The Jackson Five

Ella's 1st birthday

2010-08-30T16:48:00.002-05:00

9 months
6 months

the boys meet Ella

2010-08-30T16:41:00.002-05:00

Ralph Morgan Rodeo - Meridian

2010-08-30T16:25:00.003-05:00

Notice how sweaty Garrett is!

Ready to go!

The boys with their cousin, Luke

Garrett's 1st day of Kindergarten

2010-08-30T16:19:00.002-05:00

Graham's 1st day of K4

2010-08-30T15:48:00.001-05:00

Dixie National Rodeo

2010-02-24T14:16:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to the rodeo with the Woods and Henson families. Our boys LOVE the rodeo. They will sit and watch the whole thing. They especially love going down to the dirt during the concert and dancing! Apparently, Ella likes the rodeo, too. She didn't make a sound through the whole thing. She watched and didn't fall asleep! Graham wanted to go again the next day.

Ella at 6 months

2010-02-13T22:11:00.003-06:00

I can't believe our sweet little Ella is already 6 months old tomorrow! She is the perfect angel. She's such an easy baby. She's a good sleeper and is good on the go. She adapts well, thank goodness! She loves her brothers and laughs at them all of the time. She loves to sit in her daddy's lap. I can't imagine life without this precious angel!!!

"Flower child"
Her sweet smile!
Look at my new trick!!!

Snow Day

2010-02-13T21:46:00.001-06:00

Yesterday morning began at 6:30 am when Garrett saw that the sun was up and snow was on the ground! Graham slept til 7:30 and by 8:30 they were out in the snow for the first of three times. They didn't like their hands being cold and wet from their gloves, so the first time didn't last very long. Also, Garrett hit Graham in the face with a snowball so he got mad. They came inside and I dried all of their clothes, hats, gloves in the dryer and they were out again a couple of hours later. That time lasted a little longer. Sweet little Ella got to got outside once to look at the snow. Then in again with clothes in the dryer until Jeremy got in at 2:00 from work. They finally got to build a snowman with Daddy and had a snowball fight. Our snowman had oreos for eyes and a mouth and a hotdog for a nose! What fun memories were made!!!

2010-02-13T21:41:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to Garrett!!!

2010-01-06T23:02:00.002-06:00

I can't believe our first baby is 5 years old today! He had a big day beginning with donuts with Daddy, followed by cupcakes at school, lunch at Chick-Fil-A and dinner at El Sombrerro's with Papa and Mimi. His personality is so sweet (except for when he's tired and aggravates Graham and Ella). He calls me his sweetheart...he loves being like his daddy...he has started saying "yes, ma'am" and "no, ma'am" on his own...he loves to help do anything...he loves his baby sister to pieces...he walks Graham to class every morning and carries his bag for him...he loves to entertain and make people laugh...

He is my favorite 5 year old in the whole wide world!!!

age 4 - with green cupcake icing
age 3 - first soccer season
age 2 - when he broke his arm
8 months - wearing Papaw's hat
just a few weeks old

Pizza and Bowling with friends

2010-01-03T22:47:00.001-06:00

Mary Blake Gentry
Thomas Cross

2010-01-03T22:42:00.000-06:00

Graham
Kanon Gentry
Garrett
Caroline Cross

Christmas Day 2009

2010-01-03T22:35:00.002-06:00

My sweet family
KK and Ella
Graham LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine!!!
Garrett has gotten into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
They were acting silly as usual!

Christmas Eve with the Boatner Family

2009-12-30T13:14:00.002-06:00

Taylor and Ashley Hartzler
Tori and Cade Culpepper
Aaron Boatner
Mary Ashley Culpepper
Kasie and MariBeth Runnels

Ella's hospital birth pics

2009-12-20T21:29:00.003-06:00

I know these pics are 4 months old, but I just got them back from the photographer. Since it took so long I got the CD of the pictures for free!

Santa pics

2009-12-20T21:16:00.001-06:00

Last night we went to Bass Pro Shop to take pics with Santa. The boys and Ella did great. These are the sweet pictures I took. (I think Santa had a long day!)

Ella with her brothers

2009-12-08T21:15:00.003-06:00

Tonight we had a little photo session with my new camera. I'm still figuring it out. I decided since Ella will be 4 months old next week, it was time for some new pics. As you can see, Graham wasn't that into it. He just wanted to be silly. Garrett loved getting his picture taken with Ella, as usual. My next attempt will be a photo session in their Christmas outfits. That should be entertaining!!!

Memphis weekend

2009-12-07T13:07:00.002-06:00

Catherine, Jodi and me
Me and Jeremy
John drinking his chocolate milk after the race
John and Catherine
Steven and Jodi

2009-12-07T12:56:00.003-06:00

Jodi just wanted to get in the sun after the race...doesn't she look cute in her leopard headband!
The Cross's, the Gentry's and the Jackson's
Steven in his "foil" after the race
Jodi in her "foil" after the race. We laughed because everyone looked the same after the race when they were wrapped up
The runners!!!

We spent the weekend in Memphis with two other couples. It was our first get-away since having Ella. We had so much fun. The reason we went to Memphis was to support our friends running the St. Jude half marathon. They all 3 did great! We can't wait for our next get-away weekend with friends!!!

I do...

