Badger Mountain Challenge

We are smiling....because we have no idea what we are about to do. A few weeks ago Scott said "Hey...there was a flyer up at the hospital and there is a 15K in Tri Cities.....it is the first one there at Badger Mountain. I want to do it." Okay.....have fun. Well, as it came closer I decided foolishly to be the good wife and join him. His knee is bad and I knew he would be walking it rather than running.....so how hard would that be?

It was so cold this morning and we got to the starting line. Oh....by the way...no parking by the start...had to park a long way away....so it turned out to be a 17K by the time we reached the car. Thank heavens I thought to pack a fleece cap because there was a bitter cold wind blowing. Rain didn't appear till after the race so we were happy about that. Such a blessing. Well....we arrived at the starting point and the cousin of the event organizer tells us we are climbing up the mountain. WHAT? So much for the easy part. Pretty steep hike.....but wait.....there is more.....after coming down......we walk around the mountain and climb up it again from the back side. With all the swelling in the back of my knee it was a pretty rough hike going up......but we did it. I first considered just stopping after coming down the first time.....but I thought "Nope....no matter how long it takes....don't start something and not finish." So up we went again. This is a pic of me when it's all over. Why am I still smiling? Because I'm half crazy.....but you already knew that.

I was so proud of Scott. His hip started cramping on the way back up the mountain....but he kept on going. He stayed a little behind me the whole way....I think he was checking out my butt.....but close enough we could talk when we weren't huffing and puffing. Even though i can feel pretty much every muscle in my body...and I'm pretty sure I'll discover even more of them in the morning....I'm so glad i decided to do it with Scott and say we accomplished it together. Was it smart to do with my bad joints? Of course not? Was it worth it to spend time with my guy? Absolutely!!!

This is how I felt at the end of the race. There you have it. We discovered how old we are really getting....but considering we did it anyway.....I'd say we are both still pretty young at heart.

Happy Birthday Kevin

I don't really know how it is possible....but my oldest turns 25 today. The boy with the pink hair is all grown up. Scott was in school in Rexburg and I was home with my parents. Babies on Alberta Health Care were a lot more afforable than our student insurance. I called Scott and said "I'm in labor." He took off for the 12 hour trip and arrived 10 hours after Kevin was born to find me passed out on the hospital room floor. I'll never forget the hutterites looking at that 9lb 5oz baby and saying "He looks big enough to drive the tractor already." Kevin was the easiest baby. He would lay on grandma Jackson's couch for hours and just look around without a sound. Grandma used to say "I wish he had a clear head so I could see the wheels turning." I had so many hopes and dreams as they placed Kevin in my arms. Raising him was an absolute joy. His toddler years were so enjoyable. Kevin learned to read very young and I'll always remember him laying on the waterbed with me when he was five and reading Tom Sawyer to me. We did this everynight. His love for reading has continued throughout his life. Kevin was a pretty easy teenager. We didn't even have to disagree with his music choices during those years. He was a huge Beetles fan when he was growing up. One of the qualities Kevin has that I love the most is his love for old people. Hs piano recitals were held at an assisted living facility and we had walked in and I turned around and there was no sign of Kevin. He had stopped to talk to this older gentleman in the hall and they were deep in conversation. Kevin was so good to his grandpa Jackson when grandma passed away. He would go next door to dads every single night. They would sit and talk for hours. Kevin knows more about Lloyd than any of his own kids I think. When Kevin left on his mission grandpa said "I miss my best friend." I am so proud of the man that Kevin has grown into. He is everything I dreamed he would be. Happy Birthday my dear boy. Thanks for all these years of joy.

Hump Day

There are certain days that are monumental when your child is in the mission field. Today happens to be one of those days. It's HUMP DAY!!!! Of course we look forward to our Mother's day and Christmas Day phone calls from our missionary.....but today Chris hit his year mark. We can know start counting down instead of up. That is reason to celebrate. I am happy that Chris chose to serve a mission.....but 2 years is a long time for a mom to go without a hug. Chris sounded like he wasn't keeping track....and that is good. That means he's busy and working hard like he should be.....but as for his mom.....I put a sticker on his chart for every day....and it was Awesome putting a big red sticker on his chart today marking his halfway point. May God bless and keep him in His care. We love Elder Jackson.

Happy Valentines Day

I'm a lucky girl. I get to be married to my very best friend. When we were in university our French prof was my dad's old missionary companion. He liked to tease me before Scott and I got married. He'd say to Scott "Did you know you're going to be stuck with her for eternity?" Scott would always smile and say "That doesn't seem long enough." Well.....I know just what he meant. Forever looks pretty dang great! Doesn't seem long enough though to be with my sweetheart. Scott always makes me feel special and loved. I'm no easy girl to live with....but I get to be me....and I love that....and more importantly....he loves that. Happy Valentines Day baby. I sure love you.

