New Blog To Look At!

Hey there blogging buddies! 

Go and take a look at

my new

sister-in-law's, sister's blog! 

Crystal's Blog

Show her some love in her "comments" section

as she ventures into the new world of blogging!

This is Me, Then.

Just be Present

From time to time I will just write.  It is not about one person or event most of the time, it's just about things I see, hear and feel.  Sometimes it is personal, sometimes its not. I just use this blog as my sounding board to the world. 

"Can anyone hear me"?

Just be Present

*When you take the most important step in your life called "Parenting", there is one thing you need to remember.  Your life, happiness, sadness, all of it, is not yours alone anymore, it now belongs to you and your child/children.  Every decision and move you make is like a domino and if you push one over everything in its path will fall, including your children.  Does what I am saying make sense to everyone? No. Do I feel like I am on an alien planet most times? Yes. Just be present for your children and grandchildren. Don't look at your watch the entire time you are with them. It's better just to not come at all and let them know you are a dead beat then coming and looking at the door the entire time.  Your little ones need you 24/7 right, they need you to feed, bath and clothe them, correct? Well, your teens still need you. If they make it on a team you need to be present at each and every event you can. If you are sitting at home while your child is playing, cheering, dancing or in the band at a Friday night game something is wrong with you.  You may sit in those stands for 3 hours and not even get a second glance from your teen but BELIEVE ME, (I was a teen once)we see you and we see you when you aren't there and believe me, we remember you aren't more than when you are.  This type of not being there effects a teen more than you will ever know.  When your children are adults they don't have to ASK you for help, money, or just a shoulder to cry on, you offer it. If you don't have what they need you figure out a way to get it. 

You are not first, they are!

I am rambling and needed to vent a bit and pray my daughter and son know each and every second of their lives until they die that they are and were loved by me!  Every decision I make has Taylor and Cash in mind. 

Just Be Present, that's all they need!

This is Me, Then

I Can See His Halo

I fell in love with my husband when I was 18 years old, a senior in high school and totally screwed up!

He picked me up out of a place so dark that only a handful or less really know about.

I also fell in love with him again when our daughter was four years old and I thought I was back in another deep dark place. He is and always will be the most amazing man, next to my father, that has never let me down and has always put me first when I didn't even know it. 

I pray that my brother will follow in our father's footsteps and never give up and stay loyal to his family. No matter if a home is broken or not.

I pray he gives his wife the exact same stable home my husband has given me.

I pray he always puts her needs above his and even their children's needs

(yes, I want more little ones calling me Aunt Julie).

I also ask God to put a blanket over their marriage to protect any outsider that tries to get in like He has for mine.

I also pray that God reminds Joanne daily that

Eric was handpicked for her!

God Bless your upcoming marriage on

April 24, 2010

The exact Day our grandparents were married

51 years ago!

This is Me, Then.

Black and White Anyone!

Well, unless you have been on another planet, you all know I love all things "Black and White".

What I also love is that I picked the name of my blog PERFECTLY,

This is Me, Then.

That title allows me to do and say whatever I want, whenever I want and not stick to a theme! Keep it fresh!  Don't worry, my crafts, decorating and giveaways will be back soon!  I am just absorbed in fashion as of now, or me, if you want me to be honest!  HA! 

Look what I picked up this past weekend at

White House Black Market

What? You have never shopped there?

GO, RUN, NOW!

I love to pop in and out of their stores and I LOVE the online sales!  Here's a peek at what I got this weekend!  It was a splurge I rarely do (I like to spend my money on my house) but this weekend was all about me!

1st up, this AMAZING purse!

It is HUGE and ready for some summer fun!

I can already see some water bottles, sunscreen and glasses now!

This sweater is so LIGHT and feels like a million dollars!  I loved it so much I got another one!

Slightly different, but the same idea!  I can see tank tops with shorts or capris and these sweaters at the beach!

This is Me, Then.

