Terrific Tuesdays!

For Today Outside my window... not sure yet, it is still dark!

From the home office... I am working in the office all day today!
I am thankful for... Lance. Simply just having him in my life!

From the Kitchen... I need to look at my menu, I forgot what I said I would cook tonight!

I am wearing...pink nightgown still!

I am reading... WOW, finished New Moon, now I am 3/4 through Eclipse and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's the best so far of the series!

I am hoping... to get my new office furniture put in today, keep working on the pile of my junk stuck in Tay's corner and to read LOTS of Eclipse today. Oh, and I am still in Phase 1 of the Never Say Diet and I actually ran on the treadmill last night, it was only 2 minutes, but it was running! HA!

I am creating... a special place in my heart for girl talk with Taylor. It's getting to be more and more lately and I am preparing myself!

I am hearing... silence! Everyone is still asleep!

Around the house...my herb garden is loving all this rain! I will blog about as soon as I take some more pics. The house is super clean, well not super, but clean!

One of my favorite things...is obsessing over Rob Pattinson (aka, Edward Cullen) it's fun, have you seen him on the cover of GQ? HELLO! I had to buy it!
A few plans for the rest of the week... loving on Lance, playing with Cash, fighting with Taylor, typical Jackson week!

Prayer Requests (new for my Terrific Tuesdays)- Please pray for Chase Jackson, Lance's brother. He needs the Lord's guidance right now and he has a brand new 5 week old baby boy! My nephew! Just pray for strength.

Simply Vera Wang

My first class got cancelled today, so of course I had to skip the second one! HA! I ran by Kohls on the way home and bought these fabulous shoes by Simply Vera Wang. They were $69.99 marked down to $13.99. I about fell out! I didn't believe it until I checked out and saw the final price on the register! They look amazing on me and make me look taller and skinnier! I am in Phase One of the Never Say Diet. Today is my third day! Lance and I make no change in our diets but we have to work out 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week for 4 weeks. Then we start Phase Two that does change your diet a bit. I have drug myself out to the shop the last two days and walked on the treadmill and worked out on the elliptical machine! Man, it's hard! But I am rewarding myself with a lifestyle makeover! I want to dress sexier, (not slutty) sexier! Like yesterday I pulled my hair back into a low side ponytail and I felt sassy! Lance even noticed it and liked it. My plan must be working! I have spent my 20's and the first 3 years of my thirties overweight. I can't go on like this and no "quick fix" is gonna fix this! I have to make a lifestyle change. I think clothes and funky shoes are going to help me to get motivated and fun jewelry. Listening to music and staying positive and motivated! Reading this Twilight series has me feeling like a school girl and I love it! So, hats off to my "cheap" new sexy shoes! Now I need to find the perfect summer dress to go with them!

So the Lion fell in love with the Lamb!

March 29, 1997 Lance Victor Jackson told Julie Meranda Brinkman that he would love her forever and cherish her always. He has not only kept his promise but he loves me so much that I could not ask for more. I love Lance more than anything in this world. He truly makes me whole and lets me be me. He doesn't try to change me or ask me to be something I am not. He loves me with all his heart and more. Lance would get the moon for me if I asked. He truly does have my heart. Happy 12th Anniversary Baby! You are the most amazing, strong, intelligent and sexiest man I have ever met!

Love always, Your Julie

*Side note, Lance got up this morning and gave me roses, a beautiful card and went and got my favorite breakfast (Kolaches from Nita's) and he took Cash fishing so I could have the morning to myself (Tay is out of town). He is also re-doing our landscape as my gift this year. It should be done before Easter for our big egg hunt! I can't wait.

The Charm Bracelet

My first Etsy purchase!

I have lost my mind!

I ordered these today and the bracelet in the above blog.

Twilight had me at first bite!

I know three things for sure. 1. I suddenly love to read. 2. I can't get enough of the Twilight series and 3. I can't get enough of Rob Pattinson AKA Edward Cullen.

I picked up the book last week and thought I would give it a shot. Well, I fell in love with it a third of the way through and then decided I had to watch the movie. I was hooked as soon as Edward Cullen graced the screen. Then, I needed more so I got New Moon and started reading it on Sunday and I finished it today (Thursday). Now I am reading Eclipse and suddenly find myself wanting to slow down. I don't want this feeling to be over. It's like I am living in the pages. I don't know what it is, and all this rain. It's odd. Stephenie Meyer, the author, has me at full attention as I read the pages. The words just flow for me and go right into my brain and I feel like they are stamped there. I love it! The craziest part of all is my new found Hollywood crush in Rob Pattinson and he sings! I mean, WHAT! This man sings as well! Every page that Edward is on sends chills down my spine and I see exactly why Bella wants to be with him forever.