Happy Birthday Elder Jackson

Can my baby really be turning 20 today? Wasn't it yesterday when he stood on the pitching mound in little league? Somehow between baseball games he grew up into a man. What a joy he has been in our lives. I believe the Lord sent us Chris to make us laugh. Chris wakes up each morning with a smile on his face ready to begin a new adventure each day. He was always such a happy kid. What a blessing he has been in our family. We had him on our mind this morning as always....but with it being his birthday even more so. Scott and I attended stake conference this weekend. A lot of the focus of conference was on missionary work. One of the speakers in the morning session talked about these missionaries giving of their time and sacrificing their education, family, and friends, to go and preach the gospel. He compared them to those Stippling Warriors in the Army of Helamen. Valiant sons of God. I got a little lump in my throat as he spoke of them in a reverent manner. The closing song today was "I'll go where you want me to go" Well, those that are familiar with the song know that it is often sung in a sacrament meeting as a missionary is preparing to leave and enter into the mission field. The chorus goes "I'll go where you want me to go dear lord. Over mountain or plain or sea. I"ll say what you want me to say Dear Lord. I'll be what you want me to be." Well....by the time we had sung the chorus the second time I had tears welling up in my eyes. Scott squeezed me and said "Me too" So....by the time the third verse rolled around we both were fighting back tears....but to no avail. "There's surely somewhere a lowly place in earth's harvest fields so wide, where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus the Crucified. So trusting my all to Thy tender care, and knowing Thou lovest me, I"ll do Thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be." We were unable to sing the words as our hearts were full at that moment. Sending a child on a mission is a wonderful thing....but sending them in to a country in turmoil is bittersweet. The missionaries serving in Mexico have our hearts with them. We know that conditions there have become very dangerous. I also know that when my son knelt in prayer he asked the Lord to send him to Mexico. He wanted to serve there since he was a little boy. So.....I'm wishing my boy in Mexico a very happy birthday. I know that this is where he wants to be. I know that this is where the Lord needed him. I know that he has had experiences there that will shape the man he will become. I'm thankful for his decision to serve the Lord. Happy birthday Elder Jackson. We love you.

Bug's Birthday!!

Carolyn turns 23 today. How is that possible? It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that they placed that round faced, olive skinned baby girl in my arms. I will never forget that day. It was pouring rain...and when Scott brought my grandma to see her they were both soaked clear through. Grandma wondered if the babies got mixed up. Carolyn's hair was so dark..and her skin too. Just like her great grandma katie's. She was such a beautiful baby. No wrinkles to fill out though. 9lbs 14oz kind of takes care of the wrinkles....but she did have rolls....lots of them. I remember thinking "What will my little girl grow up to be like?" Well, I have an answer for that now. She grew up to be a loving and caring person that has such a big heart. When she told me she had decided to pursue a career in special education I knew without a doubt that it was a perfect fit for her. She loves her students. I was not at all surprised that she and Brent went and bought a coat for one of her students that came to school without one. It is not a job that I could handle....but she looks forward to being with them each day. The other day she told me that her facilitator at her school told her that she should apply to be a facilitator in the district. I said "That's great. More money...not having to deal with the kids." She said "Mom, I didn't get a degree in special education to do paper work. I got a degree to help children. I want to be in the classroom." Well.....my heart burst with pride and joy as I realized that all the dreams I had for that little girl in my arms are being realized. She is just like the person I wanted her to grow up to be. Happy Birthday Bug. I hope you had a great day with you class today....and I'm sure they loved celebrating ground hogs day...and your birthday all at once. And....I know there was no mix up at the hospital....because she is so much like me that it is scary sometimes....just ask Brent....ha ha.

Happy Birthday Stacie Lou

Happy Birthday Stacie! As a mother you often think about the kind of woman your son will grow up to marry. I can honestly say that if I searched the world over I couldn't have picked out a better daughter in law. Stacie is the perfect fit in our family. I love her like she's my own. I am grateful that she is a part of our lives. Stacie is so loving and kind. Stacie is a perfect compliment to Kevin. I often tell people how lucky I am to have such a great daughter in law. When we were looking for her birthday card we found one that reflected how we felt...we bought it....but there was one problem with it. On the front it said Daughter in Law. I know technically that Stacie is our daughter in law...but in my heart I'd rather just say daughter. So.....happy birthday Daughter. We sure love you. Thanks for all you do for Kevin....and thanks for loving our family so much. Happy Birthday.