Friday the 24th at 1:11pm our sweet grandson Henry Owen Jackson was born. He weighed 7lbs 3.80z and he was 21 inches long. Henry has an infection and has to be in the NICU for a few days. It's not easy being so far away. I wanted to hop a plane to Albuquerque but Chris comes home in three days. The power of prayer and the love from friends strengthen us. So many are praying for henry's speedy recovery. My friend val and Daleen lit the candle for him. My family has had that candle lit for us on many occasions. We are grateful for friends and prayers. I can't wait to meet the newest addition to our family. He looks so much like Kevin did as a baby. We are grateful to our sweet Stacie for carrying him the past 9 months. What a blessing this little guy is. This grandma stuff is the greatest thing ever. I had fun shopping for frames today to put pictures up of these adorable grandkids. Welcome to the family Henry. We love you. We pray that you can get out of the hospital very soon.

Guardian Angels

During sunday school yesterday scott found me in the hall watching after Brody Baker. I love watching that little guy. He is such a cutie and he makes being far away from grandkids hurt a little less. Anyway....Scott said "Kevin just called" I was excited and said "Stacie must be in labor" But the look on Scott's face was not excitement. I said "What's going on?" Scott said "Kevin was in an accident on the freeway but he's okay." My heart dropped. Perhaps leading with "Kevin is okay but was in an accident" might have been better. I listened to the details and got chills. I called Kevin....knowing he was okay....but needing to hear my son's voice. Today Kevin sent me a link to the local news....and I got chills again. Snow flurries turned to a complete white out on the interstate within minutes. Kevin was doing fine....he has experience driving in snow. The other drivers from Albuquerque don't have much experience with winter driving conditions. He was hit from behind...and it caused him to lose control and spin a 180 and go across four lanes of traffic and facing oncoming traffic. It's a miracle he wasn't hit by other vehicles as he slid across those lanes. The lady that hit him was clipped by a semi right after but Kevin was already clear of that. The news said there were 26 accidents on that small stretch of freeway. All kevin had was a cracked bumper.....not a scratch or bruise. We thanked the Lord that night in our prayers for his protection. I know he had angels watching over him that day. And what a blessing that a very pregnant Stacie was not in the car with him. I told Scott that we are reaping the blessings of having a son serving a mission....and we are reaping them all at once. We are taking advantage of every day that he has left. I have seen the hand of the Lord in so many ways since Chris has been gone. Thank heavens for Miracles!

Belated birthday

Hard to believe but my baby turned 21 on Monday. He spent his last birthday in Mexico and that means he is almost home. 19 more days! It's hard to believe he is a grown man. Seems like yesterday he was on the pitchers mound. I can't wait to see how much he has matured since he's been gone. They grow up a lot in the mission field...especially where he had been. Hope you had a great birthday in Nogales, Mexico my dear son. Chris said he was making tortillas on his birthday. Sure love you.

Turn around birthday girl

There is a song I sang to Carolyn when she was a baby and I have choked up singing it to Claire.
Where are you going my little one...little one? Where are you going my baby my own? Turn around and you're two. Turn around and you're four. Turn around a you're a young girl running out of the door.
Where are you going my little one....little one? Where are you going my baby my own? Turn around and you're tiny. Turn around and you're grown. Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own.
Somewhere in all her twirling in her tutu my baby girl grew up and is a beautiful woman rocking her own baby. It all happened so fast. Happy 24th birthday bug.