Not Much To Tell...

Well, there's not a lot to tell and to be honest I like it that way! After all the excitement we had during Little Man's first couple of years, we kind of like dull and boring!! Jackson continues to love school! Every morning he asks "when do I get to go to school?".
He started ball practice about 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, it's a HUGE switch from last year! Last year was wee-ball...everyone runs the bases and ends up with a homerun and there are no real rules, they just stop the ball and call time. This year is coach's pitch. They actually play baseball! They pitch overhanded to them, after 3 pitches if they still can't hit the ball they hit off of the tee. They are catching pop-flys and ground balls, and actually holding a position and throwing it to the correct base to get the runner out. Craziness!!! Of course, we were not expecting things to be so "advanced" so...there has been a lot of practicing at home in addition to the 3 days a week that he practices with his team. Yes, I said they practice 3 days a week! He's in the MAJOR LEAGUE now! He's doing really well, he shows improvement with each practice. His first game will be April 9. We'll start off with the annual Hickory Tavern parade to kick off ball season then go staight to the field to play ball. He is so excited to get to be in the parade again this year!
Jackson continues to do really well from a "health" standpoint, he did have strep throat about 2 weeks ago...then I got it last week! I thought I was dying!! We go back to the cardiologist in May...we haven't seen him in a whole 6 months. We truly don't know what to do with ourselves! Jackson still only knows one gear and he keeps it in "high" all the time. It absolutely amazes us at how wide open he is...24/7!

Here Comes Santa Clause...

Christmas came and went. We stayed busy, as usual! We started out at my Mama's house for lunch Christmas eve then to Darrin's family for supper. Santa Clause came and left way too many goodies! Christmas day evening we went to Darrin's parent's house for supper to exchange gifts. Needless to say this little boy got WWWAAAYYY too many toys!! Luckily I had cleaned out his room in preparation for the gift overload!

Christmas at Maw-Maw's

Look What Santa Brought!

Did You Catch the Prized Position?...The One That We Can't Get Him To Take Off!

Christmas At Nana and Papa's

Happy Birthday To You...

On December 4, we had Jackson's actual party at Gigglebugs with family and friends. Jackson begs to come here all the time, so of course he was tickled when he found out that we were having his party here. We had a "Cars" theme and a football cake. I tried to get a "Cocka-Doo" cake but they didn't have garnet and black dressed players. Oh well, he was happy with it anyway. December 4 just happened to be when the Gamecocks were playing in the SEC championship game. Check out all of the little ones dressed in Gamecock attire...

Happy Birthday Dear Jackson...

DECEMBER 1, 2005
It's hard to believe that Jackson was born 5 years ago. Boy, does time fly? We started the birthday week out by celebrating at Jackson's favorite restaurant..."Chips and Cheese" aka El Rancho Grande with family. As you can tell he had a ball. We go there every Wednesday, so the employees know him by name. They sang Happy Birthday (in el Espanol, of course.) and even provided us with candles...trick candles! They thought that was the funniest thing!!

Jackson and Emma

Jackson trying to blow his "candle" out!

My Sweet Little Man

"Cocka-Doo" Football At Its Best!

Fall is dedicated to the "Cocka-Doo's" around our house! Jackson is OBSESSED with the Gamecocks. He wears his "Cocka-Doo" uniform complete with helmet 24/7, and would wear his jersey everyday if we would let him!!

My Favorite Picture...Jackson and Gunner.

Looks like he's got his game face on.

I see a touchdown in the making!!

GOOOO COCKS!!

Happy Halloween!

This year Jackson decided that he wanted to be a "boom-fighter" aka UFC mixed martial arts fighter. Can you tell that he watches TV with his Daddy? We stayed local and visited family then we met up with Emma and Ethan and went to our church for Trunk or Treat. They had lots of fun!! (Jackson got to meet his favorite...Scooby Doo!!!

Mr "Tuff Stuff"

Looks like Papa Grunt is loosing his dentures!! Too Funny!

The Trunk or Treat Crew

Scooby Doo (and Emma too)...what more could a boy want?!?

Hall Of Fame

In August, Jackson's Papa (Darrin's Dad) was inducted into the Greenwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Papa was quite the athlete back in his day...

• His senior year, he scored 10 touchdowns...4 in one game!
• He averaged over 5 yards per carry.
• He was 2nd in scoring and rushing yards.
• He was part of a state championship team.
• He was elected to play in the North/South All-Star game.
• He received a football scholarship to Furman.

Just to name a few...(we're not proud one bit, can you tell?)

Way To Go Papa!

The Wheels On The Bus...

