jackson3

New Years Eve and Christmas

2012-01-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

Every year Jeff grows a beard for two months this year he made it three. Ugg, I don't like it! Our 7 year anniversary was Dec 30th and his gift to me was shaving it off. Little did I know he would keep that horrible mustache for a whole week! So Josie and I joined him for this fun picture.

We spent New Years Eve with Jeff family and Josie had a blast. She stayed up til midnight and took her noise maker outside and yelled HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We all had some sparkling apple cider and she drank every last bit and then picked up the bottle and chugged out of that. Hope its not a look at her future! Haha!

We spent a weak and a half at Jeff's family's house in Wichita for Christmas and had a lot of fun. We played with old friends and Jeff and I got to see some friends as well.

Clearly Josie had a great Christmas. She got the Barbie Jeep she had been asking for. She loves it, but it is tough learning to drive.

We get p.j's for Christmas Eve every year, these are Jeff's picks.

Josie and the tree, so excited to go to bed so she could get up and open all of those gifts!

Our family of three, Josie's 4th Christmas and her last extravagant one, for reals, this year was nuts.

Candle light service on Christmas Eve, such a precious picture, although I was freaking out letting her hold fire by her self!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

Jeff and his pig! We do a gift exchange every year and every year Jeff gets a gift thats not so much his favorite, but hey Josie loves it and plays with it all the time.

The kids all get a gift from each family and Josie got some cute stuff =) Last year she got this same pair of boots from Aunt Linda which she loved and wore so often they now have holes. When she opened them she was very confused, she said, "what!!!! I already have these boots, ugg!!!" I reminded her how much she loved them and how her old ones were thrown away. After that she was thrilled and excited! She's a funny girl! She also got her first remote control car. It is Strawberry Shortcake and she took it for show and tell the next Monday! Thanks Aunt Sue!

The Hall crew! My beautiful cousins and Aunt Sue. I think she looks way to young to be my aunt ;)

While most of the U.S.A was black Friday shopping places like WalMart and Target we went into town. Yup, no long lines for us at the General Store and Soda Fountain.

We are an extended family of cheerleaders and Josie was thrilled to get tossed around by her cousins =)

Here is the cousin crew with grandma and grandpa (missing Ricky Jr. and Trey, and Kim) We are all so old and attractive!

The Hall, Johnson, Jackson crew. (missing Trey) Jeff's beard makes up for the missing person =)

Lots of Football, most important was the A&M Texas game. A&M lost, sorry Williams boys!

Josie and I decorated the tree for my grandparents, she had a blast!

Puzzle time, we always set up a puzzle and sit around and try to get it done, this years was too hard and didn't get finished.

So many people to cook, I didn't have to lift a finger =) It was super yummy!

Poor Lauren, Josie followed her around non-stop!

Our Christmas tree we cut down on my grandparents land!

What we have been up to lately

2011-10-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

We have been spending lots of time together on weekends outside, enjoying the warm weather. Went to the pumpkin patch like every other family in America!

We hike every weekend we can. Josie loves to climb up the rocks and we love that she is spending time outside keeping active.

I am volunteering at my parents church, they have a school, K-8 and Josie and I go twice a week. We usually bake with the 1st graders and do handwriting and social studies. It is a lot of fun and Josie benefits from the work sheets she does with the kids.

I enjoy this kind of view all over the Springs. This is what I see leaving the grocery store!

I love to work out and try to do as much outside as I can. So I get to look at this while running, awesome!

Josie is working on staying in bed all night and when she does she gets a sticker. After 30 stickers she got this costume for Halloween. The sticker plan is working and I think we are pretty close to a habit!

I turned 30 and Josie helped me blow out my candles. It was a great birthday!

I am coaching at an Elite Cheerleading gym and I love my team. We are gearing up for competition season!

We had our first snow and made this guy at recess!

Jo goes to gymnastics once a week and loves her teacher, Mr. Les!

I can't believe how busy I have stayed not having a full time job. We are still adjusting to our move, but loving Colorado!

fashion tips from a mini fashionista

2011-10-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

This season mix and match your colors and patterns. Bring a summer skirt into fall by adding a pair of tights to keep your legs warm! Want to wear that strappy summer dress just a little longer pair it with a long sleeve shirt. One that doesn't match is ideal for an extra fun look!

HA! Josie would look like this everyday if I let her dress her self. She loves to get her self dressed and I let her wear what ever she wants once a week or so! This dress (above) is her fav and she would wear it everyday and to bed if I let her. I love that she wants to be a big kid and dress her self.

My new Job

2011-09-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is the first month in the last three year I won't get a pay check. Its weird to not go to work. I am a little nervous to not have that money to save, or spend on things I WANT! Ha! Guess this time with Josie is better though.I'm sure I will teach again, and have spending money, but she will never be three and this is worth more!

2011-09-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Josie worked really hard these last few weeks to earn this princess phone! Today we got to go to the store and get it! She also needed pants, and when I asked her what kind of pants she wanted she said, " leggings that cover my feet" so she got a pair. I hope her helping me pick out some of her new clothes will help the !!!I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THAT!!! problem we are having in the morning. Which I can't believe is happening, she is only 3!

Hiking and Baseball

2011-09-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Jos in the high chair, she insisted!
Being silly, I like the pictures in the background!

Never knew pb and j could be so good!

We had a fun weekend. We went hiking at Red Rocks Canyon on Sat afternoon it was beautiful and we all had fun climbing around on the rocks. After we went downtown Colorado Springs to PB and Jellies for a snack at a gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Josie loved it, they have 6 different kinds of peanut butter and a jelly bar. So fun, for some reason she insisted on sitting in the high chair.

On Sunday we left Jos with my parents and went to a Rockies game. They lost and I thought I might melt in the direct sun for 3 hours, but we had a great time!

up and down

2011-09-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Is what the doc said recovery would be like from her tonsillectomy. Here she is ready to go (still has her huge tonsils) At the hospital, she was starting to get nervous, but still her brave little self. I got to go into the operating room with her and put her on the table and hold her hand as she fell asleep. She was awesome, so still, she laid there and breathed the anestehia like a champ, no kicking or screaming. The nurse said she had never ever seen a kid Jo's age be that clam. I read a book to her almost every day leading up to the surgery and she knew exactly what was gonna happen so she was ready.

Of coarse you can't be in the hospital with out some special treatment. Here is the pillow pet she begged for, for months =)

On the ride home. Eating some ice chips. She did such a good job, eating and drinking when asked.

The next morning. A high right, loopy from pain meds.

Still a little loopy, dressed up as Aerial while watching The Little Mermaid.

Lots of ice cream, she says oohhh this is cold and feels so good!

Back to a low last night and this morning with bad ear aches. After a little medicine she is back to her old self. She should be back to normal in about a week. Can't wait to get back to gymnastics, cheer and running around outside.

Some phone pic's from last weekend

2011-09-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

More fun at the North Pole Dad and Jo on the car ride, the one thing he can ride that won't make him sick =)
Jo's and her BFF Lalia, they won matching hair pieces at the arcade.

Jo says she is gonna marry Denim so she can live with Lalia.

Karen and I climbed the incline in Manitou on the side of Pikes Peak. I love doing it! Great workout and amazing views. I want to try and do it once a week. Above is the top and below is the bottom.

Best Labor Day Weekend EVER!

2011-09-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

We had some guests from Wichita this long weekend and we had a blast. We stayed very buys doing lots of fun Colorado Springs stuff:

-Cheyenne Mt Zoo

-Climbing around Garden of the Gods

-Playing at America the Beautiful Park

-Eating pizza at Fargo's

-Freezing at the Balloon Glow

-The women climbed the Incline and hiked down the Barr Trail while the men and kids drove up to the top of Pikes Peak

-5 full hours at the North Pole (Santa's Work Shop)

All with two three-year-olds, a five and seven-year -old. It was kids dream vaca. These are Josie's very best friends and she had soooooo much fun I don't know what can top it! So if you want a great time for a good deal come and visit us in the Springs and we will take care of you. We don't have a good camera so these pics are complements of Dave Ulmer! Take a look and come and hang out with us! Jeff blends in with the wildlife and I desperately need my hair dyed!

The kids!

The kids

The only shot of Karen and I, we look so serious!

Lunch in the car, the kids thought it was great and we loved the price!

At garden of the god's Jeff is in the background keeping the rock off the kids, Ha!

Look at this total model pic! LOVE IT!

Look hard at the scar on the face of the mt in the back, that's the incline we climbed! Tough, but we did it in 59 min and 7 sec soooooo under an hour.

The kids loved climbing around on the rocks and now I get why my mom was so freaked out to let us do it as kids! There are some serious drop offs.

We to the Balloon glow, it was way cool to see all of them light up at once.

Clearly Josie was more interested in something other than smiling for the camera!

Cute family!

The heart one was Josie's fav!

They were cold, it was barely 30 degrees up there! Look at Jeff, I can't even begin to imagine him with 4 of his own kids!

