I had the best Friday night! My favorite aunt Brenda came down from the cities and we talked until midnight-we haven't seen each other for over 7 years! Jared made his pork loin with raspberry sauce and Brenda brought delicious desserts from Biaggis! We shared updates on our lives, talked about memories from the past, and joked about Pretty Woman - the movie I went to with her when I was 10 years old. Granted she did close my eyes during the piano scene and bathroom scene, but I still got to see Pretty Woman at the age of 10! Back in the "day" that was a pretty dirty movie! :)
It was so great to see her again and catch up! She gave Jackson some coloring books and markers and also a dump truck he can ride on. Then she surprised me with a doll made out of my great-grandmother's pillow case. I will forever cherish this doll. I can close my eyes and still hear my great-grandmother's voice telling us to sit down and eat while she stayed busy around the kitchen.
Next time we get together, we will meet her husband and get to know more of what we've missed these past few years - maybe even whip out the karoake machine.
Update on the Anderson Krew - check out the pictures added below!
This year has been all about learning and growing as a family! Jackson is only 5 days away from 18 months old and is keeping us on our toes. He was walking by his first birthday, running shortly afterward and now he is jumping out of the main section of the carts at stores and running away! Nothing can get in the way of little man conquering the world! Jackson has been healthy - except for his occasional teething colds and runny noses. All of his scans have come back clear and his xrays continue to be clear! We truly believe God will keep Jackson PPB free to give hope to other PPB families! Although Jackson is currently moving into the tantrum stages of communication, he only throws tantrums as the last straw. He is good with certain signs and we have caught on to some sign language that he has made up on his own. It's actually quite cute when he signs something new and has a way of teaching it to us. :) He is definitely a very smart kid - knows a few animals and their sounds - cows, dogs, deer, birds, and fish. He also knows when he is doing something he shouldn't and will turn to us right before he does it. He listens well, but certainly picks his moments when he doesn't want to listen. He loves to gives kisses after he has done something wrong and thinks it will buy his way out of time out - sometimes it does - it is tough not to fall for it when he gives us those big blue eyes and sweet little kisses. No worries to the grandparents though - he is a well disciplined child. :)
Jared's travel has slowed down for now, but the busy season will pick up again in March. Until then, we are enjoying a little more consistency in our schedule - well as consistent as we can get during the busy holidays!
I am two classes down with only six to go before I graduate! I have a lot of help and support from Jared and our families! It is a lot of work, but with God's blessings and strength - I'll get it done!
Well - little man is awake from his nap so I should go, but there is more to come!
Have a fabulous New Year!
Jared's travel has slowed down for now, but the busy season will pick up again in March. Until then, we are enjoying a little more consistency in our schedule - well as consistent as we can get during the busy holidays!
I am two classes down with only six to go before I graduate! I have a lot of help and support from Jared and our families! It is a lot of work, but with God's blessings and strength - I'll get it done!
Well - little man is awake from his nap so I should go, but there is more to come!
Have a fabulous New Year!
Catching Up with 2008
This is it! 2008 is almost over and we are behind on our updates! Jackson is within days of being 18 months old and there is so much to be said about how great he is! I am going to do a quick update in a few days and for now - just post a bunch of pictures.
Enjoy!!
Enjoy!!
Super Man atHalloween
Carving Mega Pumpkin with Daddy
Stuck!!
Touchdown!!
Carving Mega Pumpkin with Daddy
Stuck!!
Touchdown!!Where has time gone?
Wow! I can't believe it is almost October and I have not been very good at keeping up with posting news and updates! Sorry! Seriously! Where has time gone?
I have started back to school with the determination to get 'er done! If I stay on schedule, I will graduate in July of 2009 with my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. My biggest reasoning for going back to school is to appease the people! I was turned down for eight jobs last year because of my lack of a BA Degree! It was noted that I had more than enough experience, but their policy stated all new applicants must have a BA degree! I figure a few really hard months and it will all be over!
