anything else...he is one smart cookie!

Here is Jackson "hunting" the eggs but when he found out that none of them opened with candy inside he was quickly bored and Clay and I (my brother) began hurling them at each other and we had a fabulous time doing it! I love my brother! The picture below is like 5 minutes after coming in front the "hunt"...Jackson was in the bed asleep and Jeff was in the computer room I think and I was laying in the bed shortly after I took this picture....:) Easter took it out of us all

Ignore the horrible look on my face and you can see my pretty new outfit....:) I felt pretty in it...although at this point in the afternoon I 'd had it on for too long and you can't see my new shoes...which were/are awesome! I wore them again this Sunday....

I'm back

Our computer is kinda working every now and so that is good enough for me. I love having access to the world beyond my walls...

I miss blogging. I can't wait to add pics...I think that is one of my favorite things--pictures...especially of my babies...I just love them. They looked pretty cute at easter too...:)

Um...okay so its been so long since I've blogged that I have TOO much to say to begin tonight and I am tired so I think I'll try tomorrow.

Jackson is saying "bubbles" now...but it sounds like "BUH-Bool" andit is SOSO cute...that will be my one update for today.

I am thankful for Jeff being just about finished with school...and for sure finished with the majority and no more crazy madness weeks! And also, I am looking forward to the end of the month when I get to go on vacation with my husband....ALONE :>

no computer

I absolutely hate not having a computer with which to attach myself to the outside world, but for now ours is crashed...and this time I am not certain we are getting it back on...atleast I know we have a backup harddrive this time and so I am not insane with craziness of trying to get it to go back on for fear of losing it all. I just wish we hadn't shelled out so much money buying the dumb thing for it to only crash a few days after the warranty expired...our luck!
Anyway, I didn't think I was going to make it through the week on several different occasions...but luckily its almost over and that is refreshing.
My mother-in-law is in town to help and play with the kids which is so nice...I love help and Jackson loves having grandparents around because he gets spoiled. I got a little spoiled this time too because I got a whole new easter outfit for tomorrow: shoes, shirt, skirt, necklace and earrings...yeah me :)
I am tired still right now but I slept last night for like close to 7 hours straight because Terrie got up with Creighton! :)
I am thankful for that and the fact that Jeff has an office computer I can bombard to connect with my computer world.
Happy Easter everybody!

Whining

Well I do believe that single mothers are now my hero...especially if they are single when their kids are babies...I don't know how on earth they do it...except for maybe because they are at work all day and only with their kids for the evening/night and so it makes it seem "better" because they cherish the time they do get with their kids. I am exhausted...beyond exhausted and I hate it that I am because I always am so irrational when I am tired. My body requires like 10 hours of sleep to function...lets see...that happens NEVER when you are a new momma...and so I am sort of just in a crazy state of tiredness and mentally retarded at all times right now. I can't wait for Jeff's sake, my sake and the kids sake for JEff to be finished with his masters...it will be so nice to actually have a husband and a daddy again. Seriously I don't know how he is surviving either...no sleep and working or writing or reading all the time...till 3-4 in the morning for consistantly 4 days straight...and tomorrow he is reading/writing ALL day from like 9a-midnight trying to get finished up...he has so much due all at the same time....its ridiculous that it is all due on Easter weekend...when everyone is in ministry and the school is a christian university...ugh! Why don't they think through things like that!?
Jackson has begun to notice my deep stress/tired state and has begun to be a "terrible two" a little early. Of course, after I posted he was doing so great in his bed, he has now begun to test me like never before....yesterday I got tired of spanking him so I gave up....I didn't have it in me...he apparently didn't need the nap EVEN THOUGH I DID...He is testing me so much with his whining too...oh...I hate whining...I know some of you are like "well, listen to yourself, woman..." but atleast you don't have to read this, or HEAR it...it just hurts my ears...and God love him, he is a persistent kid...he does NOT give up. Later in life, this will be seen as a super asset and character quality for him, but right now, ugh! I just want to put duck tape on his mouth sometimes...I just wish he could TELL ME what in the world he wanted...it is so frustrating to both of us.
Anyway, sorry for my rantings and complaining and whining...
I am thankful for Our Lord and Savior Jesus and that He is so selfless to have come to die on a cross for us. What an amazing God we serve!
I know that I have no room to complain like do and I am really so blessed....trust me I do KNOW this...I just have to remind myself...alot when I am tired.

Eliot

If you haven't read Eliot's story, please go to his blog and read from the beginning. Matt and Ginny are unbelievable...rather God is powerfully working in them, through them, with them, for them. They have just recently joined with Igniter to produce this film : 99 Balloons It is amazing and worth every second of the 6 minutes and 10 seconds it will take. I know his sweet life has been such a blessing and testimony...

Our computer is down and so I don't have a clue when/how often I will be able to post....but we are all doing well. I hope you enjoyed the posts below full of updates and pics...

April Fools

I wish I had heard those words this morning from 12:30-4:30...but it wasn't a joke...rather a gross reality. I am so thankful that I got sleep the night before because I didn't get any last night. Jeff has big stuff due tomorrow morning and so I thought I'd let him read really late and I stayed up with him to help him stay awake and encourage him. We went to bed about 12:30ish or so. Shortly after that Jackson was up and I didn't know why..but I gave him his binky and blanky and laid him back down and came back to bed, within 30 minutes Creighton was up and hungry so I fed her and put her down and came back to bed only to get right back up less than 5 minutes later to her wailing...so I gave her some tylenol because she seemed very uncomfortable and rocked her and fed her some more(for about 45 more minutes)...she wasn't really finished when I heard jackson crying for me again. So I put her in her bed and prayed she'd go to sleep (which eventually she did). I went to check on him and there it was....the grossest (that has to be a word (:) nastiness ever...he puked and it was everywhere...walls, floor, blankets, pillows, blanky, binky, pjs, mattress, EVERYwhere...so I scooped him up and puthim in the tub and thankfully Jeff (who was absolutely amazingly helpful and such a good husband to me and daddy to jackson) got up to help strip the room/bed. Jackson didn't get sick again, which was nice, but it was weird. He didn't run a fever and was just kinda like...okay hurry up I am tired its like 3 in the morning and I want to go to bed. I was the one somewhat "freaking" out that he'd get sick again and I didn't want to put him in his bed and anyway I rocked him for what seemed like an eternity and he wasn't comfortable it seemed so I asked him if he wanted to go to bed and he said yes...so I hesitantly put him in his bed and checked on him like every 5 minutes for about 30 minutes and finally went to bed myself. THankfully he didn't get sick again. I was sad because I really wanted to go to church and had all of our clothes already laid out and everything...oh well. He woke up this morning at 8:10 and my brain was like...NO! But I got up with him anyway. Poor Jeff has sucha long day ahead of him and he is so tired too. He has chruch and then the big True Love Waits event tonight and then he has to finish the 483 page book he has to read and then write a 14 page paper due tomorrow morning at 8am. ...if only April Fools would reign down some joking on all of this for the both of us...but reality is none of it is/was a joke...but we are okay...and we will make it...we always do. Maybe pray for the two of us today though if you think of it.