2009-12-04T07:09:00.003-06:00

West Lauderdale High School Senior Prom 1994

10 years ago today I said, "I do" to my best friend. Jeremy and I have been friends since we were 6 years old and he became my best "guy" friend when we were 16. We started dating the beginning of our Senior year even though we were so afraid we were going to mess up our friendship. 6 years later we were married. "I can't fight this feeling anymore. What started out as friendship has grown strong" (by REO Speedwagon was one of our favorite songs - that one and "In my dreams."!!!) I can just see us riding around in his little navy blue truck holding hands and thinking "when are we ever going to be able to get married?"

Over the past 10 years we lived in 8 different apartments/houses, had 3 children and 1 dog, Jeremy's had 3 different careers, and 8 years of medical school/training!!! Although the past 10 years haven't always been easy, I wouldn't trade any of it. I hope the next 10 years with my best friend are even more wonderful than I can imagine!!!

MSU vs. Bama weekend

2009-11-16T12:59:00.003-06:00

This weekend we went to Starkville for Jeremy to work at Oktibbeha County Hospital and go to the game. He works one weekend a month or every other month and the hospital puts us up in a room. This was my first weekend without Ella. She stayed with KK and Papaw, and she did great. Friday night we went to the basketball game. The boys had never been to a college basketball game before. Graham thought it was too loud, so we only stayed the first half.

Saturday night we went to the game, but the boys only lasted about a quarter before Graham was saying, "I want to go back to the hotel!" He thought that game was too loud, too!!! Luckily we were staying right off campus so we were able to walk back.

Sunday we went to a little bit of an inner-squad baseball game and then to the movie to see "Where the Wild Things Are." I didn't really understand it! That was after we walked out of "A Christmas Carol" movie because it was too scary! We got home last night after picking Ella up in Meridian at 11:00! We enjoyed our weekend even though we had little Ella missing. All weekend Graham kept saying, "I want to see my baby!" It was good for me to get to enjoy my boys again. It seems like I haven't gotten to enjoy them in a while because it's always Jeremy and the boys and me with Ella. And before that I was pregnant with Ella and didn't feel like doing anything!!! Thank goodness that part is over!!!

Garrett and Taylor

2009-11-06T15:08:00.003-06:00

Today Garrett's friend, Taylor, came home with us from school. Taylor, Garrett and their other friend, Gage, were in the same class last year and this year. They call themselves the "superheros." We started the afternoon off with lunch at Chick-Fil-A then came home to play. Graham hung in there with them for the most part, until he got his feelings hurt and would go to his room mad! Poor Garrett always has to play with Graham's friends, so I decided it was about time he had a friend to come over. (If I tell them we're going somewhere with Graham's friends, Garrett will say, "Why do I always have to play with Graham's friends?" But then he always has fun.) They had so much fun, playing everything. I've never seen such short attention spans!!! Taylor is so sweet. When he first got in the van from school I asked him if he and his little brother, Noah, had been sick. (He also has a new baby brother, Luke at home.) He said, "yeah, he had green diarrhea!" Kids are so funny, and it's so funny to watch your kids play and interact with other kids. Garrett sure is going to miss Taylor and Gage when we move to Birmingham. I pray that he finds sweet little friends as soon as we get there!

Ella's new smile

2009-11-06T09:42:00.003-06:00

Ella is 12 weeks old today! She smiles all the time now when we talk to her, and especially when her brothers are talking to her. She loves to snuggle and be rocked. I love that! I am enjoying this baby so much. She is the sweetest thing. She has been sleeping through the night since around 3 weeks. She loves to sleep. After about an hour of being awake, it's time for another nap. She's like her momma!!! Last night was the first time we've gotten a babysitter for all 3 kids other than the grandparents. They all did great!

Orange Beach

2009-10-13T14:13:00.002-05:00

This weekend we took a trip to Orange Beach with KK and Papaw. Since the last time I ended up in the hospital, this time was better. We stayed at Phoenix on the Bay which was awesome. It had a water slide and lazy river outside our balcony. The boys loved it more than the beach. We did enjoy a couple of hours on the beach one day, but they preferred swimming at the condo. One night we ate dinner at Lu Lu's and the next night at Kosmo's - both were wonderful! The weekend just wasn't long enough! When we got home late Sunday night Ella was so exhausted she slept from 11:30 pm to 12:30 the next day!!! She went 13 hours without eating!!! You know, by the 3rd child you don't worry as much how long they've been without eating - you're just glad you get to sleep that long!

2009-10-13T14:09:00.000-05:00

Graham on the beach

2009-10-13T14:01:00.001-05:00

Garrett on the beach

2009-10-13T13:48:00.002-05:00

Garrett loved sitting in this chair on the balcony watching people go down the water slide and lazy river at the condo.
I love this picture of Graham!
This was Ella's first beach experience (who doesn't like to sleep on the beach???)
Playing in the sand with Daddy
Getting out all of the beach toys (Before we left I told them to pick out what beach toys they wanted to take from home. They filled up a garbage bag!)

Ella at 7 weeks

2009-10-13T13:41:00.003-05:00

This is Ella at 7 weeks. At her check up she weighed 9 lbs 4 oz. (25th percentile) and 22 inches (90th percentile). She has just started smiling. She has always been a good sleeper like her momma! She is such a precious, sweet baby!!!

Ella's Sip-n-See

2009-09-23T14:04:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday my sweet friends gave me a Sip-n-See shower for Ella at Catherine Cross's house. She got so many cute things. Thanks so much to everyone who hosted and came to the shower. It was fun getting cute girl stuff!!!

