Six Years and Counting...

A few weeks ago, Mike and I celebrated our 6th anniversary. We went to a beautiful B&B in Valle Crucis (bairdhouse.com) and spent time in one of my favorite places - the mountains. Here are a few pictures of where we stayed.

I can't express how truly blessed I feel to be married to a man like my husband. He is so encouraging and kind, an amazing father, and a man with incredible faith. And, I am so head-over-heels in love with him!!!

Imogene Wright Reasor (9/11/1925 - 5/1/07)

On May 1st, Jackson's great granny got to meet Jesus face-to-face. How incredible that must be. After the death of someone so loved, it is easy to wish that they were still with you. Ironically, while we wish she was still here, Granny is wishing that we could be where she is... sitting at the feet of her Savior, praising the Lord with all the saints, totally whole and without suffering, and finally re-joined with her true love (T.I., my grandfather who was taken by the Lord over 20 years ago). Mike had the privilege of doing her funeral... and in preparing for that, my aunts, cousins, and friends shared their stories and memories of granny. How she was promised to another man, but fell in love with my grandfather over a pint of ice cream on the front porch swing. How she loved to shop. The bottom-less candy dishes. Her love for her 5 daughters and their families. Her love of animals, camping, and UT sports. How she overcame some adversities in life... This past week, each time I sat in the recliner that used to be hers, I smell her perfume... and I'm reminded of my granny.

Granny, we miss you and love you very much. We thank God for the time we shared. And, that we will see you again.

Good things come in ... E's!

So, over the last 2 months Jackson has gained 3 new cousins - Ethan, Elijah, and now Ellie Kate. Needless to say, he is having trouble distinguishing all the "Baby E"s. How precious that he'll have cousins so close in age that he can grow up with.

Here's more pics of Ellie Kate - less than 24 hours old and decked out in pink!

My new cousin -- Ellie Kate!!!!!

Introducing the newest addition to our family - Elliott Kate! We love her already!!! She was born today, a little premature, but totally healthy. She is 6lbs, 7oz and 17 1/2 inches long. Uncle Tyson and Aunt Amanda are so proud and are doing great. Jackson can't wait to meet his new cousin. And, mommy can't wait to spoil her with all the cute girly clothes she never gets to buy!

Our son is bilingual

While having our friend Amanda over for dinner last night, Jackson was showing off for the pretty lady by serenading her with random songs of gibberish. He is quite proficient at this. However, since this inhibited our conversation, mommy prompted him to count for her instead... and he counted to ten (well, he got hung up on "seben", but he eventually made it there). Then, we hear something a little unexpected..."uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinqo"... Now, we could have played this off and made Amanda think we were these incredibly cultural parents that teach Spanish or something from very early age. Um... not the case. Mike and I looked and each other totally bewildered. Amanda cracked up.

It seems that during his recent sickness, he has watched a bit too much TV - and we suppose that Dora or Diego has taught him some Spanish!! Who says TV is bad for kids?!

recent funny doings and sayings...

He’s my little conductor. Jackson gets me next to him, hands me an instrument ("onstament"), and say “ready, set, go” and then we play music together. (taking after Leo??)

Calls his daddy “mike” A LOT all of the sudden.

He will put hands on his cheeks (picture 'Home Alone' scream) and say “oh no… a mess”

Moon = "mun"
TV = "bowbie"
Airplane = "jet" or Ah-pain"


After a 5-6 month hiatus, he now calls himself “Jackson” again. Before, when I asked him if his name was Jackson, he would reply “no mommy, I Jack” (or Jack-Jack).

When he likes a food (no, not vegetables) he does a little shimmy dance and sings “yummy, yummy!”

He has finally realized that if he is gentle with Daisy, our skiddish cat, that she will sit next to him and let him pet her.

After dog-sitting for Trooper, he now has a new vocabulary -- "Mommy, come!", "Mommy, sit!", and "Daddy, stay!"

Neighborhood Egg Hunt

Our neighborhood sponsored an Easter Egg hunt last Saturday. After practicing at home, Jackson was anxious to find some eggs!

Daddy literally had to hold him back! He was ready! Unfortunately, they made the 3's and under crowd wait for what seemed forever.

He was so excited he dropped his basket and his dad had to catch him and give him his basket back!

Enjoying the spoils of his labor! Lollipops!

Cookout Fun

Whoa. Who is this 35 year old man stuck in the 80's??

Pete and Mimi

Remarkably, Jackson's grandparents were with us for about 3 days this past weekend and we only got a handful pictures! Unfortunately, none of them included any of his "Mimi." She will have to send us some! Nevertheless, we had several photo opts with "Pete." Jackson loves his granddaddy Pete and simply calls him "Pete." Pete and Jack spent a lot of time on the den floor this weekend reading books, as you can see below.

Trooper

Jackson's newest obsession is Trooper. Who is Trooper? Trooper is the dog we are dog-sitting while until our friends find a new house. Jackson loves Trooper. As soon as he gets up in the morning he starts saying, "Outside. Trooper. Shoes." Translation - "Where's my shoes? I want to go outside and play with Trooper." He didn't even ask for milk this morning because he had Trooper on his mind. Jackson loves for Trooper to chase him and gets really scared/excited each time as Trooper nearly knocks him down. Trooper is skilled at running as fast as she can right at Jackson and then turning at the last second. Jackson loves it.