The Jackson Family

The School Year 2011-2012

2011-08-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!! We have begun a new school year! Our summer was way way too short. I do love having both kids home with me but I also crave a routine. I like to know what we are doing each day and when we are doing it.

Greta does much better in a routine also. I think the last few weeks of summer have left her floundering for the routine. It has left her kind of crabby. We will slowly conform back to our schedule.

We have a big year ahead of us. Greta started 3rd grade and Juliet will be having "School" at home with Mommy. This has been such an issue for me. I feel as if I am constantly defending myself on this subject.

Juliet has some developmental issues dealing with eating and drinking. So I am hesitant to enroll her in pre-school. She chokes many times during the day and I believe she is better off with one-on-one than with a group of children. I also want to spend time with her and help her to develop into herself. She gets plenty of socialization and play time with other children, so the learning and crafting and all other types of fun can be left to me.

I love to play with her. She has a fantastic imagination and I enjoy seeing it develop. I try so very hard not to influence it. We never know what will come out next.

The Little Things......

2011-04-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's the little things that really make your day. Today it is one of those days. Listening to little ones play can be the best feeling in the world. They mirror back to us what we are teaching them and how we are treating them and how loved they feel. It is a great feeling to listen and know you are making a positive impact in their lives.

Juliet is playing with her bitty baby and singing the songs I sing to her, it brings happy tears to my eyes. These moments like this make everything worth it. It really does not take much to make it worth it. THE BEST DAY EVER!!!!!

Praying......

2011-03-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

I have had a heavy heart today. My sweet friend Lesley is leaving her boy today in Haiti. All week I have been in super pray mode. I started by praying that their time together would be blessed and bring them closer together. I had been dreading this day all week knowing that she would have to leave him one more time. I'm praying that it is just one more time. It is such a blessing to me to have this wonderful friendship and my heart hurts when her heart hurts. I will continue to pray for this family daily as long as I live and beyond.

Getting Back To "Normal"

2011-01-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

AHHH!!! is really all I can say. I feel as if we are getting back to a normal routine for us. I like Christmas, I love it for the true meaning. It's the hustle and bustle that I HATE. I love seeing family and getting together and sharing a meal, I do not like the rushing around and spending tons and tons of money. I do not like feeling stretched too thin and rushed.

This year we did go on a fabulous vacation to New Mexico. I will post about that later this week. It was nice but the start of it I was exhausted. When we got back my poor husband was so sick that he was off work another week. So this week I feel we are taking a turn for the better. I feel like we are accomplishing something. And that feels so great!!!!

I'm making my lists and getting ready to tackle projects.

Wow!!!! What A Year!!!

2011-01-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Wow is all that I can say!!!! We started the year with a sick baby girl and now she is so much better. All thanks to God and so many prayers. I do feel as if my life is just now getting back to normal.
I really do not like New Years Resolutions. I always fail, and fail miserably. Although I do like to take stock of my life and change a few things. So this year there are a few things I would like to try.
1) God First, Family Second, Everything else Third.
I have a really hard time saying no, but last year I tested it and it came with good results, So this year I will try it more.

2) Sew more!!!!
This is a passion and I am craving it.

3) Blog More!!!

4) I always cook alot but this year we are going to base our meals off of the produce we can get at the farmers market. So every Saturday morning we will be treking to the market to see what we can get.

5) Planting more!! I love my little garden and I want more from it.

6) Play more!!!

Let's see if I can accomplish this.

Sara

Berry Picking

2010-05-26T20:25:00.001-07:00

Last week Greta and Daniel decided to trek out to find berries. They found lots of them. They are so good. That night Daniel whipped up a cobbler and it was delish. He froze a bunch for smoothies or anything that we decide we need berries for.

Garden update

2010-05-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

The garden is in full bloom. We have already harvested green beans and sugar peas. We have many tomatoes coming in and the herbs are so wonderful and add great flavor to all of our dishes. This weekend we will fertilize and the tomatoes should start to ripen. Juliet has found the basil and will stand there and eat straight from the plant. The girls love to be out in the yard and it makes our home so much more. I love this time of year everything is so pretty out. The leaves on the banana trees are so green. We have limes and figs coming in. Greta is eager for the figs. I feel that if I teach my children where and how we get their food they will appreciate it so much more. I hope that this is true.