Jared is travelling a lot more lately and getting into his busy season. He is great at what he does and loves his job! Who could ask for more?! He will be home for another week and then he is off to another state. I am thinking of going with him to Vegas in November. We'll see when we get closer to that date.
And on to our most important news: Jackson is absolutely amazing!! He is growing so fast and learning and discovering so much! His recent thing is his climbing on and over everything. Two weeks ago he climbed on to a folding chair and fell - giving himself a black eye. He also LOVES to put the dish towel over his face and walk around until he hits something. Then he laughs hysterically and does it again. Just the other day, he couldn't find the dish towel, so he grabbed Jared's clean boxers out of the basket and put them on his head. Where is our camera at those moments?! He also loves to shake his finger back at you when you tell him no! His favorite game around the house is to chase me around the kitchen and then stop, laugh, and then run after me some more. After he catches me, he'll hug me, pat me on the back, and then kiss me! He is such a great kid! So full of love and happiness!
Please make sure to send up a prayer for Jackson. He is going in for a CT Scan and ultrasound of his kidneys on Monday morning. This is just a foundation CT scan to rule out any chances of PPB in his lungs or kidneys, but he does have to be sedated and Jared and I are really stressed and anxious about this. No one wants to see their little ones in situations like this and we are a bit scared at the possibility of PPB being evident in his body! Please pray for clear scans and a quick and successful sedation.
We will update when we have the results!
Other than this big update - our lives are chaotically blessed (is that a word)? Well, we are very busy, but blessed and love it! Have a great weekend!
I have started back to school with the determination to get 'er done! If I stay on schedule, I will graduate in July of 2009 with my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. My biggest reasoning for going back to school is to appease the people! I was turned down for eight jobs last year because of my lack of a BA Degree! It was noted that I had more than enough experience, but their policy stated all new applicants must have a BA degree! I figure a few really hard months and it will all be over!
Jared is travelling a lot more lately and getting into his busy season. He is great at what he does and loves his job! Who could ask for more?! He will be home for another week and then he is off to another state. I am thinking of going with him to Vegas in November. We'll see when we get closer to that date.
And on to our most important news: Jackson is absolutely amazing!! He is growing so fast and learning and discovering so much! His recent thing is his climbing on and over everything. Two weeks ago he climbed on to a folding chair and fell - giving himself a black eye. He also LOVES to put the dish towel over his face and walk around until he hits something. Then he laughs hysterically and does it again. Just the other day, he couldn't find the dish towel, so he grabbed Jared's clean boxers out of the basket and put them on his head. Where is our camera at those moments?! He also loves to shake his finger back at you when you tell him no! His favorite game around the house is to chase me around the kitchen and then stop, laugh, and then run after me some more. After he catches me, he'll hug me, pat me on the back, and then kiss me! He is such a great kid! So full of love and happiness!
Please make sure to send up a prayer for Jackson. He is going in for a CT Scan and ultrasound of his kidneys on Monday morning. This is just a foundation CT scan to rule out any chances of PPB in his lungs or kidneys, but he does have to be sedated and Jared and I are really stressed and anxious about this. No one wants to see their little ones in situations like this and we are a bit scared at the possibility of PPB being evident in his body! Please pray for clear scans and a quick and successful sedation.
We will update when we have the results!
Other than this big update - our lives are chaotically blessed (is that a word)? Well, we are very busy, but blessed and love it! Have a great weekend!
Brussels to Germany - Day 5 - 7/28/08
Grand'Place, Brussels
Mannekin Pis
"Large" Coffee in Brussels
Enjoying a Krusovice Bier in Heidelberg, Germany
Official Cukoo Clock Shop in Black Forest Area, GermanyWe began our early morning with a great breakfast and quickly loaded the bus to tour Brussels on our way to Black Forest Area, Germany. Our Tour Director, Babette (Hungary), took us to the Grand'Place in the center of Brussels. We walked to the Mannekin Pis to view the well-known art piece. It pees water on regular days, dressed up for special occasions, and has been known to pee beer for the people to drink during all special occasions. After the tour, we were given an hour of time on our own. It was raining so we made our way to a Cafe' and Jared ordered a large coffee. It was smaller then his four fingers put together. A large coffee in Europe is comparable to a small taste test cup in the US. They would think our Venti is HUGE!