Daddy /daughter, or mountain man /daughter, whatever =)

Best friends and fav pic from the whole weekend!

We spent a day at the North Pole, which is an amusement park on the side of Pikes Peak. I HIGHLY recommend it for family's with kids. There are tons of rides, no lines, less than 20 bucks to get in annnddd you get to visit Santa. The kids saw him first and Josie asked for a real drivable Barbie car. Santa looked at Jeff and I for approval if he could say yes one would be on the way or no Santa can't bring that. Ha! we were totally blindsided and it looks like we will be figuring out how to have Santa bring her that car! (anyone have one or know someone who wants to get rid of one?!?!)

Josie gave us the thumbs up sign when she was having fun! We saw it alot that day!

Even the adults got in on the action! What a fun weekend we had! We love Colorado Springs!!!!

Quick trip to KS

2011-08-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

We ended the trip at the Doughnut Whole, one of our favorite places. We met Josie's best friends there. Josie stayed with Grandma Mimi (even though I tried to bring her to the lake with us, she wanted nothing to do with leaving grandma!) and Jeff and I went to the lake with some friends. We spent some time on the boat, took a few naps and learned a new sport.

I have never really spent much time on the water (I am a mountain girl) but I managed to navigate my way on a wake board.

Jeff did too.

We had such a good time!

3 1/2

2011-08-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

Josie is super fun and funny at 3 1/2. This is her best friend ever, so far, and they both say they are going to get married! To bad he lives in Wichita, but I guess you never know =)

Josie is not going to preschool this year, gasp!!! I know, what an awful mom I am and I'm sure she will be sooo far behind when kindergarten rolls around. Oh well, my kindergarten/special education teacher mom says she will catch up and be fine so I'm just gonna enjoy my time with her at home. (she just this very moment told me I am her best mommy) She is however going to gymnastics and cheer once a week each. She loves it!

She is also working on some memory verses and my mom told me she would bring home some worksheets from school. For a 3 1/2 year old she has a giant vocabulary, so we are working on some new words and synonyms. Today I taught her disappointed for sad, frustrated for angry and exhilarated for happy. She is walking around using them like a pro.

She loves to play! She is so creative, making up stories and playing with dolls like they are real people. It is captivating to watch. She loves to help me cook, do dishes, clean. She just gabs a stool and joins right in.

She can skip, throw a ball and catch it, kick a ball, loves to run, do a back bend and almost kick both legs up to a full handstand. She keeps asking her gymnastics teacher when she is going to learn how to do a real back flip!!!! She loves to do sit ups and push ups with Jeff and I, so I think we may have an athlete on our hands. She also loves to sing and sing LOUD!!! Ummmm don't think we have a pro singer, oh well it makes me smile! My favorite thing however is when she says mom, mom, MOM, MOOOMM and I finally say (a little annoyed) WHAT JOSIE!! And she answers, I love you! I love you too Josie, more than you will ever know!

We went on vacation

2011-08-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

And Josie spent the entire time in the pool! We spent a week with my mom side on the fam at Rockport in TX. Josie made alot of new friends. She just loved my cousin Chris's girlfriend Molly!

My aunt and uncle have a house right on the bay and we a lot of fun just being at the house swimming, riding in the golf cart and relaxing.

Oh and its not a Hall vacation with out dominoes, loots of dominoes!

Josie played in the pool with cousins and by herself. She never really got out =) Right after breakfast - pool and stayed in her suit til around 10pm when she fell into bed.

Time on the boat was fun too.

Josie's bestest friend, cousin Lauren!

Love the pool that looks like it is connected to the ocean!

Dinner outside every night, yup josie got out of the pool to eat.

One day of beach time, Josie preferred the pool =)

We had so much and can't wait to go back!

hairs cut

2011-07-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

So last year I gave Josie a little trim, her baby fine hair was looking pretty nasty. So a year later I was noticing the same thing. She needed a hair cut. I love her long hair, but having never had a good cut it was looking pretty bad. So we cut off about 6 inches and it look so much better, healthy! She is so cute.

She sat so still and did such a good job. Now we are having fun with all the new things we can do to her hair!

a getaway

2011-07-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took a little trip to Breckenridge with some friends from KS. We left the Jos with my parents and had a lot of fun. The two HAAAD to sit up front or risk car sickness =)
We spent the first afternoon at the Peak 8 fun park riding the Alpine Slide, and the new Mt Coaster. It was a blast, I left my camera and phone in the car =( You gotta go try it out. Then next day we hiked around. Jeff and I used to live up here and could not stop with the remember when stories. Ha! I really hope it wasn't super annoying!

We took a break from out door activities for a movie everyone was really tired!

We had such a good time and I hope we can do it again soon. So come visit!!!!!!

Air Force Academy

2011-07-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

We went up the Air Force Academy to do a little hiking around. We didn't make it very far because of afternoon thunder storms. Josie is terrified of thunder and we had to run for cover. She kept telling me to drive away from the thunder and lightning. She kept tell us the sky was breaking when we would see lightning. A little blurry with my camera phone.
At the Chapel (the most visited by tourist place in Colorado)

A summer day

2011-07-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

We started a Friday fun day with some friends at a splash park. After that we met my mom and bro for lunch at the Garden of the Gods. Josie had her first cotton candy. She loved it! She kept finding places that were pretty and she wanted to pose. We could have been there all day.

Then grandma, Josie and I went get our toes done.

Her first time! She had a blast, felt like a big kid.

All of toes, I always get french tips!

Josie picked bright pink (big surprise!) and the nail lady added the polka dots!

4th of July 2011

2011-07-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

Jeff's family came out for the 4th this year and we tried to pack in some fun things to do while they were here for two days! We had a little dinner on our deck (had to be nice for them after living in 100+ at home this summer) Looks so festive and was fun to make!

We went shopping and walking down in Manitou Springs.

The Jackson siblings. Jeff is the oldest.

Josie loved the ride on toys and at $.25 a ride she got to do a lot. Thanks Grandma Mimi!

A very festive 3 year-old! Some one gave me this dress that is so gaudy its adorable!

We went out the Air Force Academy for fire works. We went last year too and had a blast. This year there were more people and location changed. Not as much fun and we ended up in the parking lot of Compassion International (Jeff's work) to watch with out a million people. Josie did have fun at the bounce houses before we left.

Needed some shoes to match, these work mommy! We had a good 4th. Miss my brother in Afghanistan, but grateful for him and all the others who allow us this day!

This baby turning into a little girl

2011-07-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

My litte girl! Jos and the next door neighbor talk though their windows all the time, Its pretty cute!

I had been getting really excited that Joise is getting older, more fun and easier. Easier, like sleeping though the night, playing alone if I need to get stuff done, taking herself to the bathroom. Then I wake up and realize now we have have to deal with harder stuff like getting in trouble and disapline. Gone are the days when you can say, oh she's too little to understand. We had our first experience with trying to fiugure out if she is telling the truth, does she understand what the truth is?!?!

So she comes home from playing next door after an hour or so and is hiding somthing under her shirt. I ask her to show me what she has and she gets bashful and tries to hide from me. I get her to show me and see two dolls that do not belong to her. I ask her if she took them from her friend and she says no, my friend said I could have them. I ask her why she had to hide them under her shirt and she says, I didn't want you to see them. I explain that taking someone else's toys is wrong and we will have to take them back and say sorry. I ask her if she would like someone to take her toys from her room. Oh man, I wanted to make sure I did the right thing and that she fully understood it was wrong. So we took the toys back and sure enough her friend had given them to her. So I praised her for telling me the truth and she said well mommy I am only a three-year-old. She is way too smart!

I know this is only the beginning and more disapline is to come, more having to decide if I believe her/trust her. All I can really do is pray for her and Jeff and I as we show her how to act and behave.

2011-06-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

Every summer when I was a kid we would visit my dad's side of the family in Denver and we always went to Water World! I loved it, it was one of my favorite places to go. This year I got to take Josie. We had so much fun. It was crazy to walk around remembering my first time 21 years ago. I can't believe I can remember 21 years ago. We went on all kinds of rides. Spent some time in the kid area, some time on family rides and she hung out with Grandma while my brother and I did some big rides.

The pics are from my phone so they are a little dark.

Posing after a long day, we stayed open to close. Josie took a little nap. She fell asleep in my arms in line for a ride =)

After on the way home we stopped for dinner at Cheesecake Factory. We were all still in our after swim gear and felt way under dressed, oh well it was the perfect way to end the day. Josie got sick last week after eating cheesecake so she was a bit horrified to go to a place named after such an awful food. She did not eat any!!!!!

We can't wait to go back to Water World!!!

Nap Time

2011-06-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Josie and her "friends" getting ready for nap time. She would rather read them a book than have me read her one.