Homemade Laundry Soap

2010-05-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

I know crazy!! But it is wonderful stuff and CHEAP!! Juliet has had a rash since she was born and it is now going away. Great for the baby and the environment also, And did I say it is CHEAP. Total cost about 4 dollars for 5 gallons of soap.
Here's how it goes:
1 Bar Zote Soap, shredded
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
2 cups super washing soda
4 gallons water

Put the shredded soap in a large stockpot with 1 gallon water. Heat on low until dissolved, if not dissolving add more water. After the soap is dissolved turn off heat and add other ingredients and stir. It will become thick. Let cool overnight and put into a storage container. Add one cup to each load of laundry. So easy.

Weekly Menu 5/16-5/22

2010-05-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

It's been forever posting. Lots going on with the end of school and Juliet. Ready for summer and a break from the norm. So here goes, this week is a little different because Daniel and I celebrate our 10th anniversary this week and we are celebrating. I LOVE my husband so much and thank God everyday for our wonderful little family.

Sunday 5/16
Yard work all day so we had quick sandwiches
Turkey, bacon, avocado on onion rolls.

Monday 5/17
Chicken, Pablano, and queso sausage
Rice and Veggies

Tuesday 5/18
Spicy Sesame Noodles with Roasted Chicken
from the "For The Love of Cooking Blog"

Wednesday 5/19
Spiced chicken with couscous salad
From Real Simple June 2010

Thursday 5/20
Our Anniversary
Lemony Grilled Lamb Kebabs with peppers and onions
Orzo salad with Zucchini and Feta
Mint ans Scallion Relish
From Real Simple June 2010

Friday and Saturday we will be in town eating at wonderful restaurants.
Sunday we will be going to brunch at Hugo's, I'm so excited about this!!!

The Garden

2010-03-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Mint
Seedlings

I love that it is spring! The garden is ready. Last year we enjoyed our garden so much. It produced so much that we had plenty to give away and we put some up too. Most of the small tomatoes never made it into the house. They got eaten in the garden by two little girls. We put the garden on the ugly side of the house with the a/c unit so it is out of sight. We also have a compost bin out there that is very useful. This year we started everything from seeds, it is so much more satisfying to see it really grow. Greta loves to look at the seeds every day, and we just have to keep Juliet from picking everything. Can't wait for it to start producing.

The Great Horse Race

2010-03-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

At Greta's school the first grade does horse races every spring. The Friday before spring break we had ours. We made the horse out of a box and put as much sparkles on it as possible. She did great and there were a lot of very creative horses. All of the children had fun and were so cute.

Try it #2 Cherry Cream Scones

2010-03-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

Today I made Cherry Cream Scones. Let me just say it was MESSY! I had to tweak the recipe alot. But I made them and they do not look perfect but they taste wonderful. The tart cherries blend perfectly with the creaminess of the scone. Cranberries would be perfect in these also, but I will never know (can't have them, BOO!). I had alot of fun but I must clean the mountain of flour off of the floor.

Sara

Try It #1- Simply Delicious Yellow Cake

2010-03-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

I did it! I made a cake that actually tasted good and came out sort of pretty. I would not be embarrassed if someone came to eat it right now. The edges are a little dry, so I do need to adjust the baking time a little. But other than that it is great. Greta even wanted some in her lunch today. I did use store bought frosting because I had it in the pantry but I added pink food coloring to make it pink. Here are the pictures they are not that great because I do not have a fancy camera.

Sara

A New Challange For Myself

2010-03-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been thinking about baking. I really want to be a good baker. I LOVE to cook and most everything comes out great but baking is another story. I always make my children's birthday cakes, but when they come out it looks as if I let them make them. Sometimes it tastes good sometimes not.
Today I was looking through my beloved cookbooks and came across one of my new ones and I am in love with all of the pictures. Everything looks so good in its simple elegance. Nothing is fussy and so beautiful. The book is The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread. It's nothing fussy just beautiful and so yummy looking. So I am going to start today. I really want to make everything is this book, so I am. One by one I will get there.
As I enter the birthday season at our house I will become a baker. Hopefully I will learn something and make beautiful cakes for my children. I will let you know how it goes.

