Self-Discipline

While looking at organization tips on the internet, I came across this wonderful, simple, practical, biblically-based article written by John MacArthur. I was so challenged by the simple reminders that I thought I would share it with you all!

Click here to read "Learning Self Discipline"

Jackson Update/Photo Shoot!

So here I was...really bummed out because our digital camera is still broken and I didn't think I could take any updated pictures of Jackson to post on the blog, when I remembered our trusty camera built into our iMac! I immediately opened the "Photo Booth" program and started a photo shoot!
As you can see, Jackson is quite photogenic!

Jackson is now 2 1/2 months....approaching three months very fast! He has started to teethe, so things have been challenging for all of us at times. But, on the other hand, he is the sweetest little boy. He loves to smile and talk to anyone who smiles and talks to him. I catch him looking lovingly at me all the time! He loves to stand up now (with assistance, of course) and he has started to show preferences to a lot more things. For example, he has a favorite toy now! Its a puppy head stuffed animal on a blanket. He smiles at it and he will put his arm around it and hug it all on his own! Its soooo adorable! I'm sure you all will enjoy the picture I took of that (even though its a bad quality cell phone pic)! Jackson also loves to listen to his daddy tell him stories and the other day, I read Jackson his first story book. He really enjoyed it! I love how his personality is showing through! I think I'm gonna like this kid! :)Oh, yeah, and the best news...Jackson has slept at least 8 1/2 hours the past two nights! YEA!

Ahhh...to be organized!

Oh, how I wish our office looked like this! Troy and I have been married for 2 1/2 years now and we have never been able to keep our office organized! We collect so much stuff when we are busy (which is all the time!). We are making it a goal to clean/organize the office once more on Saturday. This is the first time we are doing this since we recently moved. I'm looking at this as an opportunity for a fresh start. I hope to keep the office organized so it doesn't get to be an overwhelming amount of piles everywhere! So, with that, I'm going to ask my faithful blog-readers to join in our efforts to get organized. If you have any helpful hints on how to get organized or how to stay organized, please post them!

Diaper Poll Results

In the diaper poll I took within the last couple weeks, Huggies won by a slight lead over Pampers. Although, Troy and I discovered that we really, really like Pampers Baby Dry Diapers! These diapers have withstood Jackson's really watery BM (Dr said it was okay) several times, whereas the Huggies that we have leaked every time (even with "Leak Lock"), whether it was Jackson's overnight diaper (with just urine) or his poopy diapers. So, we found a winner! Yea!

DISCLAIMER: I'm sorry if this blog is too much information regarding the state of Jackson's BM, but, in diaper shopping, that is the ultimate test!

Florida - Day 4

On Monday morning, we headed to the airport. On the way there, we stopped at a Waffle House. This was my first time there and I ordered the hashbrowns "scattered," eggs, bacon, and waffles. The waffles were amazing!
All the seats were full on the plane, so we couldn't take the car seat in the planes on the flight back, but Jackson had no trouble getting comfortable! I'm sure he was glad to relax after all those busy days!
That was our trip to Florida! Hope you enjoyed it!

Florida - Day 3

After attending church at Cornerstone Bible Church in Miami, we all went to eat Cuban sandwiches at a new Cuban restaurant in Miami. Jackson was all smiles there...until he got tired! Then we went with David and Robyn to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. It is basically the Hearst Castle of the East Coast. It was beautiful its built right on the water.







Like father....like son!
Jackson is soooo cute...he was cooing and smiling at the camera!
After Vizcaya, we headed to Key Biscayne to watch the sunset. The water was very shallow and warm! The sunset was also gorgeous! This was our last night in Florida.

Flordia Trip - Day 2

On Saturday, the second day we were in Florida, we went to the Everglades Alligator Farm. There we saw alligators (or course), snakes, huge rodents, and a Florida Cougar who had his eyes on an iguana.


Troy and I in front of "grow out" pens. This is where the alligators stay to grow until they are a good size. Alligators grow about a foot a year.


Jackson was very curious about this alligator. Troy was a brave man to hold this alligator...I never knew I had a fear of alligators until he said I should hold it. I couldn't do it! The thought made me sick to my stomach!

For those Princess Bride fans out there...R.O.U.S- Rodents of unusual size....they really do exist!!! This is the largest species of rodent in the world. Its is called a Capybara. They average about 100 lbs in weight and they look like huge hamsters!

Robyn got the opportunity (well, actually David volunteered her) to hold a Green Burmese Python. David also held a small snake!
After working up an appetite at the alligator farm, we all met at Cracker Barrel for Lunch. Yum!
After lunch, we headed towards the Keys!
We stopped just past Key Largo to step in the water. This beach was beautiful! Jackson even got to experience the water of the Gulf of Mexico!


After driving past Key Largo, we just kept going! It was so breathtaking to drive over the ocean at sunset.

We stopped in Marathon at a restaurant called The Island to get a Key Lime Pie. It was a good pie and good company, and a perfect temperature (in the 70's). Ironically, the Packers game was on in the bar and it was snowing there!

After eating the pie, we headed home. What a full day that was! Stay tuned...tomorrow will bring a review of days 3 & 4!

Florida Trip - Day 1

Our first day in Miami we went to a Cuban restaurant called Versailles and I ordered what was called the Calle Ocho Sandwich. The Sandwich was made on a delicious Cuban bread with fresh carved ham and turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce...it was absolutely the best sandwich I've ever had!
After eating at Versailles, we changed and headed over to Tim & Patty's wedding (the reason we went to Florida). It was held at the botanical gardens in Miami Beach. I have to admit, I didn't see the wedding because Jackson got a bit fussy. It was sooo hot and humid and I'm sure that had something to do with it!

At the end of the receiption, Tim and Patty had a pinata that Patty and the kids at the wedding got to swing at...I thought that was a fun idea. And, of course, Tim put a special touch on that Tradition by adding fake stick-on mustaches to the candy mix in the pinata! Everyone was putting them on...that was fun! Jackson even tried one on!
Of course, we got a family photo taken....without the mustaches, though!
At the end of the night, the sparklers came out to bid Tim and Patty farewell. That was the first time I had seen that done since we aren't allowed to do that where we live! It was beautiful!When we were done cleaning up at the reception, a big group of us who flew in from California walked over a couple blocks to the Art Deco area of Miami Beach and we ate a snack at a French bakery/restaurant called Paul. I had the best Mango smoothie there! It tasted like I was drinking a mango! Troy got a tasty raspberry tart. We really enjoyed hanging out with the California folk!

Jackson's Check-up

Jackson had his 2-month check up yesterday. He weighted in at almost 12 1/2 lbs and is now 23" long! The doctor said he is in the 50th percentile for his weight and head, and the 75th percentile for his height. He also commented that he is a very active baby. Although, I am pretty sure that has somewhat to do with the fact that he was in front of a mirror. For some reason, mirrors really intrigue Jackson. He can't keep his eyes off the "other baby" that is moving around so much and he gets really excited!

Jackson also got his first shots...poor thing! The needles were as long as his thigh is wide! I never heard him scream so loud! He is a good sport, though. He got over it really quick!