Spoken Language

I was explaining to Olivia what it means to commit treasonous acts for a worksheet she was doing for home school.  After I finished explaining I left and she wrote down what she thought I said.  The next day when I was looking over her worksheet I found that she had written, "Could not have committed any trees in a sack".  I laughed out loud.  The whole time I was saying "Treasonous Acts" she was hearing "Trees in a sack". 

Ashlie's Birthday

My first-born - Ashlie McKenna Jackson - turned 12 years old on November 25.  She is so darn old and I can't believe it!  She was born the day before Thanksgiving in 1998, weighing 7 lbs 2 oz and measuring just right. 

My water broke at 1:00 a.m.  I ate a bowl of cereal then woke Rob up to take me to the hospital.  He said he needed to have a shower so his hair would look good.  'People will be taking pictures.'  So, I waited around (in labor) while he took a shower and blew his hair dry and styled it 'just so'.  (Is it any wonder he went bald?)

Anyway, we drove from our new house in Layton to our hospital and doctor in Logan (an hour drive).  I was in labor for 14 miserable, Pitocin-filled hours before Ashlie decided to make her debut.  Back then at Logan Regional Hospital you couldn't get an epidural until you were dilated to a '5', so most of those hours were without pain relief.  But it was all worth it; ever since that grand entrance she has been the light of our lives! 

Ashlie has had a great deal of personality since day one.  She was a naughty little toddler, always getting into things, but so cute I could never really be mad.  She was the most adorable 3- and 4-year-old who never tired of dress-ups and dancing and she has always loved having an audience.  She has always been very smart and has excelled in every grade at school, even now in an accelerated learning program.  She is spiritual beyond her years and has a strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints already.  She is artistic and organized and is a wonderful older sister to Olivia, Alex and Avery.  We have loved watching Ashlie transform from our adorable baby girl into a beautiful young woman (inside and out) and can't wait to watch her grow even older and enter additional stages in her life.  Ashlie, we love you and are so grateful that you are a part of our family!!!  We are so proud of you!

Ashlie has loved going to Young Women's the last couple of weeks and now she can wear makeup without having to put it on at school (as if I didn't know!). 

Here are TONS of pictures from her 3 birthday parties:

From the party at Grandma & Grandpa Jacksons...

Ashlie's Aunt Christine, Uncle Scott, Cousins Nick and Megan and little bro., Avery:

Grandpa Jackson with little Avery

From Ashlie's friend party:

 

I made this cake

 

Twister championships took place at our house

Isn't she beautiful?

Ashlie was super nice to let her siblings stay through her party.

 

 

 From Ashlie's Miller birthday party at Justin & Krista's on Thanksgiving Day (her actual birthday):

 Aunt Aubrey & Uncle Steve

 Grandpa Miller & Max

 Aunt Krista - host extraordinaire

 The kids put on a show, complete with costumes!

 Asher, Alex & Josh

 Uncle Justin took one of the turkeys somewhere to be smoked.  I understand it was very tasty!

So dang cute! (I'll post about his scraped up face later)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday!  

Here are some of my favorite things about my mom:

• She's not afraid to try new things.
• She's always learning new things (she's way more computer-savvy than I am!).
• She is always willing to help when asked.
• She has let many of us kids and our families live with her at different times in our adult lives. 
• She feeds us dinner whenever we're there near dinnertime and about once a month on Sundays.  It's quite a production to feed that many people.  And she's an AWESOME cook.  She can always whip something up even when there is next to nothing in the pantry!
• She made soup for my Primary dinner so I wouldn't have to!
• She plays games with her grandkids and listens to what they have to say.
• She's grateful when people help her.
• She doesn't set her heart on material things.
• She's an amazing teacher - right now she teaches Gospel Doctrine (Old Testament) and she has always been a great Relief Society teacher.
• She's a hard worker.  
• She's interested in and has spent a lot of time working on family history.
• She plans activities for the kids and grandkids to do together for family bonding.
• I'm sure there are many, many more things I can list, but I've got to get Avery down for his nap now!

Thanks for being so wonderful, Mom.  I am so glad you're my mom and that you raised me the way you did.  I'm grateful for the part you play in my childrens' lives and for raising me in the gospel.  You're the BEST!