Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jackson turned 29 today. I praise God for making such an amazing man of God, husband, daddy, and friend. This morning as I was getting up I thought of all of the birthdays that we've celebrated together (this birthday is the 7th birthday that I've been a part of), and all of the birthdays that will come. Jackson's life is a big deal to me and a lot of other people. He's awesome. I plan on coordinating something pretty big for his 30th in 2010. Happy Birthday to Jackson!

Our Budding Artist

Belle has loved drawing and doing crafts since before she could even talk. As an aside, I enjoy making crafts, although drawing has never been a forte for me. Yesterday, Jackson and I were talking and doing things to help him get ready (he's preaching at Crossroads this weekend) and Belle announced that she was drawing a picture for her Grammy on an envelope. She was laying on her tummy with her legs up and worked quietly for a good 10 minutes. When I checked on her and saw an actual drawing, I was positive that Jackson had drawn a smiley face in the center of the envelope and Belle was just adding strokes to the hair around the picture. Belle smiled and said, "This is Tati (Auntie) Kara". I asked Jackson and simultaneously showed him Belle's drawing and he said, "You drew that for her!" When we realized she drew it on her own, we praised her and were both pretty shocked. She isn't even 3 yet, neither of us are artists, and while she does a lot of crafts with me she doesn't draw every day... There's more!

After all of the parental praise, Belle said, "I'm going to do some more drawings..." She went back to work and after another 10 minutes she brought out the envelope and told a story for each character she had drawn. "Auntie Kara is in the middle; she's happy". "I'm there" (the little smiley face on the left). "Juliette is there and she has an owwie on her belly button and she's angry"- I had just told her yesterday that Juliette can't take a bath right away because she will have an owwie on her belly button for a little bit. When I asked her what the drawing above "Auntie Kara" was, she replied, "That's just a smiley face". Then she pointed at the smallest drawing above the picture of her and she said, "that's a pretend eye". I am often surprised by the things Belle says and already knows, but this drawing shocked both Jackson and I. This picture looks as good if not better than some of the first grade drawings that I collected in class last fall.

Stay At Home Mom

I am officially a stay at home mom. School hasn't started in some districts yet (which means there's a small, tiny chance I may be offered a teaching job), although Jackson and I have decided that regardless of a job offer I am going to stay home this year. I am SOOOO excited. God has overwhelmingly surpassed our expectations and hopes by giving Jackson a wonderful job. He's doing a stellar job and he loves it. The pay (not to mention awesome full family benefits that start next week) is enough to allow us to make it just fine living on his income alone. After graduating college, I was asked (a few months before I met Jackson) what I wanted to be and I immediately replied, "a wife and a stay at home mom". The desire to be in the home providing for my family has always been a strong pull in my heart. I've had to work for the past five years and I intend on working once it's doable as a teacher, but for now I am stoked to stay home. I know it's going to be a big job (bigger than I can even fathom I'm sure), but I'm gearing up and counting my blessings. In the past month I've been able to spend special time with Belle, maintain our home that way I've always wanted to (let's say the bedding is finally being washed consistently and dinner is ready for Jackson when he gets home), and spend time with dear friends (yea for Lindsey being in California). I know that my God is a big God and I have been experiencing his amazing provision in my life more than ever during this season. Ephesians 3:20-21 keeps coming to mind... I love this verse: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Pregnancy Update

I'll be 7 months (28 weeks pregnant) this Friday. While a lot has happened and some days feel long, it seems like this pregnancy is whizzing by. I am so excited to hold Juliette Grace in my arms, but I am feeling pensive and reflective as her birth draws closer. Here are some of my thoughts:

- If Juliette decides to come on time, we only have a little more than 12 weeks with just the three of us in our home.
- I'm more scared of labor than I was with Belle (I guess because I know what to expect...)
- What will Juliette look like? On Friday, my doctor told me she's small (not unhealthy or anything). I told my doc that Belle was a week overdue and 6.5 pounds and my MD told me that Juliette will probably be a little baby too.
- I CAN'T believe that Belle is almost three. I remember the day she was born... (enjoy the picture above).

The Five

Jackson and I are going to celebrate our 5 year anniversary this Friday. Five years. I can definitely say that I love Jackson a billion times more (or a really really high number) than I did on our wedding day. He is awesome. Here are five reasons why I love Jackson Perdue:

1. He loves God and lives out his faith.
2. He makes me want to be a better person (Christ-follower, student, teacher, mom, citizen, etc.) because he's always striving to better himself.
3. He makes me laugh- a lot.
4. He's an incredible dad (his two daughters are two of the luckiest girls on this earth).
5. I love the way he loves me.

No More Teachers, No More Books!

Ok, well there may still be a teacher, but the teacher (with a Master's) will be me! Dah...Dah-Dah-Dah... Duh...Duh (this is supposed to resemble the Pomp and Circumstance tune). Today I finished my last class and now have a Master of Education Specializing in Best Practices. I am SO thankful to God for his blessings and provision in allowing me to further my education. I could not have done this without Jackson, my best friend and partner. He made a lot of sacrifices (praying for me, making dinner, watching Belle extra, cleaning the house, etc.) to help me earn this degree. I also couldn't have done this without my mom. My mom watched Belle for countless hours while we worked and completed hours upon hours of school work. I'm especially grateful for God's timing in that I finished this milestone before the birth of our second child. I have been in school while doing life for about two years. Now, I can just live life. Today is a day to celebrate!

Flying Solo

I finished my 'solo week' today. I'm ecstatic on the inside, but tired and ready for the weekend physically and emotionally. My first grade placement is very different from the third grade placement I had at the beginning of the year. My third grade solo week flew by and it hardly felt like a solo week. Third graders are so much more independent and I think that the class was overall an 'easier class'. The class I'm currently in is (according to my master teacher's 21 years of experience) the most difficult class ever. Incessant tattling, crying, squirming, oozing, and touching.... I feel as if I should get some sort of plaque or recognition for solo-ing in the first grade class this week. I guess that's called a teaching credential. I have 3 instructional weeks left until I'm an official teacher of California.