Joy

Okay, so Kristi challenged her fellow bloggers to blog about what gives them joy.  Right now, my biggest joy comes from quiet, peaceful moments.  Although, I love when my moment is interrupted by "Momma, come see me."  That's Jacksonese for "come here."  He also thinks a whale is going to come get him every day.  Sorry, just a side note. 

Here's some of the things that bring me joy:

-Giggles
-"Yep"
-"Momma" instead of Mommy
-An uninterrupted night of sleep
-My dishwashing hubby
-Rocking Jackson while singing his "requests" and watching him mouth the words
-Catching him singing to "John Deere Green" in the car
-4:00 p.m.
-Physically receiving my certificate and taking it to get framed.  I'm giddy!
-"He's half Jewish, half methodist"

My first posed smile:

What brings you joy!  I pass the challenge to you!

Have a great weekend!!

Noccalula Falls

Sunday night, Clint, Jackson and I picked up Granna for a trip to see the Christmas lights at Noccalula Falls.  They have a ton of lights everywhere, but the big attraction was the TRAIN.

See my husband telling me to get in before I get left.

He loved the train and would have stayed all night and ridden.  We didn't think we were going to get to see the deer, but one came up to greet us before we left.

She even licked Jackson's fingers. 

Father and son.  Don't they look thrilled.  When I pull out the camera, all smiles disappear.

Arab Christmas Parade

Last Thursday, Clint and I took Jackson to the Arab Christmas Parade. It was a last minute decision and freezing outside, but I'm glad we went out and braved the cold.

Clint and Jackson waiting on the parade to start

Although he doesn't look like it, Jackson was so excited because look what we saw...LOTS of fire trucks.  And they were LOUD!!

Snow and our tree

How wonderful to wake up to snow and on the day that we went to get our Christmas tree!

Jackson played outside, but really didn't know what to think of the snow.

Jackson helped me build our little snowman

We ran out in a rush to play before the snow melted, so we didn't bring snowmen supplies.  He had rocks for his face and buttons.

Jackson with our "Charlie Brown" tree before Clint cut it down.

Merry Christmas!

Vaseline...

I thought I could get a quick shower...

I was wrong.  As I was getting out, he came into the bathroom and said "Got somepin on my fangers."  Hum, let me see.  I'm thinking maybe he got into Clint's chapstick.  I didn't have my glasses on, but when I got them, this is what I saw.

Ha!  Can't turn my back for a minute!  I didn't take pictures of the two fire trucks that got covered.  I didn't notice them until I had after I  put the camera up.  I also didn't take pictures of Clint's bible that got smeared.  Hey guys...vaseline doesn't clean up easily!  Just a heads up.

Stitches

Not even two whole days after his 2nd birthday, Jackson needed a trip to the E.R.  He went over the handle bars of a ride-on toy at Ms. Linda's house Monday.  She called me before lunch, with Jackson wailing in the background, to tell me that she thought it needed stitches, but I needed to come see for myself. 

After a couple of hours in the E.R. and the worst experience ever, we left with two stitches.  I don't wish that on anyone.  The hospital staff chose to bind him down to a backboard so that he wouldn't fight them.  Huh.  He fought them with everything that was in him.  I don't think I have ever heard that child speak so plainly. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"  I didn't even know he knew that phrase.  I held it together until they let him go, then I lost it.  Horrible.  Before they got started, I asked if he could be sedated, but the nurse told me that "they" didn't like for kids his age to be sedated.  "They" must not have had to watch their two year old get stitches.

I took the stitches out Sunday night and Jackson never flinched.  I think he would have been much better if they hadn't strapped him down.

Next time, I'll know better.  Yes, there will be a next time, I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jackson had a blast at his birthday party.  We had it at Dairy Queen because they have an indoor playground.  I tried Chick-fil-A first, but they were booked that entire weekend.  I spent most of the weekend working on his cake, since I decided I was going to make it myself.  Crazy!  I don't think I'll do that again.  It took FOREVER!

I thought it turned out pretty good, but the icing tasted funny with all that coloring.

Here's Jackson blowing out his candle:

and opening some gifts...

This firetruck was easily in his top 5 gifts.  He loves it and I've caught him trying to ride it.

Paw Paw and Granna gave him a wagon.

Jackson has been pulling all of his toys around the house in it. 

I can't believe he's two!  I hope the next year goes by a little slower.

Catch Up Post

I have so much to post and I'm very late getting it done.  So, sit back and grab a snack because this one could be long!

In October, we went to Tate Farms with the Rowes.  We had a blast!  The weather could have been a little better, but we made the best of it.

Jackson on the tractor.

Swinging

Riding with Daddy on the corn train

On the hayride with Lawson (who was enoying some Laffy Taffy!)

Checking out the fire truck

For Halloween, Jackson was Woody from Toy Story.  He was all about that movie when I bought the costume, but then moved quickly to the Lion King and now Ice Age.  So, he wasn't all that into being Woody.

He refused to wear the hat and he didn't really like his bucket either, but I managed to get one picture with it.

His second sucker of the afternoon.

There's Woody with his pal Raggedy Ann (she'd lost her wig already, but she was too cute!)

On Veteran's Day, Jackson got to do one of his favorite things.  Play in the puddles!  It had poured on Tuesday so we had great puddles for jumping.

I had to tie a bandana around his ears.  The wind was blowing and he didn't want to wear a hat.

Lookin' like Aunt Jamima with his Frog boots

The four-wheeler MUST be pushed in the water

...then ridden in it.

Soaking wet and totally loving it!

We had to go in soon after this.  It was getting a little chilly outside and Jackson had to go down for his nap.  He wasn't very happy!

Tomorrow, my baby turns 2!  Where has the time gone?  He's talking in sentences and understanding and learning so much.  Before I know it, he'll be driving.  I'm a little sad, but excited about his party.  I'm decorating his cake this year.  I'll let you know how it goes!