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.

Shout out to the guys that love my girls!

These two guys are going to become father's early next year. I love to hear how tender they are to their wives during this time....and always. Carolyn told me when we were chatting one night it was time to go....time for brent to read a bed time story to baby girl. Ahhh.....that made me tear up a bit an also smile at the same time. Stacie did a blog post about the tender things that Kevin does for her. He gets up in the middle of the night to rub out her charlie horses....he kisses her belly goodnight and tells the baby that he loves it. I am so thankful for the examples Brent and Kevin had in their lives on how to be a loving husband and father. These two little babies that are on their way soon are very blessed to have such wonderful fathers. I remember hearing a noise in the gravel one morning....and I got up....looked outside and saw Scott pushing the car out to the road. I asked him when he got home what that was about" He said "The transmission is so loud....and I didn't want it to wake you" He did this every morning....but I didn't know it. Carolyn, Stacie, and I are blessed with the men in our lives.

Hello mom

Moses Lake can have some some of the most beautiful sunsets. My mother in law lived right next door to us and she would sit and watch the sun set from her big living room window. On the days that they were extra pretty she would always call and say "Stop everything you're doing and go out and watch the sun set." I have missed her so much since she passed away. She was not only my mother in law....she was one of my closet and dearest friends. I always here of scary mother in law stories. Mom was the greatest. When my kids were little I'd go over there every day and we'd sit and visit. I learned many things from here....the most important....how to be a mother in law. I hope I am one just like her. Well....the other night I happened to glance out the window....and this is what I saw. I grabbed my camera and ran out to take a picture. When I see sunsets like that I always think it is mom saying hello to me in her special way.....and letting me know she is still very close....and in our hearts forever.

A great day

September 13th is always a day that I usually like to avoid. Just go from the 12th to the 14th....and skip the whole day. It's a day that takes me back to the past....and one I'd wished had never happened. It's one of those days every year that I've found it is just easier to stay in bed...and pull up the covers. But this year I had plans....and it turned out to be a fantastic day. I went to tri cities to see my friend Mel and take her to lunch for her birthday that was on sunday. Well....for the last ten plus years I've been getting highlights in my hair. I told Mel it was time for a change. She asked me if I trusted her. I said "Sure!" So......I am a very dark brunette....and I love it! It was just the change I needed. I texted Scott and said "You're going to have a new wife to come home to tonight" We had a great lunch...and caught up. Oh I miss Melanie. We took the beast with us....her three year old....that I adore. He said he was best friends with his grandmimi....and I asked what about me? He said I'm his best friend too. Do you think it was because of that bag of candy I brought? Hmmmm? It was a beautiful fall day that felt much more like summer with the temps hitting 98 degrees. But I don't know if it was a hug from the beast....lunch with my friend....or my new hair....but I had a spring in my step and a smile on my face. I think it was the combination of all three. I think i should spend every Sept. 13th like that. It was much better than hiding under the covers. And to top it off....Stacie had an ultrasound and the little one has a strong healthy heartbeat. So excited for these babies to arrive.

My two favorite pregnant girls.

Sorry Mel....but Carolyn and Stacie trump you this time. These girls are adorable with their baby bump. We are so excited for them both. Can't believe that Carolyn is half way through on friday. Time seems to be marching right along with their pregnancies and we can't wait to meet the little ones the are carrying. They are both going to be amazing mothers. Sure love you two.....or should I say four!

Hiking Utah

Scott had a great time going on hikes with Kevin while we were in Utah. I felt bad that I wasn't up to joining them...but the swelling in my knee let me know it wasn't a good idea. It was great for them to have some quality time together though.

They hiked up to the top of the Y. They made really good time. I used to think Scott was the slow one on our hikes...but I figured out that I was the hold up.

One year when we did that hike there was a dip in the path and Scott said "Chris can you make it" Not thinking he would try Chris went on a dead run and jumped it.....but didn't quite make it. He got skinned up...and a whole in his jeans. So of course Scott had to try it this time. BOYS!

