Crazy Animal

For once I am not talking about Chewy... Jackson enjoyed breakfast with the squirrels this morning. I mean seriously....

A couple of things... Yes, Jackson needs his wig spilt (hair cut) badly. Yes, I am going all Martha and made him a tractor pancake:)

Train Show

This weekend we headed out to The Train Expo. Mimi and Papa decided to make a last minute trip to see our family and were able to come along as well. Jackson really liked the trains and it turned out to be a fun trip!

Fun in February

Almost ready for fun in the snow
Rock Rock time
Fun in the tub
Jackson loves jumping off the couch.

Fun with play dough

Just some recent pictures of our family fun!

JJ go?

My big brother, JJ was in town this week staying with us while he interviewed for a job in Kansas City. Jackson said "JJ coming?" while we waited for him to arrive. Now ever since he left Jackson has repeated "JJ go?" He is very funny. He then says "JJ home" or " JJ soda" for Minnesota. We are hopeful we can see JJ more often!

** Jackson also does this after Mimi and Poppy or Mimi and Papa leave***

Camping in?

Our little guy is full of fun.... until he gets sick! Jackson unfortunately has been fighting a cold. He has been coughing for a few nights. He also has had a fever. My parents were up visiting with us while JJ was in town. When I came home my parents told me to be quiet because Jackson was sleeping, only I did not see him snuggled on the couch... he was in his tent! Justin's parents bought Jackson a tent and he loves it. He crawled into his tent and slept for about an hour since he did not feel good. Poor guy.

FOCUS

Lately things have been up in the air in the Van Gundy home. I probably think life is more unpredictable then it really is but things seem to just be a little stressful. We have accomplished some tasks... finding a preschool for Jackson in the Fall, while other tasks are still up in the air. Our current dilemma is we are not sure who is going to care for Jackson this summer. The stress comes in creating too many transitions while also hoping to potty train him this spring/ summer so he can actually go to preschool.

Wednesday starts the season of Lent. This is a great time for our family (mostly me) to focus on what is important, to let go of things out of our control and to just have faith. I would not say I am a religious person but I do hope that I can find faith in the coming weeks as we make some hard decisions. I also hope I can let go of some of the things that have caused some hurt along the way. I might also add as Lent comes to an end it is my 30th birthday- UGH. So I think I am just looking at my life and sorting out what I really want to keep and let go of...

My goal over the next 40 days is for our family to focus on our family! I hope we can just take some time to enjoy the important things in life together. I personally am giving up Facebook. Facebook is not something that brings me joy but rather just gives me one more thing to think about. I also am planning family meals together more regularly and special treats to enjoy... like an extra trip to get ice cream, a date night or even some extra time on a walk.

Such a serious post... but some insight into how things will hopefully get better!!!

Preschool

We visited and enrolled Jackson in a new preschool program. We really liked the teachers and the set up of the class rooms. He will attend preschool Tuesday and Thursday mornings and attend the aftercare program to make a full day on Tuesday - Thursday. We feel very comfortable and are excited he will be attending an education setting as well as be in a Catholic environment!

Here is the link to his new school. He officially starts in September and will probably do a few transition days in August. We are still trying to figure out plans for this summer.

Of course it was a little too much for me. He is just getting to big! We will see what the next few months brings for our family. Hopefully some changes with my job... whatever that may mean. Faith Faith Faith....

Prayers

We have always said prayers at night. After tubby time, brushing teeth and lots of hugs and kisses to Chewy and Daddy; Jackson and I head into his room to rock rock and say prayers. Tonight was the first night Jackson has actually helped me to say prayers. I am not sure why tonight he jumped in, I guess I never really asked him, before I just always prayed for us. But tonight was different. Maybe it was because we went to church...

Tonight he jumped into prayers.... he started saying names. He started with saying Daddy. Church. Amen (which he says every time we drive by church) and then he started with Justin's parents Mimi and Papa (which he repeated several times), then he went onto Mimi and Poppy (again repeating several times) after which we started to talk about friends (Alli, Mason, Logan, Lilly). Then he went back to Mimi and Poppy. After which time.... he started to pray for Corky (my parents goofy dog), tractor (big one), Truck and then Corky and tractor again. It was so funny. His little mind is so creative and everything about him amazes me.

Tonight was just another reminder just how much I have to be thankful for in my prayers too....