Things #675-677 that I mis about Chris...

675.  I miss the time that Chris would spend with Jackson.  He loved nothing more than to spend as long as it took to teach Jackson something, show him how to change a tire, hammer a nail, cook some rice, pump gas, and on and on.

676.  I enjoyed spending time with Jason and Jami this weekend.  While I was hanging out with them Friday night, I caught small glimpses of Chris in Jason's smile, laugh, and humor.  So nice to spend that time with them, and it was surprising, but also comforting to remember the fun times I had with Chris...

677.  Jackson and I went to a swimming party tonight, my Sunday School class gathered for a cookout and swim.  The guys were all taking turns jumping off the diving rock and catching footballs in the air, and making cannonballs and huge splashes.  I couldn't help but think about Chris and the fun he would have had with his friends tonight.  And how much fun he would have had in drenching everyone while splashing from the diving rock.

Jackson-ism

This weekend, Chris' brother, Jason and sister-in-law, Jami, and our niece, Aubrey came home from West Virginia for a visit.  Jackson really loves spending time with Aubrey, they play and play and play.  He also likes hanging out with his Uncle Jason...and jumped at the chance to "help" Jason change the turn signal in my car.

Jason and Jackson went to the auto parts store to buy the bulb...here's how the trip went:

Man at Auto Part Store: Can I help you?
Jason: Uh, yeah, we need a signal light for an Explorer.
Man at Auto Part Store: What year?
JACKSON:  It's my mom's car.  It's a 2002 Ford Explorer.  We need the turn light, not the brake light.

Jason said he came up with that all on his own...and told me he didn't think I needed to worry...Jackson would pretty much be able to take care of things around here!  He's so much like his Daddy!  Glad some things don't have to be taught or learned...Jackson just seems to naturally be just like Chris. 

Maybe Jackson absorbed the skills from his Daddy during this first trip to the mall when he was just 10 days old.  We went to the mall for a short outing...that turned into a very L-O-N-G outing when we got out and discovered the battery dead on the Explorer.  So, poor Chris had to work in the August heat to replace the battery...Jackson never knew about all the excitement...and even got to enjoy his first ever trip to Don Pablo's (a Paul family favorite) afterward.  But, perhaps, he was paying more attention to his Daddy than we thought...

Jackson-ism

Jackson:  Do you think we'll get to stay in the same room as Daddy when we go to heaven?
Mommy:  I don't know, maybe.
Jackson: How do you think we'll know which room is his when we get there?
Mommy:  I'm sure God has a way for us to know.
Jackson:  They'll probably have posters or something.  Like at the nursing home.

Katie Singing

Katie has really started talking...she says bye-bye, milk, bite, Hi, Hi, Hi...she repeats a lot of things you say.  She answers "yes" when she thinks you are talking to her. But...her biggest new talent: singing.  Grandma started singing to her...and Katie just always seems to have a song in her heart now.  She will bust out in little lines of this song at any given time.  And, it is So. Cute.



Sorry about the crick you have in your neck now.  I'm not sure how to turn the picture clockwise.  Oh well, you still saw how stinkin' cute she is!!

Who Is This Kid??

This boy of mine is just a little extra sensitive.  (I mean that in the OT sense of the word...we occupational therapists use "sensitive" to mean uber in tune with our senses...to that point that we're sometimes dramatic about it).  He IS sensitive, as in sweet, caring, and emotional...but that's not what we're talking about here.

Jackson does not like loud noises.  His imagination gets the best of him and he is "scared" of the "dreams" he has in his head.  He likes his life to follow a pretty predictable routine.  He does not like messy foods.  He prefers to sleep under a blanket, no matter what the temperature is.  All of these sensory preferences, I'm okay with. I get it.  I know kids have preferences and when the preferences are in place...they are happier.  So, whatever, I go with it.  Most of the time.

One sensory preference that I understand, and even respect, is that Jackson does NOT like water on, around, or near his face.  Period.  End of story.  He has a very difficult time getting his hair washed during a bath because he cannot stand the water dripping on his face.  Often, hair washing ends in screaming, crying, and quite a wet mess.

So...enter Mr. Jackson on this lovely day in early May.  Here's the scene:

Mommy is watering flowers and Jackson decides to "help".  Instead of helping, though, he ran through my water hose upward of 10 times.  There was water ALL over his face.  Dripping.  Running.  And he was LOVING IT!!!

Who is this kid??  I have no idea.  But, starting that night...Jackson takes a shower to wash his hair.  And he has not complained once.  Who knew?? 

First Learning Center, End of Year Program 2010 (Starring Jackson Johns)

It is never a dull moment around here.  Jackson keeps me on my toes.  The First Learning Center put on a nice end of the year program, as usual.  Jackson was so excited!  He was just sure that his class would sing "Who Let the Dogs Out".  Because, after all, it is a spring song!  Oh, that boy...

Remember back at Christmas when Jackson stole the show with his running commentary during the Christmas program?  Well, he strikes again!  This time, though, his distraction got the best of him and he kind of missed the whole program...watch and see:



Oh, Jackson...

My Newest Obsession: Hungry Girl

I've recently been using recipes from a new book called "Hungry Girl".  She has 3 cookbooks and they have healthy recipes for the unhealthy things we love to eat.  The dishes are very low calorie and fat, have lots of fiber, and not too many carbohydrates.  And...the best part, they are EASY and taste yummy!

I have become a fan of the Starbucks Mocha Chip Frappachino.  I love it!  The frozen treat, nice and chocolatey with a hint of coffee.  It's amazing.  But...also has about 160 cals for a small.  Not terrible, but not great for an afternoon snack on the go, either.

But...Hungry Girl has a recipe for one in her book...and quite honestly, it's every bit as good.  If not better.  It's just beyond amazing.  I've started having one in the evenings after the kids go to bed.  Yummm-o!