My sweet Ella Katherine Jackson
Stacy Seago, Mary Katherine Segrest, Me and Ella, Dara Ritter, Jodi Gentry and Catherine Cross

Ella's Birth

2009-08-16T22:35:00.003-05:00

Ella Katherine is here!!!

2009-08-15T10:16:00.002-05:00

Ella Katherine arrived yesterday by c-section at 7:50a.m. weighing 7lbs. 4 oz. and 20 inches. She is beautiful, but I know she's mine!!! So far, she doesn't cry or make any noise...I'm sure it will change when we get home!!! Garrett is just smitten with her - wants to hold her constantly. He talks to her and sings to her. He is so nurturing. Graham just wants a popsicle when he's here at the hospital. He's not that into her yet. I am so excited about this baby girl and watching her grow up with all of my boys that love her dearly!! I am so truly blessed!!!!!!

Our beach vacation...

2009-07-15T21:23:00.002-05:00

Friday evening after Jeremy got off work we headed to Orange Beach for the weekend thru Monday. As you can see there are no pictures because I ended up in the hospital Saturday morning-Sunday at noon at Foley, AL. We think I got food poisoning Friday night on the way down in Mobile. I woke up at 2:30 am with terrible stomach cramps and sick to my stomach. The next morning I told Jeremy that I was weak and scared for this baby in my belly (I'm 34 weeks) and scared knowing this was how my mom died 2 1/2 years ago. I would sit in the bathroom and cry and say, "God, please make it go away!" The stomach pains were so bad. I couldn't help but think that was how my mom's last few hours were, only worse.

Garrett was so sweet. Right when he woke up he came to my side of the bed at the condo and said, "Momma, I'm sorry you're sick. I want to give you a kiss." A little bit later he came to me again and said, "You can have my blanket. It's real soft and it will make you feel better. You can have my ya-ya, too (his stuffed dog).

We decided to go to the hospital and got there around 10:00 am. The boys had their swimsuits on ready to go that morning. Finally, at about 2:30 after we saw the dr. I told Jeremy to go on and take the boys to the beach. I ended up staying overnight. I got IV fluids, meds to stop contractions, and the best part - Demerol for the pain. I was discharged Sunday at noon and we went back to the condo. The boys got in a little more beach/pool time late that afternoon and the next morning. However, my feet never touched the sand and I never got to eat any seafood!!!

Jeremy was super-daddy over the weekend. He took care of the boys and rented them movies, etc. and let me do nothing but lie in the bed. The boys were fed, although they didn't have a bath all weekend....I think a dip in the pool counts, don't you??? I don't know what I would have done without Jeremy. He said on the way home now he's afraid I know how capable he really is of doing things!!! The good thing is the boys got a lot of "daddy time" over the weekend, although I hated not being there!

We're planning another beach trip in October. This time we'll be taking Ella Katherine with us and hopefully, Jeremy's parents! (This was the one time they didn't go on vacation with us!) This next trip should be a whole lot better!!!!

YMCA T-ball 2009

2009-06-30T13:17:00.004-05:00

This year was Garrett and Graham's first year to play t-ball. Garrett was the oldest on the team and Graham was the youngest. Jeremy was one of the coaches along with every other dad. It was so funny. During the first game Graham got mad when he didn't get the ball on defense and threw his glove and ran off the field crying. (He gets that from his Papa!!!) Needless to say he basically liked playing offense! Garrett loved it and did great! In this league they didn't keep score or outs or throw players out. Basically they all get to hit the ball and run the bases! Almost every player on the team was a friend from church. We were pretty much the "Pinelake" team.

2009-06-30T13:13:00.000-05:00

MSU @ Trustmark Park

2009-06-30T13:03:00.002-05:00

This was a few months ago when MSU and Ole Miss played at Trustmark Park. I'm trying to catch up!

Dad and Linda
Papa, Garrett, Mimi and Graham (I love this picture!)

2009 State Champs

2009-06-30T12:55:00.002-05:00

Back in May my dad's baseball team, West Lauderdale, won their 11th or 12th (I forgot which) high school baseball state championship at Trustmark Park. We ended up splitting and won the 3rd game. It was a very exciting series!!!

Graham eating a frozen lemonade
Garrett, Cameron, Graham and Kennedy
Garrett, Cameron, Papa, Graham and Kennedy

Graham's 3rd birthday party

2009-06-28T10:59:00.002-05:00

This year for Graham's birthday party he wanted "a man riding a horse" or a cowboy cake. He loves horses, cowboys, cars, trucks and motorcycles. Garrett thought it was just as much his party, too. We had the party at our house with water slides and swimming pools, a pinata and pizza. I think all the kids had a good time. Thanks to everyone who came!!!

Garrett and Graham opening presents after everyone left
Blowing out the candles
The birthday cake - you can hardly see the two horses at the bottom

2009-06-28T10:52:00.002-05:00

Hank, Raylin and Garrett
Thomas, Caroline and Elias
Luke and Kanon
Graham and Caroline
Graham, Caroline, Hank, Garrett, and Raylin

2009-06-28T10:42:00.002-05:00

This is the water slide that we bought.....long story but the kids loved it and will love it all summer!!
Graham and Hank
Raylin and Caroline
Luke, with Garrett behind him
Hank and Raylin

Elias's birthday party at the Ag Museum

2009-06-28T10:35:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we went to the Ag Museum for Elias Grantham's 3rd birthday party. The boys had so much fun. Graham got to do 3 of his favorite things....ride ponies, trains and carousels!!!! See how happy he is on the carousel??? Well, this was the last ride before going home and he pitched a fit!!!! That sweet little face can fool you!