Time for a Change!

it's time for a change around here! 

i am feeling a bit "sassy" with all my new eating habits, ironing my own clothes, letting go of my house-keeper (i do miss her so) getting ready for my brother's wedding reception in my back yard, watering my herbs, growing roses, making trips to the farmer's market and Whole Foods (two places I never frequented before) and trying to just "breathe".

with that said I made some decisions! first I decided to spend some money on a good pair of jeans and

WOW, did I find some I love! 

i paid $80 for a pair of Silver Jeans. 

i LOVE LOVE LOVE them! 

i swear, i wore them 4 days straight and they never lost their shape.  i will never buy cheap jeans again. you can get them at many different places and they come in all sizes.  look them up and find a store near you! you won't be sorry!

my next "big girl" decision is to wear some "great" makeup!  i love all my eye shadows and blushes from here and there but i have worn Clinique foundation and powder FOREVER and it's time for something new and fresh!

  

i asked my friend Kristin who is an expert at this, literally, and she has lead me to Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation and a Mac #187 Brush to apply it with.

then I will top it off with Smashbox Halo Powder.

now, i do know that i will have to go to a MAC store to get my perfect color match and then i can order it online as needed. it is not a fortune. i looked it up online and the foundation is around $27 and the brush is around $45 (i won't need to replace the brush for a long time i am sure) and the Smashbox Powder is under $50. 

i can live with that and i am ready to put my big girl pants on and have a fresh new look for this Spring and Summer!

What kind of makeup do you use?

This is Me, Then.

Just Breathe

Music moves me and this song really gets to me. Enjoy the lyrics and the music. I have loved Pearl Jam since they first started.

Just Breathe

by Pearl Jam

Yes I understand that every life must end, aw huh,..

As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, aw huh,..

I’m a lucky man to count on both hands

The ones I love,..

Some folks just have one,

Others they got none, aw huh,..

Stay with me,..

Let’s just breathe.

Practiced are my sins,

Never gonna let me win, aw huh,..

Under everything, just another human being, aw huh,..

Yeh, I don’t wanna hurt, there’s so much in this world

To make me bleed.

Stay with me,..

You’re all I see.

Did I say that I need you?

Did I say that I want you?

Oh, if I didn’t now I’m a fool you see,..

No one knows this more than me.

As I come clean.

I wonder everyday

as I look upon your face, aw huh,..

Everything you gave

And nothing you would take, aw huh,..

Nothing you would take,..

Everything you gave.

Did I say that I need you?

Oh, Did I say that I want you?

Oh, if I didn’t now I’m a fool you see,..

No one know this more than me.

As I come clean.

Nothing you would take,..

everything you gave.

Hold me till I die,..

Meet you on the other side.

My Fish and Shrimp Tacos

I was BLESSED enough to be asked to share my easy fish and shrimp taco recipe on a friends blog!  Not just any blog, her AMAZING photography blog.  All the pics you see of me and my family floating around here were taken by HeartSpun Imagery.

What a wonderful

talent and spirit that Viv has!

Please take a peek!

Fish and Shrimp Tacos.

Something Fishy!

Something Fishy Was Going on Here Today!  You have to wait until Friday to find out what!

This is Me, Then

Nothing Says I am Thinking of You More than...

Nothing says

"I am thinking of you" or

"I am happy you are here"

more than flowers and candles.

When I am going to have a guest or just because my family is coming home from a long hard day, I like to make them feel welcomed!

Making someone feel welcome in your home means you fix it up, squeeze some lemons into the sinks, bake some cookies or just light a candle!

I have gone a step further and decided to venture into growing my own flowers.  This saves money and makes my yard smell,

OH SO SWEET! 

These roses are starting to bloom on my back porch.

Here is one waiting for me to snatch her!

They are beautiful and smell like candy!

They are waiting for someone special coming tomorrow to eat some of my yummy...

My son even picked some for the special guest, but you will have to wait to see what all this about!  I sure hope the flowers can cover the fishy smell! 

This is Me, Then!

My Little Girl, is Not So Little Anymore!

HeartSpun Imagery
click on the link above for more pics

Jackson Family Easter 2010

This Easter we did something crazy!

We slept in, skipped, missed church, talked about Jesus and what he did for us, went to a movie, then to Whole Foods, then to Borders, then home to color eggs, cook dinner and watch another movie together.  We had a WONDERFUL non-stress day together!

Now, the day before, we had our annual egg hunt. That does stress me out, but its SO much fun! Take a peek and God Bless!

This is Me, Easter!

Easter Buckets!

Easter is around the corner!

Why not take the time to let all the children in your life feel extra special?

And Remember!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

This is Me, Then.