A Thankful Heart

I love Thanksgiving for the positive aspect of the holiday. Everyone has lots to be thankful for, especially me and my family. I try to have a thankful heart all year round, though I am not always successful when I get caught up all in myself. Here are some of the things I am thankful for this year.

--Family--

I am thankful for my family. My immediate family- Derek and Jackson make me very happy, who love and support me. My Dad who has worked, worked, and worked on my house and who still answers the phone, even when it's the sixth time I've called on one day. My mom who also answers multiple phone calls daily and who also offers to watch Jackson just because. My in-laws who let us live with them and for the time when I was having a tough week, I came home from Minnesota to house that was all clean and ready to move in because they wanted to make it feel home-y. And for the fact that all of my family gets along so well with each other. We are SO blessed in that.

--Friends--

Our friends have been truly wonderful to us this year. Hundreds of hours of labor on our house for exchange for a meal here and there. Often times, I hardly had time to even ask for help because they had already offered and/or used the key to work when we weren't even here. We have the type of friends that when we ask for an inch, they give us a mile- every time. Not only with our house... but just in support, encouragement, and friendship have we been blessed.

--Church--
We love our church. Despite being a member for just about three years, I feel that I have been a part of this family for a lifetime. The foundation, the people, the encouragement. I have enjoyed the Tea for Three activities and getting to know more and more ladies in our church. Our Sunday School class is a blessing and I am so proud of them. Wednesday evenings are my favorite- I love the ladies ministry!

--Country--
With several friends and acquaintances deployed at this time, I cannot say enough how thankful that I am for our country. I am thankful for the Constitution that we fight to uphold. I am thankful for a President and for the democracy our county has that allows citizens to make a choice.

--School--
I am so thankful to be in school- for the opportunity and for the support from the people around me. I love studying psychology. I am thankful for the gifts of understanding people and am so eager to be a counselor. And this semester I am particularly thankful for that my professor agrees that I have a talent.

--Job--
I love my job. Nothing is greater than to be able to stay home with Jackson and I love having David around. Everything is happy in their world and it is such a blessing to be loved by children- with hugs, and smiles, and giggles. I enjoy watching Jackson grow and move on to bigger and better things each day- to actually get to read him books, while he squeals at the animals on the pages. It is so exciting to hear David count the Ten Friendly Frogs, even if it's the fifth time in one day and nothing is more entertaining than to hear him lecture the cat when she isn't nice ("Mia, it is not nice to hit. Do you understand me? Now you say, 'Yes, Ma'am'.").

Jackson and his toys

We got some video clips of Jackson playing earlier this week. He is really starting to play with toys a lot- pushing the buttons, dancing to the music, and tackling a giant Pooh Bear. But regardless of what he is playing with, he always pauses to make sure we are watching!

Jackson and his airplane



Jackson and his penguin



Jackson and his piggy bank

Jackson's 1st Birthday

The last week of October marked Jackson's birthday week and much celebrating took place. Despite the fact that it's now the middle of November, I am still a little bit in denial that my baby has become a toddler and that he is officially one year old.

Jackson's first birthday picture

Jackson's birthday party was on the Saturday the 24th and was in our new house in the basement, even though the upstairs was still a major construction area. It was kind of a last minute plan because when we first starting thinking about his party, we had no idea what shape our house would be in. We swept up the basement, put down a rug, and brought our little playground inside and I think it went nicely. Mom and I (but mostly Mom) made food and it was yummy! We had sandwiches, fruit, spinach dip, chips, some veggies, and of course- a cake! My friend Tammy has a special talent for making cakes and she did a FABULOUS job.

The cake- half chocolate, half fun-fetti- Delicious!

Jackson eats his cake

Just a little big messy!

Jackson had several friends come to the party and he had fun and of course grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles joined the party too! Linda and Forrest got him a kid broom to appease his desire to carry the big broom around the entire house. Grandpa Duff got Jackson this little big that dances, sings, and squeals and needless to say all of the kids love it. Jackson got several other gifts and he plays with them all, though his favorite thing is get to play with the 'big kids'!

