Christmas 2007

Five different Christmas celebrations with different sets of family. Piles of toys everywhere. It was a wonderful Christmas. :)

Some highlights:

Jackson was so sweet... after opening a really neat race car from his great-grandparents, he went up to them (UNPROMPTED) and said "Oh, thank you, great grandmomma. It's a racecar! Oh boy!" Wow, he's really growing up. I'm so proud of him!

We had Christmas at our own home for the first time this year. The only other Christmas we had in NC was when Jack was born - but even then, we weren't home as we were still in the hospital. We spent the morning playing with his new toys and games. He is fascinated by his new art easel and in no time had marker ink all over his hands and face. Our den is covered with toys and leftover birthday balloons, no matter how often we pick them up!

When handed a present, Jack kept saying, "A present? For MeeEEE?".

I think Jackson is starting to get that his birthday is over, and that it is now JESUS' birthday celebration. He sang happy birthday to him a bunch, and he can practically recite the stories of Gabriel, Mary & Joseph, and the visitors (aka shepherds & wisemen). I look forward to teaching him more and more about the God that loved us so much that he became "Immanuel" - God with us. Truly the most wonderful gift that could be given!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

Happy 3rd Birthday, Son!

Jackson at 2 years.

Jackson at 1 year

Jackson at 1 month

and now....

Three years ago you entered this world, my little Christmas baby. You were as boisterous then as you are now. It was hard to believe that I could love someone so much - a love that truly grows with each passing day. I love to see the boy that you are becoming! You have such passion for life. That giggle of yours is absolutely contagious. You are such a people person - you are perfectly content performing in front of a room of people! And, I love how you can pause from all the boyhood rough-housing to sit and snuggle with your mommy!

Jackson, my birthday prayer for you is that you will always know how much mommy and daddy love you. That you would grow to be a boy (and eventually a man) with integrity, love, and that your passion would be for the Lord.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Christmas/Birthday part 1

We just returned from Knoxville, where we celebrated Jackson's birthday and Christmas with Mommy's side of the family. Jack was lavished with gifts. It was amazing that Daddy could fit it all back into our car for the ride home! It is still hard for him to understand that its both his birthday AND Christmas... even with different wrapping paper. But, believe me, he isn't complaining. He was so excited about all the presents! Hard to believe my baby will be 3 in just a few days.

So far, there have been some themes to his gifts... books, thomas stuff, puppets, cool new bath toys, a camping set, a big wheel, fun electronic gadgets and so much more. He got a children's digital camera that he loves. He went around the party taking EVERYONE'S picture. Funny thing, though... he's not so good at aiming the camera and a bunch of the pictures are from his height... and let's just say they were not flattering shots of family members rumps and such! While we hope to post some of his pics soon, those will not be a part of that! :)

Jackson also enjoyed playing with "Baby Eweeott" (aka cousin Elliott Kate). He wanted to take her picture a lot. She was gracious to share her toys. It was fun to have another little one at the family gathering!

From the mouth of a babe...

Recent funny sayings:

1. "Hungries" - as in, "I am ready to eat hungries." Oh, he says food, lunch, dinner, etc.... but occaisionally he says that he wants to eat hungries. I love it.
2. I have been giving him a choice between 2 options a lot lately. So, today I get this response: "I want bread ... or more bread", with his hands in the position of 2 scales. Bread was not one of the options I gave. He's a crafty little guy.
3. After prayers the other night when we thanked God for lots of things, Jackson said, "Say 'you're welcome'." As if he were waiting for God to say "you're welcome". I had a fun time explaining that one.
4. He can't say "Snoopy" without totally wrinkling up his nose and making the funniest face. It comes out more like "Sssnooooopy". I'll try to catch a picture of it. You should see me making up things just to get him to say it so I can see the face.

Christmas festivities around town

Yesterday, we enjoyed our community's first annual Christmas Parade. Jackson and his buddy, Ty, really loved it! Their favorite part was the firetrucks.

Later, we enjoyed the town's tree lighting party. Jackson finally decided to go see Santa, thanks to the free candy they were giving out. Doesn't he look thrilled??