Will it ever end?

Let me start with I HATE WEDNESDAYS. They just plain suck, that's why they are called hump day.

We are still fighting off illness around here. It just seems to move to different parts of our body. Last week Jackson and I both got a nasty cold and I thought we had healed up on Monday, but apparently our bodies where just gearing up for round two.

Monday afternoon, after the zoo, Jackson only slept 45 mins when we got home. Hmm, weird especially since he didn't get a morning nap, soo on we go with the afternoon. I start to notice that he's getting a little crabbier than normal when he's missed a nap. 

Fast forward to 11 pm....Jackson wakes up wailing and when I go in there he's burning hot. Great. Take his temp and it's 103, so we go through the drill of Motrin, cool wet clothes to the head and rock him back to sleep. 2:30 am, again same thing, except this time the fever has broke to a cool 102.1....whopitdo! He won't go back to sleep either so I bring him into our bed (oh I can just feel my ears burning now... "I can't believe they are letting him sleep in their bed".....well you do what you can to survive sometimes) so he fell back asleep and slept good till about 5 am. Then he woke back up, but only felt a little warm so I just fed him and put him back to bed in his crib. 

All day Tuesday we was running high fevers and then they would break but only come down to around 101. He just wanted to be held and you could just tell he was uncomfortable. I decided not to call the Dr on Tuesday because of the schooling we had just gotten on fevers when he had pneumonia. But on Tuesday night it was a repeat of Monday night, so first thing on Wednesday we called Dr Worsley. I swear I feel like that place is my home away from home. 

The story gets better from here. So we have an appt at 11:30 am with Dr Worsley. We go in, I run down all the symptoms (which by the way seem to be identical to when he had pneumonia) he checks Jackson all out and says that he hears a little sound in his lungs and we need to go get some chest x-rays at Harris, AGAIN. Fab! We pack up, go across the street to the hospital to get the x-rays. We had just been there 6 weeks earlier so I knew the drill and apparently JT didn't forget either, because when we walked back into the x-ray room he immediately started screaming....he knew what was coming. (To get chest x-rays of a little guy you have to hold their arms straight up above their head, and when they are sick....let's just say it's no walk in the park. Even the tech said..."wow, he's really strong" as she was helping me wrestle my little guy). They snap a few pics, I take JT across the hall get him all calmed down and we head for the exit. Keep in mind that he has not had a morning nap AND has been up since 7:30 am. So we get out to the parking lot, it's burning hot outside (around 102 I think) and I decide to start the truck before I put Jackson in his seat so it will start cooling down. Well right before I stuck the key in the ignition I accidentally push one of the buttons on the keys and hear the door locks. I didn't pay attention to what they did, I just turned the key and got the A/C fired up. JT was standing in the drivers seat playing with the steering wheel (his favorite I might add), so I grabbed him and shut the door to preserve the A/C. Walked around to the passenger back side and guess what?? LOCKED!! That's right I locked myself out of the truck with it running with the A/C in 102 degree temps. THANK THE LORD I grabbed Jackson before I shut the door. The best part? Travis lost the other key to the truck when we were in Wyoming. So calling him to come and help me was a lost cause. After a few choice words, a near mental break down, Jackson screaming at the top of his lungs in the hospital foyer because he's tired, a few phone calls, I finally got security at the hospital to help me Slim Jim the door open. The best part is when he got it open, he says to me..."well, the bright side is, it's really cold in there". Well that's because it had been idling in the parking lot with the A/C blasting for 45 mins. I think I burned a 1/4 of a tank of diesel from this incident. At least I didn't have to pay a lock smith and the guy was so nice. The Dr called late in the afternoon and said the x-rays were negative (another Praise!) and that it is a virus that needs to work itself out.

Today started good, but ended bad. I think all the drainage is making our tummies upset. Well I know mine is anyways and Jackson seems like he still isn't feeling great either. 

I just want this week to end!!

Who loves the zoo? WE DO!!

