Weekend Away

Brandon had class Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so Jackson and I went to my mom's house in Driftwood for a few days to have a little break from the apartment and give Brandon a chance to study in the evenings. It was a quick trip, but we had a lot of fun and helped my mom clean out some things and update the files on her computer. I will probably try to get up there a few other weekends when Brandon has class to help work on the barn too. Jackson just explored the house and played with the dogs. He likes helping my mom collect eggs from her chickens and going on walks out there where it is quiet and cooler than San Antonio. 

We ran a few errands on Saturday and had dinner at the Salt Lick with Rita and her mom. Jackson and I came home early Sunday morning for church and have spent the day unpacking and getting ready for this week. Also, he is starting to take some steps! He took a few at my mom's house and has been much more confident once we were home. It won't be long before he is walking all over.  One final anecdote...tonight I decided to put on a charcoal mask and didn't think anything about it until I went in the kitchen and Jackson just kept staring at me like I was an alien! Funny how he reacts to things I don't think twice about. Hope everyone has a relaxing Labor Day! 

Happy Birthday Brandon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Yesterday was Brandon's 27th birthday, and he was busy all day studying. Jackson and I made breakfast for him, and he has gotten lots of cards and calls. This past weekend we went to Austin to visit and were able to go to dinner (just the two of us) on Saturday night, so that was a nice birthday treat for him.  And last night we had a fruit dessert to celebrate. 

He has been studying quite a bit the last two weeks, but he and Jackson do soak up the time they have together wrestling and laughing. I think between Jackson being a year old and Brandon starting graduate school that he feels every bit of 27 now! 

Graduate School Begins

Brandon's MBA program officially started on Thursday. He and I attended a welcome reception on Wednesday night where we met the other people in his program (30 total), faculty, staff, and other spouses/support people. It is a really unique and amazing program, and I am so proud of Brandon for going after this. I had an overwhelming sense of peace after hearing all about what the next two years will hold, knowing that this is exactly what Brandon needs to be doing. There is a large variety of people in the program...single, married, no kids, five kids...and they are really conscientious of spouses and families which eases my mind about time commitment.

The program started with a three day retreat in Boerne, so it has just been Jackson and mommy for the last few days. Brandon has checked in with us each day and seems to be really enjoying everything so far. Praise God for His provision in selecting the program and classmates for Brandon.

Jackson and I did our thing here at home and then spent most of the day yesterday with my sister's family. It was fun for Jackson to hang out with his cousins, and I was grateful to not spend the night alone at our place as well. We played, visited, watched the Olympics (my nephew is very inspired by Phelps), and just enjoyed our time there. Brandon finishes after lunch today and will be heading home. Jackson will be elated to see him...when my brother-in-law came home from work yesterday, Jackson heard a man's voice and just about jumped out of my arms with excitement...somebody misses his daddy! Hard to believe Jackson is 1 and Brandon is in grad school...life just keeps moving along whether I am ready or not!

Happy First Birthday Jackson Roy!

Jackson is 1 today! We can hardly believe it has been an entire year since we were sitting in the hospital holding our precious son for the first time. I never thought I could love a little boy this much, but he has proved me wrong time and again.

He had quite the birthday today to say the least. First the ladies at the gym made him a tag for his back that said "It's my birthday," so he was swarmed by little girls the whole morning who sang happy birthday to him and treated him more like a prince than ever. Then we took him to get mexican food for lunch at Los Barrios, and he was completely stuffed and happy by the end of that. Tonight I am going to give him a little cupcake with a candle to finish off the day. I am pretty sure that he knows it is a special day because he has been extremely happy and playing with all of his new toys constantly!

We had a party for him with family over the weekend at my sister's house here in S.A. Brandon grilled out, and we had cake, presents, and swimming! It was so much fun to have everyone here and Jackson was beside himself with all the company and attention. He got several cute outfits and lots of new toys which have all been put to use this week.

Jackson and Uncle Brent chilling by the grill.

Birthday Boy

First Birthday Cake...Carrot with lots of frosting!

Jackson brings so much joy to our lives, and we are so excited that he has had a healthy first year. Brandon said this morning that he is glad he can finally just say he is 1 instead of naming off months! Happy Birthday Jackson!!!