GA Baby Shower

This past weekend, Dylan and I headed to GA for my baby shower. I know, it's a but early but we won't be back until after Jordyn is born so my mom sister did it now. It was FANTASTIC! I had such a great time and I'm so grateful to the people that were able to make it. They truly made it a special day. My friend Samie made my cake and diaper cake and they look spectacular! And the cake was DELICIOUS and coming from a non-cake eater that says a lot. LOL!!!







































Sunday, we went to a restaurant called The Flying Machine. It's at the Gwinnett County Airport and sits on te runway so you can watch the planes land and take off. Dylan thought it was the coolest thing and insisted on taking pictures of every plane that took off or landed.














After we ate lunch, we met up with Carol, Bobby and Casey at Malibu and played some mini golf and games and took the kids on the go carts. Well I didn't go, but my dad took Dylan. Casey and Dylan LOVED it! I can't wait til he's tall enough to ride by himself. He's going to really love it then. Everytime he passed us, he had to wave.















And our last adventure before heading home was to the Lego Store, Monday. We didn't tell him where we were going. We just said it was a surprise. I wanted him to figure it out all on his own. And when he walked into that Lego Store, he was in heaven. He was in awe at everything. We let him pick out his own cup of Legos and make 3 Lego people. I think he probably thought, that was the best trip EVER!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!

Her name will be Jordyn Marie Jackson.

When we got there, the girl checking us in told me she didnt think they would let me bring them in but she asked and they said it was fine. The few wives that were there waiting to see their husbands knew what I was trying to do. The place isn't big and they heard me talking about it. Of course, they're all curious and wanting to know now too. LOL!!!! We get in the room and I see TJ, give him a hug and a kiss and tell him Happy Birthday and thats about as far as I get. I have to know. So he looks at the pictures that I have and then we pull out the sealed pictures. We look together and I can't help but get SUPER excited and say, "I told you it was a girl," The whole room busts out laughing, even the guards. Poor TJ just put his head in hands. He's speechless and completely shocked. He really thought there was no way it could be a girl. To be honest, I think he's slightly disappointed even though he won't say it. I told him it was OK to be. It happens and I know he'll be fine with it but he still won't admit it. Of course, I think he's scared to have a girl too, but I know he'll do fine.

TJ's family along with my sister are completely shocked as well. My sister was convinced it was a boy and TJ's family always said they don't think any of them will have girls. Well, not anymore. LOL!!!!! TJ's dad sent me a reply text that said, "Really? Are you sure?" And all his stepmom could say was, "WOW!" HAHA!!!!

And here is a picture of her first onesie. I saw it today and immediately thought of TJ and how much he would love it.

It's Been A Crazy Few Months

So, I didn't do so well at staying updated, so let's have another go at it.

The past few months have been crazy. With the end of T-Ball, came the ridiculously hot weather. It was so hot, it was too miserable to go outside. Also, towards the middle of May, TJ got into som trouble at work, so he was sat down. It turned into a big deal and he was facing a court martial and possible brig time. Within two weeks of TJ being sat down, we found that we were expecting. Not exactly perfect timing, but when is it ever when it comes to having a chid?

With the possibility of TJ going to the brig, we decided to go ahead and get married. We were just going to have a courthouse wedding, but my friends insisted on doing something small. So, in the 24 hour waiting period SC has, I talked to TJ and we agreed to have our friend, who is a Chaplain, marry us, and perform the ceremony on the beach with a friends. We didn't have to plan a thing. My friends did it all and it was beautiful. I wouldnt have had it any other way. It was beautiful outside.

Because of everything going on, we didn't get a honeymoon, but that's OK. One day, we'll take our own trip and just live it up then. After the wedding, we had to start figuring out what we were going to do with TJ going to court and leaving. Our first step was to talk to housing and get me enrolled in DEERS and TriCare. Those were both pretty easy. We got a house on Laurel Bay in 3 days and moved in right away since I couldn't do most of the heavy lifting.