We went to the zoo this morning for a few hours with some friends and had a ton of fun!! Who knew looking at animals would be so relaxing. Jackson & I needed some fun, since we both spend the weekend sick with a cold. Summer colds are the worst, I think. Jackson loved the big animals and the baby gorilla's. He would point, kick and get all excited. There's the bird exhibit that you go into and feed these little birds that everywhere. I hated it because birds freak me out, but Jackson loved being able to get that close to the animals.

I think we'll be hitting one of the Grandparents up for a yearly zoo pass for Jackson's birthday. That might be a once a week deal we'll be doing, especially when it starts to cool off.


He was pointing at anything that moved! He especially loved the Cheetahs

Bekah and her pretty babies...Sam & Jordan
Jackson and his future partner in crime, Sam.
Jackson completely amazed by the Flamingos
Riding the Huge Lizard...I think they're called Comodo Dragons?

Checking out the penguins as they swim.
Brown or blue? I think definitely blue. Either way, he didn't get those baby blues from me.
Yes, folks he is a climber. Actually this is him getting back down. Travis caught him all the way on top of the ottoman.
I don't think you can really tell by this picture what he was doing but it was hilarious. He was mad that he hit a wall and couldn't keep walking so he was either sassing the toy and just gripping out loud. He does this a lot when he gets frustrated with a toy, I can't help but laugh at him.

Photo reel of some fun times!!

Choo choo...JT's 1st train ride on the Forest park mini-train. Then him playing in the ball pit at Vacation Bible School and finally another trackless train ride at our friend Weston's birthday party.

Some updates

I feel like this blog is becoming another thing on my to do list. I don't know why? I used to LOVE posting things on here, but now it feels more like an obligation. I hope I get over this. I love keeping everyone up to date, with out having to chit chat on the phone. Maybe when things get back to normal, it won't feel so.....hmmm, I'll have to think of a good word to describe this....

So we got back on Tuesday afternoon after a LONG flight home. Well it wasn't any longer than normal but it seemed that way since it was packed full. Usually the days I pick to fly are not typically busy but for some reason this trip the going and the coming were both full flights. Results? Jackson ended up sitting on my lap the entire time. It wasn't bad, just he will not sleep when you hold him so it was 2 hours of non-stop entertaining my boy. Not complaining, mind you, just had to humble myself and be completely silly in front of some very professional looking folks. The ladies were smiling and commenting on how good my little guy was, some the guys were giving me funny looks. Maybe this was a glimpse for them as just how much work their wives have put into their own kids. :-)

We had a great 2 weeks in Wyoming. Like I said, Wyoming is a trick state in the summer. Makes you want to pack up and move back. I told Travis when I got home that we should think about moving back. He quickly reminded me of my past few trips to Wyoming, dealing with the howling cold wind. Man if only the nice summer weather lasted a little longer.

We took Jackson camping the first few days we were there at the lake. It was so much fun! He also went on his first boat ride. I thought he would throw a fit about having to wear the bulky life jacket the entire time, but he didn't mind at all. He kept smiling and making his engine sound. Another thing we discovered at the lake is just how nice it is to have our family's help. Travis and I were able to go on several boat rides, ride the jet ski's and even go watch the fireworks from the boat while my grandma baby sat. A girl could get used to that.

When we got back to Casper we stayed with Travis's mom and dad for the 1st week. We had a huge brunch on Sunday with all of Travis's immediate family. I was pretty fun to see the little cousins together again since Christmas and I always love spending time with his family.

I had a birthday while we were there...the big 2-9! My mom got a cake and had a little party for me at my grandma's house. Scott & Arliss (my brother and sister-in-law) came with the 4 kids and all their energy. Jackson loved Auntie Arliss taking him outside to play with the kids. He just loves being around bigger kids, you can tell he just wants to run and play with them so bad. He did get in the grass and crawl around after them, but you could see it in his face how he wanted to run so badly.