KK's Birthday

2009-06-24T21:09:00.005-05:00

KK's birthday was June 2nd. I won't tell how old she is! KK and Papaw came over, and we went to El Sombrero's which is becoming a tradition along with a cookie cake. I don't know if cookie cake is everyone's favorite or if I just get everyone one because it is my favorite!!! We love our KK - or "Tay-Tay" as the boys call her!!!

Jeremy's 33rd birthday

2009-06-24T20:59:00.003-05:00

Jeremy turned 33 on June 4th. Birthdays aren't a real big deal at our house other than a cookie cake and your favorite meal cooked at home - steaks and baked potatoes. We usually go out to dinner just whenever we get a chance and instead of a gift, we save up for a trip (like to Disney World). It's hard to believe I've been the one who gets to share in Jeremy's birthdays since his 18th!!! He is an awesome father and husband. I don't what we would do without him. I can't wait to see how he's going to be with a little girl!!!

Jeremy's Residency Graduation

2009-06-24T20:42:00.005-05:00

(John Cross, Matt Cassell, Jeremy, Josh Cockrell - Jeremy's best friends in med school and residency)

We've reached another milestone... Jeremy graduated last week from his 3-year Internal Medicine residency! Yes, he is a doctor and has been for 3 years... My dad still asks when he's going to be a "real doctor," meaning when is he going to have his own practice? So, now the next step is his one year of Chief Residency, which he is in now. Then, next June we will move to Birmingham for another 3-year residency in Dermatology...Then we will return to Jackson for his practice to begin with UMC. So, the answer to the question -when will he be practicing? is 4 more years!!! Yes, by then Jeremy will probably be fully gray-headed and all our friends will be retiring, but that's okay. I know God has a plan for this LONG journey!!!

Graham's birthday

2009-06-23T15:29:00.003-05:00

Graham turned 3 today.... I can't believe my baby is already 3. For some reason I can't find his birth pics. I know that I have a lot of posts to catch up on, but for now, this is it! I'll post pics of his party later afterwards. Last night we went to El Sombrero's with KK and Papaw and we were going to get the waiters to sing to Graham. He realized what we were doing and started crying, so we said nevermind!

It is a very hot and long summer as I am now 31 weeks pregnant. Ella Katherine will be here on Aug. 14th. The boys are so excited, especially Garrett. He just loves babies, especially our friend, Caroline, who is 13 months. He is going to be so good with Ella - Graham, I'm not so sure yet. He might take a little while to warm up to her. He might surprise us, though!

2009-03-04T09:36:00.002-06:00

Two years ago today I woke up on a Sunday morning to a phone call from my sister that said, "Sha, you know how Mom was sick...? Well, she died!" For days and weeks I replayed that conversation in my head. I couldn't get it out of my head, especially every time I lied down in my bed in the place where I found out that news. Later, I thought about it less frequently, and then I would think about it every Sunday morning............

...........Now, I can't believe it's been two years. At that time the boys were 2 years old and 8 months old and Jeremy was in his 1st year of residency. I don't know how I could have gotten through this if I didn't have a relationship with Christ Jesus. He has filled me with His peace and His comfort. It has been nothing that I've done on my own. Sure, I have wondered 'why' many times, but my 'whys' and wonder have drawn me closer to Him thru being in His word in a women's bible study. Although I wish He could have brought me closer to Him another way, I'm thankful He was able to use this experience in a positive way. We still talk about Nana all the time to the boys. Just this week Garrett brought a flower inside and told me he wanted to save it to put it on Nana's grave the next time we went home! I wish Graham could remember her, but we have so many good things to teach him about his Nana.

Although God takes away, thankfully He gives, too. He has brought my dad a beautiful wife (on the inside and outside), named Linda. No, she doesn't replace my mom, but she has become my friend, and she has become "Mimi" to our boys. She is a companion for my dad who makes him happy and takes care of him. I prayed for God to send her for a long time. I didn't want my dad to be lonely the rest of his life. They are so happy together, and my dad deserves that again.

I write all of this to tell you what God has done IN me. His comfort has been unbelievable! He brings me comfort in so many different ways. I usually have a dream about my mom every month or so. Just a few weeks ago I dreamt that she was sitting in a chair, and I knelt down beside her. She told me how happy she is, and I asked her, "But why is it sad sometimes?" And she told me, "But I see everything that is going on with y'all!" I do believe that she sees and knows what is going on with us. My greatest comfort is knowing where she is. It has changed my view of heaven and of worship. I have said many times in the past, "I don't know what I would do if I lost ________." You've probably said it before, too, and filled in the blank with someone's name close to you. I never would have thought that I could still have peace and joy after losing someone dear to my heart. However, I choose to trust God completely that He has purpose in ALL His plans, even when I don't understand!

New addition to the family....

2009-01-23T21:11:00.003-06:00

.......My dad and Linda got married this past Sunday at Union Station in Meridian!!! It was so sweet! They are so funny. They act like their 16 years old again! Linda has two married daughters, Stephanie and Natalie, with 3 kids and a little boy on the way in March. So, actually, there are many new additions to my family. After Natalie's little boy is born and our #3 there will be 11 grandchildren between Linda's girls and me and Boo! Therefore, Dad and Linda are looking for a big house for us all to come home to!!!