Then court day came. Bobbie kept Dylan while we went to court to see what exactly they were going to sentence TJ with. We were there all day and in the end they sentenced him to 10 months in the brig and they'll kick him out of the Marine Corp after he's done. With good behavior, TJ can get out in 8 1/2 months. That day was definitely one of the hardest days we had to deal with.

After TJ left, I had to get this house unpacked and ready for Dylan's birthday party. The birthday party was a HUGE success. He had a blast and we definitely got Toy Story decked that day.

Dylan had a busy two weeks in August. On top of a birthday party, he also had swim lessons, which he LOVED!!!! When we started the lessons, my main goal for him was to put his head under water, a task we've been working on since last summer but have had no success with. Not only did Dylan accomplish putting his head underwater, he also learned to jump into the pool by himself and swim with a boogie board. WOO HOO!!!!!

Dylan has also had another big day in his life: The First Day Of School!!!!!! Last Monday, August 16th, was his first day. All week last week was a half day. Today marked the first day of a full day for him and he loved it! Let's keep our fingers crossed his love of learning never goes away. It will make for a much easier 13 years. LOL!!!!!

With the beginning of school, we also have the beginning of soccer. His first practice was Thursday. He seems to love it. The parents, on the other hand, were anxiously awaiting the end of practice. It was ridiculously hot. We all can't wait for it to start cooling down.

It was two weeks after TJ left, that we finally heard from him. It took them forever to get our number approved for phone calls. His first call was on Dylan's birthday. It made his day. And now that our number is approved, he can call whenever. This past Friday, visitation was approved so I went out there Saturday to visit. We decided not to bring Dylan the first time just to see what it was like. It was SO GREAT to see him! But it does make me miss him more. Knowing he's so close but I can't see him is hard sometimes. Next weekend, I'm going to take Dylan. We're going Sunday since Dylan has his opening soccer ceremonies Saturday.

Among everything going in, I've had doctor appointments for the baby and everything is going well. I found out last week though, I failed the 1 hour glucose test, so now I have to take the 3 hour test on Friday. I am not looking forward to this. Hopefully I'll pass that one and won't have gestational diabetes. My next ultrasound is Sept. 1oth. I pretty much begged radiology to let me do it a little early in hopes to find out the sex of the baby so I can tell TJ when we go visit for his birthday. Let's keep our fingers crossed Baby Jackson isn't going to be shy that day so we can find out if we're having a boy or girl. And on the 13th is my regular doctor appointment.

Mother's Day

I had a great first "Mother's Day." TJ had to work so we went to IHOP for breakfast and then when he headed off to work, me and Dylan headed out to Hunting Island.

Our fist stop was the pier, where we got to touch a baby snad shark (some had caught one fishing), saw 3 dolphins in the water and got ridiculousy close to a bird (I have NO idea what kind it was. LOL!!!)





















Our 2nd stop was the lighthouse on Hunting Island. Dylan was actually just a few inches to short but the man who sold tickets let him go anyway. Dylan walks in looks and sees how high we have to climb, and goes, "HOLY MOLY!!!" I almost cried I was laughing so hard. He is fascinated when we get to the top. Not nercous at all about being up so high. That's my little man!

Our 3rd and final stop was THE BEACH!!!! We collected LOTS of seashells, played in the water and even saw two washed up jellyfish. And finally after collecting all our seashells, we went home and made our own Mother's Day Seashell Vase

Dylan Has A Girlfriend

Lately Dylan can't stop talking about this little girl named Karis. She's the daughter of a friend of ours and we hang out with them a lot. Last week was her birthday and yesterday we were invited over for a birthday party for her/ PJ party for the grown-ups. We went to Target the other day to pick out her present and we get to the cashier and as the cashier is ringing up Karis's present, Dylan tells her, "Thats for my girlfriend, Karis. Her birthday is tomorrow." And then we get home and I'm making her gift bag and Dylan decides he wants to make her a picture. So he draws a picture of Karis and her family and then two pictures of pink and green polka dots (Karis likes polka dots and her those are her favorite colors). It was SO cute!

