Jackson is talking so much. I am incredibly amazed by how smart he is. He is so observant and so perceptive. His latest obsession is keys. And he cannot be fooled by fake keys. He knows where we keep the spare keys and he demands them every time he enters the laundry room. I get nervous for him to have them because he likes to keep things in strange places like the laundry basket, drawers, and the trashcan.

His vocabulary is exploding. He can say Callie (Caaa), ball, Jesus (he has said this for a while now. He usually wakes up from his nap and points at a picture in his room and says Jesus. It is so sweet. Other words are bye bye, stop (he knows a part of one of his books says stop and he yells it out before I even read that part), bubbles, yes (ya), no (I forgot to record this before but he says no ALL the time), milk, more (he can say and sign it now), please (he is still learning how to sign and say this but is getting close). He can also baaa like a sheep and mooo like a cow.

Jackson is still obsessed with going outside. The first thing he did when we got home from camping was go to the door and whine to go back out. I love his energy and love for life. But it is certainly exhausting. I wouldn't have it any other way though. He does throw fits and growls and says no repeatedly when he doesn't get his way. He usually lays down and cries when he is upset too. Recently he has started hitting his head on the wall but not when he is mad. He will just casually lean against the wall and thump his head a few times and sometimes say ow. He also carefully touches his food and says hot to check the temperature.

I cry sometimes when I put Jackson to bed. I beg for him to always be a good boy and to never grow up and leave me. But then I tell him its ok to grow up because he needs to. But I always beg him to be good and make good choices. He is so full of goodness, energy, and light. He is such a blessing to us.

Jon is almost done with his semester and then he starts his internship. One more year until graduation! I cannot wait!! He balances it all so well but I will be happy when he is done!

I am babysitting 2 days a week. They are long days- 12 hour days usually, but the extra cash has been a blessing for us. The best part is that I get to stay home with Jackson. It has been really good but I get a 2 week break now which I am SO grateful for!

Campers

We went camping the other day because it is spring break! Jackson and Jon had the time of their lives! I loved it but had a hard time sleeping and was really achy. But I stuck it out and am so glad I did. The weather was perfect and it was beautiful and not crowded. I loved watching Jackson explore and seeing him so happy. He came home with two scrapped up knees because he walked so fast he fell a lot. He was so happy and loved the waterfalls. I'm so happy we went!

foot shot for Mandi

Manly

This is how a man sews:

Jon wanted to use some old jeans to make a cover for our new camping stove.       I got a good laugh when I saw him using a level and a tape measure. 

Back it Up

Jon really wants me to post these pictures of a snow day from last month. I posted pictures from the other two snow days and not this one. Jon took these and I love them!

 

The joy in his eyes is my favorite part about these pictures. This kid could spend every minute of everyday outside. He is so much fun!

Baptism in Virginia

A couple of weeks ago we were able to go out to Virginia for Jon's nephew Brock's birthday/baptism on March 1. We always love going to Brian and Mandy's because their kids are fun and cute and their home is peaceful and happy. Plus they are awesome cooks! (I tried Gumbo for the first time and it was amazing!) We were extra excited to go out because Jon's parents and youngest sister were there too. We mostly stayed home while we were there because it was cold and wet. Church was even cancelled on the day of Brock's baptism but they still let him get baptized. Here are some pictures from our trip:

Brock was loving the selfies

Jon and Katie singing to Jackson

Jon bench pressing Hayden

Hali and me

Jon and Hayden tried on Brock's new undies

Brian and Brock

Brian, Mandy, Milaya, Hali, Brock, Hayden

Grandpa and Grandma Bealer, Katie, Brian's family, Jon and I- Jackson was down the hall asleep; please notice Hayden's pose

Brock and Hali coloring with Jackson- these kids are SO sweet to our boy

the sky was amazing on our drive home