Here's a few more from today..

The last one is priceless! So, was he REALLY feeding Hope? He gets in trouble for feeding Hope, but in this picture the spoon is on his plate and as a witness I did not see a big glob of potatoes in his hand before he put it down there. He was just letting her lick his fingers. That's different, right? What do you think?

The Semester is Over!

Hi Everyone! The fall semester is finally over and I know that I rejoice with the rest of you who operate in the education environment as a teacher, a student, or a spouse/family member of one. I am trying to take a mental break this morning while Jackson is napping, but I found myself looking at my textbook list for next semester, finding out where I am in the completion of the program, contemplating which degree track to do my electives in, and wishing that more of my spring syllabi were posted so that I could start to piece together an attack plan. Disengaging is sometimes hard- I guess the things of the next semester are not too far off on the horizon and I don't want to be unprepared.

But, Holly says no more school today and I agree. I have a short opportunity to let the stress of the semester melt away and enjoy some of the things that I normally don't get to do, like post fun pictures of Jackson on the blog!! He is growing so much in his little body and mind, doing lots of fun things such as learning and applying his sign language, working on his tackling techniques with Daddy, suctioning his own boogers after bath-time, and expressing his affectionate little self with lots of hugs and kisses. His speech is improving enough to let him say a few words a little more clearly, such as "dog." He is also doing some mischievous things like climbing over the ottoman, turning the TV on and off, and defeating the devices we are using to keep him out of the TV stand cabinet so that he can reach his little hand in and turn his "Signing Time" video on all by himself. So, I hope that you enjoy theses pictures from the past month. For those friends and family home in the Great State of Tennessee, we look forward to being home again over New Year's. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the break. - Jonathan

Wow, have I got some catching up to do!!  Blogging just hasn't happened for us lately, sorry everyone.  Jackson is growing up fast.  He gets cuter and cuter everyday and cracks those smiles all along the way.  His personality is really starting to show through. He is your typical 1 year old who thinks it's funny to punch the TV buttons and shakes his finger back at Mommy after getting in trouble for throwing food on the floor.  Mostly we have to hide our smiles because we can't let him know how cute we really think he is when he is getting in trouble!!!  Enjoy the pictures!!

Playing in the toy box instead of with his toys.

"I can do yoga too, Mommy!  See, down dog."

"You're right, Mommy.  NO throwing food on the floor."

Almost Famous... In Tennessee Anyway!

Hey Everyone, Jackson and I sure do love hanging out together on the weekends! We help each other enjoy the long hours until Mommy gets off work by eating big meals, playing with toys, going to the park, and (of course) watching/listening to the Volunteers play football. Granted, it has been a hard season so far, but we still love it. Hey, the defense is playing lights out and that's the fun part anyway... tackling! I got some good pics this past weekend of J-Man in his UT game day gear while we were at the park before going home to listen to the NIU game on the Vol Network over the internet. The editors for "YouT snapshots" at www.utsports.com thought two of them were pretty good too. Check them out at http://www.utsports.com/view.gal?id=35456

Enjoy the pics and maybe look for Jackson in a future installment of the "Almost Famous in Tennessee" slide show.

AND HE'S OFF!!!!

Hello friends.  Jackson is walking now.  He's been practicing for a few weeks and now he's got it down pat.  Just wanted you all to have the opportunity to see.  He is such a joy in our lives each day.  What a blessing the Lord has given us. The video and pictures are of him checking out the pumpkins and hay at the Dallas Arboretum.  Such a cutie!!

For God so loved the World...

Jackson's birthday present from Mommy and Daddy!!

