my sweet day

I grew up a birthday girl as birthdays were always really big in my family! So much fun! Every year on his/her birthday, each family member got to do whatever they wanted that day---we always chose a special dinner and or activity--we were queens and a king for a day! At least that's the way my parents made us feel. Back when I was little, I never thought about Mom and Dad's birthday including, driving us to school, going to work, making lunches, etc. basically still taking care of my sister and me.

So now, as a parent, it's not as if we get to "take the day off" entirely, but it's even better! This past Monday was my birthday. I turned 30+1 (+1, +1, +1, etc.)! I was given balloons (my fave) and Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuits for breakfast----anything better than that? I think not! Luke and Charlie headed to school and Miles and I went for a nice stroll at Shelby Farms. Talked with and got messages from lots of friends and family, met Chad for lunch, met our dear friends, the Tenents for a zoo trip (one of my favorite places to go), and headed to Five Guys (YUM) for dinner with our little Jackson family and my big family. After dinner, we got a babysitter and I took Chad to see the Hunger Games--well he took me, but it was all my desire! Anyway, a truly fun and special day was had and it left me feeling super thankful for my family and friends---not that I don't always! :) My Auntie Jan always tells us that whatever you do on your birthday, you will do the whole year! So, I think I have an awesome year ahead---filled with family and friends! I love you all!

Luke, Parker, Charlie and Elizabeth had a blast at the dino exhibit! Abe and Miles were with us, but hanging in the stroller---much safer that way!

Five Guys is one of Charlie's fave places strictly for the peanuts!! In fact, we had to leave the zoo to go to dinner and Luke was upset (because he wanted to see even more animals) but Charlie screamed, "Yay! We get to go eat peanuts!!"

I love Luke's face in this pic! He was so excited to give me my present---which turned out to be fun, dangly earrings!

Mary and Kevin

and Mom and Dad came to celebrate with us!

Oh! I almost forgot, we went to Baskin-Robbins for a yummy treat after dinner. My fave cupcake place is closed on Mondays, but some peanut butter and chocolate ice cream, hit the spot!! Luke loved his treat too!

Miles, on the other hand, thought Daddy's ice cream was TOO cold!! Nice face! :)

And to the man I love, thank you making my birthday so sweet!

back with news and beach pics

Hello? (hello . . .hello)
Anybody out there? (out there. . .out there)

Probably just me, writing for my family and to try to get some kind of a creative outlet flowing. It's been a whirlwind around here. Oh wait. I think I mentioned that a few posts back. Well, we're still here and still in a whirlwind! Chad is now recovering nicely from his surgery and we're still hopeful it worked! Miles has surgery on Thursday--his adenoids are being removed. I mean, I think he didn't want his older brothers to feel bad if he was the only sibling to not have his adenoids out, so he decided to go for it. Sweet thing obviously has no clue as he's only about to be 18 months, but we're praying this surgery goes smoothly too!

We've been immersed in prayer around here, as we always should be. However, this time around we've been praying for our new little baby on the way. Just last week, or maybe it's been a smidge over a week now, we got results back from some testing, that our precious one on the way has Down syndrome. It has come as a shock, as I am sure it does for all who receive this news, and we've been flooded with emotions of all kinds. BUT, I cannot express enough, just how much love and support we are feeling from family and friends and how confident we are in the Lord and His plan. It appears right now, that our baby BOY, (oh, did I mention that baby #4 is a BOY? and we are thrilled!!) has fluid around his heart. Pericardial effusion they call it. So, we will be keeping a close eye on that the remainder of my pregnancy. The fluid is not supposed to be there and it needs to be monitored. So monitor we will do! I'm sure I will be writing more about lots of things, but for now, since it's been so sporadic that I've been blogging lately (and I'm hoping to be more consistent as I've been in the past now), I will share some pics from our sweet time at the beach last week!

I've come to find out over the years, just how much little boys need to expel energy! The beach is the perfect way to do it! Run their little hearts out, they did and we loved watching it! I love how Luke is just enjoying the view during his run---dreaming about being a marine biologist!

And check out Charlie here. Doesn't this pic make you start humming the Chariots of Fire theme song?

Miles, you probably won't remember this beach trip, but you loved it! Your favorite part was roaming up and down the beach in the sand---not too close to the waves. But once you saw your brothers and Daddy playing in the water, you became braver! The soft baby pool filled with water suited you just fine as you watched all the parasailers and excitedly called out "boon" for balloon as each and every one of them passed by!

And I so love this pic and can't wait to frame it! Yes, our children bicker and get frustrated with each other, but I love moments like this, when they all play so lovingly together. . .doesn't the beach just do that to us all??

I love our Jackson 5 and can't believe that in 20 weeks (or less?) we will be the Jackson 6!

 We are truly blessed!

Thanks Mimi and Grandpa (Mom and Dad) for letting us crash your vacation and come soak up some relaxing and fun times with you at the beach! We all love you!

a lovey very loved

3 years ago, I wrote a post on Bun-Bun, Luke's beloved lovey. I did it for a couple of reasons. One, so we could always remember his devotion to Bun-Bun and because at the time, and still in the present, we think of Bun-Bun as a bunny. However, if you go back and read this post, you will see that in fact, it seems, that he may have been a doggy all along.

This brings me to our Charlie's beloved lovey. Before I continue, just take a look at this picture. . .

Do you know what animal this is? This is Charlie's "Froggy". As you can tell, he has been loved LOTS and lots by little Chuckles. Charlie's, Mimi, (because I can't sew or knit a stitch) has performed 2 arms surgeries, a back and a tummy surgery on little Froggy and he's still hanging on. Although, if you look closely, you can see he made need surgery on his face, and that may do him in.

See as Charlie loves on Froggy, he also tends to pick at a spot loose and rub his fingers on a piece of yarn, until it's completely worn out. Charlie has had this Froggy since he was born---a gift brought to him in the hospital and Froggy goes wherever he goes. During the times when Froggy has had "surgery", well, it wasn't fun at our house. A lot of crying and screaming and "but Froggy will be sad without me" and "I can't sleep without Froggy!" Heartbreaking indeed! But somewhere over a year ago, when we realized Froggy might not last, I got online and bought another Froggy. This was before Froggy's arms were amputated and prior to stomach and back surgery too. However, he was dubbed "New Froggy" immediately. There was no getting by Charlie. He knew which was his Froggy and which was the newbie in the house and New Froggy wasn't taking Froggy's place. Here's a recent picture of New Froggy and Froggy. Obviously, there is a noticeable difference at this point, but at least you can see what Froggy once looked like. . .

I adore that my little boys have loveys. I think it is precious the comfort that Charlie feels from Froggy. That he considers Froggy his buddy and that he gives Froggy feelings is endearing. Charlie hasn't once asked us about whether he will always have Froggy. He just knows he will! I love that though he's almost 4 years old, he can never imagine a day without his Froggy. Neither can I!

We love you Charlie and we love Froggy too!