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. We've been so busy. We got a laptop for Christmas, so I haven't downloaded any new pictures yet, but I will post some soon. Since my last post Jeremy has been on 3 Dermatology interviews to Birmingham, San Antonio, and Galveston, TX. Garrett had his 4th birthday; we've been to DisneyWorld, and then Dad and Linda's wedding! We've also been to our first OB visit and got a sonogram. We took the boys and they got to see the baby on the screen. They were so funny. Everything looked great and there was only one baby!!! My due date is August 24th. We are so excited. Jeremy seems to think we're having another boy. WE WILL be finding out what this baby is!

I'll post later when I get some pictures downloaded!

Mom's Birthday

2008-12-31T10:23:00.002-06:00

Today my mom is 60 years old in heaven. I miss her so much, and today I've been thinking about the things that I miss most about her:

I miss her laugh. Sometimes she would laugh so hard that she would poot! (She would kill me for telling that!)

I miss how she would always teach the boys something new everytime she kept them.

I miss how she could take care of me like no one else.

I miss how she would have my house spotless and re-arranged everytime we went out of town.

I miss how I couldn't find things in my house that she moved when we had been out of town.

I miss how she would have dinner ready for us after coming home from a trip.

I miss calling her on the phone and telling her the funny things the boys just did.

I miss getting her parenting advice when I need it the most.

I miss how she would give me advice even when I didn't want it or ask for it.

I miss my friend, my counselor, my prayer warrior.

I miss that I can't tell her that we're having another baby-(I think she already knows!)

I miss that she won't be with me when this baby is born, but somehow I can imagine that she will have the best seat imaginable!

I miss that I can't tell her how much I love her.
........................................................................................
Don't miss an opportunity to tell people how much they mean to you. You never know when it might be the last time you spend with them!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-31T10:16:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We found out the WE ARE GOING TO HAVE BABY #3!!!! I'm only 6 weeks, so the baby will be due in August....... and yes, we are going to find out what we're having.

The other good news is that Dad got engaged to Linda. He proposed on Christmas Day. Below you'll see pics of the signs that he made that led up to the proposal on the pitcher's mound of his baseball field at the school. I'm so proud of him. He did so good, and what he said to her was so sweet, but I'll keep that private and not post that for the world to see!!!

2008-12-31T10:15:00.000-06:00

This was the first sign Dad made on the way to his ballfield at the school

This was the second sign Dad made at the school. (Dadgumit is his signature word - he mostly uses it when he's mad during a baseball game!)

2008-12-31T10:11:00.000-06:00

Aunt Lana gave the boys their own bowling ball and bags. They loved them and we've already been bowling once.

2008-12-31T10:05:00.000-06:00

Garrett loves to shave with his Daddy, so Santa brought him a shaving kit. Every morning he wants to shave! (Notice he likes to wrap the towel around him just like Daddy does!)

2008-12-31T10:02:00.000-06:00

We sang "Happy Birthday to Jesus" on Christmas Day. This is going to become our new tradition.

2008-12-31T10:00:00.000-06:00

The boys enjoyed playing Aunt Lana's Wii that she brought over on Christmas Day

2008-12-31T09:57:00.000-06:00

Garrett got a new bike from Santa. So far only a couple of bike wrecks!!!

2008-12-31T09:54:00.000-06:00

One night while Jeremy was at work the boys and I enjoyed making a gingerbread house out of one of those kits. Surprisingly, they barely ate any candy or icing. They had so much fun!

2008-12-23T19:17:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I know it's been a while since I posted. We've been so busy, like everyone else. This month we've been on the interview trail for Jeremy's Dermatology interviews. We've been to Little Rock, Arkansas and stopped through Greenwood to see my grandfather and stay at the Alluvian for our anniversary. Then last week we went to Atlanta for an interview at Emory and stayed a couple of extra days with Dad and Linda. Boo and Kennedy met us there and we had dinner with Linda and her girls and their families one night. We had such a wonderful time and look forward to many more visits with them. The bottom pictures were taken at Stone Mountain on our last night!

Graham and Garrett

Kennedy and Garrett

Dad and his sweet, not-yet-official, fiance - Linda

Christmas Tree Farm

2008-12-23T19:01:00.000-06:00

These pics are from a while back when we went to Nichols-Boyd to pick out our tree

I love this picture!

Getting ready for bed.....

2008-11-24T19:37:00.000-06:00

Okay, so you've heard the term "potty-mouth?" Well, these are "potty-heads!" The other night I was getting the boys ready for bed and I finished brushing Garrett's teeth. I told Graham it was his turn to brush and I found him in their room looking like this!!! This is his potty seat on his head that we use on the potty while we potty train him. I am so glad I had just wiped it off earlier!!!

So.... Of course, since I laughed out loud at Graham when he did it, then Garrett had to do it, too!!!

These are all of my sweet boys saying their prayers together before bed!!!

Playing outside in the cold weather last week

2008-11-24T19:29:00.000-06:00

Fall Pictures 2008

2008-11-14T20:31:00.000-06:00

Here are this year's Fall pictures with Monique McGonagill. I love them! She did such a great job at capturing their little personalities!!!

2008-11-14T20:27:00.000-06:00

2008-11-14T20:19:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween 2008!