Currently we are studying both the book of John and the book of Revelation on Wednesday nights at the house church that Jonathan, Jackson, and I attend.  It has often been difficult for me to listen and absorb in depth what is being taught since I have become a mother and my time is divided between tending to Jackson and entering into discussion each night.  Recently, however, we have started putting Jackson down to sleep soon after we arrive and I am actually able to pay attention and learn a few things.  I am also making more time during the week to study on my own which, of course, makes a ton of difference!!  For several weeks now I have concentrated on Revelation since we have been out of town so much and always missed the nights when John was being studied.  I found that I was struggling quite a bit with the heaviness and sadness of the book as it concentrates mostly on how ugly we are as sinners and how severe God's judgement and wrath must justifiably be during the end times. (We haven't gotten to the end of the book....which is of course full of hope and victory.)  I have found it very hard to swallow the reality of suffering that believers will go through and how many are suffering now in other countries on a daily basis.  Somewhere, though, in the midst of becoming more aware of the depravity of man, I am seeing even more the love of God.  For God to even care enough and love enough of His creation to spend the energy and effort to give us a way to His Kingdom is stunning to me.  It only takes a few verses from John to help me understand how beautiful the love of Christ is when reading through Revelation.  I thought about His beautiful love today when I was playing with my son.  He was laughing and hugging me and showing so much affection!  I felt like I was getting a small glimpse of how sweet and precious His Creation was meant to be.  As sinners, we have corrupted so much of what He intended here on Earth.  I was overwhelmed alone by the love of a small little boy and can't wait to see how God will display is great and mighty love in the new and restored Earth!!  I know I will never truly understand the depth of God's love for me until my time here is over, but I am so thankful that I am allowed glimpses through the love of my friends, family, husband, and yes....Jackson.  

So much of that love was shown during the celebration of Jackson's first birthday last weekend.  We were surrounded by our friends and family and couldn't have wished for a better day.  Enjoy the pictures and know that I am so thankful for each friendship God has blessed our family with in this precious life.

Sand Sand and More Sand

Hello from Gulf Shores, AL.  We have had a wonderful family vacation.  It was much needed!!  Jackson loved the beach and the seafood.  Tilapia is his favorite!  His uncles spoiled him rotten and he stole tons of glances from pretty girls.  I'll upload a video when we get home, but enjoy the picts for now.

Ice Cream Face

During our recent visit home, Jackson's Momma Z had the honors of feeding Jackson his first bite of ice cream.  His face was priceless!  Hope you enjoy.

Busy Summer!!

Jackson is working on quite a busy summer. He has taken his first swim, firsts of many foods, and even his FIRST STEPS!! He isn't truly walking yet, but he is on his way! His first trip to the beach is coming this month!! His favorite foods right now are avocatoes and watermelon from our weekly trips to the farmers market. We take daily walks with our friend Erin and Cara (his new friend who will arrive in November) and are enjoying more time with Dad now that he is out of school for a few months. He is such a happy baby....yes, he smiles all the time...just like the pictures. He brings us such joy every day. We are headed to TN for a short visit soon and are hoping to make it for a 1st Birthday Bash in September as well. Hope to see most of you between the two trips. Hope your summer is as exciting as ours!!

Just Strollin' Along

Hi everyone, Mom has been holding down the blog lately so I thought I'd get a post in before my summer class starts tomorrow. We got a new jogging stroller! We have been using the Chico stroller that came with our car seat set for everything, including Jackson's running excursions with Dad. As all of you who have visited us here know, the sidewalks in are area are to be considered truly off-road. The Chico stroller was taking a beating that it wasn't meant to take and we wanted to keep it around for the next kiddo to use. So, Holly found this stroller on ebay and won the bid at $133.00! Brand new they run $280-300 in the same model so she did a great job. I took care of getting it cleaned up and in proper working order, as it had seen some garage time, and we are off to the races! It runs so much smoother and takes the treacherous sidewalks like a champ. We are all really excited, especially Jackson! Mom plans on using it for her walks and trips to the arboretum and now I feel like I can really run with him. 

I am amazed everyday as I watch Jackson progress this this time of rapid development that Holly described in the blog below. I remind myself everyday that I can't slow it down (no matter how bad I want to), so I have to engage with every moment that we have, even when that means letting some other things on my agenda slide or wait. The time with Jackson-Man is priceless. Not to mention he's a fun guy to be around! His smile is just infectious and he spreads it everywhere he goes. Strangers see his smile and I watch as their face lights up right back. He's a good man. And he loves his mommy too! It is a joy to see the two of them interact with each other as the affection flows between them. 

I am kind of dreading my upcoming class as I had just enough time off to remember what it is like to not have class and I am not ready to give it up. But, It is not that long (3 weeks) and I'm taking it with Jonathan Deatherage (my class compadre), so we'll make it through together and enjoy the rest of the summer. I hope that you all enjoy yours too! 

[P.S.- For any parents out there, we got the fixed wheel sport utility stroller instead of the swivel front wheel revolution because we knew that I'd be really running seriously with it, but after having the thing inside Starbucks this morning I would recommend the revolution for those who are doing more around town stuff with power walking to jogging. The fixed wheel can be manevured inside, but it is a challenge and you often may need help with doors and have to ask people to move over in walkways.] 

