The Jackson Five

Monday, January 21, 2008

Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

Riding the race cars

Jeremy and the boys riding Dumbo

Lana and Jim

Breakfast at Cinderella's Castle

Riding the bus to Magic Kingdom

Sunday, January 20, 2008

On the road to Disney, packed to the brim!!!

We returned last night after midnight from our Disney trip. We left last Friday afternoon and got to Disney on Saturday and went into Magic Kingdom that night. On Sunday Lana, Jeremy's sister and her boyfriend, Jim, ran the Disney Marathon, so we went to MGM to see them during the race. We went to at least one of the parks everyday through Friday and drove home yesterday. We had an amazing time!!! Garrett and Graham did so much better than we expected. Garrett wanted to see EVERY character (except the mean ones!!!) I think we got a picture and autograph from every Disney character imaginable! But, that's what it's all about when you have kids!!! Garrett loved every minute of it. Graham loved just sitting in someone's lap riding the bus, or boat, or any kind of ride. We stayed in the cabins at Fort Wilderness Campground. We came in everyday to nap and rejuvenate before returning to the parks at night. We also usually ate at least one meal in our cabin, cooked by KK!!! We did 2 character breakfasts - one in Cinderella's castle and one at the Contemporary hotel, Chef Mickey's. Garrett wore a birthday button almost all week. (I know, his birthday was the 6th, but we milked it for all we could!!!) He finally got to where he didn't even respond when people said, Happy Birthday, Garrett! He probably wonders how long a birthday really lasts!!! I don't know how we'll top this 3rd birthday. Actually, we're talking about going this same time next year and I may try to run the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and Jeremy run the marathon on Sunday. (We'll see if that happens!!) Anyway, I have almost 200 pictures just on my camera, so I'll just blog a day or two at a time. These pictures can't possibly show just how much fun we had watching our 2 precious boys' faces light up. I wish I had a video camera on them during the whole trip!!!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Garrett's Birth - January 6, 2005

I forgot to post these pics of Garrett when he was born and at just a few weeks. I can't believe that was my "little G." He is such a big boy now and wants to do everything himself (except use the potty!!) We are going to tackle that when we get back from DisneyWorld next week! I just love him so!!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Garrett's 3rd Birthday

Garrett turned 3 on Sunday, January 6th, but we had his party in Meridian on Saturday the 5th. He wanted a Mickey Mouse Birthday party since we are going to DisneyWorld in a few days. (That's the reason we had a small, family party!) He went with us to buy his birthday plates, napkins, etc. a couple of weeks ago. Almost everyday he would say,"I want to have my birthday party right now!" And he would pull out all the napkins, and plates etc. and talk about his party. We had his party at 5:00 that night and he was dressed with his shoes and coat on ready for the part at 10:00 that morning!!! He busted his lip right before the party! He got all kinds of drawing stuff, including an art/easel set that he and Graham are playing with in the bottom picture. The top picture are his cousins - Kennedy, Cameron and Luke. Notice how unhappy Graham is!!! Thanks to all of y'all for coming! We're off to DisneyWorld in 3 more days!!!!!!!!!

Mom's Birthday - December 31

Mom's birthday was New Year's Eve. I spent it in Meridian with Dad and the boys. She would have been 59 this year. Actually, I did a lot better at Christmas this year than I thought I would. I heard a pastor say that the anticipation of the holidays is worse than the actual holiday, and I found that to be true this year. It also helps that I have 2 boys that keep me very busy. But, Mom is missed very, very much. Sometimes I find things in the house that she's written on while organizing my house, and it feels like she's been here. I just couldn't stop thinking about this being her first Christmas with the SAVIOR!!! And I thought how awesome this Christmas is for her. I wish I had a picture of her to put on here, but she hated getting her picture taken, so I don't have many. For Christmas my aunt gave me a windchime with Mom' s name and dates of her birth and death, and it and it came with a poem I wanted to share written by Al Littleton and Brenda Smith:

WHISPERS FROM HEAVEN
When I left this world without you
I know it made you blue.
Your tears fell so freely,
I watched; I know this is true.

While you were weeping,
Days after I passed away-
While all was silent within me,
I saw you kneel to pray.

From this wonderful place called heaven
Where all my pain is gone.
I send a gentle breeze to whisper,
"My loved ones, please go on"

The peace that I have found here
Goes far beyond compare
No rain, no clouds, no suffering-
Just LOVE from everywhere.

You need not be troubled
Just stay close to GOD in prayer
Someday we'll be reunited
My love, HIS love surrounds you always,
EVERYWHERE!

Christmas 2007

We had a wonderful Christmas. The boys got way too many toys, including a train table, a Bob the Builder tool bench, a kitchen, and many other things that they are enjoying. Garrett left his blanket ("shang-shang"- he can't say "blanket") for Santa Claus with the milk and cookies. It was the saddest thing ever, but he wanted to do it. He kissed it goodbye and walked away from it. However, for Christmas he also got 2 more blankets, but we don't carry them around. They stay in the bed. I also had to rearrange their rooms to make room for all the new toys. When Graham gets out of his crib, they are going to share a room and make the other room a play room. They have started playing well together (for a little while) and it just warms my heart when I hear them laughing together and playing. I can't imagine what's left for next Christmas for them to get!!!