Catching up...

Boy am I ever behind on blogging! Life happens, and the craziness of life has kept us on the go. I started my new job 2 weeks ago, and have really enjoyed it. I work wiht a wonderful group of people, who really care about the patients. I have enjoyed getting back in the swing of working and helping others. It is so gratifying to help others, and give of yourself to others.

We have been busy gearing up for Pirate Football season! If you know us, you know how much we enjoy football season. We're anxiously awaiting our season tickets, but they have yet to come in the mail yet, but anticipate them anyday. Only a few more weeks til football season begins!

I'll try to add updated pictures of Jackson very soon. He's at such a fun age, and we are so thankful that God blessed us with him. He continues to amaze me each day, and brightens each and every day. What a blessing he is!

I'm Employed!

As of last week, I accepted a position at a nursing home in my home town as a Speech-Language Pathologist. WHOO HOO! I start in just a little over a week, so I'm a bit sad that this is the last week of being a stay at home mom with Jackson, but feel so thankful for this opportunity, and have really enjoyed this time with Jackson and watching him grow.
This job offers me a lot of flexibility in my schedule so that I am able to first and foremost be a wife and mother. Yes I will still be at work 30 hours a week, but they allow me to come early/late if need be so that I can be the wife and mother I am called to be. During the interview, one of the first things they told me is that they are a family-oriented company who encourages family involvement because they know that is important in my role as a clinician. The other day I stopped in just to pick up some more paperwork for my licensure (who knew there could be so much paperwork to obtain this little piece of important paper?!?), and the staff made me feel like family in just the few minutes I was there. As the rehab manager walked around and introduced me as the new speech-language pathologist, I thought I would cry with excitement because it has been such a long road to get here, and I couldn't be happier! I'm so thankful for this opportunity, and pray that God uses me in this role someway somehow.

July 4th

We had such a wonderful time on July 4th celebrating our freedom with close friends! Jackson enjoyed all the inflatables. This was the perfect kid-friendly celebration, and was a wonderful evening with friends. I didn't catch many pics while there, but here's a pic of Jackson sliding down the huge slide. I think his facial expression says it all! He had a wonderful time!

Baby birds

Wow! This summer is really flying by! We have been busy catching up on projects, and enjoying family time together. Jackson and I have spent quite a bit of time working in the yard, and Jackson has enjoyed all the crickets, worms, lizards and other creatures that we have caught this summer. The past few weeks, Jackson and his friends from the neighborhood have enjoyed watching this the bird's nest that is on our front porch in our ferns. Just a few days ago, 2 of the birds hatched, and Jackson was so excited and has enjoyed checking on them daily to see them grow. Here's a picture of his new winged friends.

Marbles

One morning last week, Jackson and I set out to visit Marbles Children's Museum. We've planned to go on several occasions; however, something else has come up that has always kept us from going. Jackson loved it and really enjoyed himself. He's already talking about going back, so maybe we will before the summer is over. Here's a few pics of his adventure at Marbles.

After leaving Marbles, we made a trip to the Farmer's Market and checked out the fresh produce and had lunch. Jackson was excited about the various samples he got to try. He especially liked the Muscadine Grape Slushie. I thought it was interesting tasting...He's asked for daddy to go back with us to visit these places soon, so we'll plan another adventure with daddy real soon.

Mercy Me

Last Friday at the last minute, we won tickets to hear Mercy Me in Edenton, NC from the local Christian radio station. We were ecstatic as we never seem to win anything, and we enjoy listening to their music. We decided to make an adventure of it, as neither of us had ever been to Edenton before, and it was a 2 hour road trip from here. We loaded up as soon as Donald got off work, and the 3 of us headed out for a night of worship. We knew there was a possibility it was going to storm, but decided we had just got back from Florida where it rained almost the entire trip, so we packed out ponchos and decided to brave the storm. It stormed most of the ride there, and once we got there it was clear for about 5-10 minutes before the bottom fell out. Luckily, there was a nice covered shelter where we were able to stay dry, and the concert was postponed as the band's bus had broken down in SC so they were late arriving. We ended up bumping into a guy that Donald went to ECU with 7 years ago, and talked with him for a while until the concert started. The band didn't begin to play until around 9:30, and the concert didn't end until around 11.
It was such an encouraging evening, and exactly what I needed at the moment. The past month has been a bit trying as I've really missed my dad, and often wonder how different life might be if he were still here. That evening proved to be a wonderful encouragement that life is but a vapor, and the impact we make for eternity is the only thing that really matters in the end, so no matter the hurt, the pain, the disease...it's all used for God's glory and to impact eternity.
We didn't capture many pictures from the evening due to the rain, but it was a lot of fun, and we look forward to many more family outings such as this!

Disney World

Jackson's First Glimpse of Mickey Mouse

Last month we decided we had so many things to celebrate, that we'd celebrate by having a family vacation to Disney World. We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary, my graduation from ECU, and Donald's 30th birthday. It was a fitting vacation for lots of family memories, and lots of fun to be had together!

We spent 7 nights in Disney World, and were able to stay in a Disney World resort, and visit all of the Disney parks at least once. It rained over 10 inches in the week we were there, but it made for an interesting vacation, and we made the best of it, and still had a fabulous time. We were willing to brave the rain, and dance the puddles, so the crowds and waits were less than they could've been. Here's a few pictures from our vacation. Jackson is already saving his pennies in his bank to go see Mickey again. He loved it! Several times he has said, "Mommy, Mickey misses me. I need to go see him in Disney World." Ha ha ha! The laughter we shared!

Jackson has just reached the 40" mark, so he was big enough to ride most roller coasters there. He loved the roller coasters and many times made us ride 5-6 times in a row. Here's a picture of us on one of his favorite roller coasters there.