Time is Flying By...

Lately life has been all about phases...stepping out of old ones and entering into new ones.  Jackson's first 6 months of life were full of new things, but I usually had time to adjust to each new development.  NOT NOW!  He has learned to crawl, pull up, stand (with the aid of the couch), and get into everything 1 foot above his head in a matter of a month!  It has been a blast.  I didn't think it could get any better than holding a newborn in your arms, but watching them grow and learn new things makes each day better and better in this whole motherhood thing!  Jackson loves people.  He is a social animal!  He loves to crawl into his room and pull out all his drawers, dump them onto the floor, and play with all his toys.  He even pulls the drawers out in the middle of the night and pulls it's contents into the bed with him to play with....hey, as long as I'm sleeping and he's not making a peep I have no problems!  I love being at home all week with him every day and enjoy our time at night together with Jonathan.  Enjoy the few pictures and videos we have to update you on all he is doing!  Much love to all our family and friends!

He's getting around!!

Jackson is now mobile!!  Enjoy these new pictures of him getting into everything.  He is such a joy with every new accomplishment.  

Who in the world is Melchizedek?

I have to tell you all about the last 24 hours of my life.  Then I'll ask you about Melchizedek.  So....yesterday I had this really wonderful plan.  (God really must laugh when we make plans.)  My morning was planned out perfectly.  First, Jackson and I headed out to Itsy Bitsy Yoga.  He loves his yoga class.  He laughed throughout the whole thing.  Next was supposed to be my yoga class.  It is something I look forward to all week.  Usually Jackson sits quietly in his car seat and falls asleep or plays with a toy because he is all tired out from his workout.  I and about 7 other mommy's do postnatal yoga for about an hour and the instructor holds a few of the crying babes to get us through a semi-relaxing class.  Well, our 8 month pregnant instructor already had 2 babies on her knees including her own inside when about 2 poses into the class Jackson decides this set up wasn't going to work.  I knew he was already tired and if he didn't fall asleep, he would be hungry before too long.  He wasn't falling asleep.  I didn't really even try too hard.  I just decided to leave, get him home and feed him.  My decision mostly based on the afternoon I was looking forward to spending with Jonathan.  We were going to go to the Arboretum together and enjoy some family time....first time in a long time.  Before I could get out of the parking lot I noticed a text from Jonathan.  It said, "call me."  OK.  I called him.  He proceeded to tell me of a minor home emergency and asked me to come on home.  The "minor" pipe that broke above our apartment flooded our laundry room and bathroom.  Luckily, since Jonathan was home at the time, maintenance was able to shut the water off quickly and fix the problem.  My whole "planned" day turned into a problem.  Jonathan and I spent from about 11:30 to 7:30 cleaning up this PROBLEM!!  We both crashed last night.  Of course I crashed until Jackson woke up at his usual 2:30 for a back rub.  Yes, really, a back rub.  He doesn't want to nurse usually, just a reminder that I'm here and a back rub back to sleep.  Any mommy's reading this?  I'd love suggestions on how to stop this habit!!  So, finally, this morning, we are working hard on a schedule and Jackson is taking his first morning nap in days!!!!  I'm working on my 3rd cup of coffee...decaf, of course, and catching up on some Hebrews.  This leads me to the passage of Melchizedek.  I did an Old Testament study last summer with my friend, Erin, and we asked the same question.  Who/what is he, really?  I'm reading Hebrews in the first place because Jonathan is writing a paper on it now.  I plan on asking him when he gets home.  Even thought I don't completely understand the passage, there is something I do understand.  This is why I'm blogging today.  Hebrews 7:15-28 describes Jesus in the most encouraging ways.  "Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed."  That verse made my heart well up with hope!  I believe in a God whose life cannot be destroyed!!!!!  There is more..."There were many priests under tho old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.  But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.  Therefore he is able once and forever, to save those who come to God through him.  He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf."  Who cares about laundry room floods and sleepless nights!  I have a God who saves me once and forever!!!!!  My heart is happy this morning, even thought I'm not quite sure who Melchizedek is.

Tulips Tulips Tulips!

Hope still only tolerates Jackson...but it's progress!!!