Christopher Columbus Ships

Yesterday while we were at the park with the ladies, we saw these two ships coming in to dock. Dylan called them pirate ships, which is what they look like, but they were actually replicas of two of Christopher Columbus' ships, The Nina and The Pinta.

Well, starting today, they were letting the public go and tour them. Dylan, Maggie, Austin and I went on them. They were pretty cool, and definitely smaller than I thought they were (and The Pinta was actually built larger than the real one) but we learned a lot. And Dylan thought going one them was cool.

Strawberry Pickin'

This morning, Dylan and I went walking with Maggie, Tana and Hillary. We walked 2.6 miles! GO US!!!!! Dylan did great. He definitely got tired, but that's totally expected for a 4 yr old. He tried giving up til Tana reminded him of the cookie waiting for him at her house so he quickly changed his mind and was all about finishing. LOL!!!!

After our walk, we went to pick Strawberries. Dylan LOVED it!!!! We ended up with 4 lbs of strawberries and he wanted more, so I promised once these are gone, we''go back to get more. So when we get home, he asks if he can eat some of them. HAHA!!!!

Tomorrow we have a picnic at the Downtown Waterfront Park with some amazing ladies!!!!

Here's a few pics of our strawberry adventure!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to The Jackson Blog! Lately I have been thinking about how we live so far away from so many important and wonderful people in our lives, and sometimes it's just not that easy to talk to everyone and keep in touch like we would like to. And there are so many people in our lives that want to know what's going on with us as well. So, I have decided that maybe if I wrote a blog that everyone could go to see what has been going on with us, that it may help everyone stay updated with what we're up to and how we're doing.

I know what you're going to stay. There are so many of us that have facebook, but facebook will limit how much you can write in a status (and be honest, how many of actually read long statuses in the first place? anyone? No. Most of the time I don't either. I don't blame you. LOL!) If I do it on here, I can post what we're all doing on one post and put a few pictures up to. And we all know how much I love to take pictures. I'm surprised the boys don't permanently see spots.

Maybe I should get this blog started. You're probably all ready to be done reading now, aren't you?

Well, TJ is currently on his 5th cycle of recruits. This past Tuesday they just had Initial Drill. TJ didn't take them out but he's the one that taught the recruits drill. His platoon placed 3rd!!!! YAY!!!!! They will be spending the next two weeks out at the rifle range. It's gun shootin' time! This platoon will graduate in June and then at the beginning of July, TJ will pick up his 6th and final platoon. Once that cycle is over, we'll be packing up and moving to Cherry Point, NC. I'm not exactly ecstatic about moving there, but I'll get used to it. And hey if not, TJ said he can request a new duty station in 2 years, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed we end up in Miramar. I'm ready to explore the West Coast. The up side to moving to Cherry Point is that my cousin, Jerey, (yup I'm talking about you) and his wife, Tina, (yup, I'm talking about you too Tina. I can't talk about Jerey and not talk about you) is at Camp Lejuene an hour away so I can go bug them anytime I want. LOL!

Dylan is in T-Ball right now on the GA Bulldogs!!!! GO BULLDOGS!!!! We certainly got the long end of the stick in that one. I am the coach of the team, along with my friend Maggie. The kids are SO much fun to watch. Tomorrow morning is our 3rd game and Dylan is so excited. That kid would play baseball everyday if he could. He's gonna be so disappointed when the season is over but I'm hoping to get him in to swim lessons so I think he'll be fine.

We have also registered Dylan for kindergarten this week and he can't stop telling anyone that he meets about how he gets to go to school soon. And I mean anyone. From the 1st Sgt at Initial Drill to the CO of the Battalion yesterday to the stranger at Lowe's this afternoon. He is excited. The part he's most excited about? Riding the school bus. He can't wait.

As for me, jsut doing the stay-at-home mom thing: cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Dylan. And we can't forget the coaching, which is more involved than you would think. I'm also trying to do more on base and get involved more.

Well that's about it for now. The boys are already asleep and now it's my bedtime. Gotta get up and ready for the game in the morning! Goodnight!!!!