THE ULTIMATE TRAIN PARTY

 It came and went.  I loved that I did a train party for the little guy and he loved it, but I don't think I will do it again.  Me along with hubby and some friends have decided on Sea World for next year for the little guy and his best bud.  I will let some picture do the talking, but I wanted to mention for a later date me if I read this, yes, you did cook a double batch of beans and COMPLETELY forget to put them out. Well played.

 

He ended the day with some alone play time with his best bud Quinn.  Jackson's favorite thing by far was the trackless train.  As one kid put it, "i love Jackson's birthday party!".  That in its self makes it ALL worth it.

ITS BEEN GOOD BUSY

SO BUSY!  We are busy preparing for Jackson's 2nd birthday party this week.  AND on top of that the husband has had two really good job offers to bring him closer to home instead of driving 1 hour each way.  AND my shop on Etsy, Rustic Homemade, has had a sudden surge of customers.  Thank you so much Etsy buyers, you have no idea how much I love and thank you for not only giving me business but allowing me to do what I love.  So I think the statement when it "rains it pours" could apply here, but in a positive way.  

I also wanted to make sure I make a note about Jackson's birthday day yesterday because..well...I want him to read about it one day JUST in case I forget everything!

I started by taking the day off from work.  Woke up, made him blueberry pancakes...Ummm..yum.  I used Bisquick mix and jiffy blueberry muffin mix, added some egg beaters and water and once again...YUM! 

Then Hubby had to work on his gift from Nana and Pap and I am happy to report it is completed. After probably a million pieces and an manual that resembles a large novel. 

 

 The Cabin

The Hubby actually finished it with the assistance of Pap while we went and got haircuts and saw the Doctor for Jackson's 2 year follow up.  And when we came home he was quick to check it out. 

HI MOM!

Then we went to the mall for a late lunch early dinner.

THEN...A trip to the Arcade because Jackson saw the motorcycle.  

Dad was MORE than willing.

We also decided to buy Jackson a fish as his Birthday present to be our pet, since I do not have time for a dog and a cat is completely out of the question.  We didn't name him/her yet but for now we call it "Fish".

Then the rest is just boring and consist of me working on Etsy orders.  No, there are no pictures of me in my work clothes people, I know, its heart breaking.  There will be more posts next week as we are also dealing with a Category 2 hurricane named "Sandy" that is going to brush along our coast and the last time that happened we had some Tornado's touch down.  YIKES!  

THE "2" YEARS BEGIN

My baby boy is turning 2 tomorrow. It is sad and exciting all at the same time. I miss the baby that he used to be but every day is new with him.  Just the other day we asked him "Jackson, what does the train say?"  He responds with an adorable "ALLlllll Aboarrrd".  He has the most sweet voice and I never want to take a moment for granted.  Each day is precious.  Therefore I am taking off work tomorrow to be with the boy and remember the day that my body wants to forget. 

RECAP:  6 weeks of bed rest, 3 week hospital stay, 36 hours of labor.  Which I know it could have been worse, but I knew in my heart of hearts that God was giving me this wonderful child and he is EVEN MORE than I dreamed.  I still cannot look back on my pregnancy without crying tears of emotion or pure Joy.  I love just being 'Jackson's mom". 

Love you baby boy!!!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

No rest for the crafty at heart!! 
 Ha!  I am trying to finish most of my unfinished house projects in preparation for the boy's 2nd Birthday party...Its going....ok.  

I finally got everyone invited...at least I hope so.  Now here comes the waiting to set your plans in motion part.  You plan plan plan, but unless you can actually do it, it lingers over you like a bad headache.  

On another note, I was going through pictures the other day and ran across some of our pictures from our random Tampa trip to see my SIL to find out what she is having...ITS A GIRL!!!  While we were there we went to Busch Gardens.  The boy really liked the Monkeys and shows we got to see while there but missed seeing the birds.   BUT Shhhhhhh......we are taking the boy to the Zoo for his actual birthday next week.  He is going to FREAK!  In a good way...

From Busch Gardens/Tampa

Jackson kept saying "monkeeee...monkeee".  It was truly one of the cutest sounds.  He is madly in love with Curious George so this was quite the moment for him.  

The Monkees even came right over to the glass and said "hello".  

At least I think that is what they did, I don't speak Monkeeeee.

CONGRATS Em on your upcoming girl.  We can't wait to meet her!!!

WORKING TOWARD A GOAL

I have this thing about getting anxious when I want something to be a certain way and its not or have a project in mind and want it to look a certain way and it doesn't.  I tend to rush so much toward a goal that I ignore everything else that needs or wants my attention.   Like my Etsy store.  I want it to be a medium success, that is what I am working toward.  But meanwhile while its not, I tend to get upset or even depressed at some point.  Why?  Or like loosing the weight that my cardiologist have told me ever so sternly that I need to lose, can I do this in a day?  No.  I find that today I am telling myself, "You are working toward a goal".  A goal to finish painting all your doors, to succeed with your Etsy shop,  TO SUCCEED WITH YOUR BLOG, to succeed with the weight loss and to succeed with buying that house you so desperately want.  It truly is all in God's timing and you are working toward that goal.  

Like my most favorite scripture of all times and one that is even listed on my blog.  

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-11

For everything there is a season, 
and a time for every purpose under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant,

 and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal; 
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
 a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; 
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 a time to seek, and a time to lose; 
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 a time to rend, and a time to sew; 
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate; 
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?

 He hath made everything beautiful in its time: 
also he hath set eternity in their heart, 
yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done

from the beginning even to the end.

So some exciting things are happening in our family and my Etsy store.  I am getting ready to give it a bit of a face lift AND we are closer to a new better job for the husband that doesn't have him traveling for work an hour each way and we are moving forward with trying to purchase a home by summer 2013.  And of course lets not forgot the upcoming fabulous 2nd birthday for the boy!  This year is train themed and i have picked several different things from Pinterest pinners and I think it is going to be adorable.  Stay tuned for those pics later this month.  

And like with most things everything is with God’s blessings and only in his timing.  

I will leave you with this picture taken this weekend with one of the boy's uncles and his huge orange jeep that the boy loves and loves to drive.  yeah he drove it up the street, don't judge me or call the cops.  

~Steph