Just us girls

tri⋅o

-noun
any group of three persons or things

Yesterday morning, while the world was still bathed in darkness and most folks were nestled snug in their cozy beds, the girls and I bid farewell to our brood of boys at the Lexington Bluegrass Airport.

With backpacks, suitcases and Nintendo DS in hand, off they were for a weekend adventure out West- dinners, tuxedos and dancing, accompanied by movies, swimming, games, Cafe Rio, a visit to Chuck (e-Cheese), a water park and the dentist. What a whirlwind of activity pressed into four short days.

The highlight of the trek home was to be Rich's youngest sibling's wedding, but upon arrival Matt was not pleased to discover his precious few hours in Utah were to be filled with wedding events. Not to worry, he soon found ample time for all he had yearned to do.

I, on the other hand, waved goodbye from our darkened van as my four fellas disappeared beyond airport security. It was then that I peered into my rear view mirror and spied my two bright blue eyed buddies with bed head hair waving and blowing kisses. My own partners in crime were still here with me. It is never as hard to say goodbye when you have your own two sweeties to help pass the time. It was to be our time of adventure as well.

Our days would not be bogged down with pity or despair because we were the ones left home. No sir. We too had an agenda brimming with fun. Lazy mornings and tickles and kisses in bed, a visit to a local farm for picking dark, luscious, juicy blackberries we later turned into most delicious jam. The girls were the best little hunters and gatherers I'd ever seen. A stop to "The Chicken Place with the slide" aka: Chick-fil-A and a movie marathon that consisted of Barbie and the Diamond Castle (twice). Thank heavens the upstairs bedrooms needed a good once over cleaning while the movie played.

Today we were off to the pool and then to "the big slide" aka: McDonald's play land. There were forts constructed in the living room and kitchen, popsicle wrappers on the floor and hair bows across the table. We played a fierce game of Mr. Mouth and cooked Raman Noodles like pros. Stories were read and puzzles were put together in seconds flat. We gobbled up Culver's Frozen Custard and took our time down nearly every aisle Target had to offer. I can't wait to see the baby boy dressed to the nines in the tiny and soft outfits we found for him there.

Tomorrow is still uncharted territory, but I do know a take out call to Chili's will be made for a post wedding feast for the trio of chicks here on Fitzroy Lane. Cooking certainly is NOT on my to do list this weekend.

Sunday will bring church and then a happy reunion for our little family when the guys return to the Bluegrass.

A wild weekend for us trio of girls.

And yet, the word trio is only partially true. Yes, that was the word that came mind when I thought about writing this post, but it really isn't the case. For my soon-to-be bundle of blue is the reason the girls and I didn't board that early morning airplane two days ago. And while the girls and I play here and there, he is ever present, reminding me that he too is enjoying this time with us. Elbows and feet poke and prod and misshape my belly at all hours of the day. His daily hiccups and wiggles make it hard to feel like its just the girls and me, because soon enough he'll be here ready to join in the fun. And I seriously can't wait. I can't wait to touch his silky soft hair (the last ultrasound promised me this), smell his delicious baby scent and gently rub every little finger and toe. He is worth every missed wedding moment and memory.

So, to my handsome sons dancing the night away up on the tennis court as my parents happily snap photos and text them my way, to my dashing husband posing for pictures with our BFF's Todd and Kristi and to Taylor and Emily the newest couple in the Jackson clan, know you are all loved missed. And yes, I did shed a slight tear when I saw how splendid you all looked in your light blue vests and black lapels. I do wish the girls and I were there to share in this lovely moment, but little baby nudges and lets me know he appreciates me staying safely home, patiently waiting for his special day, that truly isn't too far off....

Taylor and Emily

Taylor and Emily Jackson

July 31, 2009

Married: Salt Lake City Temple

Reception: Jackson Residence
Provo, UtahThanks Dad for all the photos taken and sent via your cellphone to mine.
I was so thrilled to be part of this beautiful night!

Blackberries

Thanks to ASHLEE and crew for a wonderful morning and for all the beautiful photos. I hardly knew what to do with myself while my camera is in Utah without me!

Straight from their mouth....

I had Matt run an a quick errand here in the house and upon his return I said, "Thank you, dear."

He looked at me and stated, "Mom. I am a boy. I would be a buck. Not a deer."

_______________________

We needed to run a quick errand close to home and decided against driving the van since its constant beeping is driving us all insane, so we took Rich's car instead.

Josh was riding shot gun and the girls were strapped in the back seats, leaving only a tiny space between boosters for Matt to squish into. And there was no seat belt for the Matt Man.

As Matt climbed in, he realized what a tight spot he would be required to mash himself into and simply stated, "Let me get this straight. I have to ride in the dangerous tight spot, because Josh is fat?!"

He keeps me laughing.

______________________

As I tried my best to get the kids in bed alone while Rich is working nights, I had enough of the boys' stalling techniques and games and told them to GO TO BED.

Matt came out of his room into the hallway, where I was putting jammies on the girls.

