My Friend's Name is MOM...

This morning I was helping Ethan in the bathroom when he grabbed my cheeks and said:

Ethan: "Mama, guess what?"

Me: "What buddy?"

Ethan: "I have a friend!"

Me: "You do?!"

Ethan: "Yep! My friend's name is Mom!"

Me: "Awwww...thank you buddy...you're my friend too!"

Wow, he sure knows how to melt this mama's heart!

Happy Birthday To You...

Today, my favorite little boy in the whole wide world is 3. Every year on his birthday I can't help but reflect on the events surrounding his birth and homecoming. He is such a gift from God.

During my pregnancy, I prayed over him everyday. I didn't pray for his success or future occupation. I prayed that he would love Jesus; have a personal relationship with HIM; serve HIM; be good and kind and bring joy to others. God was gracious in answering our prayers...we continue to pray daily for Ethan's salvation, as we understand that it will be his decision to make.

Today, Ethan is a sweet, compassionate, HILARIOUS, kind-hearted little boy who loves Jesus, loves to sing about HIM and loves hearing stories about David and Goliath, Jonah and Daniel.

Ethan is also passionate about learning new things and Lightning McQueen. I've so enjoyed seeing his personality develop!

On a lighter note, we are in preparations for the big celebration tomorrow! It of course is "Lightning McQueen" themed ;) per Ethan's request. I can't wait to celebrate our little Mr.

Nesting, Nesting, Nesting...

I am officially in major nesting mode...nothing can be cleaned or organized enough! I have gone through closets, dresser drawers, cleaned every inch of the house...and it's still not good enough! It's a good thing we don't have a deep freezer, or it would be packed with more meals than we could eat (though I have been searching for one on craigslist and the newspaper!)

I've been slowly packing my hospital bag as I think of things here and there...(I know it's a bit premature...but I was totally unprepared when Ethan surprised us...kind of want to have the necessities this time around.)

I can't even stand to have a single dish in the sink when it's time for bed...even if it means hand washing dishes!

It sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm actually enjoying it (cue creepy Twilight Zone theme song).

I can't believe that in about 8 weeks (or possibly more) we will be welcoming our new little one! I am sooooo excited!

Why the Jackson 5?

So I have a friend who commented on my "Jackson 5" title...when she asked if I was "expecting twins" I realized quickly my title is a bit misleading.

To dispel a couple of questions: Yes I can count and realize there are actually only 3 people + 1 baby on the way. AND, person #5 is our English Mastiff Stella. Now, a lot of people wouldn't count their pet...but I have to say, Stella isn't just ANY pet...she is the most amazing, sweet, loving, beautiful dog in the whole world. So, therefore she makes family member #5! So, this entry is dedicated to Stella! We love our girl!

V-Day

I'm not the kind of girl who likes flowers, chocolates or big gifts for V-Day. I really prefer a card and a romantic dinner at home (elegant cuisine, candles, amazing dessert, soft music) after the little Mr. goes to bed.

Every year my amazing hubby designs his own card...and every year is better than the last! He has amazing graphic art skills, creativity, and a good eye for design.

Shown above is this year's design(although it's showing blue...not sure why...it's actually red)...it's so good in fact, that I'm having him blow it up to place in our bedroom.

design: Brent Jackson; title: tied in knots

medium: digital camera and cherry stems.

Puddle Jumper...

He loves em'. Deep ones. Muddy ones. He's not biased. When I see the gleam in little Mr. Ethan's eyes I'd better act fast to thwart his plan.

Last night I wasn't quite at the top of my game. While leaving the grocery store, my arms full of groceries, he found...THE. PERFECT. PUDDLE. Before I could say, STOP...it was too late.

The cold muddy water from that puddle covered his chucks, all the way up mid-thigh of his jeans. His reaction? Utter joy and laughter. Although I was not very happy, and we had a talk on the way home...I have to admit that now it is pretty funny. And, his laughter and ear-to-ear grin is still staying with me. I so love that laugh.

Girl or Boy...

Ethan is convinced we are having a girl. So convinced, in fact, that he tells everyone...his Sunday school teachers, strangers at the grocery store

(I still feel sorry for the poor gentleman in line behind us at Wal-Mart...he got an ear-full). This is not from any ideas we've been giving him...nope, he hasn't changed his story one bit from the moment we told him we are having a new baby at our house, "A gul (girl) baby?"

I picked up Ethan from his Puggles class at church on Wednesday night and got a big congratulations on our "news of expecting a baby girl" from one of his teachers. She said Ethan told everyone, "Mommy is having a baby and it's a girl baby!" When asked her name, "Myum, Myum" (translation Miriam...which so happens to be his best friend's name).

I told the teacher that we actually don't know our baby's gender, but we got a big laugh. I love how funny toddlers are. And I REALLY love how excited Ethan is to be a big brother. It's just that we are going to have A LOT of explaining to do if we bring home a boy from the hospital...I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there!