Some Phone Pics

2011-06-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. We went two days in a row. There is a great playground and water fountains to play in. It was almost 87 degrees here, so since that is pretty hot for CO we headed to the water. Look at the view. Jos telling daddy she loves him! She is officially to big for this car seat but I can't really imagine her in a booster yet.
On fathers day we went up to Denver to Park Meadows Mall, Josie loved the American Doll Store.

Fathers Day breakfast at my favorite restaurant, The Egg and I.

Josie and the neighbor girl, she is two years older and Josie LOVES to play with her!!!!!!

We found a cupcake shop with pink booth seats, so Josie is happy. They were ok, but Sugar Sisters in Wichita can't be beat!

Josie and her Wichita BFF's. She still talks about them every day and prays for them every night!

our new gym

2011-06-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Anyone who lives in Wichita knows how awesome the YMCA's are there. We miss them like crazy. Of course I worked there for 3 years, so I may be a litte partial, but really they are some of the nicest gyms I have ever seen. So being here in Colorado we needed a new gym. I didn't think I'd find a place like the Wichita Y's. They have a great childcare area, group fitness, lots of cardio machines, climbing walls, weights, great staffs, kids programs, indoor pools and the best of all, outdoor water parks at 4 locations! Well here in CO I found Lifetime Fitness. It's pretty awesome. State of the art and has everything the Wichita Y has. We signed up yesterday and I bet this will be place we go everyday =) After working out while Josie played in the kids area we headed out to the pool. Look at the mountains in the distance.
Ha! Looks like a good hot summer day for a swim. No I think its somewhere in the 70's! That's the biggest difference from Wichita, we were a little cold. I like this gym, it will be a good place for us, but I do miss my YMCA family very much!

Gymnast Josie

2011-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

1st day of gymnastics here in Colorado. Josie loved it! She listened really well and got her stamps, she was very proud! A little blurry, but here is where she might become an Olympic gymnast =)
Hiding in the cubbie. She had a blast! It is a little hard to watch someone else teach her gymnastics because its something I do, but she loved her new teacher!

6 years ago

2011-06-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

we had our wedding in a church. we got married at the courthouse in dec 2004 and went ahead with our planned church wedding june 11, 2005. 3 years later we had this little crazy! its nice to have her around to take pics of us =) she did a pretty good job!
look at us, we are 30 and getting wrinkles. ha! we celebrate our real dec 30th anniversary just the two of us, but our church anniversary we have always gone out for ice cream. today was no different, and we had josie tag along. we went to lulu's in colorado springs (it is a self serve yogurt place like orange leaf in wichita) where we hung out outside and hula hooped to oldies. fun night!

A Girl and Her Dog

2011-06-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Josie is lucky cause I'd never in a million years get her a dog, but my parents have one. She loves him, I'm guessing he will grow on me too.

Josie's Last Day of School

2011-06-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

On Josie's last day of school she was princess as she was the ONLY girl all day! She loved her school and we will miss it a lot! I am going to keep her at home with me next year and hopefully I won't screw her up to much =)

One Crazy Year

2011-05-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

A year ago I finished my first year of teaching. A year ago Jeff found out his company was doing away with his job and he moved him to second shift. Then in Sept he was laid off completely, proving to me that no one is safe in their job! He became a stay-at-home dad. In November we had to move out of our rental because the owner sold it. In December Jeff started a new job in Wichita (a good job) thank you God and Josie started at my private school in the pre-pre-school (such a blessing to have her close by). In January Jeff was flown out to Colorado Springs to have a third interview for a job he really wanted. In February he got it and by March 1st he was in Colorado permanently. March-May was tough balancing teaching, coaching soccer, coaching competitive cheer, getting a new coach ready to take over my school cheer team and being a good mom to a crazy brand new three-year-old. Joise and I missed Jeff but we sure had a great time just us, those months. I got to watch a 7th grader step up and help me out with Joise more than I could have imaged, what would I have done with out her. She is greatly missed!! Josie spent some amazing time with her Wichita grandparents. We had so much fun during the time we had together, now I know how important time with her is. Last week we said goodbye to all kinds of people, it was hard and sad. Things here in Wichita were good, and easy. Now we are moving our stuff to Colorado Springs ready to be there for a while, a long while I hope! I don't have a job, not a single job and that gives me panic attacks. I like to work, but I have decide I will NOT even look at full-time jobs for an entire year. I have a few coaching jobs in the works so we will see how that pans out. Right now I am looking froward to a summer of fun with Josie, my mom and my little bro who will go off to college next year. We are planning on living with my parents (oh man, I left for college never looked back and now here I am 30 and living with my parents) we are planning on gutting it, turning it into our own and buying it from them in a year or two, freeing them up to retire, travel, whatever. Should be interesting. I tear up when I think about my students, my soccer girls, my cheerleaders but I get so excited to think I will get to teach Josie so much next year and for the first time make my family my number on priority! Thank you God for providing for us what and when you do!

Saing Goodbye

2011-05-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

I'm used to it, I moved 13 times in my first 18 years of life. This time is been the hardest. I have a job I love (ok 3 jobs I love) friends, family and over 100 kids in my life who are like my own. An 8th grader told this to his mom who then emailed it to me, and suddenly it feels ok to say goodbye to Wichita for now.

I feel like God brought Mrs. Jackson to Wichita and into my life to get me involved in cheerleading, the only positve thing to get me though a negitive year. Now I need to let God take her to Colorado to help someone else!

I am so honored that someone at only 14 years-old can say that about me! You don't always get to see that what you have done makes a difference. I am very blessed to see it this time.

So onto new things, people and plans God has for me and my family.

Old Town Wichita, Our Part of Town

2011-05-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

We live in loft in down town Wichita and this evening Josie and I took a walk. I brought the camera and she has a blast posing! I'm not photographer and my camera is not top notch but we had so much fun together. We will miss Wichita!

This is the fire escape at our loft, their is a guy who lives below us who is always out on his paito playing gutiar and singing. Josie loves to go out and dance along!

I can do that mommy, because I am a big three-year-old!

2011-03-31T08:44:00.000-07:00

My little cutie turned 3 on March 25th. We were in CO and off of school so we had a crazy fun day! Grandpa got us doughnuts which we ate while we watched a gymnastics meet on t.v.! Josie's choice =) Then we took the dog for a walk, a very short walk, its a really big dog and Josie had to run to keep up! She loves Dodge, her buddy! We went to Target to get some supplies for nail painting (which she can do now because she is a "big three-year-old") and left with this Tangled toy. I have never let her just pick out a toy at the store, but how could I resist on her birthday.

Then birthday lunch with mommy at our favorite place!

She wanted a pink guitar to sing songs and grandpa came through big time!

What she did when I told her we were going to see Tangled at the dollar theater! It was so much fun!

We went roller skating. This is a before pic! She didn't really like it =) oh well!

Tangled birthday cake at great grandma's house!

Annual KU picture of Jeff and Jos. Jeff wants to do this every year until she goes to school there =)

Fun day! We love our little Josie, she is just perfect! Learning and growing everyday. Not a single day goes by that she doesn't amaze me. Thank you God for letting me get to be a mom to this little girl!

On our move to Colorado Springs

2011-03-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

We got married in December of 2004 and talked about living in Colorado. Jeff had jokingly looked in to working at a ski resort and we laughed. October of 2005 that really happened. We lived in the Mountains for about 2 years before getting pregnant and Jeff getting his first "real after finishing his Masters job" in Wichita. We moved back, had a baby, found a church, I stayed home for a while with Josie, found a job, then another one and then just one more. Still we talked about wanting to live in CO. Jeff just needed some more experience in his field and a job to open up. In September last year he was laid off. This was it! He took Josie and they went to CO for weeks at a time to find a job. HA! He got one in Wichita! We were satisfied. We have a great place to live, his job was a good one, my job is my dream, we have a good church and friends. So CO was just gonna have to wait. Then the week before Christmas he gets a call, and now he is in CO working at Compassion International and Jos and I are finishing our school year here in Wichita and planning our move. It seems nuts, I can't believe its really happening. Now we have to decide where to live, where will I work, should I work, how long will it take to find to a church, friends? I'm not too worried I really feel like this is God's plan, but sometimes those thought become overwhelming when Josie is in bed and I am alone. I will miss my teaching job, my coaching jobs, my friends, but I think I am mostly excited for something new.

Next post my amazing little baby turns 3!

Cheer Challenge

2011-02-25T07:35:00.000-08:00

We rocked it! The girls worked really hard and had a very successful season. I will desperately miss them and coaching cheer!

Snow Days 2011

2011-02-03T08:17:00.000-08:00

A fellow teacher told me that snow days are like a pause in the Universe. That is very true. We have had 4, just this year. We (ok I ) am so busy, I am almost never home. Josie is learning the busy life at a young age. So to just be home for two days in a row is like heaven for her. I was hoping on Monday that we would have Tuesday off, so I took Josie to the store to get necessary stay at home supplies. We made cinnamon rolls, soup, and sugar cookies. She finally got some serious play time with her new Christmas toys. We literally did not change all day Tuesday. It was awesome. I woke her up this morning and she pulled the covers back on and said I'm still sleeping. I told her, you get to go play with friends today. She jumped out of bed and raced for the bathroom to get ready. I guess two days in a row in at home in a row was enough for her.