Yum- a basketball!

Jackson and I went up to Kearney on his actual birthday and went to Chick-fil-a for lunch with Grandpa. They have a playplace that is more suited for the toddler and Jackson always enjoys climbing and going down the slide. The manager at the restaurant gave Jackson a balloon and Jackson carried that thing around as if his life depended on it-- up the stairs, through the tunnel, down the slide, even when he fell asleep in the car. Both Jackson and Grandpa had a good time.

Jackson and Grandpa

He sure loved that balloon!

Since Jackson's birthday was on a Wednesday, we planned to have a mini celebration after church with cookies and edible markers. The kids all decorated some cookies and Jackson just squealed in delight of having the 'big kids' around once again. Not only is Jackson loved and adored by all of our family friends, he also have a fan club from kids ranging from age 2 up to the 7th graders at church- especially our Sunday school students. In fact, we are having a Sunday School party tomorrow and the 4-5th graders have insisted on Jackson being present.

Decorating cookies

Happy Baby!

These boys love each other-

Grant and Jackson

And can't forget to mention that Jackson was just so excited about his birthday, that he was up several times in the night. We were awake from 3:30-5:00 all because Jackson wanted a banana and it took us that long to figure out what he wanted. We are so blessed to have Jackson in our lives and also for our friends and family who love him so much! And here is a video I made for Jackson's birthday. It is kind of long, but it's really cool. And for more birthday pictures CLICK HERE.

Time of my Life

I thought I'd give a little tribute to the hometown hero, David Cook, and his first single. This past year really has been the time of my life- surpassing anything I could have ever thought possible. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is by far the best year that I have ever had. Jackson is really the best thing that has ever happened to me. Despite the delivery being on my list of the worst things, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I love my family so very much and I am truly so blessed with a great husband and the sweetest little boy.

Our family- 1 day old

I knew from the time that I was a little girl playing with my cabbage patch dolls that I wanted to be a mommy and waiting until I "established a career" or "spending my 20s learning about myself" never appealed to me. Sure, someday after I finally finish my Master's I cannot wait to establish a professional career, but having a family is and will always be my main priority despite the busy lives we lead. My first year as a mommy has seemed to have flown by in a bit of a blur. Jackson was (is) continually changing and a lot of the time was spent adapting to that change and enjoying Jackson during each stage and all of the "firsts" that come with the first year.

Christmas 2008
2 months

The first few months were definitely challenging with the crazy sleep schedule and entering in to the life unknown, but we managed- with much help and support from our friends and family!!! My mom would come stay with us about once a week and that was such a nice boost of energy to get a full nights sleep! Linda came over once to just hold Jackson because wanted to be held, but I desperately needed to get some stuff done around the house. And the ladies down in the nursery at church got an earful of questions about sleep habits, doctor visits, temperatures and anything else you can imagine!!!

Jackson and Daddy- 12 days old
First Sunday morning at church

Along with knowing that I wanted to be a mommy since being a little girl, I always had to desire to be a stay-at-home mom, so the decision to stay home was not a hard decision. My mom had the opportunity to stay home with us and I joke about the first time I ever remember getting a key to our house- I was a senior in high school because whenever I came home from school or anything, mom was always there. After a year of staying at home, I absolutely love it and wouldn't want to have to go back to work like so many others do. I really enjoy spending my day with Jackson. Sometimes it's hard because I am envious of what others have, like cable tv or an iphone, but I know that those things would never bring me the joy that Jackson brings to each day- the smiles, the laughs, and just being with him.

Mommy and Jackson- 4 months
California Vacation

Born with the ability to be a people pleaser, fueled by the fact that he is spoiled to death with attention, it is no surprise that Jackson saved some of his "firsts" for when we had the camera out. Okay, so it is probably just because we always have the camera near by and in short distance so we are able to catch the newest trick or super cute moment. We got his first time rolling over on video and he decided to stand up by himself for the first time during his 10 month picture. I remember the Sunday afternoon when Jackson shared his first smile for Daddy- it was such a neat thing! We sat on the couch for 30 minutes at least, making silly faces and sounds just for a tiny little smile. Derek and I were so excited.