Sara

Menu for week 2/22-2/27

2010-02-22T07:22:00.000-08:00

Last week was a hodge podge week due to outings and sickness. So we are back on track this week with a simple menu all taken from the For The Love Of Cooking blog. I need easy that I know will be good so that is always a good source. I will be cooking meat twice this week and using it in other recipies. That always makes for a good week.

Monday
Carne Asada Tacos
Yellow rice
black beans

Tuesday
Steak, Roasted Passilla pepper and sharp cheddar panini
Chips

Wednesday
Greek Roasted chicken
Steamed green beans
couscous

Thursday
Chili (There is a chili cook off at the school and this makes a ton so I am splitting it)
Rice
Cornbread

Friday
White bean and chicken chili with roasted garlic
Fresh bread

I know chili two nights in a row, but one is red and the other white and two different meats. Oh well.

Again all from fortheloveofcooking.net such a wonderful blog and I drool every time I read it.

Sara

Twelve hours at TCH

2010-02-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Last week was a whopper of a week. Monday morning we went to the Dr. for an ear infection and eye infection. Monday night Juliet started crying out in pain and not putting pressure on her right side. I thought is was a fluke thing and gave her tylenol and put her to bed. Tuesday morning she woke up fine and started playing. About an hour after waking up she started crying again so I called the Dr. She said to take her into the ER. So we head in. As soon as the Dr. walks in Juliet starts walking again. I am thinking "What in the World", this lady is going to think I am nuts. They did believe me and ran blood work, x-rays, and a ultra sound. Juliet has viral joint inflammation. It could take weeks to go away. Wednesday I went to the Dr. with a sore throat, I think I was just tired. Thursday, we went to the ENT and got scheduled for a swallow study. Finally we will be able to see what is going on. Friday Early Childhood Intervention came out and evaluated her for services through the school district. Of course she qualified as we are now labeled "Failure to thrive". We are holding strong to our weight with lots of Pedi-sure. We will get through this and she is just as happy as can be and that is all that I can ask for right now.

Menu for the week of 2/7 - 2/13

2010-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

Here it is! We are going to have two soups this week for Juliet and Pasta for Greta. This week is busy with evaluations and doctors appointments so everything is really easy to put together. Sunday morning we had guests so I made the fruit pies from the For the Love of Cooking Blog and they were a big hit. Super easy and a great addition to a breakfast menu.

Sunday
Chicken Salad
(Teapot Depot)
This always a hit with my family and makes enough for several lunches

Monday
Lentil and Sausage Soup
Fresh Bread
(For the Love of Cooking Blog)

Tuesday
Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
(Country Living March '10)

Wednesday
Spinach and Feta Quesadillas
Yellow Rice
Black Beans
(Closet Cooking)

Thursday
Potato, Leek and Chorizo Soup
Cornbread
(Cooking Dunkin Style)

Friday
Gemelli with Shrimp and Mushrooms in lemon butter sauce
Butter Sticks (recipe from Donna Jackson)
(for the love of cooking blog)

Saturday
Birthday Party!!!!!
for Emma and Ella

Enjoy!

Update on Juliet

2010-02-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

This past week things have changed. Juliet is choking more on liquids. ECI is coming on tuesday to do the evaluation. I am going to take her to the doctor also this week and request a new Neuro. She has not been sleeping very well and waking up with terrible tremors. I want a second opinion. Something is not right and I am not being paranoid.

Last Weeks Menu Recap

2010-02-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

Last week the menu was really good. The only thing that did not go over very well was the Moroccan Chicken. I am not a real fan of "Sweet Meat" and this was really sweet. Daniel liked it but I will not be making it again. Soups are really good for us right now as Juliet can partake in them. She sits in my lap and I put a straw in my bowl and she can get the taste. This weeks menu will be posted shortly.

Menu for the Week of 1/31- 2/6

2010-01-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

I love making menus and my shopping list. I love trying new things and I rarely make the same thing twice in a year. We do have a few things that we love and will repeat. I have just discovered food blogs and I am addicited. I LOVE TO COOK. The feedom of expression with the flavors and colors is just amazing to me. So here is a menu for this week.

Sunday
Italian Wedding Soup
Fresh Bread
(From: For the Love of Cooking blog)

Monday
Shredded Beef Taco Salad
(From: For the Love of Cooking Blog)

Tuesday
Date Night
Daniel and I are going to the Rockets Game

Wednesday
Vietnamese Glazed Skinny Pork Chops
Jasmine Rice
Spicy Carrots with Parsley and Cilantro
(Food and Wine)

Thursday
Moroccan Chicken with Apricot and Olive Relish
Couscous
(Food and Wine)

Friday
Minestrone with White Beans and Italian Sausage
Fresh Bread

Saturday
Leftovers

I can't wait!!!