I am so excited about my new found Twilight hobby! It's fun and it has me reading! Don't get me wrong, "Julie can read", but I am a college student and I do LOTS of reading! I seem to not want to do it in my spare time. I think I married a Bad Boy myself! Bella should be so lucky!

Terrific Tuesdays!

For Today Outside my window... Dark and Cloudy! I think the rain is coming.

From the home office... I am working in the office all day today!

I am thankful for... my extra time alone with Cash while Tay is at school. He doesn't get me as much as Taylor did at this age, but we do enjoy our lazy days together.

From the Kitchen... I think I am making chicken and rice tonight!

I am wearing...black capris, "Authentic Crosby, Texas" shirt

I am reading... I finished Never Say Diet, in Phase One still and I am reading New Moon.

I am hoping... to get this office started in the right direction today and study my next section in Algebra. I already cleaned the house, loaded the dishwasher, shined my sink and started a load of clothes. I also hope to read 2 more chapters in New Moon today BUT Tay took it to school! URGH!

I am creating... a special place in my heart for special secrets I share with Lance. It's fun!

I am hearing... my play list playing in the background. The Rob Pattinson song kills me! LOVE IT!

Around the house...I have some new scented oils I can smell, I potted some more plants on the back porch. My pepper plants look good, my cilantro looks FANTASTIC and I hoping to get the yard looking perfect for our Easter Egg hunt and lunch here with family.

One of my favorite things...is obsessing over Edward Cullen. It's fun!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Studying, cleaning, and celebrating my 12 year wedding anniversary with Lance on Sunday the 29th! We are going to spend Saturday together shopping, going to bookstores, eating out, just being together! The kids are staying at Mimi and Papa's. We will pick them up late! HA!

The Pioneer Woman in Me!

pi·o·neer
n.
1. One who ventures into unknown or unclaimed territory to settle.
2. One who opens up new areas of thought, research, or development: a pioneer in aviation.
3. A soldier who performs construction and demolition work in the field to facilitate troop movements.
4. Ecology An animal or plant species that establishes itself in a previously barren environment.

Well, I think all these definitions relate to me in one way or another. I was CLUELESS in my Teens, Thought I knew it all in my 20's, and now I really do know a thing or two in my 30's! I have this secret place inside me that not many people know about, I actually don't know much about it myself at times. But, I long for the simple life. I long for us to live on property that I can walk on for hours and still not see another living soul. I long for a garden that I can walk out to each morning and pick fresh fruit for our day or make a salad to die for! I want to work hard now so Lance and I can one day have that. (here is another secret, we quietly have been looking for a farm in Texas somewhere for about 2 years now and came very close to getting one once but our offer was beat out by one day!) Yes, I love to throw parties and be near creature comforts but I know that UPS still comes out to the country. I will make it! I long to belong to a family like The Duggars (no, I don't want 18 children) I just want more simple things and for my children to want them as well. I want to start teaching my children they can be all they want to be but money doesn't buy happiness, brains do. You have to be smart and savy to make it in this great big old world, so while I work on the me part of my life, getting my degree and raising these kids, I want to also work on the us part and teach my kids a thing or two about life. Call me a Pioneer Woman in training, but I pray to one day be in that place I have my heart.

My Friend Connie

My dear friend Connie has some gorgeous handmade burp cloths listed on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6215416.

Her seller name is twinkletoez if you want to take a look! I have already ordered some for baby gifts! I bet she would make some custom ones as well if you ask and she's right here in Crosby!

Jett Dean Jackson

I had to share these pics of my new little nephew, Jett Dean Jackson born on February 12th! Thank you to everyone for all the prayers you sent to them in San Antonio for Jett and his precious mom Amy!

(In case you have been on another planet! HA! Jett is Lance's cousin Dean's son. Lance and Dean are like brothers, so we have the honor of being Aunt and Uncle!)

You are also seeing pictures of his precious Big Sister, Kate!

Kate, Aunt Julie is coming to visit soon! I promise!

Terrific Tuesdays!

