These pictures were taken about a month ago. There's been a few changes but not many and there will be more changes soon. I'll keep trying to post more pictures.

I may have to post each picture of the house separately. Our kitchen is still not close to finished and we haven't seen the guy in over two weeks. We've talked to him. We need to find someone else to finish it for us. Half our back splash will have to be redone and maybe one of our counter tops. We keep learning the lesson "you get what you pay for" and a lot of time you end up spending more on the cheaper guy because of mistakes. (which is the case with us and our kitchen)

Dallas Temple Trip

Here are some pictures we took while at the Temple last month. We had never been to see the Dallas Temple, so it was fun for us and the kids to see it. It was also very cold, so our trip was pretty short. One trip around it, a few pictures, then on to our friends house, the Bells, for dinner.

You can see in one of the pictures evidence of Isaac's fall at Target. Chauntel was with the kids while I was at home working and he hit his head on the cart. They sent for an ambulance, friendly shoppers were helping watch Jackson and Kayla, and we ended up taking him to an urgent care place to glue him back together.

Mexico or the real world?

If I can get my pictures posted it would be a lot more fun to post. Jeremy and I have been home for a week now. I'm wishing I was back in Mexico. Our kids are so bad lately. I've been embarrassed lately whenever I'm out with them. (more than usual anyways)

Mexico was wonderful. Jeremy and I have only been away without the kids (over night) maybe once or twice in the last five and a half years. So 5 day and 4 nights at an all inclusive resort was absolutely amazing. The whole resort was great. I got my first Pedi and went snorkeling for the first time. We loved snorkeling so much we went twice. We loved being able to hang out with everyone that Jeremy works with they're great. especially Niki and James. We miss them and we've seen more of them since we've moved than were there for a while.

Thank you again to grammy poppy and aunt linda. They were wonderful with our sick (throwing up kids) Jackson still won't say hi to us like he did all week with them. The kids are always informing me that they were good for grammy because she's nicer than I am.

trouble posting pictures?

Is anyone else having trouble uploading pictures.

I've been trying to post pictures of the house, the kids, and our vacation but it won't let me.

So Jackson hasn't been wearing his helmet since Thursday. On Thrusday when I was giving him a bath and I noticed he had a sore on his head. I called the doctors office and they said to leave his helmet off til they could see him. They couldn't get him in and we could get three til Thursday so tomorrow we're driving to Houston. I'm really worried about his helmet situation and how they're going to fix his head. It seems like it will look better for a while and then something will go really wrong like his head bulging on top, the sore, and now it seem like there's a ridge forming along his forhead across his forhead right above his eyebrows. We only saw it because his helmet has been off for so long and you can only see it (well) outside in good sun light.

finialy pictures but not a kitchen

So we bought a camera but our kitchen is not done yet. It was demoed last Tuesday and its now Wednesday. So it's been over a week. We're getting so stress out without having our kitchen usable. We are getting so sick of eating out and are so ready for a clean house, without strangers walking around, and a healthy home cooked meal. I think it will take two more days at least for him to finish, but we'll be gone tomorrow, and Friday. He doesn't work on Saturdays and we don't work on Sundays so Monday and Tuesday are it because I leave for CANCUN MEXICO ON WED.!!!! With all the stress of the surgery, moving, and remolding I'm really looking forward to a few days without kids.

Dallas Cowboy

I forgot to tell everyone. We changed Jackson's helmet stickers from Astro (who we love) to the Dallas Cowboy (who we'll learn to love in time)

no camera yet

Today our kitchen is supposed to get finished. I'll believe it when I see it. We were supposed to close on our house this friday but their financing has changed and they need to wait a few more days for one more paycheck. Which means we have to pay on our mortage again. Which really sticks because that's when our new houses mortage starts.

Sunday Makayla had to leave church early because she had a fever of 102. I've been checking on her through the night and she's still got a fever and hasn't really eaten or drank anything in almost 24 hours and she doesn't want to take tylenol. I hope we don't all get sick.

Thursday Jackson has an appointment with his helmet doc. He hasn't been able to wear his helmet since thursday afternoon. because his helmet caused a sore on the top of his head so hopefully when we go on thursday they can figure out what is wrong so we don't have to make the trip to houston for awhile. He's looking really good. Well at least I think so.

Isaac is getting better everyweek at church so maybe in a few weeks he'll remember that he likes primary so he'll go without me. I've been going for opening exercises, but not to his class. Last week it was really hard at first but then when it was time to go he put up a fight and went kicking and screaming all the way to the car.