The Lesson I'm Learning

2010-01-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

I'm learning these past couple of months that we as parents we have to be the advocate for our children. We know them best and know when something is not quite right. We are here to fight for them. They are not ours and we need to understand that they are on loan from God. They are here for us to enjoy, nurture, love and bring up to know their Father. They can be taken from us in an instance, so enjoy every minute.
I'm also learning that when Doctors say to you "You are being a paranoid parent", I am to say back "No Sir you are being a disrespectful doctor". I am to keep asking and keep pressing for the answers that my child needs.
I am thankful each and every moment that I have with my children. I am asking God to guide us through and find answers for our prayers.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun this year. The weather was perfect. The girls were so excited to dress up in their costumes. Juliet was Little Bear, Greta was a black cat, and Kamryn was the cutest Thing 2 ever. Her wig was perfect!!! We started the evening out with a family dinner and then headed out.
Daniel and Greta made the spiders for the yard and looked so cute.

We are looking forward to next year.

The Past Few Months

2009-10-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

OK so I have not posted in a while, but I have been hit with a 2x4 or the equivalent.

July 1st my precious baby girl started having seizures. The kind that she loses consciousness and stops breathing. Scariest 2 minutes of my life. She had two in one week. I took her to Texas Children's and they could not find anything. I took her to a neurologist and got the blow that shook my foundation. In children that are as young as she is it is very hard to diagnose with the few she has had. He told me that most likely more would come. He said if she had had just one it would be no big deal but two in the severity she had there was a disorder.
Right then and there my life flashed before my eyes. I immediately felt I knew what could be coming. Anti seizure drugs. Not the outcome I wanted for my 15 month old. He asked about family history and my pregancy. We have no family history of them, but my pregancy was horrible with her.
At 12 weeks I started getting blood clots in my legs. I was put on blood thinning medication. At 24 weeks I got a pulmonary embolism and DVT in both legs. I did not reliaze that my shortness of breath was as bad as it was. I did not go to the hospital for two days. I thought I may have gotten the flu. Two days later I drive myself and my older child to the emergency room and stumble in. I have never in my life seen an emergency staff move as quick as they did. In five minutes I was on the L&D floor and they asked what medication I was on. I told them and they started running. Some very quick and smart Doctors, Nurses and Techs saved my life and my little one that Sunday afternoon. But those two days with a pluse ox hovering around 85 may be a contributing factor to her disorder. Oxygen Deprivation in the womb.
Juliet is doing good on her anti- seizure meds (Keppra) and so far has had only 1 break through seizure. It was last thursday and due to fatigue. Hers are fatuigue induced and we stay on a strict schedule.
My world has been shaken upside down and it has taken me awhile to right it again. We have a wonderful support system and an even more AWESOME GOD that I know is taking care of us. Through this I am really learning to trust in him.

The Jackson's 2009 New Mexico Trip!

2009-07-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today was our first day and is it going wonderful. We left our driveway this morning at 5:30 am and Greta was very excited. We went to breakfast in San Antonio and Magnolia Pancake Haus. It was so good. I had an omlet that was to die for. Then with our belly's full we headed to a rest stop outside of Sonora, TX. for lunch and running around. The girls had so much fun and we had chicken salad sandwiches for lunch. After that we went to Ft. Stockton and walked through a small Wal-Mart and Greta thought that was so neat compared to the big ones that she knows. We are staying the night in Van Horn Tx. It is a small town with not much to see but the mountians, which by the way are beautiful. We will wake bright and early in the morning and head to Albuquerque, NM.

Nine Years

2009-05-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today we have been married nine years. I can't believe it. I feel as if it were yesterday. I can say that I love you more today and I ever have. I love the feeling of our growing love. I love our two girls so much and am so thankful for you to help me guide them through life. I could not have picked a better partner to spend my life with. I praise God and lift you up to him daily. I am so proud of you and everything you. Thank You and I love you.

Kindergarten is Almost Over!