"Sorry about that Mom. You see, when boys get older they, well, how do I put this? They become obnoxious. We just can't help it."

He continued on.

"And as girls get older, they just want to go to the mall and start shopping."

Man, this kid seems to have life figured out at seven-years-old.

2009 Pinnacle Pirates Swim Team

Trey, Matt and Josh

Baptism

Joshua Nance Jackson

















Matthew Nance Jackson

2 Nephi 31: 11-13

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Eight short years have passed since we welcomed twin sons into this world. At the time, I felt overwhelmed with three children under age two. Kentucky was our new home and that change added with babies, medical school and thousands of miles between Louisville and loved ones often made the future look unending and bleak. But the sun wasn't hidden for long. Our families pitched in day and night with my two new bundles of blue and soon forever friends were found in the Bluegrass making life more than bearable, but enjoyable. Looking back, I have a hard time recalling the sleepless nights and stressful days. The good times and memories far outshine the hazy, foggy, difficult ones.

Before I was a mother, I never could have fathomed how much happiness having children could bring. My children have been my greatest joy, and yet I worry, pray and fret over them and my parenting skills more than any other endeavor I have pursued in my life. They are my heritage, my legacy and much of their success or failures will be in part to how I lead and guide them as their mother. That is a weight that can be hard to bear. But through it all, I see the boys growing, maturing and developing into sweet, kind, loving, honest and righteous young men. Thanks to an amazing husband who is there at every twist and turn life places before us and the guidance and direction the Gospel, prayer and scriptures bring, the boys have constant compasses for good each and every day.

What a blessing to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Daily I thank my Heavenly Father to have Gospel knowledge and principles in my life that help me make decisions for myself and my family. Is a road map for life that will get us safely through our mortal journey.

When Josh and Matt's baptismal day arrived it was a day of celebration. Surrounded by our little family, grandparents, uncles and friends I proudly watched my two sons made promises to our Heavenly Father that in turn opened the door to return to live with Him one day.

As I witnessed Matt and then Josh, dressed in spotless white, enter the water with my sweet husband, it brought tears to my eyes. Their decision to be baptized not only pleased their earthly mother and father, but their Father in Heaven as well.

I am usually not an emotional person, but when my mom played the song Baptism and I sang the simple words about Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River, my heart was touched and my testimony of the truthfulness and importance of baptism was strengthened.

Congratulations Josh and Matt on your wise decision to be baptized. I love you, more than you can know.

Baptism

Jesus came to John the Baptist,
In Judea long ago,
And was baptized by immersion
In the River Jordan’s flow.

“To fulfill the law,” said Jesus,
When the Baptist questioned why,
“And to enter with my Father
In the kingdom up on high.”

Now we know that we must also
Witness faith in Jesus’ word,
Be baptized to show obedience,
As was Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Matt, Porter Grigg and JoshBishop Blodgett (who came straight from the airport after a LONG trek home from the Philippines!) Rich and Andersen Grigg Ellie, Tiffany and meRich, Branden Rosenhan, Dad Jackson and Drew MillarRhett and JeffTiffany, Ashlee and meAnnMarie, Andersen and Coolidge Grigg, Ashlee, Drew and Mac Millar, Rich and me, Tiffany, Ellie and Branden Rosenhan

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., in Georgetown, Kentucky was Toyota's first wholly owned manufacturing facility in the United States. Since 1988, Toyota's Kentucky teams has been building quality vehicles in the Bluegrass state. Today, "TMMK" is the largest Toyota plant outside of Japan. Each year in Georgetown, nearly 7,000 team members build about 500,000 vehicles and engines. That's about 2,000 vehicles every day.I had looked into taking our families on a tour of the Toyota plant while they were here visiting last week, but the facility was closed all week for their summer break. I also learned that you cannot take children younger than first grade on the tour when I called. With a the arrival of our baby boy fast approaching, I knew it was now or never to take the boys with me and go through. I made an appointment for the four of us for July 21 at 10 AM and got a sitter for the girls (and I never get sitters....).

The tram driven tour lasted about an hour and a half. No camera were allowed, but we all looked awesome in our safety glasses and headphones. (Take my word on it.) During the tour we were able to hear and see just what goes into the manufacturing the Camry, Avalon and Venza vehicles that roll of the line each day. Tour guides drove us through portions of the 7.5 million square foot facility. The tour began in Stamping where we saw cars take shape from huge coils of rolled up steel. We then moved to Body Weld where these stamped pieces are put together. We were able to watch as a team of computer-controlled robots performed the welds that result in a completed body shell. Overhead conveyors transport the cars from Paint, to the Final Line in Assembly.

The whole thing reminded me of Star Tours at Disneyland, where robots look like they are making space ships and conveyor belts above your head move parts around the room.

Some of the highlights were seeing the sparks fly in the welding area, watching adult men and women transport items via bike-like tricycles and seeing the automatic guided robots (AGR's) travel unassisted across the plant. It really was cool.