Next week we leave for cancun. I've never been out of the US so I'm really excited. Grammy and Poppy are coming to watch all the kids. We wouldn't be able to go if it weren't for them. I'm so glad that they're willing to drive here and watch our rugrats. We're very excited to show them our home. I hope poppy's willing to do a project or two for me. If not I'm sure I can figure them out when I get home. I want some shelves in the game room and a bench under the window to store toys. I'm learning how impatient I am. I want my house done already and when I say done I really mean prefect. Which realisticly that could take a few years.

I love you all and miss everyone. Come and visit us everyone.

No Camera

So these are old pictures that I never blogged. In the last two weeks we've moved, unpacked, removed paperboarders in three rooms, painted three rooms, had our roof blown off and than repaired, had our contractor for our kitchen not show three times, two kids throwing up and had one trip to the urgent care center. (Isaac split his head open at target. I was with the three kids by myself. The ambulance came and it was crazy)

So it been a little crazy and mostly because of our lack of routine. It's kind of hard on the kids to not have a routine but if they are watching T.V. all day I through them out back to play on our swing that has no swing on it and is pretty old. I deserve the mother of the year award for how much t.v. they've been watching for the last two weeks. j/k

We are so excited to finish painting and changing things around. Our new countertops and backsplash should be installed next week if our joker contractor shows. I'm so excited about my new kitchen. I decided on laminate smoky topaz counter tops (black) and white waynes coating for our backsplash. We're keeping the floors the way they are till next year and the cabinet are staying the color they are. I seriously considered painting them white but I'm so sick of painting and having a messy house that I think I'm going to love them the way that they are.

First steps

So Jackson is standing up by him self and is taking about four steps. It's a lot of fun, watching my baby grow and learn new things.

He's been sick the last few days. It's the same, as about a month ago. He's throwing up and has diarrhea, but he doesn't have a fever and no one else has gotten sick. The only thing that happened both times, is that he was drinking cows milk for few days both times. He's only had cows milk a few times and every time he throws up but not right away. It's actually takes a day or two after. So it could just be a coincidence and he could just be sick or he's allergic to milk or maybe even allergic to something else.

If you have any ideas let me know.

Our camera broke for the second time and I threw it away. They charged me 150 last time to fix it for a little bit more I can get a new one. I wish I could post pictures of our huge mess of a house.

Our new ward seems great. In Jr. Primary there were about 50 kids so it's a little different than our last ward.

time line

Sunday after church, we're driving to Dallas. We close on our new house Mon. at 11. We're hoping to have all the utilities hooked up by Monday. We're also trying to have a contractor meet us at the house after closing, to give us some estimates on the kitchen, and painting some of the rooms.

Next Thurs. is Makayla's last day of school. We're so sad to leave Sunset Pre-K. It's been such a great experience. I hope we can find a place like it in McKinney for Isaac next year.

Friday we load up the truck and Saturday we unload at our new house. Friday morning Jeremy's going to take the truck up and load our piano in the truck first. It's pretty heavy and will take 4 men to load. (Niki found our piano in a curricular for her area and called me about it) I'm so glad she did.

Sometime this week my new couches will be delivered and today I may go buy a bedroom set for our room. I'm thinking it might be better to wait until we're up there to buy. That way the delivery people can unload it and put it together, so I don't have to (or Jeremy)

Sold

We have a buyer for our duplex. We don't close until March 15th so hopefully it doesn't fall through.

I bought a piano last night!!!!! I'm so excited to put it into my new house. It was $250 (used and older)

Jackson is a standing fool, but won't take a step. Last night he was standing, clapping, and dancing to Jeremy playing the guitar. He's been such a big eater. He starts clapping when we go to feed him. He loves pizza, spaghetti, and cut up peas and carrots. He's also started pointing a whining for things he wants.

Isaac hates primary and won't go. He also hates the gym and freaks out. So we don't know if he's scared in social situations or if maybe he just needs more kids his age. The gym is all younger kids and primary only has two other Jr. Primary kids. One of which is his sister and the other is autistic. So hopefully our new ward will have a lot of kids his age. We bought him a suit. He wanted to be like daddy. It looks cute on him. I bought it used for $15

Makayla is doing great. She has a little crush at school or so her teacher and music teacher said. She is such a good girl. I'm so glad she's so easy because Isaac takes so much energy.