Jos, my little photographer

2011-01-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

Another snow day at home with my Jos. We decided to have a photo shoot. I took this one! Now here are some of her works of art!

All of her favorite things!

Very artistic! Always thought we would have an athlete, but maybe she will be an artistic athlete! =)

Besties

2011-01-09T17:18:00.000-08:00

This is Josie and my cousin's daughter Presley. They are 6 months apart in age and just love each other. They live in Denver and we see them about twice a year. Jos has a doll named Presley and Pres has one name Josie. The last two times they played they decided they are best friends. I wish we lived closer and they could really be friends! Here they are the first time they met. Christmas 2008.

Frosty the Snowman

2011-01-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

Josie's version of Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman was a jolly wholly whops!

I love it, Jeff taught her the correct way to sing it and now she does. Sad........

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

SO CUTE

Christmas 2010

2 years old

Knows all of the words to Jingle Bells, Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Told daddy and mommy what we got for Christmas days before

Went to bed knowing that Santa was bringing toys

Woke up looking for the toys

Drew a Christmas card for G-ma, G-pa, Dodger (their dog) daddy, and Jesus

Has Christmas morning just the three of us for the first time

no surprises this year

2010-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

This year Jeff and I won't surprise each other with Christmas gifts all because of this little stinker. She told us both what we are getting. That's ok, I like that this will be a Christmas to remember!

on the calendar

2010-12-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas in KS and then again in CO!

Maybe I can try to inspire this little girl!

I was inspired today while watching the Ironman 2010 World Championships. I want to do it! The stories of the people who trained, tried, won, finished, failed were incredible. I love to compete and while I know I will never win it, I want to do it! I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and this would be such a perfect reason.

About this time last year I decided I wanted to run a half marathon. So I went out and ran 2 miles, it sucked and I thought well forget that. I eventually kept at it and in Oct I finished my first half. Now I KNOW I can do ANYTHING I work at. I have fallen in love with running, no it's not easy for me, yes some runs are hard and not fun, but I love it and I always will! So here I sit wanting to do this Ironman! Ask me in a few days after I swim a few a laps and I may have changed my mind. This time though, will be different, I know I can, with a little work do the swim! Oh and I guess I'm gonna need a bike =) So on my calendar for 2011........

Jan 15- Indoor triathlon YMCA Wichita, KS ( 500 meter swim, 6 mile bike, and 2 mile run)

April half marathon (13.1) somewhere in KS

June 5 first full marathon (26.2) in Steamboat Co

Aug 7 Ironman 70.3 in Boulder CO ( 1.2 mile swim, 56 min bike, 13.1 mile run )

I think it is a good place to start.

I WILL do a full IRONMAN!

You Go Girls....... and Boy!

2010-11-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

We went back to the Heights Cheer Show this year and totally rocked it out! We did awesome and received a #1 rating for routine. We had the best routine! My "assistant" coach. There to help spot stunts and crowd control! Thank you!

Ready to compete!

some kind mid-life crisis

2010-10-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

HA! I will 29 next week, guess I needed to do something drastic. It has been way fun to get jaw dropping looking from friends and students and not because I look so awesome but because it's sooooooo different! Josie took some pictures for me!

I DID IT 10-10-10

2010-10-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

10-10-10

I ran my first 1/2 marathon. I always said I wanted to do this, then last February I saw a sign at the YMCA promoting a 1/2 marathon training for a race in April. I wanted to do it so I went out and ran 2 miles. When I finished that I said NO WAY will I ever run 13 miles in a row, NO WAY! So I went on with life. That spring I coached the varsity soccer team at my school and started running with them. As the weeks added so did the miles. I started to enjoy running and then made it a part of my almost everyday life, usually running 3 miles a day. Back then it seemed like a lot! My friend begged me to run in a 8K with her and I was not ready at all but did it anyway. It was my first race and H.A.R.D! I finished it without walking and felt something I had never felt before. I had become addicted to running and racing. It was awesome, I knew I would do it again. So we signed up for training and for the 1/2 marathon. I started training in July and never looked back. I am proud to say that I managed to do all of my training and very rarely quit or skipped a day. I love the process, seeing myself grow and change, seeing what I can do when I work hard. I love having a goal, something to work for. I can't lie, I also love that I now have abs, real abs! HA! (above) This is almost half way through the race, and right by my house! Jeff and Josie made tee shirts that said "Team Danielle" to surprise me! Way cute, I loved it. We ran from downtown to College Hill, my neighborhood and back. A few of my students live in this neighborhood too and they were out side to cheer me on, it was awesome!
(above) these are the girls I trained with and we all finished with out walking! Having them made this whole process so much better and a lot more fun! Next up is an indoor triathlon in Nov. After that I am trying to talk them into a full marathon!

(below) my TEAM! Wish Jeff was a runner, nope he likes to lift weights! Oh well, love that they will always be at the finish line!

It was such an awesome experience. Try it, one mile at a time!

Almost there

2010-10-04T05:07:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday is my first 1/2 marathon. I like saying first, because I think I might like to do it again! Through this process I have had a group of girls to work with and an excellent trainer to guide me. I am very proud to say that my long run yesterday was awesome! It felt good and it was fun. I credit that to my follow through of my workout plan every single week starting in July. On July 3rd I could barely run 3 miles but sticking to this plan I made it all the way to 12! I love looking back at the process. I love having a goal and deadline it keeps me motivated. So 10-10-10 is right around the corner and after that 11-14-10 will be my first mini triathlon! After that who knows, but I do know racing is now in my blood and in my life to stay!

That won't happen to me.......

2010-09-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

HA! Thats funny!

Jeff lost his job last week! I don't think the gravity of the situation has hit really hit me yet. I mean, yes we have sprung into action and know we can't live for very long off of my income. Already I saved $50 bucks at the store this week not buying things I don't need, but could buy before. Jeff became an instant stay at home dad, so no driving across town for a babysitter (who I love and feel terrible for taking away an income for her as well) I don't handle this kinda stuff very well, which sucks for Jeff because I don't know how to let him be upset, I'm too busy being upset. AHHHHHHH I am a horrible wife =(

What in the world is going to happen, hummm, no freaking idea. This will be a very interesting time in our lives. Thank you God that I have a job and can at least provide insurance for us. We really still have so much and are blessed to not have debt (well school loans, but that's it)

I am learning a lot this year about the unexpected and the swift life changes that seem to happen almost in a matter of minuets sometimes. And to be honest it leaves me a bit confused and wondering...................

sooooo if you know of anyone who needs a hardworking Master's Degree holding HR professional let me know =)

MY GIRLS!

2010-09-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

Love to watch them be successful!

Sept 13th-17th

2010-09-07T08:57:00.001-07:00

I am sitting here looking at my sch for next week and feeling a little overwhelmed!

Monday- besides working out (training for 1/2 marathon) nothing really, Mondays are no matter what reserved for Josie time.

Tuesday- meet the teacher night (where I have to give a 10 min speech to my kids' parents about English this year. Talk about intimidating, they will all sit and stare at me with blank looks judging :) Need to get a babysitter!

Wednesday- group training (again for 1/2 marathon) work til 7:30pm after working all day! (I do it because I love it! LOVE IT!!!)

Thursday- Football game (my girls) need to get a babysitter!

Friday- Go to away game with the high school cheer team. Not only do I need a babysitter, I prob. need to just have Jos spend the night with someone because I won't get home til at least 10pm maybe later.

Take into consideration that I have a full time job during the day. This is all after school, and Jeff is at work during the times all of this extra stuff happens so he can't help me.

Now I am really not complaining I promise, I thrive off of being busy like this. Well not every week, that would prob take me to my breaking point. I have issues with saying no. Last year it was not as big of a deal because I had Jeff at home in the evenings this year I am learning that saying no is ok and I don't have to be involved in EVERYTHING at school. So yeah this looks like a lot but I have said no to several other things that I could be doing this week!

mommy (not this week, this week it's daddy)

2010-09-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

"Hello my name is Danielle (well this week, I am posting on behalf of my husband so we will call it daddy guilt-oholic!) and I am a Mommy Guilt-oholic"

I had to do this, I know it's cheating but it is to perfect of a guilt story not to share, and it;s not me! This morning we were all at Wal-Mart and while I was shopping for food Jos was running around with dad. All of the sudden I hear my name being shouted and turn around to see my husband with no Josie. She had run away from him and he couldn't find her. He was freaking out. Trying to remember what she was wearing, wondering what to do, where to even start. I knew where she would be and shouted to him her clothes for the day and to go get some help, while I ran to the fitting room area. There she was looking at hats and glasses in the mirror not a care in the world. My husband is scarred for life I think, poor guy! We found him and he asked her why she ran away. She said, "I had to go potty" He told her to tell him next time and she said, "daddy I pooped" She had her very first accident in her pants and was embarrassed I think, so she was hiding from him. It was scary and I don't think he will be taking her back to Wal-Mart til she is 18 =) I know it will be hard for him to get over this guilt even though I tell him it's ok over and over!

mommy rehab, mom memory

2010-08-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

A day early

What I most remember/appreciate about my mom is that she was always there. I don't think I have too many memories without her in them. She let us have our freedom and space but she always played with us. Everything from games and songs to house and dress up. When she took me places she always happily took one or five of my friends. She always included everyone. If she bought me something and a friend was with us, the friend got one too. She coached my sports teams and drove me 2 hours to soccer practice twice a week, so I could be on an exclusive team. She worked off and on while I was growing up, but still she was always there. (my dad was military and she was a teacher so she worked when she could find a job after moving every two years.) God always seemed to know when we needed her to be at home. I hope that I can do the same thing for Josie.

