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!!