A tribute....

This week heaven gained an extra ray of sunshine when Jason's grandmother,"Sunny" was called to heaven. She was an incredible woman whose nickname gave her personality away. She was petite with beautiful sparkling eyes and a permanent smile. From the day I met her I felt like I had known her for years. She had a way of making you feel so comfortable and loved, like my very own grandmother. I always looked forward to her visits and I am so thankful that she was down visiting after Christmas. She stayed for several days and was able to see all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I know that Jason and his family will grieve her for sometime, but I hope they find peace in knowing she is with her Almightly Lord. She was a godly woman and served him well. I know that he was standing at the gates of heaven( with PeeWee and Rocky) with his arms wide spread and his heart beaming with love for her. The day of the funeral was cold with beautiful snow covered lawns and as her earthly body was laid to rest the sunshine broke through. I think this was a way of her spreading her love over her family. I will think of her always on those beautiful warm "Sunny" days. Rest in peace and God bless those you left behind in that they may also find peace in your memory.

New phrases...

I have to post a few things you've said lately b/c everything that comes from your little mouth is hilarious! You have been occasionally calling me,"Moms". I guess you get this from us calling Gabbie, "Gabs". You have also starting saying, " Hey, What are you doing? or Where are you going?". When we ask you if you want something you say, " Mmmmmmm... no or yes" with your finger on your chin and cutting your eyes with a smirk on your face. This is way too cute! You will also go to the pantry and stand there saying, " I want a snaaack!". My absolute favorite is how you wake me up in the morning. We took the safety knob off and now we hear you jingling your door and then you quietly come to my side of the bed with your fingers in your mouth. You stand there for a minute then reach up and safely tap my arm saying,"Mommy!" then you try to climb in bed with me. I ask you if you slept good and if you had sweet dreams and you say," unhuh". I love, love, love our morning and after nap snuggle time. There's so much more, but I'll stop now. Love you little man!!

Christmas is over...

I can't believe how fast the holiday season has flown by. I guess watching the excitement through a child's eyes gets you so wrapped up that you look up and it's over. We have always had nice quiet Christmas' where we had time to soak it all in and this year it was more like taking in every little memory of what Jackson was doing. It may have flown by, but those moments will stay in my heart forever. There's absolutely nothing like watching a child discover the joys and traditions of the holidays. I can't wait to see what memories our future Christmas' hold with two beautiful children running around. ( Not to mention the growing number of cousins! HA!) Being a Mommy is just plain amazing and fun!!
Well, Jackson got way to many gifts to mention them all but here are a few to remember; Thomas the train table, movies, computer and books, a blue four-feeler to match Greta's pink one, Mr. Potato head, a doctor's kit, a guitar (your fav.- music man), tools-tools-tools ( also your fav.), clothes, sleeping bag and lantern and much, much more. He loved opening his gifts and everyone else's. We are now deciding how to design his "Big Boy" room with plenty of storage. A little hint for mom and dad to remember is put things together early. It took us 4+hrs on Christmas eve to put the train table together and it took you 5mins to tear it apart on Christmas morning. No sleep = big disappointment when its demolished. It's yours to do with however you please though! Ha!. Boys will be boys!! I am learning this very quickly and I also learned to nail the tracks down.
We also surprised the parents with the news of the new baby. We wanted them together, but ended up doing it separately at Christmas. I made scrapbooks of the ultrasound pics ( like I gave them with Jackson) and made it the last gift to be opened. The were just as excited about our new addition as they were with the news about Jacks. The were speachless moments and lots of screaming and hugging. It was such a nice memory to have at Christmas. Now that everyone knows, it seems so real! We are getting very excited as each week passes. I go check an ultrasound each week at work and the little bundle is so happy and content. I'm just in awe that I have another little person growing inside of me. I cant wait to really start feeling them move( I think I may have already.) I even have a little belly at 14 weeks. It just popped out all the sudden. we go on Feb. 12th to find out the sex. I'll let you know!!

Jingle Bells, Shotgun shells...

Jingle Bells, Shot gun shells.... Christmas is on it's way!!! I have to say this b/c Jackson has learned to sing a precious version of Jingle Bells and his Daddy is all about shotgun shells and wackin' the ducks this season!!! We have had so much fun this holiday season. Jackson is so into the season and enjoying all the new sights and sounds. We first ran into Santa with an ambush outside of Dillard's. Momma didn't know he was there yet and Jackson wasn't sure who the strange man in red was. We strolled him up to Santa and asked if he wanted to see him and he quietly said," No" under his breath. Greta protested with a loud cry. Bless their little hearts!!! Santa gave them antlers and candy canes (from a distance) which made them pretty happy. When we came back by you quietly sat in his lap and we told him that you wanted a Thomas the train table. You were very quiet and sat patiently waiting for me to grab you while your fingers were tucked securely in your mouth.

