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Fifth folder, 5th Picture

How cute is my little man?!?!

You try it!

An UNtraditional Holiday

Thanksgiving was different for us this year as we've moved away from our family. Normally, we go to my parents' house for the holiday, and there's always a HUGE crowd there. Joe's parents go to the beach, and we sometimes join them after Thanksgiving day. This year, we had to choose whether to go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas since Joe hasn't built up enough time to take both holidays. We decided to go home for Christmas instead, which was difficult for me as I don't particularly like change.

Although this one was different, we had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving. Joe's parents came out to Jackson on Monday and stayed until Saturday. We were hoping his sister, her husband, and their son could join us, but it didn't work out this time. Let me say that I am so thankful that I have a mother-in-law and a father-in-law that I love like my own parents. I am so comfortable around them, which is great because Joe had to work most of the week and it was just Micah, me, Nana, and Paw.

We had a busy week. Neither of Joe's parents had been this far west in Tennessee before, so we decided to see the sights. On Tuesday, we went to Graceland in Memphis. I was a little skeptical about the price, but it was well worth it. Joyce, my mother-in-law, had always wanted to go, and I could tell she was so thankful to get the chance. On Wednesday, we let my father-in-law pick the activity, and we ended up an hour and a half away in Union City (no, I don't expect you to know where that is :) ) at a shop that sells Civil War era guns and relics.

Thursday was the big day. Of course Joe asked me why I was cooking so much for only 4 people. I told him just to be thankful I was cooking at all! Joe deep fryed a turkey (my first one, and I must say it was the best turkey I ever had...yummy!) while Joyce and I made a feast of ham, deviled eggs, potato salad, candied yam soufle, dressing, brocolli casserole, cranberry sauce, coconut pie, and chocolate pecan pie. After a wonderful lunch, we all took a Thanksgiving nap. All in all, it was a wonderful day!

On Friday, Joe was off work, and, since Eric, my father-in-law, loves all things Civil War, we took a trip to Shiloh National Military Park. We all had a great time taking in a history lesson, and Micah loved running around.

Sadly, Nana and Paw had to leave on Saturday morning, but I am so thankful that we got to share trully quality time with them. Although we're so far away and don't get to see each other often, I would say the time we spend together now is much more quality because we don't take it for granted so much. I'll end with a list of things for which I'm thankful, big and small.

-Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for all of us

-My husband

-My son

-Family who love and care about us

-A nation where I'm free to believe as I want and express those beliefs

-A Sunday afternoon nap

-Food, clothing, and shelter

-Having all my needs met and a lot of my wants

-A beautiful home

-The opportunity to stay home with my son

-A good job for my husband that gives me that opportunity

-A warm blanket on a cold day

-Chocolate

-Southern hospitality

-Disappointment and sadness because I wouldn't know true happiness without it

-Jacuzzi bathtub

-Music

-Love

-Friendship

-Target

-Starbucks in Target :)

The list could go on, as I'm sure all of yours could. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well and remember to thank God for all the blessings in your life. Take care!

Children's Museum of Memphis

Joe had the day off on Friday, so we thought it would be fun to drive into Memphis and take Micah to a children's museum. We've taken him to a couple others in Raleigh and Chicago, but he wasn't able to walk when we went then. He's always had fun, but this time was a blast. Here's a few pictures from our trip.

Here he is taking off his hard hat,

driving a car,

learning about brushing his teeth,

playing in the Mississippi,

adding to a mural,

driving a police car,

driving a police motorcyle,

playing b-ball,

shopping for groceries,

and flying a plane.

His favorite thing about the museum was a disco room, complete with disco ball and strobe light. He loves to dance. I have a video of it but can't seem to upload it today. I'll try again later.

By the end of the day, Micah was exhausted.

It's amazing how much love you have for a child. I couldn't imagine my life without him and know that Joe feels the same.

A boy and his dog...

Samson is our 6 and 1/2 year old yellow lab mix. If you've every read the book Marley and Me, that is our dog. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Any way, Micah loves Samson. Samson does not love Micah. What I mean to say is that this 90 pound animal is scared of my skinny, 23 pound son. When Micah was a baby, Samson was very protective of him. I would catch him laying in Micah's room in front of his crib like he was watching over him. He still does it every once in a while.

Now, Micah is constantly chasing Samson around the house, and Samson will hide between my legs to get away from him. Needless to say, Micah thinks this is hilarious, and it only encourages him to chase Samson, pull his tail, pull his ears, pull his fur, etc. It's a constant battle to "protect" the dog. Samson mostly just lays there and takes it because I think he knows he'll be the first to go, not Micah :)

Lately, Micah has taken to lying down on top of Samson. It's his favorite way to relax. I'll catch him just chillin' in the floor with Samson. And Samson lets him do it. I think the dog is just thankful that Micah is sitting still and not pulling his ears.

I hope Samson will learn to enjoy Micah more as he gets older, and I'm sure he will as Micah will be less likely to "torture" him as he gets older (I hope). It's hard for a 16 month old to understand why the dog doesn't like him to pull his tail when it seems so fun. But we're working on it because Samson is a wonderful dog, and we'd like him to stay and not bolt the first opportunity he gets :)

A History Lesson

So, for those of you who don't know (by the way, where have you been??), the title of my blog is taken from a popular song sung by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The song is possibly about Jackson, MS or Jackson, TN (I've heard both), but, now that we're here, I like to think it's Tennessee. However, the song is about "living it up" in Jackson, and, no offense, I don't see anywhere to live it up here. I'll leave you with the lyrics to this great song. Take care.

We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,Look out Jackson town.

Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
You're goin' to Jackson; go comb your hair!
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson.See if I care.

When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. (Hah!)
All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how,
I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat.
'Cos I'm goin' to Jackson."Goodbye," that's all she wrote.

But they'll laugh at you in Jackson, and I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg.
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound,With your tail tucked between your legs,
You're goin' to Jackson, you big-talkin' man.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my Japan Fan,

Well now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper Sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact.
Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson, ain't never comin' back.

Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout'
And we've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went...

Welcome

So, I'm new to the whole blogging thing, but I thought it would be a good way to keep friends and family updated since we've moved to Jackson. Keep looking for more as I figure out my way around here. Take care!