And Hello To The Palmetto State...

We began our 8 hour drive to South Carolina on December 14th!  Thank you Mimi for coming down to help us make the drive!  Jeremy drove the big u-haul and I drove the babies...and Mimi...

We drove 5 hours and stayed the night outside of Atlanta.  Then, we made the last 3 hour drive to Columbia the next morning!  We were greeted at our door by a cute little Christmas tree...and a welcome banner!  YAY!  We made it!

Several friends from our new church came and spent the afternoon helping us unload the truck.  SUCH a blessing!  Jeremy and I spent the next couple days working, working, working to get everything set up and unpacked while we had the extra help of Mimi to watch the kids!

We enjoyed worshiping together in our new church, Gateway Baptist, Sunday morning.  Jackson was too interested in his shoe to smile...

This is our new neighborhood playground where we've already spent lots of time...

Life is busy, busy...but I will do my best to update soon!

Good-Bye Sunshine State...

We had so many little good-byes...that it's impossible to capture all our friends with the camera, but I wanted to post just a few.  Our student ministry leadership threw us a sweet good-bye dinner party.  It was so fun just fellowshipping together and reminiscing on all the memories we have made together and all the youth trips and retreats that we have survived together. :)  They gave us a gorgeous painting for our house...I will have to post a picture as soon as it arrives in the mail!  The student ministry threw us a surprise going away party complete with food made by the students, videos etc...such a memorable night together.  Then, we had a packing/loading the truck party at our house on our last night.  We had probably 30-40 people over...our little 1500 sq ft. house was busting at the seams with all our dear friends!  With 10 pizzas and lots of helping hands, we had our truck loaded in no time at all!

Here are a few of our good-byes...

Brandon and Jackson
(Brandon has had a "fear" of babies...BUT we have changed that!  He and Jackson have developed a special little bond. :)

Bella's last day at our favorite park!  Check out that static electricity on those curls!

Casi was a 6th grader when we first started at Olive...we have grown so close to her and her precious family.  She came over and had a slumber party with Bella...and gave her a little "I love you" necklace....

Last afternoon with Kelsey!  I've enjoyed seeing Kelsey grow from a high school student into a beautiful wife and leader in the middle school ministry.

Liz was in 6th grade when we moved to Pensacola...now she's an Auburn Tiger...all grown up!

Sarah and Bella enjoying apples on their last play date!

The Taylor kids...we sure will miss them!  Before we had kids, we had many, many fun double dates with their parents...forever friends. :)

Our precious, precious neighbor Maddy.  Her family will be forever missed!!!  They are truly the BEST neighbors anyone could ever dream of!!!  I am serious!  Maddy was always willing to lend a hand with the babies...and her dear mother has helped me in countless ways...I couldn't even list all the ways she has helped me.  I will miss the cups of sugar, missing ingredients that she quickly ran over, hugs on hard days, relaxing afternoons in the yard when I needed to get outside...encouragement on many sick pregnancy days, dinners that were brought over "just because"...we sure love them!!!

7 months...

Our little handsome is now 7 months!  What in the world!?  Where has time gone!!!  Jackson is as precious as ever...he loves life and his little giggle is contagious to all those around. :)

He loves swinging at the park with his sissy...

We tried introducing cereal around 5 months...but he would have nothing to do with it.  His little chunky self just preferred mommy's milk.  We tried again at 6  months...and it was still a "no-go."  So, here we go at 7 months!  He loves avocados, pears, bananas, oats, apples...and we are going to try sweet potatoes this weekend!  Bless his little heart...his "system" is a little slow-moving if you know what I mean.  SO, needless to say we had to stop the bananas for a while!  He still isn't an aggressive little eater like Bella was...but he will take a few bites here and there.

Doesn't he just look like a little man!?  This picture totally captures his his little personality..

He thinks it is so fun to enjoy the  sunny, cool weather while watching his big sister run crazy at the park!

He babbles all the time...there's been several instances where we wonder if he's saying dadda or mamma...but not sure yet!  He definitely looks toward each of us if we say "mamma" or "dadda."
He is going longer stretches at night (I think the food is helping).  He loves when we go in and get him in the morning...he snuggles up in my neck and giggles.  He spends his days jumping in his exersaucer, rolling around trying to keep up with his sister, sitting and playing with toys, going for rides in the stroller and trying his best to defend himself against his "second little mamma"...Bella boo. =)

Here are his stats:

Height    27.25 inches     60%
Weight   18 lb. 14 oz      65%
Head      45 cm               50%

His schedule these days:
7    Wake/Nurse/1 oz pear juice for constipation...poor guy/Solids (fruit/cereal)
9    Nap
10  Nurse
12  Solids (fruit/cereal)
1    Nurse
2    Nap
4    Nurse
5    Solids
7    Bath
8    Nurse/Bed

Jackson's Dedication

We dedicated Jackson the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Jeremy's mom was able to come over for the weekend and share in the special night with us.  It was also an extra special time because he was dedicated alongside two of my close friend's babies.  We were pregnant at the same time, "showered" each other and then have been able to walk through this newborn baby stage together! =)

Before the service, we went to our favorite park and Jeremy's mom took some pictures for us.  I love this precious boy!  

My laid-back, easy going little handsome!

My little charmer...I wonder what goes on  in that little head of his...

My handsome little man!

 This night will always be remembered as we made a public commitment to faithfully love each other as Godly parents and as we commit to raising Jackson on the truths of God's Word.  From the moment the Lord gave Him to us, he has been a precious blessing.  He is such a loving little fella and is always full of hugs and kisses.  He rarely ever causes  an uproar...unless his belly gets empty. =)
He is such a sweet little cuddle bug.  We've taken many a nap together.  He loves to be cuddled close and he especially loves to be sung to.  I've prayed from the moment I knew I was pregnant that the Lord would have His hand upon this child and that this sweet baby would come to know Jesus as His Lord and Savior at an early age.  I continue to pray that He will grow in wisdom and knowledge of our Lord.  I pray that He will become a strong man of God who will lead others in the Truth.  I pray that this gentle, loving little guy will touch many lives as He uses His special and unique gifts for the Lord.  I know God has such wonderful plans for little Jackson Samuel's life.  It is truly an honor to be his mamma.

The Lord knew Bella and I needed a more "chill" person to spend our days with...(sometimes we get wound a little too tight!) Hehe =)

We love you handsome man!!!

Jackson, Polly and Julian =)