IT'S OFFICIAL!!!! JACKSON IS COMPLETELY POTTY TRAINED!!!!

The family headed to the pool today for some fun in the sun. Jackson did a great job. He swam in the deep end with floaties! He slid down the slide and wasn't even scared. I told him in the car that if he didn't stop growing up I was going to put him on time out. He thought this was hilarious and told me if I didn't be quiet he was going to throw me out the window. Well ok. Lauren loved it too and was exhausted. Janery's mom cooked it up for dinner...fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and squash, black eyed peas and cornbread and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. For all my Texas peeps this is truly southern cooking. The funny thing was they had unsweet tea to drink. I teased them and said they must be counting calories. Lauren continues to eat like a horse all the time. We went out to eat last night and she discovered corn nuggets. Weird but she couldn't get enough of them. Jack on the other hand continues to be the picky one. His diet consists of bicuits, noodles, broccoli and... well that's about it. Out of all the battles I chose to fight with him exapnding his culinary pallate is down on the bottom. I think I will stick with making him stop growing up.

Sara's Off to Europe

Sara left today for a backpacking trip across Europe. She really packed 5 1/2 weeks worth in a back pack and boarded a plane. She got off to a rocky start with a delayed flight. She only had a few minutes to catch a plane to Philadelphia that was headed to Dublin. I hope everything goes ok from there. We'll only be able to reach her via Skype and Facebook at places that have Wifi. I can't beleive she is half a world away....again. I miss her already. There is no holding her back. She is destined for great things. I think alot of us tried to talk "sense" into her and keep her from going, but sometimes I think she has more sense than all of us. Sara talks about being "led" to do certain things. I am starting to understand it tonight. It would be a lesson to all of us to start living our lives led by our heart instead of our minds. God knows where we are supposed to be and He speaks to those who listen. As a tribute to her while she is gone I am going to listen to my heart. I don't have any big decisions coming up but maybe it will work when I am with the kids or at work. How many times have I said I can't play right now because I am fixing dinner or folding laundry? What I would rather be doing is rolling in the floor with the kids. Be looking for Sara posts on facebook. Send her a message or two letting her know she is missed and hope she comes home safe after an awesome time.

Lauren's 1st Birthday

Can you believe she's already a year old. The time really does fly! Lauren's not quite walking yet but she is very close. Her birthday party was great. Our family and friends came over for her "Garden Party". Guests were invited to plant a flower in a garden for her. Sara and I decorated the tree. Friends Jenna, Jodi, Tyler, Jacob and Navalee planted baby pink Zinnias and Pansies while cousins Madelynn and Matilda supervised. They really got into it. Their parents Janery,Karen and Cassie planted a hot pink Madevillia and a light pink Lily. Mammaw held Matilda while brother planted her purple Forget-Me-Nots. Everyone used little shovels and gardening gloves they got as party favors (if you left your's at the house I still have them so come and get 'em!). Lauren sat in the dirt digging while all this was going on and loved it. Leah and Sarah gave her a garden stone we can put her hand prints in and decorate. We ate "mud cake". It was my first go at a birthday cake. My mom always makes and decorates beautiful cakes so I was worried. I'm not blessed in the culinary arts but I think it turned out really cute. Lauren wasn't very into opening gifts especially after Uncle Justin showed her the Leapfrog train. Jackson and her play with that thing ALL THE TIME. Mamaw gave her a baby doll (one of Jackson's favorites as well). Then there were the clothes... I couldn't believe the cute dresses and short sets she got. I am pretty limited to Wal-Mart lately and hadn't seen such cute stuff. We were suprised by a visit from her great Uncle Gregg from Houston. How great is that? He schooled Jeff in horse shoes.... he's lucky a Rook game didn't get started up. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate and gave Lauren gifts and flowers. We had a wonderful time.