One of the reasons I love my job

2010-08-27T21:04:00.001-07:00

GO P A N T H E R S!

mommy rehab - a day late

2010-08-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

I am so a mommy guilt-o-holic!

I am trying so hard to get used to our new (for now, hopefully not too long) normal. It is hard to be a part time single mom. I have to continue with life without Jeff at home. School started last week and so back to work in full swing for me and I am used to having some support after work, someone to talk to and share my day with. That is gone and I hate having to cram in all the "must do" things into evenings when I just want to hang out with Josie. No, I work all day (I love my job by the way, and there is another reason I feel guilty, not feeling guilty I work!) then I have to take care of things at home and I am sad that my Josie time seems so small. I don't know how to balance all of this. I feel like I can't give all of myself to each thing. I am feeling lost, just lost!

mommy rehab =)

2010-08-16T05:11:00.000-07:00

Hello my name is Danielle and I am a mommy guilt o holic =)

I've been stressing more about going back to work this year than last! (I am a teacher) and maybe it's because Josie is older and we have so much fun and I will really miss her! So I have decided to make Mondays all about her. Mondays she will spend with dad (who works nights and we think will get enough sleep Sunday nights to get up on Monday mornings) (we love the babysitter, but dad is always better) and I have signed her up for an afternoon gymnastics class. After that we will go to the park or swimming or get ice cream, whatever she wants to do. Then we will make dinner together, something easy so she can help!

Today is our first attempt! I am excited =)

half way

2010-08-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

(The pic has nothing to do with the post, just thought it was cute, and Jeff doesn't end up in many pics!)
Today I ran 7 miles in 61.23 min. I never ever thought I could do that! The 7 miles yeah, but the time, I blew myself away today! Now I have a lot to live up to. Last week was hard. I wanted to quit a few times during my workouts. I pressed on and now going into week 7 I am feeling pretty motivated. This week will be a test. I start school and don't have Jeff at home with me in evenings. I will have to run at least one early morn, in fact my Wednesday scares me a little: up at 5am to run, drive 30 min round trip to drop Jos off, be at school by 7:30am. We have kids for the first time that day. Teach all day. I have my group training at 4:30pm, and then all star cheer practice at 5:30pm. Then home to make dinner and get ready for the next day. Wow, that's a bit intimidating! (oh yeah it is also the day I was due with pregnancy #4 so throw in some serious emotion.)

We are half way to the big race!

2010-08-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

A friend of a friend had a great idea... so that I don't have to re-explain it, go to http://www.binreallife.com/2010/08/bad-mommy-rehab.html to check out the details. I decided to give it a shot... so here goes!

(I copied this from my friend, so I can get off the computer and play w/ Josie faster =) )

I am most defiantly a mommy Guilt- oholic!

I put Josie (my two and half year old) in front of the T.V. EVERY evening so I can make dinner! My husband works nights and this is only way I can get it done with out tears from her (or me) most of the time I get it dinner finished in one Dora episode sometimes however the T.V. stays on longer.........

I hear Nick Jr in the back ground say preschool on TV, and it makes my stomach hurt a little bit. I hate letting her watch so much TV. I should get her involved in making dinner with me but when I have to clean it up and get both of us ready for bed I just want to get it done!

So there you go =)

Any of you want to join Bad Mommy Rehab? Check it out http://www.binreallife.com/ and add your own post!

School

2010-08-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

Josie is going to "school" this year. It is 2 hours twice a week. We have enrolled and bought all of her supplies. That was a mistake, because Josie is so excited and wants to go NOW! (She won't start til Sept 7th) She pulls out her supplies to look at them everyday. I remember doing that too. Packing and repacking my backpack til it was time to go.

Big Dora

2010-08-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

We went to the zoo to see Big Dora! Josie saw a commercial and she looked forward to this for a week! Everyday she woke up and said, "mommy we see Big Dora today?" It was fun to watch her be so excited for something. We waited in line in 100 degree weather but it was worth it! She gave Dora a high five and talked about it all day! My Grandma's sister-in-law, Lena made Josie the dress that she is wearing and Josie picked it out just to show Dora.

Getting ready to start a new school year......

2010-07-30T07:05:00.001-07:00

It is almost time to go back to school! Josie and I spent part of yesterday in my classroom working and trying cheer uniforms on girls. It was weird, as I have not spent any time at school since leaving for the summer. It really doesn't even seen possible that summer is coming to a close. Right now Jos is watching Dora while I start my planning. I am excited to use most of my material from last year, but make it better. I think I have some new exciting ideas for this years 7th graders. I don't really know how I will get used to a new group of kids. I know that as I watch my class from last year walk down the 8th grade hallway I will feel like we broke up, like they have moved on to their new English teacher =( This year will be different. Last year I was able to do a ton of after school activities and evening events with the kids. I felt like it help me connect to them. This year with Jeff at work in the evenings I will have to decline these activities to be home with Jos. Reading that after typing it makes me happy, I need to spend more time with Jos this year!

Last year I had 13 cheerleaders and this year I have 20! It's going to be a good test for me. I will have to demand more from them, be harder on them. It's not my personality, but in order to keep them safe and learning I am going to have to learn how to change. I am excited, do you know how much more you can do with 20 cheerleaders? I am also terrified, do you you know how hard it will be to get them to shut their mouths and listen? I was able to attend two cheer camps this summer and have some awesome ideas for the season. Look out for lots of stories and pictures to come.

Today is day 3 of Jeff's new schedule. So far it hasn't been too awful. I am lonely in the evenings after putting Jos to bed and eating dinner just Jos and me is a little weird. On the bright side I can eat dessert in front of the t.v. every night if I want too. (better get out of that habit right now) haha! For now we get to see Jeff during the day and that is nice, but two weeks from today we will have to try and enjoy every second of time we get, as it will be limited during the weekdays. His job as far is going well, his employees like him and he is learning his new job quickly.

I am 4 weeks into my training for my half marathon. I am running 6 miles on my long run days and 4 for my easy runs. Also thrown in between are sprint days and strength training. I am feeling my body do things I never ever thought possible and it is awesome to finish something I always thought too hard.

Josie is going to "school" this year twice a week for 2 hours. I took her to register and tour the school. She loved it and didn't want to leave. I know it is early for this, but Josie thrives off this kinda stuff and loves people and leaning. I hope it will be good for her and she will contiune to love learning as she grows up!

So here we are, have had a great summer and are excited for what is coming for us this year. Stay tunned and I bet I can keep you pretty entertained.

Our trip to Colorado Spings

2010-07-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

We got to spend two weeks with my family in Colorado Springs. We had fun not even doing very much. I did alot of running and working out, I even made time to hike the incline. We walked around the park everyday looking at the mountains and enjoying the cooler weather and lack of bugs. This is one shopping excursion to Dicks for some new running shoes. This bike was way cute and she loved it, maybe in a few years. Josie and my cousin's daughter Presley. My grandma bought them matching dresses, necklaces, shoes and babies. They were so cute together and I wish we lived closer so they could really get to know each other.

At the park to play in the fountain. Love, love, love Colorado Springs.

Made a stop at Focus on the Family to play and see some Veggie Tales.

Had alot of fun and my mom drove us home and then stayed with Jeff and Josie while I went to cheer camp with the high school team at KU. I can't believe summer is almost over and I have to start cooking dinner again =(

*funny Josie story-

At a stop on the way home from Colorado we were eating at a table by a window. Jos looked out and saw a little girl about her age hitting her mommy. Jos said to me, " oh no mommy that girl is hitting her mommy." I said, "I think she will get in trouble, maybe sit in time out". Josie said, "mommy I'm not in trouble! NOT RIGHT NOW!" It was so funny!

So whats changing?

2010-07-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

Our normal everyday life. Jeff lost his job, his HR job. Like most aerospace companies in Wichita, Jeff's is cutting back. His job is going away. We are however very blessed that they offered him a different position. It is not something he wants to do, not at all. He has worked very hard to get where he is in his HR career, even obtaining a Masters degree in the field. He will be trying very hard to find another HR job, looking in Wichita, Colorado Springs, Denver and the Front Range. We will see where God wants us to be. For now he will be working 2nd shift 3:30-midnight. When he told me I cried.

