Fourth of July

We got a  couple of good pics this 4th of July. Since Rick still had to go to class, our day was pretty uneventful till the evening. We went to a CRU cookout then came back to Rick's parent's house for homemade ice cream and sparklers!  But of course, before we did anything, I made us get some pics before everyone got too messy! Rick's mom got some great ones!

A pretty good family pic! Reagan is actually smiling! AWESOME! 

Our cute little monkey! 

God bless America! 

Fun times with sparklers! 

Reagan actually really liked the sparklers and fireworks. She's not afraid of much! 

Our sweet buddy, Jackson, in his seersucker fourth of july outfit! 

Jackson's arrival

So I know I am way behind and I feel so bad for poor little Jackson, but I have finally gotten around to doing a little post about his arrival.

Since Reagan came a week early and Jackson was weighing in as a week bigger than he should, we thought for sure he would come early as well. Everyone seemed to think that, including my doctor. Expectations will kill you! I think if I would have thought he was going to be on time or late I would have been fine but since I was ready for him to be a lot early, I was tired of waiting when his due date past.

Four days later I visited my Dr. and she said she wasn't sure what was keeping him in. She said I could be patient and just wait for him to come or we could induce the next day, or induce now. Since my mom was already in town to watch Reagan I decided to go for it. After a short trip to the house to pick up Rick and my bag, we were off to have a baby. I can't tell you have much easier it was than having Reagan. I was induced around 1, started pushing around 5 and  he was born at 5:23.

We stayed that night and after lots of great visitors, we got to head home that evening.


We were blessed to have my mom come to take care of Reagan while we were having Jackson and then stay a few days after, then Rick's mom came in town to take over. It was great to be able to focus on Jackson with the grandmas giving Reagan lots of attention in mean time!


Here are a few pics

Jackson and I just after he was born

My Doctor, Dr. Chamberlin, and I! She was a huge blessing! 

Proud daddy! 

Reagan meeting Jackson. I can't say she was overly impressed. 

Our first visitors and some of our best baby sitters, Carly and Chris from our staff team. We are sad they have now left Gainesville to go on new adventures. 

Our sweet boy! 

My mom and dad- Gigi and pops get to meet Jackson! 

Our first family photo as four!

My mom was a huge help that first week after Jackson's birth! 

Rick's mom came after mine and Reagan loved time with her grandma. 

Our buddy about a week old! 

I will post more pics of Jackson in the last few months! He's a growing boy!! 

Orlando

So as previously mentioned in a blog post, we are in Orlando for 4 weeks while Rick takes seminary classes through CRU here. I will say it has been a challenge for me to have my sole responsibility be taking care of the kiddos but it has been good for me. Usually, I am also working on other CRU stuff, and though I have a handful of responsibilities with some paris summer project finances, I mostly just have to watch the kids.

I love my kids I really do, but it has been a big transition for me to not be "working" as much. Or to see my job as raising the kids just as valuable as getting out on campus sharing Christ with students or taking classes with Rick. So to make the transition for the 4 weeks easier, I have found getting out of the house or at least the living room is key!

Here are a few pics of what we have been keeping busy with!

We take trips to the playground down the street from the house! Even in the rain (which we have had a ton of!)

We visit friends. This is Jackson with one of my best friends from High School and College, Chandler's kids Addison and Reid.  So good to hang out with someone who is in the same stage of life as me.  Her kids are both 6 months older than mine. 

We have friends come visit. This is Jessica from my staff team fresh off the plane from Paris. It was so good to see her and visit. And she loves on my kids which I love. Oh and she brought cupcakes. YUM! 

Grandma and Grandpa got Reagan this fun sand box. Reagan really loves playing in it. I think she is a beach bum and this is the closest we can get to the beach for now! 

Probably my favorite snow cone place is here in Orlando called Rainbow snow cones. The kids and I met rick there after class one day. They were delicious and I plan on making a few more trips there! 

Sprinkler time. We weren't quite sure if Reagan would like it but she really warmed up to it. I am planning on taking her to one of those splash pad things in the next few days. 

Reagan loves time with her grandpa. He shows her fun children's videos on Youtube. 

 

During those Rainy days I tried to get Reagan into coloring. She likes to eat the crayons more than actually color with them but I think its a good start. 

And when you really fun out of ideas you play in a box. 

Hopefully, I will have more ideas for the next two weeks! I'll keep you updated! Thanks for reading!