Our second visit with Santa was at the Peabody Hotel with Greta. Santa rode the elevator down with the ducks and lead them into the fountain. You were so excited about all three, the elevator, the ducks and Santa. You kept cheering," Hi Santa!" and "Duckies!". There were several activites to participate in, but you couldn't leave the ducks long enough to do them. Everytime they would splash and get you wet you would laugh hysterically and run to wipe your face off on my coat. You are such your father's child! The sweetest part was how you lead Greta by her hand to show her the fountain and the ducks. You love your Greta so much! That afternoon we went to Mamaw and Papa's house and you saw Polar Express for the first time, or should I say multiple times. You begged to watch it over and over for days.

Our thrid visit was for pictures. You smiled so big when you saw Santa and quietly sat in his lap and read a book. It was so sweet to watch you and we got wonderful pictures to remember it by.

By our fourth sighting you were yelling, "Hi Santa!" across the parking lot to the "big man in red". We were going to Barnes and Noble and he was opening the door for Christmas shoppers.

You almost couldn't contain yourself until we spoke with him. Then you got really quiet, sucked your fingers and smiled.

Oh Baby......

One miscommunicated night
One acute gallbladder attack and a visit to the ER
Two postive pregnancy tests
A second baby....... Priceless!!! (Or should I say shocking!)

Yes, my little one, you are going to be a big brother! We had tossed around the idea, but weren't ready to commit just yet. We have so enjoyed the love and relationship that we have built with you and that was holding us back from having a second child. We question; How we will love another child like we love you?, How will we split our attention?, How will this new addition change our family dynamics?, How will this new little life change yours?. We already feel like we can't capture enough time with you or create enough memories or remember every little detail about you. God must feel like we have enough love to spread , b/c he has blessed us with another little miracle. He knew he would have to intervene this time! Ha! Although we are in a state of shock and panic the ultrasound and the sound of its little heart beat warmed our hearts.

I don't find myself as excited or bonding as quickly as I did with you, but I'm assured in my heart that when our family knows and as I feel this little life grow inside me that I will fall in love all over again. This little one will make our family complete and I know you will be a increadible big brother. Congrats little man!! We love you! Mommy

Catfish...

I just had to mention this... One night you were taking a bath at Nanny and Poppy's and you pulled the chain and stopper out and said," I caught a catfish". Your Nanny couldn't help but laugh and call us right away. You just love your "fishes and turtles" and ask daily to go see them. As soon as we go into the fish bldg. you check them out in awe ( like it's your first time) and then search for your fishing pole, which is a big plain stick that you pretend to fish with. We also go visit the tourist center and name off all the fish and animals. You have gotten very good at differentiating each species. You make your Daddy proud! Now we just have to work on the different kinds of ducks! Ha! Oh, I also have to mention that your Daddy has taught you the correct way to hold your pow pow. I see you standing up to your nick name "Little Bitty Miller" as a great outdoorsman one day. Love ya Baby!

My favorite things....
My favorite things.... 1. The way you kock on your door in the morning and say Mom-my? and then Dad-dy? When we open it you search for Gabbie and call her name as she licks you up and down then you chase her saying," tickle". You always wake up happy and ready for a new day!!
2. The way you say," Daddy working or hunting" with your arms in the air.
3. The you ask for exactly what you want; milk, juice, snack, purple popsicle, chicken and fries, to go outside or to see the fishes/turtles.
4. The way you say," Oh, my goodness" at the right moment.
5. The way you can name everyone in our family photos.
6.The way you count to 10. You can completely count it or I can say," What comes after 5 and you know its 6".
7. The way you say the abc's, esp. when you say "jklmnop". You can alos pick out what comes after a certain letter.
8. The way you sing songs and do the gestures. One evening while riding the Rhino I mentioned the sunset and you made the gesture like we do with the Isty bitsy spider.
9. Oh, how we love to watch you dance, esp. to the Wiggles and wags the dog. You put your hands on your hips and bend your knees to shake your booty. Then you tell everyone to "get up" so they can join in.
10. The way you turn your head to look at us and give a sly grin when you are attempting smething you know is wrong.
11. The way you say " Hold you Mommy" and snuggle in tight next to me.
12. The way I can so easily console you when your hurt. This has to be the most powerful magic in the world.
13. The way my heart melts when your playing with your Daddy and neither of you know I am watching
14.The way you tuck your right arm in and swing it back and forth when you excited and sometimes dance around in a tight circle.
15. How funny it is that you Hate having your hair cut, your hair dried or brushed. You absolutely throw a screaming fit.
16. The way you catch your breath and say "O.K" in the middle of sobbing.
17. You are a very picky eater!!!! You generally eat an egg, banana, and toast or cheerios in the morning. Then you mainly eat shaved turkey/ham, ckn and fries, mashed potatoes, CHEESE, fruit, mac and cheese, bread,dried fruit, crackers or CHEETOS. Lunch is you least fav. meal.
18. You take your medicine by yourself and you know that you get two "dinosaurs" (gummy vitamins) a day. You like to remind me of this.
19. The way you pat our shoulder while we're holding you and your head is down.
20. Your amazing "little chuckle" that seems to wash away the cares of the outside world, stops time and warms our hearts.

You my angel are the light of our lives and the reason we wake to each beautiful new morning! We love you!!