August was a big month for Little Man, he started school! 4-K to be exact. He's in Montessori which is very much a non-traditional way of learning. We were a little concerned about this at first because each child somewhat dictates what lessons they will do that day. Jackson is all boy so we were concerned about him being able to FOCUS...we didn't even know if that word was in his vocabulary! He has done amazingly well and loves it!! He cries if he doesn't get to go. He has even managed to find him two girlfriends (good to know that he has his priorities in check!). Believe it or not, he can't wait until he can go to school all day long!!!

Get Your Kleenex Ready!

I came across this poem on another families blog a couple of weeks ago. I had never heard this one before. It is absolutely beautiful and pretty much sums it up for us. It is titled "Half Of An Angel's Heart".

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels to go live on earth and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus, "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you." He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that she is just going for a visit. She is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work." But the little angel is still a little scared. She asks, "Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies, "Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about His plan. He says, "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart." "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again." "Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."
-Author Unknown

Poem for Jackson

Here is a very random post but I wrote a poem almost a year ago to be displayed with Jackson's 4 year old portrait and I've never shared it with the "world". (I am NO poet, but I think it sums us up!)

You were created by His gentle hand.
A special heart, He had in His plan.
He sent you to us with a kiss on your chest.
For what lay ahead, He knew would be best.
We know every heartbeat is a sign of His love;
You are a MIRACLE, a gift from above.
-Kristin Boyd-

PRAISE REPORT!!!

We went to the the cardiologist Wednesday for the first time since his fenestration was closed in April by heart cath...and drumroll please!!! I am very ecstatic to report that Jackson's o2 sats were 99%!!! (Sorry for all the exclamation marks, but this is a very big deal in "heart baby world"!) If you remember Jackson's o2 sats have been as high as 92% and as low as 50%.(A normal healthy person's o2 sats should be in the high 90's!) Dr. L also said that his ECHO looked great and that he couldn't be more pleased with the way things are! Two little side notes...(we tend to hold on to all the details no matter how small and especially the good ones!) Ok, here we go, so before the Dr. came in to check out Jackson he was walking in the hall with a resident and a medical student (his 2 shadows for the day), Jackson and I were headed to have his ECHO done, Dr.L asked the students...Jackson is 4 years old, if you were to pick out 4 kids that are his age, would you ever be able to pick him out as the single ventricle? The students were floored that my little man is the single ventricle! He also said that now when he diagnoses new babies with a single ventricle, he thinks of Jackson and knows that one day these babies can look as good as he does! Sorry for rambleing on... but as you can imagine, this appointment nearly had me in tears! I am so PROUD of how far he has come...THANKFUL...and TRULY BLESSED!!!

My Favorite Things...Being Outside, Baseball, and Dirt!

Summertime...

Well, it's been a while since I last posted an update so I thought that I would do it all at one time! We've been staying pretty busy...seems like there is something to do all the time. Jackson continues to do really well. We have had no issues since our last trip to MUSC. We go back to the cardiologist next week for our first check up since his heart cath. I'm anxious to see how that goes! Jackson starts k4 this year. He is so excited to finally get to go to "Emma's school" aka Hickory Tavern Elementary. We've already got his bookbag and school supplies, so looks like it's official now! I hope everyone is enjoying there summer! Stay Cool!

My Favorite Place To Be...

This is actually a funny story...At the beginning of the summer we were literally having to pry him off of the steps kicking and screaming! We're talking a full blown panic attack!! Now you can't get him out of the water, especially out from UNDER the water! We're still working on swimming but he has several "tricks" that he can do...cutting flips, hand-stands, and jumps!

Random Pics From April

Here are some random pictures from April!

Batter Up!

We started our spring off with Wee-ball, which Jackson LOVED!! Darrin was "nominated" to be coach! Needless to say there was a lot of picking flowers, catchin' catepillars, and diving in the dirt! Too cute!!

As Promised...PICTURES!!

Here are a few pics from April 26 (heart cath day).

Let The FUN Begin...

The Entertainer

Assuming The "ECHO Position"

This Is How It All Started...
(Jackson ended up with 10 tatoos by the time it was all said and done...
1.race car-R leg,2.dinosaur-R leg, 3.baseball-L leg, 4.monster truck-R arm, 5.spider-man-L arm, 6-10. 5 little monkeys in a variety of colors dancing across his chest! Plus they drew smiley faces on both feet and big toes!)

Paintin' In The ATRIUM

Ahoy Matey!

Bob The Builder

Someone Was Hit By The SANDMAN!

(Did I mention that this child does not take naps, so how he managed to fall asleep in this setting is beyond me!)

High On LIFE (aka versed)

Back From The "Magical Place"

Good Mornin' Sunshine

Where Are They Taking Me!?!

Free At Last!