Charleston Bound

Well, we went to our routine cardiologist appointment and...(don't get your britches in a wad) everthing is GREAT, but we did find out that it is time to head back to MUSC for a heart cath. He said that we would probably hear from MUSC by the end of the month but they gave us a call the next day! For now, the big day will be April 5. The purpose of this heart cath is to close the fenestration (aka hole) that they left during his last surgery. Remember they intentionally left this hole there to allow for an easier/better recovery. It has allowed him to adjust to the change in pressure throughout his body.[ His major vessels (inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, pulmonary artery, etc.) are "hooked" up completely different than a healthy heart.] So, please remember Jackson in your prayers, and us too! Poor thing doesn't have a clue as to what lies ahead (and won't until we hit the front door)! He has a very BIG case of "white coat syndrome". He tends to flip out and worry himself (and us) sick when he knows that he is headed to see the doctor. Please pray for peace and comfort for Jackson and us as we prepare mentally and emotionally to head to Charleston. I know that I am a horrible blogger, but I do intend on posting some snow pics and other stuff very soon. Stay tuned...

Santa Makes His Debut In Hickory Tavern...

Well, Santa did make a stop at our house (it was in question there for a while!) and left WWAAAYYY too much stuff as usual. I think Santa brought him everything that he wanted except for a skateboard (Santa did leave a note saying that he thought Jackson was still too little for a skateboard but he left him a scooter instead so that he could start practicing for a skateboard.) Guess what was his favorite...!

What did Santa bring?

Unloading my stocking.

I just found the scooter that Santa left me.

(He left it back behind the tree, Santa is such a sneak!)

"Like a pig in mud"

Waitin' On Santa Claus...

December was a busy month...lots of birthdays, christmas parties, and other things to do. We were able to find time to get some pictures made, look at christmas lights, visit with Santa, and just hang out. Check us out...

Mama and Daddy's Christmas present...Early.

Best Buds

This was a really cool house in a subdivision in Mauldin. It was lit up as bright as a runway!! They handed out hot chocolate and popcorn while we cruised their yard. They were taking up donations for Duke Power!!

This is the only picture that we could get them to sit still...of course they are not looking at the camera!!

(Cole, Jackson, and Madison)

Chatting it up with Santa

Mama's little handy man "fixkin" stuff around the house!

Guess Who Turned 4?!?

Well, the Little Man turned 4 on December 1. We celebrated all week long...partied like rockstars! We started out by taking Jackson and Anna to Jumpin' Jax on his actual birthday. Then on that Saturday we had a REAL birthday party with family and friends. It was a lot of fun! He just had to have a Spider Man cake (he doesn't even really know who Spider Man is but whatever). It's hard to believe 4 years have come and gone. What a rollercoaster!

Trick or Treat!

Well, we survived another Halloween! We started our evening out by visiting family and then we went to trunk or treat at our church (they had a bunch of activities for the kids-horseback riding, games, hot dogs, car show, and of course lots of candy!!). Next we went to "Mama Nell's" which has been a Halloween tradition since I was a small child. Mama Nell was a precious lady who would open her home to the community on Halloween. Every year she would dress up as a witch and serve "witches brew" and popcorn. We always looked forward to going to her house as a child. Mama Nell passed away a little over a year ago, but her family is carrying on the tradition. Her granddaughter Anna is now the "official" witch of Greenpond. Here are a few pics from our evening. Enjoy...

Jackson fell in love with this costume at Target. He actually originally wanted to be a mailman. (I don't know where he comes up with some of his ideas:)

Poor horse... I'm sure he has an awful crick in his neck this morning!

I just love this angle! (In case you don't get it, those are the horses hooves on the ground and the "cowboys" legs hanging from the horse.) aka cowboy riding a horse.

He looks like a natural up on that horse!

I'm a COWBOY!!

Nanny and all of her great-grands!

Trick or treating is hard work, but someome's got to do it!

Playin' Catch Up!!

I know, I know, I'm a bad bloggin' mama! I am horrible at remembering to update!! Sssoooo....I'm going to try and play catch up with what we've been up to for the past 2 months. We've been trying to lay low and avoid the BIG PIG (swine flu, that is). We have managed to dodge it so far! We've celebrated at a couple of birthday parties. We've been doing alot of hanging out and getting ready for fall. In fact, this past weekend we went to Nevin's Apple Farm and picked out our pumpkin to carve. (I made my first attempt at carving...Ha! Ha!) On a heart note, Jackson continues to do extremely well. We go back to the cardiologist November 4th for a check up. He's all healed up! We are so thankful to finally have all of this behind us. It's hard to believe that it was only 3 months ago since his surgery-seems like forever ago! Well, that's all for now...nothing new or exciting to report.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy...

Partyin' at Jumpin' Jax

Just chillin' in my new boots!

Modeling my new Carhart's.

My FAVORITE place to be!!
(If there is an empty laundry basket or storage bin, you can bet that Jackson is gonna' be in it!)

I rounded the corner and found "Handy Manny" sitting on my couch!

Playing at the pumpkin patch

Let's Go!

Look at my "LITTLE ANGEL" sitting among the pumpkins!

(Just a few seconds before he was trying to play football with them!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Just Monkeyin' Around

Well, it's been awhile since our last post and I'm happy to report that nothing exciting has been happening. We've been trying to lay low and avoid the Swine flu and any other nasty bugs floating around. We did take a family adventure to the good ol' Columbia zoo. We all had a blast! It was Jackson's first time here and Darrin and I had not been since elementary school many many moons ago!! We did make a trip to see the cardiologist this week, and got the word that Jackson is officially back to normal! Yippee!! Since the word "GO" he has been a bike-ridin', swing-swingin', bed-jumpin' fool!! (He's got a lot of time to make up for...8 weeks to be exact!!) We did have one more "first" this week. Today we went back to church as a family for the first time since surgery. Jackson was really excited! He has begged us every Sunday (and sometimes ended up in tears) for the past 8 weeks to go back to church. It felt great to be back! Here are some pictures from the zoo. Hope you enjoy...

Jackson, I mean, Monkey at work!

This was Jackson's favorite! (Not even an exhibit...just runnin' wild) He was absolutely fascinated with this squirrel. (Go figure! Guess we could've just stayed in the backyard instead of driving to Columbia!!)

"The BOYD exhibit"

This was probably the "big people" favorite. This is Darrin actually feeding the giraffes! Pretty cool, huh?!?

"WILD Man"

SHHHH!! Don't tell anyone you saw me riding a tiger.

GO COCKS!!

Last but not least... My absolute favorite picture of the day!

"BIRD MAN"