2008-10-31T16:21:00.000-05:00

Gotta love some Fall mums!

This is the little spider Graham brought home from school - it was a little pumpkin painted black

Graham showing me his spider

2008-10-31T16:18:00.000-05:00

2008-10-31T16:17:00.000-05:00

2008-10-31T16:15:00.000-05:00

Camp and Nash/Mary Bratton/Mary Katherine and Nash
Renee/Nash and Chad/Garrett, Mary Bratton and Camp
Raylin and Christie/Raylin/Tal and Beau

2008-10-31T16:10:00.000-05:00

Garrett's ready for the hayride (Notice the scratch on his face - he fell into the rock-thing at the indoor playground at Backyard Burger a few days ago!)

Me and Jeremy - our first kiss was 15 years ago on October 30th or 31st (I can't remember!) - Although I do remember that I had to kiss him. He was a little shy!!! It was on my carport after seeing Groundhog Day at my house.

Graham will shoot you for some candy!!!

Camp and Garrett (Garrett loves to play with Camp - although I think they like to get into trouble together!!!)

2008-10-31T15:57:00.002-05:00

The Jackson family

Garrett loves him some Spiderman!

Graham is about to cry because he just got in trouble and his feelings were hurt!

Daddy and Graham trick-or-treating

Last night we had so much fun trick-or-treating in Avalon with small group friends from church. We started this tradition 3 years ago of trick-or-treating together and then finishing with pizza and Renee's birthday cake! This year we had a hayride, thanks to Chad and Brigg.

Last Saturday night we went to Boo at the Zoo at the Jackson Zoo. Some pictures are from that night. We still have one more Halloween to go to tonight. This will be the 4th time the boys have dressed up for Halloween! Needless to say, we have way too much candy at our house!!!!!

"Garrett-isms"

2008-10-24T20:35:00.003-05:00

These are just some of the cute things Garrett has said over the past week. He always has me laughing or my heart smiling!

1) The other day he was coloring in a coloring book and said, "Momma, that white color doesn't work! Look, you can't see it!"

2) We were lying on my bed and he gave me a kiss on the lips and said, "I want to marry you, Momma! I want to dance with you under the stars!" I said, "Where are we going to get married?" And he said, "Disney World!" And then I said, "What are we going to wear?" And he said, "I wear a orange shirt (his favorite color) and you wear a green shirt (my favorite color)!" - (I guess it going to be a casual wedding!!!) Then I said, "What are we going to do after we get married?" And he said, "Ride rides!!!" - (As if, what else would we do?)

3) We were home last weekend in Collinsville and passed by the cemetery on our way to the reservoir and he said, "There's that flower place where we remember Nanny!" - (He's only been there twice!)

4) The other day he said, "I want to see Nanny." And I said, "We can't- remember?" And he said, "Soon we can see Nanny with Jesus!" - (I'm so thankful he still remembers her!)

5) We were riding in the van to Meridian and Garrett and Graham had just woken up from a nap and Graham had his pacifier in his mouth and Garrett said, "When did Baby (Graham) like a paci?" - (He meant when did he start using a pacifier.) And I said, "When he was a little baby he started liking a paci and when you were a baby I tried giving you one, but you didn't like it. We tried all different colors, but you just liked your thumb." He said, "It goes with my blanket." - (He sucks his thumb when he's tired and has his Mickey Mouse blanket with him.) I said, "Why do you like your thumb?" He said, "Cuz, it's dood (good)!" And I said, "Well, what does it taste like?" And he said, "Tum (thumb)!!!"

6) Garrett has these activity workbooks that Jeremy bought him that teaches reading and writing. He loves doing them. I was checking emails and Garrett wanted to work on them. I was really about to go in the kitchen with him and work on them, but I wanted to just delete some emails. It really was not going to take but a second. He said, "Momma, come on, I want to work on these!" I said, "Okay, just a minute." He saw me going down the emails hitting delete and he said, "Don't do it anymore, Momma." Then he said, "Come on, Momma, I want to LEARN!!!" - (Now how could you not jump out of your seat right then and play with him???!!!

7) Last night I was cooking breakfast to eat for supper and Garrett wanted to help me cook. He loves to do that. I had just told them that raw eggs can make you sick and don't touch anything with eggs on his hands. I put bacon bits and cheese in with the raw eggs to get ready to scramble them and Garrett starting picking out the bacon bits and eating them. Now I don't usually make it a habit to say this, but I said, "Dang, Garrett!" And he said, "What dang, is?" Needless to say, I got "the eye" from Jeremy!!!

I hope this little boy never changes and always calls me "his girl"!!!

Pumpkin Patch field trip

2008-10-15T15:02:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Lana's Pinelake K3 class

Garrett on the hayride

Ana Rose - I thought this was too cute!!!

2008-10-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

Gage, Garrett, Graham, Ana Rose, Anthony

Me and my friend, Jamye

Garrett and Graham

Garrett and his "best" friend, Gage, who is also on the soccer team with him and Ana Rose

2008-10-15T14:56:00.001-05:00

Garrett picking out his pumpkin

Graham picking out his pumpkin

Ana Rose

Anthony

2008-10-15T14:55:00.000-05:00

Garrett and Graham in the "maze"

Garrett and his teacher, Mrs. Lana, who he calls "Aunt Lana"!