We will never see him!

I will almost be a single mom!

How can we even sleep in the same bed, with him getting in at 1am and me getting up at 6?

It sounded sooooo bad! But how many people get laid off and then offered another job? We are blessed, soooo blessed. I am grateful for this, it just took some time. We will have to get a good plan and stick to it. In a month school starts and life will be CRAZY! I don't know how I am going to do it! I have heard that marriages fall apart with this sch. Will that happen to us? I don't want it too, I know we will work hard but I am nervous. Will Jeff and I be able to give Josie what she needs? I worry about that. I also have to face another due date, I would about ready to have a baby right now, oh man can you imagine this sch with a Josie and a newborn. God knew! I just have to remember that.

So a different life waits for us a week from Sat when we are back in Wichita. Guess we have a lot to be grateful for and lot to look forward too, who knows where we will go from here!

13.1 miles in 13 weeks

2010-07-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

On Oct 10th I am planning on running my first 1/2 marathon. I have just finished my first week of training with a 5 mile run. I finished the whole thing, it was tough at times, but what a feeling of accomplishment! I am doing the training with two other girls and what a difference it makes to have support. I have a long road ahead (13 weeks) and with all of the changes happening in our family (more on that later) this will truly be a challenge! I am turning into a real "runner" and I love it!

4th of July, 2010

2010-07-04T20:57:00.001-07:00

We went to the Air Force Academy for the July 4th festivities. My dad is the director of Arnold Hall and puts this grand affair on every year.

What an amazing place to get to hang out and watch fireworks.

We got to play on all kinds of inflatables and they were free, that made it even better =)

Josie was sooo excited and loved playing. I don't think I have ever seen her so excited in a picture before!

This is about 15 min later. We are under some baseball bleachers trying not to get soaked.

We stuck around for a little while to try and wait out the rain, but really it is no fun with a two year old. So we headed to Red Robin. That was way more fun than freezing in the rain.

When we got home there were some fireworks going off and Josie was terrified! She hid in Jeff's chest begging to go inside. So now Jeff is up laying down with her as more loud booms keep her up and scared. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Times for the Jackson's they are a changin!

2010-06-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

We are leaving for vacation tomorrow, when we come home everything will be different. I am scared, I'm trying to remember God has an awesome plan for our little family and maybe some how, in some way this could end up being better!

starting to have conversations

2010-06-27T18:42:00.000-07:00

this morning i had a nice conversation with josie. i was texting a friend

josie: mommy who you texting?

me: stacee

josie: what you texting mommy?

me: we are going to a movie together on Wednesday.

josie: are you taking the kids?

me: no, just the mommies.

josie: oh..........

first movie and my ballerina

2010-06-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Josie loves Shrek 2! We have it on DVD and on our DVR. She watches almost everyday. She calls him Shreky boy! So when the 4th movie came out I wanted to take her to see it. We even started at Mac Donald's for a Happy Meal and Donkey watch. Then we headed to the Warren for the movie.

We shared that huge popcorn and soda. I am almost positive she would have eaten the whole thing by herself if I would have let her. She loves popcorn!

She watched the first hour screaming SHREKYBOYYYYYY when he came on the screen. Then slept though the scary parts (thank goodness) and woke up for the end!

This is Josie's ballerina suit (as she calls it) she loves to put it on and dance around the house!

if your happy.......

2010-06-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

and you know it!

MY GIRLS (AND BOY)

2010-06-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

This week I took my 2010-2011 cheer squad to camp. We were at a college in middle of nowhere KS for four days. I went to camp in high school and loved it. It is a lot of work. You are at breakfast at 7:30am and don't head to bed until 10pm. It was a little overwhelming for my fifteen 12 and 13 year olds. They were tired. They learned tons of new material and did their best to keep up with the high school squads there with them. All of my 8th graders (but one) are retuning cheerleaders, but every single 7th grader is BRAND NEW! If you don't know how intense cheerleading camp is ask someone to explain it to you. All I can say now is, my poor little 7th graders. They were troopers and stuck it out. They struggled to learn a dance at the beginning of the week and I never thought it would be ready to show by camp competition time on Thursday. We worked and worked and in the end they blew everyone out of the water. We ended up getting, Camp Champs (1st place or best at camp) in the dance routine for their age group! Their performance was awesome. We even put up two half's, a straight up full and thigh stand, and then for good measure did a suspended forward roll out of the full, and threw in some standing back handsprings. Only a few of the high school squads did that stuff. I am excited that I have some real talent this year. Camp was tough and we all learned some valuable lessons. I am glad we went and excited for a new season to start! I LOVE MY GIRLS!!!!! AND BOY!!!!! (who, by the way, spent some time with the big guy instructors and got his very first CHAIR!!!!, that's a guy/girl partner stunt)

7th grade trip

2010-05-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

So we loaded up a big bus and headed to OKC for the day. Our first stop was the Science Museum. It was fun and kids loved running around playing with all hands on experiments. We attended a live performance where we watched a lady play with fire and blow stuff up. There were at least 5 other middle schools there to watch and she took volunteers from the audience to help. At one point she told the kids she needed an adult volunteer and to go crazy for their favorite teacher. My kids went nuts FOR ME!!!! Totally crazy. I have never felt so loved. So I was chosen out of all of the schools that were there. I got to hold an explosion. It was cool. After the kids kept coming up to me saying wow Mrs. Jackson, you are so cool! Now I know what it's like to be the cool kid :) Goofing off and having fun!
After the museum we went to the memorial and museum. I had been to the outside before but never inside. It was really good, they take you through the whole day, you leave feeling like you were there. The bomb was set off downtown outside a Federal building at 9:02am in April of 1995. I was in 7th grade and in the process of moving from New York to Ohio. In the blast the daycare was destroyed and all of the kids died (19 or 20 I can't remember). Most of my students were moved and was nice to see a softer side to them. There is one; however, I will never forget. He was standing in the elevator getting ready to go up to the beginning of the display and had a pair of scissors in his hand. I asked him what he was doing with them, expecting the worst (he is a 7th grade boy, and you never know what in the world they are doing) but he tells me, " I have to do something to remember those kids! I am cutting up my shoe laces so I can leave them on their memorials here. No one should ever forget them, I won't cause these are my favorite shoes Mrs. Jackson." And then I cried!

And here they all are, my children, my first class all 57. I think we learned a lot together this year and I will miss them!

funny

2010-05-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

At the zoo yesterday Josie was excited to see all of animals. We came upon a turkey and I told her what it was. She responded with, "mommy I eat him"!

Haha I laughed for a while at that one!

A Taste of Summer

2010-05-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

G-pa came over to show us his new motorcycle. Josie wanted to get her bike out too! She is getting pretty good at it. Before a trip to the park.
She wore her sun glasses most of the trip.

Just a cute picture.

Playing princess, you can't see but she has her clip-on earrings on too.

All of this playing together makes me excited for summer break and all of the fun we will have!

babysitters

2010-04-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

Josie hasn't had alot of babysitters, my mother-in-law lives 30 min away so she usually watches Jos when we want to go out. Tonight Jeff and I really wanted to go out with some friends and so I had to find someone fast. One of my 7th grade girls had watched Jos at her house with an adult present a few times and so I just knew she would be fine. I was a little nervous so I thought humm...... maybe I'd feel better about having two of them watch her together. My thinking was one of them could call 911 while the other called me. Two is better than one. Two is also twice as expensive as one. They did great and Jos was so excited when they came over. Oh and they both brought their English homework to work on just in case, good girls!

Exciting News

2010-04-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have 15 7th and 8th graders going to cheer camp with me this summer. This is exciting today. Ask me June 5th and I may change my mind =)

Few things to remember

2010-04-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

We went to the Circus with some friends. I forgot my camera but Josie loved the animals, and the sounds and lights.

Jeff had a birthday and Josie sang Happy Birthday to him. I really should get that on tape, it was the cutest thing ever.

Josie started saying oopsie spaghettioes.

Josie likes to get her purse, keys and head for the door saying she's going to California because Hannah Tanna lives there.

Easter 2010

2010-04-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

First Easter egg hunt! She was ready, trying to wait till they yelled go. Josie had to stop and look inside each egg, so she didn't get very many =( but still had a lot of fun!
Mommy and Josie

Daddy, Josie and the creepy looking Bunny! she did really well, not too scared.

Easter dress! We bought it a few weeks ago and she talked about it everyday. I wear my beautiful dress to church!

35 days

2010-04-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

left in the school year. This year has crazy! One thing I know is I love teaching and coaching. It's not always easy but I love it! 35 days, I can't believe it. I have watched these kids grow up. Literally, they are huge now! I am going to be sad on that last day of school. I sincerely hope I have left them with something. Maybe 10 years from now they will tell a story about 7th grade and remember my name.