Helmet a little too late

Jackson fell out of his crib Sunday night. Well actually, his crib broke and fell on Makayla and tossed Jackson on his head. I wasn't to worried because he didn't have a knot or bruise. The next morning however, we discovered that Jackson had thrown up in the night. He threw up all day and slept most he day. I started to worry that maybe it wasn't just the flu, but that maybe he had hurt his head. I had been trying all morning to get into the doctor but they couldn't see me til 4:30 and at that time Jeremy got a hold of his surgeon both Doctors said it wasn't a bad idea to go to the emergency room but his surgeon wasn't too worried and thought it would probably be a waste of time and money. It would have probably cost us around 800 to 1500 dollars. Ouch! (he would have had a CT scan)

by around 5 he ate and started talking a little and smiling so we just checked on him a lot thought the night. He woke up twice at night and I gave him water and yogurt which he didn't throw up and he hasn't thrown up since about 8:30 last night.

Today he's wearing his helmet every other hour except for when he's sleeping and in his car seat. He doesn't like it very much but I guess he'll get used to it. Tomorrow he'll wear it for 2 hours then take it off for one. He won't wear it while asleep or in his carseat for a few days. His fifth day wearing it he'll keep it on 23 hours sleeping and in his carseat. So from then on out he'll wear it 23 hours a day. He'll take it off one hour a day for bathtime and I'll clean his helmet and make sure it dries completely.

How do you like his stickers?

Jamming on my ipod

Here's Makayla with Jeremy's Ipod. She was dancing all over the house.

Isaac

wanted me to take a picture of his mean face.

Jackson and dad are buds.

Back into the swing of things

It's nice to be a little bit back to normal. Makayla's back in school and my goal is to be back at the gym this week (after a nice 2 month absence)

Today was wacky day at Makayla's school. I'll have to post some pictures of her outfit. She wore her bathrobe as a coat and mix matched shoes, a tutu over her jeans and her hair is in one braid and one bun like pigtails. She looks great.

I gave the baby his first full bath today. I washed his hair and everything.

Fruits of the loom

I'd like to thank my sisters for the care package they sent Jackson and the kids, and especially for the underwear they sent for me. I think the kids got more use out of them then I will.

Our House

Our offer on this house was accepted and we'll be closing in the next week or so.
We're so excited to be done with duplex living and be in a big place where the kids can play and not feel right on top of us. Our neighborhood is beautiful and the whole area is amazing. Our backyard has a big fort and swingset. It's pretty worked but with some TLC the kids will love it. Jeremy is promising to let me update the kitchen and rest of the house to my liking. (no complaining here) It has a gameroom up and Master bedroom down. It also has two living areas and two eating areas. (one formal and one not) Who knows what we'll do with the formal areas.

Most of the homes in the area have garage entry in back with allies. It really makes the street less crowded with cars and cleans up the front of the homes.

www.jacksonsmellon.blogspot.com

So our new blog for jackson's surgery is at www.jacksonsmellon.blogspot.com.

We're Home!

We got home today around noon from the hospital. It's so nice to be home. I was pretty antsie to get home. Now that I'm here, I realize how nice it was to be there and taken care of.

I'm setting up a new blog. It will be strictly of Jackson at the hospital. I'm doing this so any little kids (cousins, sisters, and MAKAYLA) who get on our blog to look at pictures won't be shown anything that would worry them.

Makayla won't look at Jackson or even be in the same room with him. She's our very sensitive soul.

Jackson's Shiner

I must have a few minutes. I'm having to post stuff that happened a few weeks ago. Jackson fell out of his crib and two days later had a black eye. So either Isaac dotted his eye or he hit it on the way out of his crib.

Isn't she sweet

Makayla's teacher informed us that she is a great little missionary at school. For Thanksgiving she drew this picture for what she is thankful for. (I guess, I'll forgive her for not drawing me)

We were putting up our Christmas tree with the primary christmas hymns playing, and Makayla said " I feel like I want to cry, this music is so pretty."

Makayla is so good at sitting and listening to scriptures at night time (while Isaac runs around and stands on his head) She is such a sensitive little girl, who already has such a testimony of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.

Any mother and father can tell you of the sweet testimony of a child who has been taught the gospel at home. What a blessing the gospel is for our family.

Our Duplex is Sold!

