Emergency?

Last night, Birmingham experienced a "severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado." Though a tornado was never spotted, the wind and lightening was intense. We were awakened around 3:30 by the boom of the power box in the area. There went the electricity. We set our cell phone alarms so we'd get up on time, checked on Cole (sound asleep), then returned to bed.

Then we heard another noise, more of a "whoomp." Brice said it sounded like a tree, so we got back up and started squinting into the darkness through every window in our house. Once I made it to the front window in the dining room, I saw it. A tree from across the street now lay across the road in front of our house. Across the street is a vacant area with several trees - I don't even know whose property that is. So what do you do? I've never heard/seen a tree fall before. Brice suggested we call 911. I immediately protested- 911 is for emergencies, you know, dying, burglar, the big stuff. But as we thought about it, it seemed the only logical thing to do at 4:00 in the morning!

So I made my first-ever call to 911! I was visualizing the recording device they always show when they replay a 911 call. What if I made it to television for stupid emergency calls? The woman who answered was super sweet. I told her the situation and she asked for my location. She said she'd send someone out right away and thanked me for calling. What? Really? Sure enough, within 3-5 minutes a fire truck pulled up to our house. By this time, I'm on the front porch trying to get a picture for the blog - my husband's brilliant idea. (i know B, you love him!) Three men headed over to the tree and one cranked up a chainsaw - I'm sure the neighbors loved that 4 am wake-up call. Brice checked on Cole who was awake but immediately passed out again after getting the scoop on what was happening.

By 4:15 it was all over. The road was clear and the firemen moved on. The whole event was kind of exciting. I had a hard time falling back asleep. It was too dark to get photos at that time, but I got one this morning before I left.


Now, who's responsible for cleaning it up?

Funny Faces

Our dear friend, Mac, came over to play a while ago. His computer has a camera and a fun little program that adds different visual effects. Below is the hilarious result. I laughed constantly while making this post! You can click on the picture to see a bigger version. Enjoy!

Artist

Due to the ever-advancing technology of the day, parents and friends can now view their child's artwork from school online. Yes, there is a website for the art teacher to upload kids' work for all to see. You can join their fan club and then leave comments on the various pieces of art. What a concept! I thought I'd share a couple of Cole's. You can check out the whole collection here.

"Flower Close-Up"

"Grandma Moses Country Landscapes"

Who knew?

Well, today has been a good day.

I've never been one to clips coupons or check the newspaper for sales, but I think I might be changing. Don't get me wrong, I love a good deal, but honestly I've just been too lazy to even think about hunting them down. My sister has introduced me to The Grocery Game - you can read about it on her blog. Basically, this woman tells you where the best deals are and when to use the coupons in your Sunday paper. Stocking up is a big goal in this "game." Buy more when the prices are the lowest so you don't pay more when you need them.

This was my first week to participate. I opted to go to 3 different stores to get the best deals on the items I needed/wanted. It was worth it!!! At the end of the day, I saved exactly $118.85 - on things I would buy anyway!

Getting it all in frig/freezer/pantry proved to be challenging. Our basement freezer needs to be cleaned out, so everything is upstairs for now. You know, it's pretty vulnerable to let someone into your pantry, but I am so proud of Brice and I that I have to show off our work.

Big props, big sis!!! Thanks for the tip!

My Funny Valentine

Yesterday was the big 2-14, the sometimes dreaded Valentine's Day - and our first as a married couple. Brice suggested I come have lunch with him at school and I quickly agreed. So after picking him up some shrimp & vegatables at the Peking Wok, I headed to the school cafeteria. Such a romantic setting for a Valentine's lunch - the teachers' table with 300 6th graders looking on.

Halfway through lunch, the principal came in with a microphone and called for everyone's attention. (I had ordered a cookie-bouquet to be delivered to Brice and was secretly hoping it had arrived and she was about to present it to him in front of everyone!) Instead she announced that she really didn't have anything to say, but she believed Mr. Jackson did. As the kids broke into applause, I froze! What could he possibly be doing? My mind was racing. As kids turned to smile at me and teachers pulled out their cameras, I started to panic! Brice then stood up on one of the lunch room tables and began to serenade me with Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," a song that he sang to me at our karaoke party after our wedding reception.

When he got to the chorus, he cued the kids who all stood up and sang along, "I love you baby and if it's quite alright I need you baby . . ." Our friends had played this role at our wedding party. I was laughing hysterically by this point - they had even printed off words!

Even the women in the kitchen came out to watch! Brice had been running around setting this up and teaching the song to the kids all morning. What a special gift! They all whooped and hollered when I gave him my thanks!

That smile stayed on my face the remainder of the day. I've got a great husband!!

Valentines for Cole

Growing up, Mom always gave us kids a little something for Valentine's Day. I remember candy and pajamas being regular gifts. I'm doing the same for my son, though I haven't given him pajamas yet. Our gift this year was two CDs. We gave Cole an old radio/CD player for his room and he has worn out his Cars CD! So today he got the soundtracks from Alvin and the Chipmunks and Shrek 2. Both grandmothers contributed to the holiday as well which gave him quite a stash for a guy with no sweetheart. I guess he's really got 3 - Memom, Honey, and me!