Vacation at Disney World

2008-10-15T14:36:00.003-05:00

Last week we drove to Disney World on Friday/Saturday. We had a wonderful time, as always, especially with KK and Papaw. We stayed at our usual place, Fort Wilderness Campground, in a cabin. The highlight of our trip this time was something we had never done before, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade. On certain nights the park closes early for regular visitors but stays open late for the parade and trick-or-treating. It starts at 7 pm and lasts until 12 am. (You have to buy a special ticket for this.) Everybody dresses up, even the adults. We went as pirates, (Jeremy's mom made him a cute outfit) and KK and Papaw went as scarecrows (she made theirs as well!) We got so much candy and the parade was great. We didn't get to see the fireworks show because the boys were scared, and Garrett wanted to ride rides and get character autographs. If you're ever in Disney World in October, I highly recommend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween in Magic Kingdom! We stayed out late every night and came in for naps at around 3 or 4 and slept til about 7, then headed out again until about midnight. The boys loved it!!!

2008-10-15T14:31:00.001-05:00

Waiting for the bus right after we got to Disney

Graham and Papaw

Graham is just glad he can ride without a car seat!

Garrett is loving that we are finally to DisneyWorld!!!

2008-10-15T14:30:00.001-05:00

Riding the monorail

Epcot

Graham didn't too much like wearing his "Mickey ears"

2008-10-15T14:26:00.001-05:00

Garrett loved wearing his "Mickey ears"

Papaw and Garrett

Me and Garrett

Daddy and Garrett on Test Track - he loved it and this time he was tall enough to ride!!!

2008-10-15T14:24:00.001-05:00

Leaving the park with KK

You know all kids at one time or another want those stupid big suckers that get all over everything, and they never eat all of it! But we bought them each one anyway- why not, it's vacation?!!!

2008-10-15T14:21:00.002-05:00

The Pirate Jackson family

"Mean Pirate Garrett"

"I'm-not-sure-I-want-to-be-a-pirate Graham"

I thought Jeremy made a pretty sexy pirate with the eyeliner and all!!! (He did the eyeliner himself and said he didn't know how girls could put that stuff on!!!)

2008-10-15T14:16:00.001-05:00

The Pirate and Scarecrow families

Watching for the headless horseman to start the parade

Watching the parade

2008-10-15T14:13:00.001-05:00

Aladin and somebody (I don't know the monkey's name!)

I think they were on the "run away train" - that was the old name for it

Garrett dancing with Dale

Garrett and his KK

2008-10-15T14:08:00.001-05:00

Papaw, KK, Garrett, Graham, Jeremy and me with Donald Duck

Chip and Dale (the good ones - not the male dancers!!!)

Goofy

Garrett waiting patiently in line for an autograph!

2008-10-15T14:03:00.001-05:00

Tigger

Eorye

Pooh

The bears from "Brother Bear" - Garrett and Graham were all about some autographs!!!

2008-10-15T14:01:00.001-05:00

Wall-E (Garrett loves him some Wall-E, you should hear how he says it!)

Mary Poppins

Outside Magic Kingdom

Sacked out! (This was after the 3rd night of being up until 1 am or later!!!- I know, but it was vacation!!!)

St. George Island, FL

2008-10-15T13:25:00.002-05:00

The second half of our vacation week was spent on St. George Island, Fl, which is a small island southwest of Tallahassee. We met up with Lana and Jim and spent the rest of the week with them just hanging out and going to the beach. The island is not commercialized, so it is very quiet, only a few little restaurants and shops. There is a state park with campgrounds on the east end of the island. The closest little town was Apalachicola. It is a cute little fishing town. We went out to eat dinner there one night. Also, the weekend we were there they were having the annual Oyster Spat festival on the island. (In case you didn't know, b/c I didn't - a spat is a baby oyster!!!) Lana, Jim, Jeremy and I decided to run in the 5K on Saturday morning. Jim ended up winning in his age category! (I won't tell what your age division was, Jim!) Needless to say, I came in way last of the four of us, since I haven't been running in a few months! We had a good time just relaxing after an event-filled few days at DisneyWorld!!!

Oh, I almost forgot the worst part of our trip was when Garrett and Papaw were close to being attacked by a shark!!! Actually, 2 of them. It was our second to last day at the beach and we were on the beach beside a man fishing. (That should have raised a red flag!) We had seen 2 fins earlier, but thought they were porpoises (sp). So, Lana, Jim, and KK were on the beach and Papaw and Garrett were in the water just barely in the water, still standing up. Jeremy and I were in the pavillion where we had eaten lunch. I am walking out to the beach when I hear KK screaming, "Donald, get out of the water. There's a shark! Get out! Get out of the water!!!" I start running and starting to feel myself about to cry and panic at the same time. Lana runs in the water to help get Garrett and falls down. Meanwhile, I'm running over there thinking, "I'm about to see my Garrett get attacked by a shark, and there's nothing I can do!" Lana gets Garrett out of the water and Papaw gets out safely, too. Then we saw 2 fins swim away. These sharks were about 25 feet from Garrett and Papaw! And all this time Jeremy was in the pavillion using the bathroom!!! We left after that!!!

2008-10-15T13:23:00.001-05:00

2008-10-15T13:20:00.001-05:00

2008-10-15T13:18:00.001-05:00

Just like his Daddy.....