2009-05-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this year is almost over. It feels as if we have just moved to this incredibly foreign (not really, just to me) place. Come into a school district that I had no comparison to. I was really scared to let my child go.
We could not have made a better move for our children. Greta's teacher this is a gift from God. She is completely awesome and motivates children to do their best and more. I am so happy that she came into our lives.
I am so proud of Greta. She is really a smart child. I'm not just saying this because she is my child. I have prayed from the moment of conception that she would not be cursed with challenges like her momma. Dyslexia is horrible for children and even as an adult I fight it daily. I learned to cope but for children it is hard. I'm so happy and relieved that she is so much of a sponge.
I just want to thank Mrs. Thrash for such a wonderful year. You have given us the greatest gift that will last us the rest of our lives. The perfect start for a wonderful education.

Love Dare

2009-02-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

In August we started going to a new church in our new neighborhood. Let me tell you my eyes were opened wide for the first time in my life. I am so fired up for My God that I just can't stand it. We look forward to going to church every week. We are learning so much and feeling fullfilled at the end of the sermon. Our life has taken on a new meaning and we are living for Him and not ourselves.

The sermon series we started on was one on marriage. Daniel and I have a great marriage, I am so in love with my husband and know that he loves me. We are each others best friend and truly complete each other. But who would not want to make a great thing even better. We learned a lot about what the bible says about marriage and learned about the book love dare. I purchased the book with my Husband not knowing. I is a book that takes 40 days to deepen your relationship and truly learn to love unconditionally. We love our children unconditionally but it is different with others including our spouses. As God loved us so much that he gave his son to save us. So every time I started the book it seemed as if something started attacking our relationship. I know now it is Satan trying to take hold. So today I am slamming the door in Satan's face and starting over. I will let you know how my forty days are going, I know that the end result will be a deeper relationship with God and my husband. I can't wait.

If anyone has done this let me know how your journey went or is going.

Scary Foot!

2008-11-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

I've made some life goals. One of them is to be healthy and I'm really trying to live this one out. I've been walking in this wonderful neighborhood that we moved to. Right after school started I started having pain in my right foot again. In early October I went to the doctor thinking it was just something minor. Well Well it was not as good as I had wanted. It seems that my body can't handle pregnancy. During my pregnancy with Juliet two bone spurs grew on my heel and were very sharp and were knicking my tendon as I was walking. So after a week of shots to where my whole body is black and blue I went in for surgery. This is my beautiful incision. It really is pretty compared to the others. My foot does not hurt and I am so happy. Greta saw my foot for the first time the other night and said "Momma you have a very scary foot." I will have to have some physical theraphy and then I will be off and walking!! YEAH!!

Reflections

2008-11-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

This year has been one of reflecting for me. I've had lots of time for thinking about how blessed I am. Tonight I was watching my girls playing on the floor and thought "WOW". Thank you Lord for picking me to be their mother. Thank you for blessing me with the job of caring and loving these beautiful beings.

Sometimes I need to be reminded of this. Some days are difficult with children. Greta tests me many times and I know that I am being taught patience. I am a patient person as long as things are going my way. With children things do not always go our way. If I stand back I usually handle the situation with minor chaos. Sometimes as parents we need to remember that our children are a blessing to us as we are a blessing to them. They are our gift from God, we need to handle them with care, love and support.

Halloween!!

2008-11-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last night was Halloween. It was the first for many things. First for Juliet, First for our new neighborhood, and a first for door to door for Greta. The girls had a blast, Juliet slept in her stroller and Greta was scared of everyone that walked by. Greta had more fun handing the candy out. She is so like her momma it is scary.

I'm not really fond of Halloween because I don't like to be scared. I never really liked it as a child and really don't like the scary stuff now, But I like for the kids to dress up if they want to.

Greta wanted to be something scary this year and her verision of scary was a spider. We got the spider costume in the mail and she put it on and said "How will they know I'm a girl?". I said "I don't Know" her response was "Put Bows on the head". So she was a really scary girl spider with big orange bows on her head.

Juliet was a pumpkin. She was so cute she did not mind the costume she just smiled and wrinkled her nose. She sat in the front yard with me for a while and then fell asleep and her daddy pushed her down th sidewalk. She is such a happy baby.

The night ended a 8:00 pm and Greta came in and sorted her candy and Juliet got ready for bed. Everyone had a great night and no one got too scared.