Our duplex got an offer in less than a week of being on the market. Yesterday we excepted it and now we just have to wait for it to close. It's truely a miracle that it sold so quickly. What a relief to not have to worry about that anymore. We'll lease from the buyers until Febuary 14th. So now we need to buy a house.

We went to Dallas for three days to look at some areas and homes. We found two that we love. We'll probably go back one more time and look at them again. There's two more we want to look at. I kind hope a few of them sell, to make of decesion a little easier.

We all got sick this last week. I don't know how it happen but We'd all better get over and stay healthy for the next week.

Jackson's surgery is in about 8 days. I think I'm a little more worried this time around than last. Maybe because he's getting older, wiser, and we're more in love with him than ever.

I haven't sent out my christmas cards yet and they've ask Jeremy and I to speak on Christmas Eve, and I have the YW's lesson that sunday. I'm a little over whelmed.

This morning I went out to the shed to grabb Jeremy gift so I could wrap it and I can't find the key to the shed. HA HA HA All our gifts are in there. I might have to break in.

Love ya all

Dallas here we come

So Jeremy is going to open another branch in Dallas. We are going to try and move in Febuary. We are so excited to start a new adventure. There is so much to do. Christmas is busy enough (add Jacksons surgery, selling our duplex, buying a new home five hours away, and find another manager to help Mike here in Houston) I think this move will be wonderful for Jeremy and for the family.

This picture is of all the grandkids (except Elijah, who was only 14 days old) It was pass his bedtime.

I can't believe there's six now. I also can't believe half of them are mine.

Jeremy and I are both sick. I hope the kids don't get it. I don't know if it's possible for one family member to get sick.

KENTUCKY VACATION

So on thursday we packed up and went to Louisville, KY to visit Jeremy's family. We haven't been in three years. We only told his brother and Dad. We wanted it to be a surprise. It took about 16 hours of driving or more. We packed like 10 movies to keep the kids busy. They were really very good. It wasn't a bad drive at all. Jackson's surgery hasn't been reschuduled yet. We'll let everyone know when it will be.

Post-poned

Jackson's surgery has been post poned. When we went in for his post op appointment ,on Tuesday, Jackson was coughing a lot and had a runny nose. Dr. Hollier sent us to another doctor to make sure he wasn't sick. Sure enough Jackson has a double ear ache and cold. He's on antibiotics and we will be rescheduled for probably Dec. I was so bum. I now think things will workout even better for us and Kendall. Now the only problem is who will watch the kids while we're at the hospital. Maybe mom or Starr will be able to come down. We'll see. Jeremy seems to think people in the ward could help out but that's a lot to ask and the kids would be really out of the norm. We love you all and are so thankful for all your prayers. I'm positive it was a blessing Jackson started coughing the moment we stepped into the doctor office. Other wise I would have just thought he was teething.

My sister Bailey came this weekend. I was able to see her baby Kooper for the first time. He is so cute. We had so much fun seeing them and hanging out. Makayla was in a parade this weekend and was in the ward Primary Presentation. It was a big weekend for her.

We put Isaac in soccer on Saturday. He loved it. I'm so excited for him to have something to look forward to and to release a lot his energy.

Curtains finally

I finally made curtains. I've had the faberic for months now. I was going to make roman blinds but I gave up because I couldn't figure it out. I also put up faux wood blinds in both the window. They took me like two full days to install. I hate putting up blinds.

I just caught Isaac drinking water out of the toliet. He had just gone pee in it and hadn't flushed yet and I use those blue tablets. So If he gets sick it's either the pee, blue stuff, or ring in my toliet of who knows what. I'll keep you posted.

HAIR CUTS

We buzzed Jackson's hair yesterday. He's had a few cuts already, but this ws with clippers, on number one. He looks so different. I don't know if you can tell in pictures.

Happy Halloween

I can't believe it's November already. Yesterday Jackson had an eye appointment. They said everything looks great. He'll go back in three months to make sure that the swelling after surgery doesn't hurt anything and that everything stays lined up right.

There's less than two week now. It's going to start getting really busy around here. I guess the holidays always get busy right.

Makayla has a really bad ear ache, but we got her right into the doctor and it's getting a lot better.


Makayla was a cat, Isaac was superman or I guess he was really Clark Kent(like his black hair, what a mess) Jackson was a cow, Jeremy was also superman-Clark Kent, and I was Lois Lane (kind of lame) I always forget about what I'm going to be because I'm worried about the kids and their costumes.