Important Announcement!

Some of you reading this blog probably already know this, but...Baby Jackson #2 is on the way! :) He or she only looks like a little bean right now, but things change fast!

We're very excited, and Olivia says that she is ready to be a big sister. Our due date is April 30th! I'll post pictures and progress as we go...

Tim & Kathy Lickliter's Visit

Next up in the family visiting line up are Tim and Kathy Lickliter (my dad and step-mom). They stopped by for a few days on their way home from visiting my grandparents in NM. Unfortunately, I had to work for two of the days that they were here, but Levi was a great host and made sure they had things to do.

And of course, Grandpa and Grandma brought Olivia a surprise:

Wonder if the ballerina bear will replace Kitty as the stuffed animal of choice (also a present from them)? We shall see...

The first morning was spent swimming, then lunch with me, then relaxing at home until we all went to dinner at Chuy's - the closest thing to "real" Mexican food that we've found so far in Austin. :)

The next day they all rode the train into downtown Austin. We'd been meaning to do it for a while but never had...Levi said that Olivia was really excited for about the first five minutes. :P

While downtown, they went to the Children's Museum, which is very hands-on, as you might expect. Levi compared it to Chuck - E - Cheese, in the amount of kids, activity, and chaos. I'm not so sure I'm sorry I missed it...lol. Not really. I'd much have rather gone with them than stayed at work all day!

digging for dinosaur bones!

It was a short visit, but a good one! I think everyone had fun. 'Till next time!

Labor Day Weekend

Levi's sister Joanie and her husband Chris came to visit us for the long Labor Day weekend. It was a great visit. It's nice now that we only live about 6 hours from them - they're our closest family neighbors now! Hopefully we'll be able to visit with them often.

I think Olivia had fun with both of them...of course her Aunt Joanie brought her some shoes (Aunt Joanie has always bought her the coolest shoes). This time they were pink cowboy boots! When in Texas, I guess...

She immediately had to put them on with her pj's.

And then we had to bring her pony downstairs for her to ride with them on. Silly girl. I think she wore the things all weekend...even with her red and black preppy skirt. lol.

We went swimming on Saturday, which was fun for all.

And then on their last night we met some other friends of theirs at a Japanese Steakhouse. Olivia loved the show that the chef put on!

Waiting for the show to start...

Wow! I love the look on her face. She did this through the whole thing, along with laughing and squealing. Fun!

Other random pictures:

Reading with Aunt Joanie (which gave Mommy and Daddy a break!)

Having fun with Uncle Chris

Lovely girl!

Having fun!

Melba and Tammy Jackson's Visit

This past week, Levi's mom, Melba, and his oldest sister, Tammy, came to visit. They were our first visitors since we moved to Austin! I think they had fun...swimming in the mornings, playing in the afternoons. We had dinner at Chuy's one night, an Austin original restaurant. It was very yummy!!

I think they liked our house, and enjoyed the visit. Especially with Olivia! :) She kept them occupied...and they helped to wear her out!

Next up for a visit: Levi's middle sister, Joanie, and her husband Chris! They will be here this weekend!

Imaginations Run Wild

Lately Olivia has been very imaginative...she's been putting on "shows" for Levi and I. It's really very entertaining.

"Hello children," she starts, "and boys and girls! We're gonna have a great show today!"

She then proceeds to dance around the living room with a vaccum cleaner attachement, and call for volunteers from the audience...namely Levi, me, Princess (Imaginary Friend #1), and Witch (Imaginary Friend #2).  This sometimes includes props, which for some reason means winter beanies (apparently she has no concept of hot weather):

"I am NOT taking pictures, Daddy!"

It's much fun for all!

It's....a New Car!

Before we left Nashville, we donated my old Chevy Cavalier to the Purple Heart Foundation. It had been my car since my senior year (quite a long time!) and it had been a great car, with only an occasional hiccup. Still, it was getting old and we didn't want to move it. The plan was to buy a new car once we got to Austin.

It took a bit longer than expected, but....

Look what I got! :) It's a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. I love it! :)

Lovely in Love

Today is the 10-year anniversary of the day Levi and I were married!

It's strange, it seems like we've been together forever and yet at the same time I can't believe it's been 10 years already.

So much has changed since we first met - we've graduated high school and college, we've gotten married (obviously).

We've moved across the country four times. Levi has a Master's Degree. I'm now a doctor.

Most importantly, we have a beautiful daughter that daily teaches us the lessons of love, patience, and imagination.

I know that we're far from done growing together, as a family and as a couple. I am thankful that despite - or because of - all that we have been through together, we have such a deep understanding and love for each other. I pray that this though it has been 10 years already, it is only the beginning.