Random Pics of Jackson

Jack, Mom and Dad. Soon they will be four.

Jack and Uncle Josh making stone soup.

He seems a little pensive in this one. The shirt is true.

Working on the computer

Light Saber Fights Go On All The Time

5 lbs.? Piece of cake!

The Emperor Meditating?

Gratitude

This week I am just grateful. So grateful that my younger son is alive and well. Very early yesterday morning, lightning struck his apartment building and the subsequent fire destroyed the complex. He was halfway awake when the firemen beat on his door and told him to get out. This is a miracle in itself. My son can sleep through hours of the alarm clock going off at the highest volume you can imagine.

At any rate, he got out. He had on his shirt and pants and flipflops. No cell phone, no sweater, nothing. When the fire was out he was able to go back in and retrieve some things. Amazingly, his clothes seem to have survived after going through the laundry. None of his electronics and few of his furnishings survived. But as he said yesterday, "It's just stuff." And it is.

The only thing of value that matters to me is walking and talking and going about his business today. His name is Josh. Thank you God for this precious gift.

Camping Again

We took Jackson to Brazos Bend last week just overnight to test out the new trailer. It was a beautiful weekend and we had a nice time. Of course, it was way too short. Jackson is ready to go again and so are we. By the way, the new trailer is excellent.

A Post for Beth

A couple of weeks ago, Beth posted on her blog about food associations. I quote from her blog, "Aunt Debbie::flintzens--she makes great ones!"

I promised Josh that I would make flintzens the next time he and Ashley were home for the weekend. Well that is this weekend so this morning I got up and made them. Beth, I'm sorry you couldn't be here but I thought I would post these pictures so you would feel like you were. Maybe you will remember burnt fingers after you sprinkled the sugar on them and rolled up those hot little delicacies. And maybe you will even imagine the wonderful taste of them. Enjoy!

Our New Purchase

Last Thursday afternoon, Donald and Jackson and I left heading up to the Fort Worth area to purchase a new RV. We love to camp (in comfort) and the time had come to replace our 1988 fifth wheel that we got from Donald's mom after his Dad died. Jackson has started going with us some and besides being old, the RV was just too small. We were trading it in so we pulled it up there and slept in it one last time before buying the new one on Friday. We stayed at Lake Bardwell out of Ennis Thursday night. Jackson was just a trooper about being in the truck so much. He wasn't so sure he wanted us to get a new one either. He loved playing in the old one. But he seems to have gotten over that. He is in and out of the new one. I think it is like a play house for him.

Christmas

We had a really nice Christmas. On Christmas Eve, my sister came in from Louisiana. We did a few errands as soon as she arrived. When we got back home, I cooked a shrimp stew for supper. Before we ate though we went to the Christmas Eve service at Brazos Pointe Fellowship. It was a very nice service. We came home and ate and it was good. Phillip came by to eat a bite when he was finished with the second service at BPF. Josh came in a little bit later too and finished up the stew. I tried to do as much as I could to prepare the Christmas lunch that night.
In the morning, I got up early and put the roast and ponce (a Cajun dish) on to cook. Did quite a few other things as well and things were well in hand when we had to leave to go to First Baptist in Lake Jackson for their Christmas morning service. It was also a very nice service. We got home before noon and did the final preparations for lunch. Josh and Ashley came in, followed by Phillip, Jenny and Jackson. We had a nice lunch and then attacked the tree. Jackson had a good time opening up his numerous gifts. Here are a few shots from the day and the day after Christmas as well.

Jackson's Christmas Program

I have been meaning to post a couple of pictures from Jackson's Christmas program at preschool. It was very entertaining. As his mom and dad posted on their blogs, he planted his chin firmly on his chest and never looked up during the whole thing. But he didn't cry. He was very happy when it was over. You should be able to spot him in the picture to the left.

Happy as a lark now that the ordeal is over. (I almost said over with but I know some people get bent out of shape when someone ends a sentence with a preposition.)

An Early Christmas Gift

Jenny called Tuesday night and said Jackson wanted to come over to give me an early Christmas gift. So over they came. He walked in with a "Build a Bear" Box. Well I wonder what that could be! I collect Santas and they decided I needed a Santa Bear. If you squeeze his paw, he says (in Jackson's voice), "I love you Nana!" Actually he kind of shouts it. It is great.

More Camping Pictures

Jackson with his pet spider, Silky Sam
It was kind of foggy on Saturday morning but lots of deer came out to eat early. Several babies just ran and played. We enjoyed watching them.
Jackson helped fix breakfast before heading home.
Friday was hot and sticky. Jackson had a snack of fresh fruit after playing hard.

Camping at S.F. Austin "Stake" Park

Not too long ago, we took Jackson to Stephen F. Austin State Park in Sealy. He always says "stake" instead of state. We had a great time. He loves camping.
This was our campsite. Very nice park.
Jackson and Granddad just visiting while the burgers are cooking.
Throwing a bouncy ball with Granddad.
Busy, busy, busy.
Building the fire for roasting marshmallows.
At the end of the day, Jackson is pretty tired.

Fridays with Jackson

Jackson and Granddad worked on this lovely creature last Friday. They agreed that he sort of looks like something out of Where the Wild Things Are.


















Jackson adding some more chalk drawings to the driveway. All this artwork is still there.













Nowadays when I tell Jackson to smile, this is what I get. Lovely.

This is rubber spider leg soup that Jackson asked me to cook for him. If you would like a recipe, just mention it in the comments.











Jackson enjoying the rubber spider leg. MMMM!