2008-09-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

Garrett has been all about his Daddy lately. Everyday when Jeremy gets home from work and walks in the door the boys yell, "Daddy!" and run and hug him. Then they've both been taking showers with Jeremy. So when they get out of the shower Garrett will tell Jeremy he wants to shave, too. (Don't worry - the cover is on the razor!) He is such a little Jeremy. He does exactly what Jeremy does. He even wants to lay by Jeremy just like he does. Sometimes when Jeremy isn't with us and I'm somewhere with the boys Garrett will say, "I'll be Daddy, Momma and you be Momma and Baby can be Baby." (He still calls Graham "baby" sometimes!) I think Garrett is going to be protective of his Momma!!! I can ask Graham whose boy he is and he'll say, "Daddy!" Garrett will say, "It's okay Momma, I'll be your boy. Your my girl!"

In this moment of watching Garrett wanting to be just like Jeremy I had a "WOW" moment. Actually the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "That's how God wants you to be with Him. He is your Father and wants to know you on such a deep level that your desire is to be just like Him." And the only way I can be like Him is by being in His word learning about His character.

Thank you God that You are my Father and for my precious boys and the godly father You've given them - Jeremy!

Garrett's First Soccer Game

2008-09-14T17:40:00.000-05:00

Saturday Garrett played in his first soccer game at the Flowood YMCA. He did so good. He is just like his Daddy - so "coachable" and a "people pleaser." He would do just what he was told. We have to work on his aggressiveness, though. It's hard to teach a kid to go and take the ball because you don't want to teach them to be mean. Towards the end of the game Garrett would look at us and say, "I tirsty (thirsty)!" We would tell him that it wasn't time for a break yet. Then he would run down the field and hold his stomach and say, "My belly hurts, I tirsty! Is it break-time yet?" Finally, we would let him come over and get a quick drink. It was an hour-long game!!! He had a good time and was worn out. Next year he and Graham will be on the same team. I can't wait to see what will happen then!!!

2008-09-14T17:27:00.000-05:00

Kick that ball!

Garrett (in the zone!) and Gage

Taking a Gatorade break!

2 soccer players - Kennedy (his cousin) and Garrett

Back home to Jackson....

2008-09-02T22:20:00.001-05:00

This is my favorite picture from the whole month in Birmingham!!!

....So, we're finally home and settled back in. Clothes are washed and things are unpacked, and I've finally gotten a chance to post pictures from the month in Birmingham. We had a great time staying with Jeremy's cousin, Wendy, and her son, Justin and husband, Randy. They live on a farm right outside of Chelsea, about 15 miles from Birmingham. We stayed in their remodeled basement. It was like having our own hotel suite, but better. However, I was so glad to get back to my own bed with no kids sleeping in my room!!! We shared a room with the boys sleeping on air mattresses on the floor. They did great, though, we just all ended up going to bed around 10:30 since we were all in the same room. Since we were in the basement we had no windows, and when Garrett would wake up he would say, "Is the sun up, Momma?" I would lie and say, "No, go back to sleep." It worked for the first couple of weeks, then I think he caught on. But, they have been sleeping later now! We did not "live" the whole month in the basement (although sometimes I'm sure they wish they could have locked us - or the boys - in the basement!) Wendy and I took turns cooking supper, and sometimes we would swim after Jeremy got home. He and the boys would always give the horses treats when he got home from work. We got to go to church with them one Sunday to "The Church at Brook Hills" - loved it! It was just like Pinelake. And, Wendy and I had a girls' day out shopping after church that day. We had such a good time visiting family and getting to know them better. Jeremy did enjoy his month at UAB in Dermatology, and he is planning to pursue Derm. We'll just have to wait and see what happens!! We missed everyone while we were gone. It's good to be back home!

2008-09-02T21:27:00.001-05:00

One day we picked up lunch at McDonald's and went to the park at Chelsea. Notice the awesome playground behind Garrett in the first picture, and that was just part of it!!!!!

2008-09-02T21:22:00.001-05:00

We went and played at a park in this little town called Mt. Laurel. The town is so cute. The best way to describe it is "Seaside," but in the woods. The town has cute houses, restaurants, shops, school, etc. The boys loved playing on the little train at the playground and we took a picnic lunch.

2008-09-02T21:12:00.001-05:00

Swimming at Wendy and Randy's house!

2008-09-02T20:49:00.002-05:00

One day a friend, Kimberly, and her son, Carson came over to swim and eat lunch. After swimming we gave Charlie and Red some treats. (I know, Garrett isn't wearing any shorts, but he had just come out of the pool - excuse our "redneckedness!" Isn't Carson the cutest thing you've ever seen!!!!!

2008-09-02T20:44:00.002-05:00

Jeremy, Jim
Lana, Garrett, KK, Graham and Papaw

Jeremy and the boys with "Deepo." (They can't call him Nemo since they're not Disney!!!)

2008-09-02T20:41:00.001-05:00

2008-09-02T20:40:00.001-05:00

Lana (Wa-Wa) bought Garrett an airbrush fish tatoo. He was so good while he was getting it. In the second picture he is showing it off, and in the third picture he was giving her a "Thank you" hug and kiss!

2008-09-02T20:35:00.001-05:00

One weekend we met KK, Papaw, Jim and Lana in Atlanta. We got in late Friday night. Saturday morning we went to the Georgia Aquarium. It was great! Then we back to the hotel for naps and to the Braves game that night. Sunday we spent the day at Six Flags. Needless to say, we had an exhausting, but fun weekend