We loaded the bus to make our way to THE Cukoo Clock Shop. Here they make authentic, hand-made cukoo clocks. With an average price of 500 Euro, we decided to purchase a beautiful hand-blown necklace for my mom. We missed the large Cukoo Clock (seen in picture above) in action because we were touring the shop. It would have been great to see the scene in action.
After 30 minutes on our own, we loaded the bus again and headed to Heidelberg, Germany. We stayed the night in a wonderful, family-owned hotel. We were served a lamb stew and enjoyed shots of Jagermeister-our tour director encouraged we try the local liquor and many of us did.
Since this hotel was located in the middle of the Black Forest, we had no access to phones, email, tv and the small village was shut down. We knew Jackson was in great hands so we decided to enjoy ourselves and take in the fact we were in Germany. We sat outside on the stoop and enjoyed a couple rounds of German beer with a couple of our new friends on our tour before heading to bed at midnight again.
Brussels, Begium - Day 4 - 7/27/08
The view from our ferry
Arriving in Calais, France - waiting to go through Customs
World Fair Atomium from 1958
The beds in our hotel in Brussels, BelgiumWe took in the beautiful view of the English Channel from the top deck of the ferry before heading below for lunch. We had Fish and Chips again - least expensive item on the menu. We quickly realized in London that the US Dollar was weak in Europe (2.25USD to 1Pound, 1.65USD to 1 Euro). After we landed in Calais, France, we went through customs and experienced the harsh French border patrol. We stood behind five men and one woman from Pakistan and the French Customs Guards were not hiding their racial profiling. They first made a comment to one man that he did not look like his passport, saying his cheeks were too chubby. They took their precious time reviewing each passport and re-reviewing each passport, then telling each other to really make sure these people are okay to go through. After all that, I got up to the desk and the French Customs Guard didn't really look at my passport, stamped it, and said welcome to France.
We made a quick stop at the Atomium in Brussels before heading to our hotel. Jared and I were both caught off guard at the site of our room. First of all, it was tiny and second of all, the bed was actually two beds and we had to push them together at night. We went out for dinner on our own and of course, tried the local cuisine and drank Grimbergen double dark (mine) and Duvel (Jared). We sat out on the terrace and were soon hit up by a young gypsy girl asking for money. Fortunately a local woman and her family yelled for her to leave us alone. I have a weak heart for kids, but know better than to give money to beggers in foreign countries.
With an early wake up call - we decided to head in at midnight.
London, England - Days 2&3 - 7/25-7/26/08
Tony and Will - two English "blokes" we met at a pub on our first night.
Front of St. Paul Cathedral
Prince Charles and Lady Camilla's Guard
Buckingham Palace
Windsor Castle - Queen Elizabeth II courtyardDay 1 was the 8.5 hour flight with unlimited movies, two meals, beer, wine, pop and a short 4 hour sleep...
Jared and I had a blast in London. We took in as much local cuisine (Fish and Chips) and beer (Strongbow) as we could. Our first night, we met three englishmen at a pub. They were discussing the ridiculous lyrics of Kid Rock's new song and we joined in after they began mentioning his destruction of two classic songs. We agreed with their comments and soon began our rounds of local ales with the englishmen - Tony, Will, & John. The next day we set out for two excursions through the city via local guides. We saw St. Paul Cathedral, St. James Palace, Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace. We drove by the River Thames and saw the Eye of London. We drove by Big Ben and the current residence of Prince Charles and Lady Camilla. We toured through Windsor Castle and took in the essence of where we were - we stood in places Kings and Queens have stood, we sat where Presidents and Prime Ministers have dined, and we walked through the bedrooms of some of the most historic figures of time.
After a very busy two days in London, England, we made our way via Ferry across the English Channel to Calais, France for the official beginning of our land tour.
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