Jack is CRAZY!

Look at that big boy...in his big boy underwear!!!!  He is so funny!  He is starting preschool tomorrow, and in preparation we have been talking about it all week.  We have also started putting underwear on him while he is at home to help with potty training.

Last night he wanted to put his backpack on and he found a little purse and keys.  He gave me hugs and kisses and told me he was going to school now.  He was so stinkin cute with his half naked body and bags for school.

Jack loves his sweets, his favorite is Oreo cookies dipped in milk!  He could eat them every day!  

His shirt is one of his new favorites because it has a guitar on it.  He loves anything that has to do with music!

Jenny's Shower

Sunday I co-hosted a shower for Jenny Mehlon, and it was super cute and perfect for a baby shower.  We had Sunday afternoon tea at the L.S. Ayers Tea Room.  So cute!  Thank you to everyone who helped make this day special!

Barney taught Jack the ABC's!

Jack is only two...he is so smart! Check out what Barney does for your child!

Wow! (sorry it's sideways!)

Jack's take on the Pacifier Going Away!

Jack is still getting his story straight about where his pacifiers went, but here's his best attempt.

He said he gave it to "Jenny's baby and that he is big boy."

Luv it!

Adoption and Jack Updates

As for the adoption update, we received a call from Bethany Adoption Agency last week.  We were given a spot in their program, but we have decided to pass on it and stay with AIAA.  We were wait listed with Bethany, and thought we would take the spot if given the opportunity.  

The Pro's to Bethany:

Local Agency

Christian Organization

They conduct the homestudy and all support is close by

The Con's to Bethany:

The home study is more expensive

It can take up to 24months to get a kiddo home

We would have to redo our home study

We can't make a gender preference 

Jake and I decided that AIAA is the route for us!  We can't wait to see our little girl.  I think often about our little girl, and wonder if she is born yet!  I often find myself browsing through the girl department at stores and can't wait to buy all the cute little outfits.  (anyone else agree that boy clothes aren't as cute????)

Anyways...we have decided to stay on track with  AIAA.  We are in the final debate over what to do about raising the rest of the funds.  We trust that God will make a way.  We know that it will happen soon.  We are actively looking for the right option, just haven't picked one yet!  Stay tuned!

As for Jack, we took his pacifier away today!  It happened out of necessity, but we are going to keep it up!  It has to happen.  He is 2.5 years old, and we are going to put him into a preschool starting next week.  I want it to happen before he starts.  Today our neighbors, Brad and Jenny, came over for dinner.  Jenny is due to have a little girl in February and we talked with Jack about giving Jenny's baby his pacifiers when she comes out of her mommy's belly.  Jack said yes!  This is the first time he has agreed to let go of his pacifiers!  Then...bedtime came and I couldn't find a paci anywhere.  So, we "gave" them all to Jenny's baby.  When I put Jack to bed, he cried for at least 30 minutes!  But he went to sleep, and he will get used to it.  It broke my heart, but had to happen.  YIKES!

Big Day!

Cutest Boy Singing...hehe!

So Jack has learned a few songs from my Ipod...not sure what I should think about this song, but oh well!  He is the cutest kid ever.  I think this video warrants a You Tube showing!

balls, pins and marching bands...

Scott was rockin it out in a marching band with Jack!  It has to be Jack's favorite thing to do these days. Jake and I have to march in a parade a few times a day.  Scott and Steven stopped in for a visit on their way back to college in Oklahoma.  They attend Oral Roberts University.  They are twins, and I struggle to tell them apart!

This is their buddy Matt, he hopped a ride from Michigan back to ORU.  He was also asked to march in the parade!

We took everyone Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square...it is soooo much fun!  They gave Jack a lane of his own to play in.  He was so cute!

Rock Star In Training!

Music is in his blood!  He was crazy and loves to sing and dance.  He is destined to be rock star.  Look out ladies...here he comes!  Maybe I should start his fan club now!

Playing Pool with Poppy!

Blue Chalk on his lips from playing pool with Poppy!  Jack loves to play pool with Poppy! He played all the time!

Random Michigan Pictures

Jack was determined to get this little helmet to fit him!  He tried multiple times, and he got so upset when it didn't work!

We had the boys get a snowmobile helmet so he could wear a helmet.  It made him feel better...at least for a little while. 

Uncle Adam and Cristen...Awww...how cute!

Uncle Adam rockin it out with Jack on his new guitar.

Uncle Virgil and Aunt Kate!

Jack and the boys chillin with him!

Bath Time In Michigan

Cousin Alexis gave me baths everyday while in Michigan...sometimes, more than once a day!  She bought him bath markers and Dora Bubbles!

Cutest boy in the bathtub...EVER!

Christmas Morning...Gifts!

This was by far Jack's favorite gift!  He loved it!  I know, a 2 year old with a real guitar...why not?!?

His Cousin Nick is his hero, he plays basketball and football. (Uncle Virgil held him up for the photo)!

He's going to be a rockstar...he loves everything music!  He is obsessed with marching in parades now!

He also got a drum, and he plays it all the time too!

Christmas Eve Traditions!

My dad reads Twas the Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve.  Everyone gets to open one present before he reads it, and it's always a new pair of Pajama's.  If someone makes a lot of noise, or interrupts him...he starts OVER from the very beginning!  It is the highlight of our Christmas activities every year.  We have always done this tradition, and we have done it with Jack every year since he was born at my parents house.

Jack tried to help Poppy this year!

It didn't work out so well, so Jack made up with Poppy!

Family photo in our Pajama's on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve Service

Alexis and Sommer Freeman are my nieces, and they were angels in the Christmas Eve play in Michigan.  Sommer is the 3rd from the right, and is on the far right.

From the left: Rachel (Nick's girlfriend), Jack, Nick, Steven(I think), John and Scott (I think...they are twins...YIKES)!

Don't they look like angels?  Hmmm...don't believe it for a second! hehe!

Jack's thoughts on the Christmas service!  He was beat...no nap, and he just couldn't make it.  He slept through the entire service.