One of Jackson's
First Smiles

This year was full of calls to Derek during the work day, "Jackson just giggled!", "You are SO changing the next diaper!", and "Should I call the doctor?". We have had really enjoyed our time as a family-- going to DeAnna Rose, visiting California, trips the park, and even just going to the store. We have totally had our share of "No, it's YOUR turn to get up!" and "I changed the last zillion diapers!" but I have to say that Derek and I are closer now because of Jackson despite the late night one-liners. Derek has been there for me when I cried because Jackson had allergies and the times when I am all but throwing Jackson at him when he walks in the door after a long day at work. I'd like to think we make a great team, each bringing our own strengths to the table, doing our best to raise Jackson in a healthy manor.

Jackson's first boat ride
Sacramento, CA- 4 months

I am going to end this post (I know it's long) with some moments from this past year that haven't been "blog-worthy" in themselves, but I don't ever want to forget:

• As soon as we got home from the hospital, I heard Derek yelling in the bedroom. It was Derek's first time changing a diaper ever and Jackson peeped all over him!
• Emotionally, I was a mess when we first brought Jackson home from the hospital. The next day, I was looking through the zillion pictures we had and cried because I thought it was going by too quickly. Seriously.
  
• I took Jackson to the library when he was only a few weeks old and while we look at some books (in complete silence), Jackson tooted SO loudly that most of the people in the library could probably hear. I was so embarrassed.
• When Jackson took a bath in his baby tub, he soaked the entire bathroom from splashing.
  
• Jackson has always found jumping funny- an early trick to get those baby smiles and giggles!
• You DO NOT eat in front of Jackson EVER! Even since he was a little guy, he did not like anyone eating anything in front of him without sharing whether it be a snack or a meal, or a little friend having a bottle.
• When Jackson choked on a cracker at Wendy's, I went home and cried. I was so scared.
  
• The time that Derek and I took Jackson to Jose Peppers for dinner and Jackson all but claimed the attention of our entire half of the restaurant!
• Jackson became so attached to his blanket(s) just overnight at around 10 months. We don't leave the house without one.
  
• When he bit my toe- after he actually had teeth. OUCH!
  
• I was SO stressed out when Jackson fell and knocked his head on a sharp corner of the bookshelf. He had a goose-egg the size of a golf ball in just seconds. I think I needed to hold him more than he needed me to hold him!
• When Derek played was playing darts in his parents basement, Jackson thought it was SO funny when he pulled the arrows out of the dart board. Not when he threw them, only when he took them out. He was cracking up in tears.
  
• The lemon at Chipotle.
• Jackson tries to escape to outside every single day, multiple times. And when he would get outside in shorts and realized that it hurts his knees when he crawled, he stuck his tush up in the air and crawled using his feet instead!
• Jackson can pick up anything and pretend it's a telephone. He'll hold it up to his ear when you say, "Hello!" Maybe this is a sign he sees me on mine a little much! :)

Mommy and Jackson
Pumpkin Patch-- 11 months

I will never forget the feeling when he first reached for me or how he smiles at me when he first wakes up. Or how we wait by the window for daddy to come home and how I am nearly beaten to death because he flails his arms in excitement when he sees Derek. I cherish the moments he looks at me to make sure I am still watching as if to seek my approval and when he is playing and rushes over to me to give me some lovin' and heads back to play. Nothing could have prepared me for the hard work that it has been being a mommy this year, but I could never have comprehended the love I have for my baby. Nothing in this world compares to the joy I receive every single day from being his mommy.

Family Pictures

A friend of mine, Kasey Allen, took some time last week to head up to Unity Village in Lee's Summit to take some family pictures for us. We ended up with some great shots! Here are some of my favorites.