I am starting to think that Scott is a snake charmer. He is always finding them on hikes. He found one at the Y and when we hiked in Albuquerque.

Friday morning they went and hiked up to Stewart Falls. Our nephew Cory joined them on this hike.

Scott said it was a beautiful hike. Love the wildflowers.

I'm so glad they had this time together. Scott misses his kids so much....and nothing makes him happier than being able to spend time with them.

If you look closely you can see a rainbow. Scott said he found a leprechaun at the end of it. Ha ha....with Kevin 's red beard he does kind of look like one.

Temple Square

Saturday morning the Jacksons and the Hirz family headed up to Salt Lake City to tour temple square. Brent's stepmom Kelly had never been before. It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky and the temple against the blue sky looked so majestic.

We also watched the Joseph Smith movie that is playing down there on temple square right now. I have seen it in seminary....and it doesn't matter how many times....it brings a tear to my eye and I get a lump in my throat.

My favorite part of temple square is always going up to see the statue of Christ in the visitors center. It was slower than usual that morning....so it was pretty quiet in the room and it was nice to just sit there and contemplate over all of my blessings. So grateful for the Savior.

The Hirz bunch

The Jackson's

Convocation

Friday morning we had a great lunch with all of Brent's family and friends at the Brazilian restaurant that we love so much. It was delicious. We had a huge group there to celebrate with Brent. After that we headed to the Marriot Center for Convocation. It was great having us together....but the picture isn't complete without Stacie and Chris. We missed them both so much. I am so glad we got to go down for Brent's graduation. It was a wonderful week.

Carolyn sneaking a kiss from her husband. They are so cute together...and being around them makes me smile. Brent is so tender and loving with her.

Okay.....it looks like Kevin and Brent are sneaking a kiss too. Those boys crack me up.

Boy or Girl?

After commencement we headed over to Carolyn and Brent's. There were about 15 of us. We had been trying to trick Carolyn into telling us the sex of the baby for two days...but she never slipped. They made cupcakes and in the center they put either pink of blue food coloring...but we didn't know which. All but two of us voted we thought it was a boy.

Carolyn said "Don't shout it out....let everyone bite in and figure it out" Well.....Brent's dad doesn't follow instructions very well and when he yelled "It's a GIRL" I got so excited I dropped my cupcake on the floor. The most tender moment was when Scott stood up and hugged Carolyn and with a tear in his eye he said "My little girl is having a girl" My heart melted. That little girl is going to have her dad and her grandpa wrapped around her finger.

Chayla is Brent's cousin. She and Chris have been friends since birth. THey are three weeks apart and they have grown up together. She is just part of the family. She reached over and snuggled up to scott and said "Hi dad" I had to take a picture.

Commencement

We went to Utah for Brent's graduation. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Geography with and emphasis in travel and tourism. We are all so proud of you Brent! You did it!

Carolyn was so proud of Brent. She was beaming that day.

Brent got attacked by his sister. I love it when brothers get a surprise hug from their sister.

Carolyn, Brent, Heather, and Kevin

Very proud mother and Father in law

These two guys crack me up. Kevin said "Brent---your robe is huge....two can fit in there." Of course they had to try it. Kevin and Brent are much more like Brothers than in laws. I'm so happy that they are so close.

Carolyn's classroom

The morning after we arrived in Utah we had the chance to go to the school where Carolyn teaches. Here is Mrs. Hirz at her desk.

Her classroom was so much fun and decorated very cute. I am sure the kids love it there. I know that their teacher sure does.

Boys and their toys. Scott and Kevin couldn't resist....they had to play with some of the things in her room.

I got carolyn this adorable set to put on the wall in her room. She laminated it and then we had to cut all the pieces out...but it was fun helping her get set up for her coming school year. School started monday in Provo.