It's been hard at times, I've missed Josie on some days, been tired alot, and questioned my ability to do it all. Jeff has been awesome, he knows my desire to work and we have become a great team at home, sharing all of the responsibility's. We even trade weekend days of sleeping in.

While I'm never sure of what the future holds for us, we are talking about what we want and where we want to be, this has been a great year and it's not even over yet. 35 days!

This is my......

2010-03-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

Two year old! She is lots of fun (most of the time, then there are tantrums) she is talking talking talking! She knows 5 songs beginning to end: Pink Dinosaur (you know Barney) she always stops to hug and kiss me, gotta love that. Bible Tell Me So (Jesus Loves Me) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Jingle Bells (that's her fav!) and ABCDEFG (ABC's) She loves to go to nastics (gymnastics) on Sat mornings, and swimming on Sunday afternoons.

She can name all of her friends and tell me bits and pieces of what she does during the day. She loves to have her nails painted, and hates bows in her hair! She loves Dora and all of Dora's friends =) She is sleeping in a big girl bed, and stays all night. In the morning she calls out daddy daddy I wake up. Why daddy and not mommy I really don't know. She has figured out how to stall bedtime; drink of water, hug my daddy, sing another song, it isn't always cute =) She wants to be just like me and likes to do what ever I do. She likes to pretend put on deodorant and put her contacts in. She still loves to hug and comes running to me to knock me over.

Stats from the doctor:
Weight 26 lbs
Height 33in
Head 47in
So, shes normal, a little on the little side but her tummy is huge.

We have a lot of fun with Josie and love our little family. This age has been fun and I can't wait to spend the summer with her!

And then there is potty training......... bring it on!

Mommy......

2010-03-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

"my hair so long!", says Josie.

I think she hears that from someone just about everyday!

Josie's Gymnastics Party

2010-03-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

This year we had a gymnastics birthday party at the YMCA. A few of Josie's friends came and we played in the gym. She listened to some songs, doing all of the motions, played on the bars,

and opened some presents. I got her this Dora shirt and just knew she would want to wear it once she opened it. I was right! The second she saw it she started pulling off the shirt she was wearing.

Now she is happy. She wouldn't even put her jacket on when we left the party, and it was COLD!

When I took the cake out of the box she promptly found a chair, a fork and dug right in. It was way too cute to try and stop her.

I thought she might be to young to have a party, but she got it and she had so much fun. Even hugging each person who gave her a gift as she opened her presents. The day after her party she said, I want my birthday again! It was fun for me to watch her have so much fun!

2

2010-03-25T05:48:00.000-07:00

Today Josie is 2! I can't be with her today but I did make her some pink cupcakes (she calls them puckcakes) to take to the babysitters house, and even made enough for my homeroom class!

Josie is amazing and I can't imagine life without her!

Too Spicy

2010-03-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I was getting gas and rolled the window down to talk to Jos while I did. she saw a picture of a hot dog with mustard on it and said, "mommy I no like it, too spicy". I thought it was funny, how did she know?

Then at the pool yesterday she looked up at the lifeguard stand and said, "mommy to tall, I no like it, too spicy".

Haha she now says everything scary is spicy. Jeff and I have totally bought into it and everything we don't particularly like is "spicy". It will be our little joke for a long time I think!

Josie said....

2010-03-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

It's taco time, as we pulled into Taco Bell for lunch.

I sing Bible Tell Me So, it's what she calls Jesus Loves Me.

As Jeff and I lay next to her at night singing her three favorite songs, Bible Tell Me So, Jingle Bells, and ABCDEFG, she says thank you thank you after each one is over.

Tonight I laid her in bed and she said, go away mommy, I tired.

Green Eggs and Ham

2010-03-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

March 2nd is Dr. Susses birthday. This year celebrated in the 7th grade by.....eating green eggs and ham for lunch (i didn't eat them, but i heard from many students that they were nasty=)

and making/wearing matching thing tee shirts.

This my 7th grade team. Left to right: history, math, science, spanish, and english! We have a lot of fun together, I love the people I get to work with!

few things i want to remember

2010-02-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

1. Josie sang Jesus Loves Me all the way through by her self Saturday morning while I was changeing her diaper at almost 2 years old!

2. She was supposed to be resting on couch and watching Dora. She got off and Jeff told her sternly, "Josie get back on the couch for rest time". She started to cry, and I asked her why was crying. She said, " I mad at daddy, he say get on the couch!" We both had a good laugh at that one.

3. We have frequent family hugs, where we all hug in a three way fashion. This weekend Josie has started requesting them.

Don't Know.......

2010-02-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am stuck. I still haven't really been sad about my latest miscarriage, not really, not like the previous two. It will really be a disaster, I'm afraid. I keep telling myself I shouldn't be sad, I have a child. It isn't a big deal, not compared to what other people have gone through. I don't deserve to be sad. If I take time to be I will miss out on time with Josie. It's almost like this is worse, stuck in something I can't get out of. It doesn't help that I am STILL have medical issues due to it as well. I don't know what to do or how to feel.

Valentines 2010

2010-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

We had a full Valentines weekend. We didn't have school on Friday so the fun started Thursday. Parents and students sent each other balloons and cookies. I even got one.

What is Valentines with out heart shaped suckers and.....
cupcakes?

My classroom was full of balloons!

Josie was excited to get my balloon when I got home from work. She spent to weekend with Grandma and Grandpa while Jeff and I had massages, went out to dinner and on Sunday we went to see a cover band sing Beatles songs. Strange but fun!

Snow Days

2010-02-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

A nice thing about being a teacher are inpromtu snow days. It is fun to get to spend a whole day at home when it's out of the norm. We had so much fun reading, playing and watching way to much Dora the Explorer. She talked on her cell phone (no I have not really bought my child a cell phone yet) all day to Hannah Tanna (Hannah Montana)

We took a hour and half nap together on the couch with her baby.

Josie even helped me with the dishes. She handed me clean silverware and then put dirty cups into the dishwasher. (is that not the smallest dishwasher you have ever seen?)

I am not ashamed to say I love working, I love my job. I was not designed to be a stay at home mom. So I enjoy and treasure those few days I get to be home with her all day even more. And yes I can't wait for summer!!!!!

jumpin on the bed

2010-02-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

at grandma's this weekend josie was jumping on the bed. she fell and scrapped her chin pretty good. just now she was sitting in lap and noticed my cold sore on my lip. she said mommy owie, then pointed to her chin and said josie owie. then out of now where holds her finger up and says clear as day: NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPIN ON THE BED!

2010-02-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

i wish it was summer, or spring, just not winter!

Another Snow Day

2010-02-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

Today my 22 month old has been walking around talking on her cell phone to Hannah Tana (Hannah Montana). She also put herself in time out, she walked over to the time out spot said you be nice Josie and sat in time out! Today she helped with dishes buy handing me clean silverware and putting cups into the dishwasher. We had a fun snow day.

tales from the 7th grade

2010-02-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

I love my 7th graders, this is the perfect spot for me. I tried high school, and I liked that too, but I love these 7th graders. I teach at a small school so there are lots of ways I am involved with them besides English class.
Last night I chaperoned the dance. We have some strict rules about dancing and spend most of the night walking around the dance floor telling kids to back away from each other. The slow dances make me laugh. They are so awkward, don't know how to do it, where to put their hands. It is really cute. One boy has a big crush on a girl and we teachers know about because one of us intercepted a note in class. He did it, he asked her to dance! Another boy has liked a girl since 2nd grade, both in the same circle of friends, but she does not share his feelings AT ALL! I looked up and they were dancing. He was so happy, and after ran up to me, "did you see me, did you see me"!
My fave of the night however was a very selfless act from one of our 7th grade girls. We have a boy with a disability and he is always kinda awkward. He danced around the floor by him self most of the night. A few of cheerleaders tried to get him to slow dance, but you could tell they were not doing it to be nice, he could too! A cute popular girl said no to dance with a guy she likes and asked him to dance for real. It was really sweet. It's not everyday you see kids this age put someone else before themselves.
I had a sleepover party after the dance for my cheerleaders, I was dreading it to be honest, but they were awesome, so respectful.
I am hoping by the time Josie is in 7th grade I will have this age down! HAHA RIGHT!

typical

2010-02-04T07:17:00.000-08:00

me to a 7th grader- where is your homework?

7th grader- i'm almost positive it's in my locker.

me- ok, good go get it.

