Zou College

This past Saturday, we all piled in the car and went to visit my sister, Laura, at college. She had been inviting us to visit since school started in the fall and with less than two weeks before the baby girl arrives, I knew it had to be this past weekend or possibly not at all! In conversation with Jackson, I had mentioned that we were going to be visiting Laura at Mizzou, where she goes to college. He was excited to visit Laura at the "zou college." So cute.

Jackson really likes his "Zou" Tigers and he wore his team apparel for the day! Laura has Mizzou stuff to wear for everyday of the week and more. Seeing her in black and gold is nothing out of the ordinary.

Laura took us to lunch at the dining hall. (She saved up meals from her meal plan, so maybe I should say Mom and Dad treated us to lunch.) Jackson enjoyed eating a wide array of food- french fries, cottage cheese, apple sauce, peaches, ice cream, and a bite of cookie.

 He even shared with Laura.

Jackson was a big help, assisting Laura in checking her mail! He loooooved those combination locks.

We spent a few hours in the afternoon at the mall. My BFF from high school met up with us there and it was so nice to catch up and visit with her! Though I need to stick to hanging out with friends who are less ambitious. It's only taken me three years to finally complete *half* of my graduate degree and she's about ready to graduate with her doctorate (Law) and an additional master's (MBA).S he already as a job, and an office, and also serves as Managing Editor for the MU Law Review. Did I mention that she graduated a year after me?! Man, I am a total slacker! 

Anyway.... we headed back to Laura's dorm for awhile to hang out. It was nice just to visit and chill!

College = junk food. Jackson totally caught on quickly.

Julie is so bummed that she doesn't get to go to college next year (she still has three more years of high school back in Denmark!)

Jackson did a pretty good job just hanging out in Laura's room. Uhm... yes, that might actually be pink polish on his index fingernails--but he asked!! And they match Aunt Laura's!

Right before we left, Jackson said, "Jackson, picture, cheese"... so we had to take one last shot! Take a look at those eyes. He totally has Aunt Laura (and Uncle Phil) eyes...not his mommy's or his daddy's. 

It was such a fun day!! Walking around the college campus and the mall completely wore me out and I spent most of Sunday on a couch/bed with a heating pad. Laura loves her school and I think it's just fun being on any college campus. It's nostalgic! I am looking forward to visiting again... when I'm not 9 months pregnant and there isn't a bazillion inches of snow on the ground so we can walk around more and check it all out!

And here's a box of your stuff....

I had to pack a box today, and the entire time this scene was going through my head:

Rachel: Yeah. Ahh, here’s a box of your stuff. (hands him a box) 

Ross: What?!

Rachel: Oh, y'know, it’s just like hats, and a shirt, and CD’s, just sort of stuff that you've left here.

Ross: What are you doing? Are you trying to hurt me? Or something? 

Rachel: No. Ross, it, it just seems that y'know it’s time we-we y'know, move on. I mean, I mean don’t’ you think?  

----------------------------- 

Ross: No!! Y'know-y'know don’t do me any favors. In fact, where, where’s the rest of my stuff?! Huh? Like-like my umm, (picks up a book) Hey, this book is mine!! And-and-and, and that T-shirt you sleep in? I’d like that back too. Yes I do. 

Rachel: You know how much I love that T-shirt! You never even where that T-shirt!  

Ross: I’m just trying to help you, move on. 

(episode: The One With the Tiny T-shirt)

My box didn't include a dinosaur mug. Instead, it housed extra diapers, cups, a swimsuit, blanket, baby doll, a pair of shoes, and an extra pacifier.

Today was Chacey's last day of coming over. Okay, probably not, like, forever and ever. But she starts a new daycare on Monday. It is just so sad to think about. Her little smiling face has lit up our house for over a year now. And she is without a doubt, Jackson's BFF.

I mean, I knew this was coming. Our little girl is arriving in two weeks. TWO WEEKS. I am hoping to get in some good Mommy-Jackson time, doing some fun things together, driving up to spend a day or two with my parents, but also to finish up the loose ends and finish the final preparations.

Here's a picture of the pair from a post on Feb. 3, 2010

This is a picture from today today, Feb. 4, 2011

And here's the "last" good-bye hug. 

I am really hoping that after things settle down-- after Derek gets home, we are in a good routine, and the baby girl is a few months old-- that things will work out that Chacey can still come over once or twice a week. In all honesty, it will probably just make things easier for me as they do a good job (most of the time) at entertaining themselves and playing together. But honestly, I just really like having Chacey around.

