Vacation Is Coming!

I know I haven't posted any pictures of Jackson's birthday, but things have been a little busy. I am taking 3 classes this semester, raising a 2 year old, working full time and getting ready to go on VACATION!! This will be our first vacation since Jackson was born. Boy do we need it. We have gotten away on our anniversary but nothing longer than overnight. We will be spending one full week in Gatlinburg with my entire family. This includes my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, neice, husband, and son. It is going to be so great. We have done this once before about 3 years ago and it worked out pretty well. Everyone got along and there wasn't any fighting that I could remember. Once we get back I will try to post some pictures of Jackson's birthday and our vacation. I can't wait to see how he acts at the aquarium. I just know that I am soooo ready to relax and not think about anything. My professor is going to let me take my midterm late so I won't have to stress about anything while I am gone. I might even be able to read a non-school book. If you can't tell I am really excited.

2 Years Ago...

This time 2 years ago I was on early maternity leave, sitting at the house waiting to have my baby. It is hard to believe, but my little boy will be 2 years old in exactly two weeks. These past two years have been very different but wonderful. When he entered my life everything changed. I have forgotten what silence sounds like. I can't leave a room without hearing crying or having someone cling to my leg. I can't go to Walmart without coming home with a new bouncy ball (Jackson's favorite toy - I have about 45 balls lying around the house). Until recently I haven't been able to sleep in my bed without his feet sticking into my back. Thankfully this past week he started sleeping in his own bed. There are a lot of things I miss but there are also a lot of things that I am thankful for. I love his smile and the way he calls me "Momma". I like to watch how excited he gets when he sees a dog. I love how he wants to hold my hand when he walks outside. I like how he wants to wear his hat just like his daddy. There are so many good things that have come from having him. He has really made my life better. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world.

2 weeks old

23 months

Christmas is Over

Well it was a good Christmas. Everyone was good this year and we all got presents from Santa. Jackson was very excited.

Everyone else was "plum tuckered out".

Santa

This year Jackson did so well with Santa. I have posted below his picture from today and also his picture last year. See what a difference a real beard can make.

TODAY

LAST YEAR

A Sad but Inspiring Story

Back in 2007 I was told about a website. It was a carepages website which is known as a website for terminally ill people. It is a place where they can vent about what is happening to them and also to keep in touch with others while they are in the hospital. This particular story was about a 16 year old boy named Miles Levin. He was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. What makes his story different from any other person diagnosed with this disease is that he has the most positive attitude about it. He blogs for 2 years about his life and how precious every moment is to him. He believes that he was put on this earth for the very point of showing people how to live positively in the face of adversity. I, a healthy person, was inspired by him to be grateful for everything we are given. I eventually printed the entire blog and made a book out of it. I encourage anyone to read this blog as it is still available online. Go to http://www.carepages.com/ and sign up. Then type in LevinStory to find the blog. Unfortunately, Miles lost his battle with cancer in August of 2007 but his message is just as clear today as any other.

Lots of Pictures

We have had a lot going on lately.

Jackson got his 1st haircut.

We went to a party at Cousin Jenny's.

My sister turned 40. (HAHA) I made her a tombstone cake.

This is the view from our front porch I was talking about in an earlier post. Unfortunately I missed the fall colors. But you can imagine what it looked like.

My Little M&M