Hello friends.  We are settling in for a hot summer here in Dallas.  Jackson has been quite the traveler since his birth.  He has been to TN 4 times and then Lake Tahoe.  His only destinations  for a while will be to the closest pool in town, local farmers market, and the Dallas Arboretum.  We welcome all visitors, but we will be staying put for a few months!!  We had some recent visitors a couple of weeks ago.  Jackson's Gran Pat and Momma Z and Pappa Z all came to visit.  They had a blast watching Jackson learn to eat and helping him to sit up on his own.  He really made some progress with all the attention.  Poor thing. Now he is stuck having to sit by himself and learn to crawl all by himself!!  I'm not sure if he can do it without his grandparents by his side!!  Ha Ha.  Just kidding.  One of the things we did while they visited was go to the Dallas Arboretum during the Dallas Blooms Festival.  The tulips were beautiful and made for great photographs.  Gran Pat brought the Easter outfit she made for Jonathan 27 years ago and it fit Jackson perfectly.  I made a slideshow of our day.  It came out a bit blurry but you'll get the idea of how our day went.  

Easter 2008

Rice Cereal Anyone?...

Hey everyone, Jackson hit another milestone today in taking his first bites of semi-solid food. Up until now, it's been all mommy-milk, but today he got the scrumptious treat of dried infant rice cereal mixed with mommy-milk. Dad resisted the temptation to try out his son's new food, but he'll probably do it before too long. The video is kind of lengthy, so don't feel like you have to watch it all. We left it long for Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles to see more of the dramatic action. Enjoy the video and our love to all! -Jonathan, Holly, and Jackson.

Laughing it up with Mommy!

Jackson update...

Jackson is having a blast growing up. He has had an eventful 4-5 months of live. Within this time he has rolled over onto his tummy, rolled back over onto his back, found his feet, raise his chest off the floor to play and look around, laughed for the 1st time (not at us, of course, but at his really funny Momma Z and Aunt Lisa), and cut his first 2 teeth, and had his first snow in Lake Tahoe. Now that he has a little more control over his body, he just mocks me when I put him down for tummy time by rolling back over onto his back. As you can see by the picture, he just laughs at me. Really, though, he smiles ALL the time. We are so blessed to have such a healthy, happy baby. I can even make him smile when he is crying!! Books are a new favorite. We have read to him since he was born, but now he is starting to interact with the pages...turning them himself. He loves his exersaucer ( last picture). He just plays and plays until he poops and it runs clear up to his neck...EVERY TIME!!! Sorry, you know we can't blog without bringing up the subject of poop. It just wouldn't be right. Thankfully it's not a subject that bothers Dad, so he gets to change lots of poopy diapers!! We are settling in now after traveling 5 times in 5 months. We're so glad friends and family have been able to watch him grow up. Now they will have to come here to continue that process!! Enjoy the pictures and we will continue to update all of you.

4 months

We celebrated his 5 month birthday with cheesecake....for Mom and Dad.

5 months

Lake Tahoe

What a wonderful wedding my sister and her husband hosted in Lake Tahoe!! Our families had a beautiful time of fellowship and fun together. I don't think I've ever been to a more beautiful place before in my life. I'm not that traveled, though!! Ha ha! We arrived in Reno on a Friday and made our way to our lodge. The entire group of 18 friends and family went out to eat for dinner. Then Heather, Dustin, Jonathan and I went out to spend some time together before the big day. The time I spent with my sister was truly priceless. That is one great pro to having a destination wedding. The time was much more intimate with the ones you love, rather than a huge production with lots of people and no close fellowship. Jackson spent lots of time with Gran Pat while I hung out with Heather getting ready for her ceremony. Jonathan spent a lot of time preparing for his part of the wedding and also spending time with Dustin. They have been friends since high school, so having him join the family has been extra special. We woke up Saturday morning to a beautiful snow....Jackson's first official!! It really was a perfect day since the sun came out later to make the wedding perfect. We celebrated after the festivities with more of the same. We had the best dinner at a local resturante on the second floor with private waiters and the second floor all to ourselves. And if you think we couldn't fit anymore into the weekend, we went snow skiing on Sunday. Some of the fam went snowmobiling in the afternoon. Jonathan and I continued to ski since he had never been before. We can't wait to go back. The reception in Jackson followed 3 weeks later. I waited to post this blog until I had those pictures as well, but then I didn't end up taking any. I guess keeping up with a 5 month old made keeping up with a camera near impossible!! Enjoy these from the wedding!!There had been a snow storm a week earlier, so the snow base was incredible.

This is an example of how deep the snow was. There really wasn't a true path and mom had a blast sinking into a drift!!