At least, they'll still have church to play together... and maybe a McDonald's play date or two before the baby comes!

For the Love of Cookies Winner

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner.


True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 17
Result:  5


Congratulations, Joy! I will send out an email to get your address later today! Your Valentine will be thrilled to receive the gift box and you'll have some cookies to enjoy too!

There is still plenty of time to order a bouquet or gift box from For the Love of Cookies for your Valentine, but Friday is the deadline to receive $2 off your order. 

Apparently, Elmo has Asthma

I walked into Jackson's room today to find him holding up his inhaler (connected to the child-use contraption thingy) to Elmo and counting to five. When we have to use it on Jackson the rule is one puff and then count five breaths and then do it once more. He's got it down!

I would hate for Elmo to be wheezing and coughing on the food when Jackson is cooking me "Pizz-ie" and "b-ocli".

My One Word

On January 1, my facebook feed was full of New Year's Resolutions posted by friends and family. And I had one friend who mentioned the the One Word project-- instead of picking a set of resolutions by which you can succeed for fail (or forget about completely), you simply pick a word that will remain in focus for the year that assists you in becoming more of the person you want to become. I knew, almost immediately, what my word was going to be.

Perspective

Despite having picked this word back in the very early days of the month, I gave myself until the end of the month to blog about it. Here I am with just minutes to spare. Good thing procrastination wasn't on the list of things I need to work on this year!

Perspective. This word has really kind of been on my heart/mind a lot ever since Derek left for active duty in July. It is so easy to find reasons to host pity parties for ourselves, no matter what is going on in life. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, "if anyone deserves to have a bad attitude-- it's me! I'm husbandless, I'm pregnant, I'm a mommy by myself! This is HARD!" And then it dawns on me that all of those negative thoughts arise when I am focusing so inwardly!

The first way the word "perspective" plays a role is to consider life's purpose, the ultimate goal: to live a life pleasing unto the Lord; to obey his commands. With this in mind, I am reminded that we were obedient to his calling for Derek to enlist, in the first place. It's a little harder to grasp this concept with the factors that we didn't particularly choose at this time, like the timing of the pregnancy. But, it is still something that has to be accepted. And when looking through the events as a part of God's plan, it seems so less overwhelming and daunting.

Next, is to put into perspective what these actual obstacles mean in the long run of life. Ideally, Derek and I live to spend decades and decades more of life together- this is merely nine months. And yes, Derek may miss the first four weeks of his daughters life, but what is four weeks in the grand scheme of him being there for her for the rest of her life?

Sometimes it takes conscious effort to change perspectives, forcing myself to finding the positive aspects of the situation instead of finding the negative ones. Like, the pride that accompanies the fact that my husband is so selfless that he obediently followed God's command to enlist in serving others. I have been humbled by the tremendous love and support from friends and family- people to clean the house, shovel the driveway, help take out trash, to offer their 4x4 monster truck as transportation should this baby decide to come during this upcoming storm of the century. How can I sit and be upset with the cards we've been dealt when I am surrounded by such compassion and generosity?

Lastly, there is looking at the perspective of how other people live their lives. Not that it makes my life easier, per say, to know that someone else has it harder. But, it does help shift the "pity me" thoughts into "wow, I may not have it too bad after all." I have come to the conclusion (maybe a little late in the game) to realize that everyone (every family) has their cross to bear. There are families who are dealing with the deployments with wives nervous at every knock of the door hoping it's not the army to tell her that her husband isn't coming home. There are wives who have husbands who work long hours to provide for their family and despite actually living at home, they see very little of each other. There are pilot's wives who deal with separation consistently throughout the husband's career, missing babies' milestones and family events. Everyone has it rough in different ways. I am no exception.

Ultimately, the concept of perspective is to shift the focus outside of myself- my wants, my comforts, to a focus on God and others.

In as little as just a few hours after choosing my word, I was faced with circumstances in which I had to decide the perspective in which I would focus. Throughout this month, in ways both big and small, I have been reminded of the importance of this word in my life at this time. Whether it's considering how Jackson may feel in a certain situation instead of just getting upset at his actions or accepting that having Derek home for three days for the birth of our little girl is, in fact, a great blessing and not something to whine about.

I am excited to be challenged by this word. I am anxious to see how it changes me over this next year.