Welcome Home Elder Jackson

I am so far behind on blogging. Our lives have been jam packed with blessings and stopping to blog just hasn't happened. Today I am in bed with a terrible cold so I thought it was a good time to start catching up. Chris got homeon the 28th of Feb. He didn't get in till 8pm....so the day was very long as we waited for is arrival. We made a big sign that said "Welcome Home Elder Jackson. Hola Chris!" Of course he was one of the last ones off the plane....I think he did that on purpose. He didn't have time to call during his layovers so we just assumed he had boarded the plane. What a thrill to see him come around the corner.....skinny....but smiling. I wanted to hug him so badly but he was still in the secure area.

It's a rule. Mom's get the first hug.....and even if it isn't....I made sure that everyone knew that's how it was going to be.

I Love this picture. Such a look of complete peace and contentment on my face. After two years in a Mexican border mission having my boy home safe in my arms was the best

feeling in the world. I didn't want to let go....but many others wanted to hug him

too.

Dad was so happy to see his boy. Scott has missed Chris so much. Those two years seemed like eternity with his buddy gone.

Grandma Carol came through the snow to be here for his arrival home. We didn't tell Chris she was coming so it was a nice surprise for him. She is the only living grandparent and it meant so much to him to have her there.

Two or chris's best buds were at the plane. Chayla, who has been his best friend since they were born. Only three weeks apart. They grew up together and were mudpie buddies at recess in elementary school. Chris was so happy to see chayla. Nicole is his buddy from highschool. She had a sign that said "Welcome Home backup." They made a pact that if they weren't married by a certain age they would be each others backup. He was so happy to see them both. A little awkward still being a missionary....but thrilled that they had come.

Nicole's dad Randy has always been someone that Chris loves. So what a surprise to have Randy there at the plane too.

Welcome Home Elder Jackson. Welcome Home. It's a sacrifice to serve a mission...not only for the missionary but for his family. We put them on a plane and pray they will return safely. Most times they do....but you just never know. So a missionary coming home is one of the sweetest blessings a parent will ever know. We have enjoyed hearing more stories about his mission. Some that I wish I'd never heard...but it makes me even more grateful for prayers said on his behalf and for the protecting angels that watch over His missionaries. Chris gave a wonderful homecoming talk. Several have said it was the best they have ever heard. Most tell of their experiences....chris told a couple....but the main part of his talk was on the Atonement....and Repentence and it was moving and powerful. Our boy that we sent to Mexico had come home a man that was still our same goofy Chris....but a lot more Christlike and humble. He had a wonderful mission. He had experiences that changed his life. He saw miracles....took part in miracles....and he spent two years loving the people of Sonora and bringing many souls unto Christ. Thanks Chris for your dedicated service. We know that you miss your new friends and family in Mexico and your heart aches to be with them again....but we are so happy to have you home again.

Happy Birthday Kevin

I have so much blogging to catch up on.....but today is Kevin's birthday so I wanted to at least post about that. I can't believe he is 26 today and a new father. What a blessing it was being down in albuquerque to meet our grandson henry and see how Kevin adores him. Kevin's a busy guy with graduate school, teaching two writing classes and being a husband and father. Kellie said that Kevin and Stacie were such troopers while Henry was in the NICU. I knew they would be. Happy birthday my boy with the pink hair. I will never forget your aunt lois coming in the room hours after you were born and saying "The hutterites saw Kevin in the nursery and said he was big enough to drive the tractor already" Don't I know it....I'm the one that birthed you.....haha. You were such a joy to raise and now it's an even great joy to watch you as you start your family. We are so proud of you Kevin. Happy Birthday

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.

Happy birthday Stacie

Happy birthday to my sweet daughter in law Stacie. Stacie is about to have a baby. When I say about to I mean in the next couple of weeks. Stacie is going to be an excellent mother. I can't wait for her to hold that little one in her arms. We love you Stacie. Hope your birthday is wonderful. I hope your best present ever arrives very soon!

Sweet little angel

My heart is full with joy and gratitude as I sit here in the hospital and finally see my exhausted daughter close her eyes as precious baby Claire sleeps in the cradle beside her. Seeing my daughter in pain yesterday was hard but she was such a champ. After many long hours she needed a c section. It was fine sitting in the birthing room when I could see claire's heartbeat on the monitors...but when they unhooked things and took her back for a c-section it was a very long thirty minutes waiting for news. I couldn't watch the monitors or rub my girls head during a contraction. It was all in the Lord's hands. But I can't think of better hands to be in. A peace came over me as faith took over. My heart burst with joy at my first sight of Claire. And then when I finally got to see Carolyn again I was so grateful that mother and baby were okay. This has been such a blessed experience. Watching through the nursery window as Brent looked through a drawer of bows and smiling when he pulled out a purple one...carolyn's favorite color. It warmed my heart to see brent's overwhelming love for not just his daughter...but for my daughter. I had a moment when I first held her and whispered "what was my dad teaching you before you arrived tonight?" I kept saying she was 9 days late because she had so many people on the other side that had so much to tell her first. Seeing my daughter hold her daughter for the first time was something I will never forget. Carolyn didn't sleep much last night She couldn't take her eyes off Claire When I crawled into bed last night I was overcome with emotion and couldn't stop the tears. Our precious angel had finally arrived safe and sound and I was full of gratitude. Someone said "congrats grandma Jackson". My thoughts turned to my sweet mother in law Melba. I only hope I can be half of the grandma Jackson that she was to my children. I have pretty big shoes to fill to be grandma Jackson. Now that Claire has arrived I am even more anxious to meet grandbaby number two that is due in three weeks. What a joyous time in our lives. Elder Jackson returns in 35 days and we are so excited for uncle Chris to meet these babies.

Not so patiently waiting

Carolyn is due next Saturday....but we are so anxious to meet Claire and we hope each day that it will be the day we get to meet her. The excitement is building as we anticipate her arrival. Claire's bag is packed for the hospital, the nursery is ready....now we just need to get her here. Once she arrives is won't be long until Kevin and Stacie have their little one. Such excitement for the Jackson family. I emailed our missionary tonight....and after we hear from him tomorrow we only have 7 more emails. It's so great saying he will be home next month. I can't wait.

Looking forward to being a grandma. I think it's going to be one of the greatest things in the world. I must say....it's hard to walk by cute things in the store and not pick them up. Sometimes I just look at Scott and he says "Put it in the cart" Hopefully my next post has pictures of baby Claire and hopefully she will be born very soon. I think the only thing I'm looking forward to more than holding her is seeing my daughter hold her baby in her arms. I think it's going to be an overwhelming and awesome experience....I hope I have waterproof mascara.