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.