For Today

Outside my window... It's a bit cloudy! I think rain is coming.

From the home office... Same as last week. Still looking at a pile on the floor of receipts and tax stuff. It will get done one day. I just know it!

I am thankful for... Lance Victor Jackson. He is what makes me whole.

From the Kitchen... Daddy decided to take the kids out last night while I was at Mom's Night Out, so we are having last night's dinner tonight! Pork chops, Mac and Cheese and green beans.

I am wearing...Pajama pants, Lance's tshirt. (I need to get dressed).

I am reading... Well, I was reading Twilight and Taylor grabbed it for the next two days at school (she's doing lots of tests) so now I am reading, "The Never Say Diet" and I have a free pass for the gym next week. We are going as a family for Spring Break. I hope to blog some good reports!

I am hoping... to get my "To Do" list done today. Wash, Dry and Fold 3 loads of Laundry. Straighten the house, put away all the clothes and clean out fridge. Totally do-able! I think!

I am creating... a place in my heart and mind for healthy living. It's a work in progress!

I am hearing... KSBJ and Cash watching Nick.

Around the house... Just keeping up with my flylady lessons. H and A Candles burning everywhere! Ah, it smells like a carrot/banana cake!

One of my favorite things... is spending the day with Cash!

A few plans for the rest of the week... I am observing at the High School this week, taking an Algebra test on campus Thursday (must study), keeping the house in order while Lance works late the rest of the week. He is on a big job! I am so proud of him! ;o)

This much I know

I can only do so much at once.

I can only look at my 2 do list as a guide, not stone.

I can only be the best student I can be while still taking care of my family.

I can only clean this house once from top to bottom each week, the rest is up to each one of us to pick up after ourselves.

I can only step over some of the toys, I don't have to pick up each and everything on the floor.

I can only keep my eyes on the Lord, and no one else.

I can only be mean to Lance once and I must understand it hurts him like it hurts me when he's mean.

I can only look at my weekly schedule as a starting point and understand that it's ok to get off track. Off track can be an adventure.

I can only tell Taylor how gorgeous she is inside and out one million times a day and it still won't be enough.

I can only look at Cash and think of how proud I am of him and how far he has come with his speech each and every day. Words will never express the worry I had over him and the prayers I prayed.

God only knows how in love I am with Lance and I will fight till the end of my time and after for him and I.

This much I know.

Terrific Tuesdays!

I love my friend Sarah's blog and I love her new Happy Homemaker Mondays. So, I thought about it, and Mondays are not that happy for me! HA! I am in school on Monday, so Tuesday is the beginning of my week as a SAHM. I like to get things done and in order on Tuesdays. I am in between cleaning right now, so I thought I would blog a tiny piece of my Tuesday for all of you. After you read it, go and find your "Terrific Tuesday".

For Today

Outside my window... bright sunshine, but it's cold.

From the home office... looking at a pile on the floor of receipts and tax stuff. It will get done one day. I just know it!

I am thankful for... the time I get to spend with Cash.

From the Kitchen... Crispy Beef Tacos tonight and Salad.

I am wearing...Tennis Shoes, Grey yoga pants and my burnt orange "Keep Austin Weird" shirt.

I am reading... our church newsletter and Twilight.

I am hoping... to pass my next Algebra test. I bombed the last one.

I am creating... a new place in my sunroom. My head is spinning, I must move the furniture again.

I am hearing... Noggin on TV and Cash laughing.

Around the house... a bit of laundry and then complete attention to picking up the house then heading outside around 1:00 to clean up and let Cash play until time to get Sissy. I hate to say it, but Cash is giving up his nap.

One of my favorite things... is knowing Taylor is safe at all times.

A few plans for the rest of the week... School, hanging around the house and attending a ladies event at church. Oh, and visiting my new nephew.

Taylor and the TAKS test

Taylor is taking the writing portion of the TAKS test on Tuesday and I must say she is pretty excited! Writing is her specialty so we are looking forward to great results. Taylor is such an amazing little lady and we are so proud of her report cards this school year. She has made straight A's the last two report cards bringing up her math grade from a B. Math has been a challenge (aka, she did make Challenge Math), so we are extra proud of her hard work.

Tomorrow Taylor is bringing Blow Pops to school for her classmates and a slip of paper that reads...

Blow the top off the TAKS
&
Good Luck tomorrow
On your writing!

I will try to take pics of our completed project in the morning!

Go Taylor!