7th grader- oh wait i meant i'm pretty sure it's not in my locker!

whole class- laughing

Doc

2010-02-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

I cried through the whole appointment. I haven't really cried much yet so I knew it was coming. Started when I checked in, I got the balance for the D&C. It costs MORE to have that procedure than it did to have Josie!!!! Then I gathered my self together while I waited for the doctor. As soon as he came in and I opened my mouth to speak I cried and it didn't stop. He even asked me if I needed some anti- depressants. I don't think I do, it was just a hard day. Turns out I have a blood clotting issue/disorder/something or other. So as the baby grows in the uterus and requires more blood, the amount required cannot pass though my placenta because it clots. So when the blood stops coming the baby can't live/grow. Turns out it is my fault, I did kill that baby. Well that's how I feel. I know I could not have stopped it, but it's hard to shake that feeling. So we will take a few months off and start "trying" again at the end of the summer. I will be on a blood thinner of some sort and progesterone. Hopefully we won't have to do this again. The hard part is that even with the help you can't stop a miscarriage, sometimes they just happen. And for me now that I've had three my % to have more goes up. I still don't know how I will deal with getting a + pregnancy test, it will be scary and I'm sure I will take the doctor up on going in to see him weekly =)

So how the heck did I have Josie. Well I did some pretty intense acupuncture for several months before getting pregnant with her (it's covered by insurance in Colorado) and it's known to increase blood flow, but I think she was a miracle and gift from God! If I only have one I'm so glad it's her!

Long Weekend

2010-01-31T16:29:00.001-08:00

Almost time for bed. First night in a big girl bed. Playing with her puzzles, she knows there names and sounds they make.

Ready to go outside on a snowy day.

This was a very long weekend. Friday was a snow day and it was fun to be home with Josie. We (it's funny to we because she didn't help at all) made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and bean soup for lunch. In between we watched way to much Dora, did laundry and took a hour and a half nap together. She rode her trike in the basement and we practiced our gymnastics skills. Jeff was home around 5 and bundled her up to go play at the mall play place. We thought she needed to get out of the house and be active. Well she was active enough during the day apparently because by the time they got to the mall (5 min down the road) she was out. Jeff turned around and came home.

On Sat we set up Josie's big girl bed. That night she slept in it. Bye bye crib. It was emotional for me, she's really growing up. I put her to bed and she cried for daddy. She got out of bed once, but after I told her sternly we don't get out of bed, she stayed. She woke up at 5am got up and cried at her door. (I set up a baby gate) She didn't want to get back in her bed, but slept with me for two more hours. I guess this will be a process.

I saw the movie To Save a Life today and it was good. I really liked it and even cried a few times. I think everyone can relate to it in some way. Go see it.

Tuesday I go see the doctor. I am nervous, I want answers and I don't want to leave without asking all of my questions.

My Smart Baby

2010-01-29T12:28:00.000-08:00

Here is Josie saying her ABCDEFG's that what she calls her ABC's. She was a little distracted, but it's pretty cute. She also has a shout out to Uncle Sean. Sean is my brothers best friend. When were in Colorado Springs for Christmas she was terrified of him for some reason. Now she talks about him all the time.

Some Pictures

2010-01-26T10:55:00.000-08:00

This is Josie's favorite Christmas present. A cheerleader doll from the dollar store that says a little cheer. She calls her super baby! I don't know why, but it is super cute. Josie and Great Grandma Johnson.
Josie and Paul Bunyan ( or daddy)on the airplane (or shiny bus, as Josie called it)

Her new favorite way to be carried.

She received a target gift card for Christmas, so we went to spend it. She is currently in love with Dora the Explorer and Boots. So she has been asking for a backpack. (Dora carries one with her at all times)

So here is her Dora backpack, she found at Target and went crazy over. It was like puling teeth to get off her to drive home.

We had some money left over and I wanted to get her an outfit, but she picked out this baby suit (bathing suit to the rest of us)

Right after a spaghetti dinner.

Last week she was sick (double ear infections) I asked her what she wanted for dinner. She said ice cream so that's what she got =)

My Little Cheerleader

2010-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

I asked,"Josie do you want to be a surfer girl?" She said, "NO"
I asked, "Josie do you want to be a snowboarder girl?" She said "NO"
I asked, "Josie do you want to be a cheerleader girl?" She said "YES"

That's my girl!!!

An Invitation

2010-01-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

She told me in October to expect an invitation in the mail. It would be a card and Via Christi would be on the outside of it. It would look like a card, not like a long skinny envelope holding a bill. She laughed after saying that, I guess too many people connect Via Christi to bills. October was a while ago, a month I didn't particularly like so I tried not to think about it much. She was right, that card came very unexpectedly and at a very bad time.

I got the invitation to my 2nd miscarriage funeral and burial (loss of my second child, if you ask me) the day I had surgery to remove my 3rd child. The very same day! It was awful, Jeff even cried, he doesn't cry. I didn't really know how to react. Jeff took it and threw it away. He didn't tell me that until last night. I had that miscarriage at the hospital, where they take them very seriously. This time it was a surgery center where I'm sure the child was tossed in the trash. I am torn about going or not, how can I honor one child I lost and not this one, or the first one for that matter. It's killing me. Jeff won't go and I don't think I can do it alone. Anyone want to go with me? No really, anyone want to go with me? It's next Friday afternoon, the 29th.

I just don't know what to do. I go back to the doctor on Feb. 2nd. A check up following surgery and infection. This one will be a little different though, we will see the blood work and figure out what to do next. I am nervous about it already, it is the same day I would have been starting my second trimester.

looks like I get to be one of those people......

2010-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

with fertility issues. My other two D&C's went well with no complications. This time was opposite. I had pain and then more pain and then so much that I almost couldn't bear it. Then the bleeding started. After my second time to the doctor I found out I do have a uterus infection and after a look at it, it could end up scarred. I am on some heavy duty meds to try and stop that. Already the doc is talking to me about trying again soon. We were going to wait, at least two years. When I said that out loud to him, he looked at me, worried. I guess if I want to have anoither child I need to make it a priority. Even saying that my odds of not miscarrying again are small. I guess my uterus isn't so healthy.

We don't have all of that blood work back yet, which will make a huge difference in what to do next. So why did we have to have this conversation today, just made me sad. I want to have another kid, but I am not ready to go though this again. Trying to have a child will just be pain and sadness and not joy! I don't know what to do. I go back on the 2nd of Feb. I will know more about the blood work. After that I guess we have to make some decisions. Decisions that could possibly affect us having another child of our own.

I know that every child is a miracle, but wow Josie is beyond that for me!

While I'm still drugged up and in lots of pain.......

2010-01-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

Had a D&C this morning, cried every time, anyone asked me a question! They do put you under, though it is only a 15 min procedure. Now I've had three of these and have had to because my cervix doesn't like to open and didn't want to be pregnant with a dead baby waiting for who know how long for it to happen naturally. So I am grateful that already the morning sickness is gone and I don't "feel" pregnant anymore.

Now that I've had three I get to start all the fun testing. After the D&C I had 20 viles of blood drawn. They will start there. I will go back to the doc in two weeks for a check up and get the results of the blood work. From there who knows! I am leaning towards the birth control, Marina (sp?) I can't do this again yet, that's for sure! I don't know if I ever want to do this again. After the 1st one, I was eager to be pregnant again ASAP. After the second one, we said we would let it go and see what happens. This time, I'm done!

Pregnancy will never be a happy joyful thing for me again. It will be fear and pain. You have to understand why it's so hard...... I threw up for weeks and weeks, never had any pain, no bleeding. Laid down for the big ultra sound to see the doc look like he wanted to cry. To see a perfect little baby in there with out a heartbeat.

Whats wrong with me, why doesn't my body like babies? It's so weird to think I've been pregnant 4 times!

I am very blessed to have Josie, I know that but I've lost three kids now, my kids!

Physically I am doing ok. I am in alot of pain this time. Jeff is here with me and Josie is with Grandma. I miss her but this is good, Jeff and I need to just be for a little while. I have amazing co-workers who brought us dinner tonight and would do anything for me. I was able to find a good sub on very short notice. My dad is on his way from Colorado to do dishes and laundry and go grocery shopping. Last night Josie sat in my lap and cried when I cried, almost like she knew. She would turn and kiss me on the lips every 5 minutes or so. She kept telling me her name was Mickey Mouse (not too sure why) I have a job that I love and 57 kids at school who will welcome me back on Tuesday like family. And it's a long weekend!

This is just so hard and hurts so much. I am afraid Josie will be an only child.

I guess it just sucks (theres no other way to say it)

2010-01-13T14:21:00.000-08:00

I was so excited to write this post because I went to the doctor to see my babies heartbeat.

After weeks and weeks of being super sick and so hopeful, I lost another one.

I'm almost 10 weeks! I don't really know how I feel right now.

It really hurts!

Three now, three.

I don't think I will ever be excited to find out I'm pregnant again!

I have surgery tomorrow morning.

Our Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T15:13:00.000-08:00

Started with opening Christmas Eve pj's. Then we put cookies out for Santa (dropping a few on the way)
She picked them right up, and took a bite, I don't think Santa minded!

Looking sad, she wanted to eat them.

In her new monkey jammies all ready for bed.

Santa and hi elves putting together Josie's new toy.

After almost two hours, Santa landed and left some fun new toys. (The big dog was shipped to Josie from Uncle Trey)

Playing with Santa gifts.

She loves the dogie.

Nice happy family at the Christmas Eve Service.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009