FUNdue

Many of you may be pros at the fondue experience, but we had our first one last month for Brice's birthday. The Melting Pot is our local fondue restaurant and it's GOOD! Wow. Let me say it again - wow. The experience is fun and the food is amazing. Well, Brice's brother and family are in town so Daddy Jackson decided we all needed to head back to the MP for another fun family night - kid-free. Um, twist my arm a little - ok, we'll go! So we ventured out in the 60 degree weather last night for what was sure to be a grand evening.

Course 1: Cheese - we were served various raw vegetables, apples, and bread for dipping into two different kinds of cheeses, both mixed and melted at the table by our fabulous waiter, Taylor - shout out!

Course 2: Salad - several to choose from, I went with my regular Caesar option - and no dipping required for this course

Course 3: Meat - we chose two different kinds of cooking styles but quickly changed one pot to match the other. (notice how many more cooking sticks are in the pot on the right) Mojo is definitely the best. And no, it's not pronounced mojo, Austin Powers fans, it's moho. We had shrimp, seasoned chicken, filet mignon, and a couple of stuffed pastas - again, wow!

Course 4: Dessert - assuming there was still room in our bodies for more, Taylor brought the most beautiful plate of food I've ever seen. Can't believe I didn't take a picture of it! I was just so excited to dive in. Our pots contained dark chocolate with Bailey's Irish Cream and milk chocolate with Kahlua. Our plates contained, Rice Krispie bites, brownie bites, graham cracker covered marmallows, pound cake bites, strawberries, bananas, and a slice of cheesecake. Can you hear the angels singing?

All-in-all, it was a wonderful evening! Good food, good wine, good company - what else do you need? Oh, a good waiter! My advice - if you go to The Melting Pot in Birmingham, ask for Taylor!

Thanks, Daddy J!

Goodbye to Basketball

Cole finished up his 2nd basketball season over the weekend. He scored six points in his last game, his season record! Coach Brice was glad to see the season end - it's been a challenging venture. I know the picture is kind of blurry, but you can still see that handsome guy! Rest assured, we have purchased new tennis shoes for the boy since this picture was taken. (see bunk bed picture below) Didn't realize how hideous those looked until my sister pointed it out. Yikes!

Now it's on to soccer . . .

My Lego star!

My smart son has been in a Lego phase for a while. He is also in a Star Wars phase. Fortunately, the two have combined to give him hours of challenging fun! Below you'll see two projects he completed ON HIS OWN! As his mother, I'm very proud of him, but you have to admit, that's pretty impressive!

New bed for a new age!

Well our little man is 8 years old now. Amazing how time flies. We thought we'd give him a big boy present and redecorated his room - including new carpet, new paint, and new furniture! He's got Brice's old dresser and desk (which he loves) and we got him bunk beds! Yeah, he loves those too!

Snow Day

January 19, 2007 - it snowed in Birmingham, AL! This is quite a big deal for my little guy - and my big guy for that matter! Though we got an inch or less, is was enough to scrape up some snowballs. They had a blast!

Actually got a shot of Brice taking one to the face!

And they had the hat-hair to prove it!

2007 In Review

Well, since I've just started this blogging quest, I feel I need to catch you up on recent events in our journey. So below is a quick review of our 2007:

The year began with the excitement of engagement and planning a wedding! The first couple of months were a blur and I'm glad I don't remember most of it.

Finally, it was March 17, 2007 and the new Jackson family began. It was a beautiful wedding and almost everything went perfectly. So the groomsmen couldn't sing the hymn because they didn't have words - no biggie! So we couldn't leave because my father-in-law was MIA with the car! We got married and that's all that matters!

We honeymooned in Sonoma Valley and San Francisco, CA. Gorgeous! I highly recommend you go there before you die! The weather was perfect, the schedule was laid back, and the company was precious.

Cole made an appearance on the evening news from clips taken at our church's Easter service. He was singing on stage with all the kids - and nailed the choreography perfectly! :-) We spent the afternoon hunting eggs at Brice's parents'. The competition grew fierce, as always, but now I can't even remember who won!

The summer was one of the busiest ever! Our family vacation was to Kentucky and Missouri to visit family and friends. You'll hear a lot about my sister's family because I absolutely adore her children as though they were my own! While in St. Louis, we visited Grant's Farm, the Gateway Arch, and toured the Busch brewery. Brice was a fabulous uncle and the children embraced him quickly. The rest of the summer included VBS, camp (for Brice & Cole), and Brice starring as Eugene in a community theater performance of Grease.

Cole started 2nd grade in public school and really enjoys it. I am the room mother this year, which is funny - I don't know why, it just is. Fall meant our church's fall carnival and my two boys dressed to impress! Brice is no one in particular, just found the beard and hat in the trunk! He kept walking around singing about tradition . . .

November held a solo trip for me to visit my sister again - this time to meet my new niece! That week was easily in my top 10 for the year. Sis and I got to play, Little and I got to fingerpaint, I got Bubba in trouble, and I spoiled KB to the point of frustrating my sister! Ah, the life of an aunt!

Christmas was an adventure this year! We headed down to Orlando to spend the week with Brice's brother and family. They have two boys so the day was full of fun and LOTS of presents! The rest of the week was spent in Disney World!! This was Cole's first trip and our first in over 10 years so we were all excited! It was such fun and we left Orlando absolutely exhausted!

So that's 2007 in a nutshell! It was a great year and I'm looking forward to a great 2008!

Life is . . .

Life is a dance, a box of chocolates, a river, a stage, but most of all, life is a journey. Here you will find the latest in the lives of the Jacksons. Read along, laugh with us, cry with us, and whatever comes, enjoy the journey.