The bunnies

When Jackson was a baby, he was given the softest, sweetest, blue bunny that has since become one of his faves. He loves that bunny so much and so when Ella was born I wanted to find her the pink version. I found it a few weeks ago and Jackson thinks it was is great that they have matching bunnies. One afternoon he wanted to take a picture of him and blue bunny with Ella and pink bunny. I think it is so sweet to see how "loved" blue bunny is compared to Ella's. He has had 3 years of love and it shows! Here is our bunny photo shoot :)

Cash and the big quarters

We were driving to Shadie's house and Jackson was asking me if YaYa lived far away. Conversation was this:

J: YaYa lives far, mommy?
C: Not too far
J: Nanny lives far?
C: Sort of, but not too far. Do you know who lives the farthest away?
J: Who?
C: Granny and Pop. They live really far away.
J: Mommy, do you know who lives really far away? Uncle John.
C: He does...where does he live?
J: Heaven (actually pronounced "heaben")
C: That is right. What is he doing there?
J: Workin'
C: What is he working on?
J: He is making me the cash and the big quarters!

Priceless. He always surprises me with the things he says!

A perfect night in the eyes of a 3 year old...

BBQ, the park, Mommy & Daddy's bed, American Gladiators & chocolate pie.

Chocolate monster

Last night when we were leaving Shadie's house, she gave Jackson 3 Hershey Kisses and told him to save them for today and he agreed.

Fast forward to this morning.

We were leaving the post office and Jackson got into his seat and held up a Hershey Kiss and asked me if he could eat it. I said yes, and then it dawned on me that there was only one...where were the other two?? I asked him and he looked at me bug-eyed and started apologizing immediately. I asked him where they were and he says, "Well mommy, the wrapper was coming off so I had to eat them." I was speechless...I use that for an excuse sometimes too.

Shadie Tree Design Blog

Please check out Shadie's new blog for her business...

SHADIE TREE DESIGN
www.shadietreedesign.blogspot.com

She is doing custom embroidery and gifts of all kinds. We are so very excited for her and she is already receiving lots of orders! We love you Shadie and we are so proud of you!

6 months old!

Ella is 6 months old...happy 1/2 birthday baby girl! It blows my mind that 6 months has come and gone. Our baby girl is changing and growing every day. She went to her 6 month appointment today and she has grown quite a bit in the last two months. She weighs 19 lbs 13 oz. and is 26 1/2 inches long. She is in the 95th percentile for weight and 75th for height. Amber said that she looks perfect and is doing great! She did not like those mean shots and neither did Jackson. He had tears in his eyes when she was screaming and was telling her that it was almost over. Sweet brother!

Ella is an absolute doll and the best baby. She rarely fusses, and she is so happy. She now has two teeth on the bottom. Thankfully they came through at the same time so it was not too bad. She is trying to work on a few more because she is constantly chewing on everything she can get her little hands on. She sits up completely unsupported now so she loves to sit up and play, play in her exersaucer, laugh, blow bubbles, and be held. I think that Jackson is her favorite thing in this world. She thinks that he is hilarious and laughs at him so much. It makes my heart so happy to see them interact and enjoy each other. I got a quick video on my cell phone the other day (you will have to mute the playlist to hear her laughing).




She has started eating baby food, this week we worked on green beans. She likes them and has done well so we will be moving on to peas tomorrow. (Grandpa does not like it when we feed the kids peas...when Jackson was a baby he would get on to us and tell us that John Wayne did not eat peas). She is a great sleeper and truly is an easy going baby. We are so blessed and so thankful for this precious baby girl.

I know that this may seem sappy, but I love that song by Martina McBride "In My Daughter's Eyes." I never really paid too much attention to it until I had her, but it is so sweet and I really like it so I am going to include the lyrics on this post.

I love you Ella!

"In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
It puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Daddy Love


Brother Love


First time to eat green beans


First bath in the big tub


All ready for church


First time in her highchair


Face off with Big Russ


Look at those legs...I want to squeeze them :)

Where does God live?

Tonight when we were putting Jackson to bed we said our prayers and I asked him if he knew how much his mommy and daddy loved him. He said yes, and then I asked him if he knew who loved him the most of all. He said, "Who?" and we told him that God loves him the very most and that God has a very special plan for him. The rest of the conversation is something that Jason and I will never forget. We agreed that it was one of the sweetest moments that we have had as parents so far. Jackson said, "But I don't see God." Jason began to tell him that God sees him and that He watches him all of the time and that God lives in his heart. He asked how God gets into his heart and Jason told him that all he has to do is to ask God to be in his heart. Jackson whispered so soft and so sweet, "God, will you come in my heart??" Tears. He then wanted us to ask God into our hearts. How innocent and precious is that 3 year old little boy? It amazes me how at such a young age a child can begin to grasp the concept of God's love. It melts my heart to see him begin to understand. I know he does not fully get it, but isn't it really this simple??