Bella

July 2019

 So we are now a family with a dog. Yeh, didn't see that one coming...we've kinda been anti-pet people not needing to add any more chaos to our crazy lives. We told the kids after we moved that they would be able to get a dog- kinda assuming that we would have a bit more property that is usable to raise a dog more outdoors. (Ours turned out to be in the open wild animal out in the country property which isn't the best situation for a dog :) the fenced in property is kinda limited and the front open yard isn't fenced so once we moved, the property wasn't ideal. Only the begging didn't stop and after living here two years the kids really wanted a puppy...then they opened a new puppy-land dog store in our area which the kids always wanted to go to (to look at the eye-candy of the cutest little puppies ever.) Clearly in the end, we broke down and the kids caught Matt was in a good mood and on a whim which happened to be Ellie's b-day, he bought the kids a puppy (even managed to surprise Ellie with it!) Yep, Miss Bella Beary Jackson lol :) (Our Maltipoo who is also a shed-free hypoallergenic doggie with taking some of our fam members pet-allergies into account.) So complete with potty training, dog food and training treats and toys, teaching her to go up and down the stairs, more doctor visits than I ever took my own kids to, grooming hair cut visits, early morning wake-up calls and home doggy-proofing- this dog seems to think she runs the show around here as the newest member to our family. Gotta admit, I was not ready to invest so much time and money into an animal and never fully understood people that do so- so it has been an adjustment (cuz you know the mom is the driving force of the restructuring doggy-duty commitment and delegating around here.) BUT, yes- she has totally grown on us and it's been fun to watch her learn and grow and bond with our family. She is actually a pretty chill doggie, don't get me wrong- she can get hyped up and have fun playing but she also enjoys a good snuggle. We are looking forward to taking her outdoors (after all of her Parvo vacs) in the meanwhile she has fully taken her control of her ownership and space in our home indoors. #Doglife 

Well isn't she the sweetest thing?

Music Award at OPS

June 2019

 At the end of the school year awards ceremony at her OPS elementary school, Brooklynne received a special music award which I was able to attend to congrats her for her accomplishments. Every month there would be an awards assembly where every teacher would acknowledge their students on character traits (celebrating one trait each month for two kids out of each class) Brooklynne really must have been on her teachers good list because she hit about nine traits receiving an award each month in different specific areas (off the top of my head honesty, courtesy, kind, obedient etc.) It's nice as a parent knowing that when you send your child to school even if the forces around them try to bring them down with negativity and temptation for the worse that they can still rise above the adversary to be a force for good! Proud of you and your example Brooklynne!

Father's Day 2019

Happy Dad's Day Matt!

Happy Dad's Day! After Church we spent the day at The Jackson's for a BBQ family gathering for the "Pops" and to celebrate Grandpa Jackson's bday. The kids had a good time. Grandma had a "Pops" theme with all things pops ie pop rocks, balloons, bubble gum etc Bailee earned herself $200. to spend on a challenge with ABC gum (not one of Gma's planned games might I add, the kids and dads made this one up), yeh' don't ask it was on the gross side...we will spare the details but there are a few pics above. The things teenageers will do for money these days!

Dad Noble came for a short visit the week of Father's Day also, it was fun for Saydee to spent a bit of the afternoon with Gma and Gpa all to herself since the other kids were still in school. It was nice to see Gpa open his Father's Day gift also. We love and appreciate these amazing men in our lives, such great examples of hard work, dedication, determination and love for their families!

Happy Birthday Ellie

June 12, 2019

Seventeen is pretty special for Ellie. Not only did her friends and fam spoil her, dad on a whim finally broke down after years of begging and got the fam a dog. Yep, a Maltipoo Miss Bella Beary Jackson joined the fam on Ellie's 17th bday also! Just like a new born baby, this puppy is welcomed into the fam with love and time (we were ready for the extra love part, just not so sure about the extra time side of things...oh the adventures with a puppy!) Happy Birthday Ellie, you are one special gal who is loved by all for your fun, outgoing spirit, laughter, innocence, spontaneous and all around beauty- have a wonderful year and make it the best!!!