The fair and rodeo was in town the last week we were there, so I took Jackson to the parade with some friends (parades actually are not too bad if you have some friends with kids to go with you). Then later in the week we took him to the fair to see the animals. He was so cute! His little hand would fly up in a kind of "what is that?" motion. I think his favorite was the steers. He was in awe at how big they were. A sheep that I was petting tried to lick his hand, but Jackson didn't want to have any part of actually touching these beasts. I'm sure next year we'll be wrestling him to the ground to keep him out of the animals pins.

Update on the house.....Pork Chop Hill went to a higher bidder and someone who could close faster. We have decided to still sell our house, but we are going to do FSBO. Save us a little cash in fees. I have found another house out that direction of Pork Chop Hill on McDaniel Rd..It is so beautiful and the kitchen is AWESOME! But like Travis says, it's all God's will so don't get too excited. Thank goodness he keeps me grounded sometimes.

Well here some pictures to enjoy. Jackson is 9 1/2 months now and starting to walk a little more. I think in a few weeks he will be all over the place.


Got my life jacket on!!
My first boat ride!!
Making my motor sound as we're cruising along on our boat ride
Going into the canyon on Alcova Lake.
Looking at the formations on the side of the canyon walls
Mason trying to come in the trailer soak and wet.
The big cousins at the lake
Alcova lake is so beautiful and cold. The water temp was only 66 degrees when we were there. But since it is so cold you can see the bottom till a good 12-15 feet out. The lakes in Wyoming are deep too. I think some spots at Alcova get over 300 feet deep
Splashing in the bucket bucket of water, with daddy's help, at the lake
Swimming with Jackson's cousin, Sarah

Giving mama some sugars after a swim
Jackson & Sarah riding in the red wagon
Jackson's littlest cousin, Erica. She turned 1 on June 30

Jackson, Travis & Uncle Bob from Sheridan
My in-laws back yard with a view of the mountain
Travis doing some target practicing out back at his mom & dad's. I love my God-fearing, arms bearing, fun-loving republican husband!
Another butt shot
Sitting at the table in a booster seat. He prefers this over a high chair for sure
The older cousins. From left to right...Sophia, Kaitlyn, Trenton & Mason
With Auntie Arliss and Uncle Scott. I don't know what it is about these 2, but Jackson would love and kiss on them all day if he could. Maybe it's because they have 4 kids.

Playing the organ with Grandma. I think the only reason she keeps this around is for the kids to pound on

Sitting with Papa Mike
Getting mommy some coffee
Staring out the back doors at Grandma's. He was wanting to go out and play so badly, but it was a chilly 42 degrees out that morning.
Jackson with the beautiful Dye girls
Jackson's 1st bath with a girl!! Tara's littlest. I think Taelyn was more traumatized than Jackson

Ahhhhh

I am resting in a bed in a hotel room in Loveland, CO. I should be sleeping but am too excited. Tomorrow we will finally be headed back to Ft Worth, TX! Jackson and I have been gone for 2 weeks and are ready to be home in our own environment.

I do have to admit that it is a little harder leaving this time. I had forgotten just how wonderful Wyoming is in the Summer. The days are warm and sunny and the nights are cool and quiet. Air conditioning is only needed for about 2 hours in the late afternoon, then you open every window in the house as the sun sets to let in the cool refreshing breeze. It's quiet, the air is clean and if you are staying at my in-laws you'll be awakened the next morning with huge mule deer grazing in the front yard. Wyoming is beautiful from June till about mid-November, after that FORGET IT!

Needless to say it was a fun trip, it made me a little home-sick, but now that I am in Colorado and this much closer to Texas, I just can't wait to get back. Of course the only reason is because
Travis is there. I go where ever Travis goes. I miss Wyoming and our family, but Ft Worth is where Travis wants to live right now so that's exactly where I want to be too.

I'll post some fun pics and tell some great stories when we get home and settled. Our plane lands at 4 pm at DFW and I am just counting down the hours till we are finally there.