Bright Easter

Like every year, we pulled out the Easter egg dyeing buckets!

Jon and I asked the kids this year if they were too old

to dye eggs and I'm not quite sure I've ever seen their faces look so funny!

I don't think we can ever give up any of our traditions!

Thank God!

Such talented egg decorators!

Never too old to hunt for eggs!

My precious family! Thank you God for blessing me!

Jackson's favorite egg!

Jackson couldn't forget to make his "TJ" egg for Thomas!
He loves and misses his friend so much,

but is starting to rejoice in his memories with him!

11th Birthday

It was my baby's birthday!

I can't believe how fast they grow!

It makes me sad and want to hang on forever.

This has been a long year for Jackson, but it's getting better

so I wanted to have a great party for him.

He finally got excited about his birthday and we decided to

have a camp out- one like he used to share

with his best friend Thomas for his birthdays.

I think all of the little touches around the house got him excited about his birthday. I don't normally do it for that reason, but I'm glad it helped!

He loves looking at all of his old baseball pictures.

He was so stinking cute!

Now he's just my big boy with a big heart.

I wish I could make everything perfect for him. Both of my children!

Do you ever wish that for your kids?

I just always have to remember that God is in control and has great plans for my children, but sometimes I just want to know what they are and help them through those tough days.

If we could just take their pain away and make everyday a joyous one like birthdays!

This was his invitation for the camp out.

We had a lot of fun playing with the compasses!

So I headed out to the country to get all of the little details ready before the campers arrived. It was fun, but a lot of work.

I set-up some games to keep them occupied while we fixed meals.

I think they liked the games the best!

The first game sent them on a hunt to find numbered flags.

At the end they found their prizes.

Walking sticks, food for the trail, fishing lures, and more camping gadgets!

It was so nice and beautiful!

Until about 6:00 am and a storm blew-in!!

I know Jackson had lots of fun and made great, new memories, but I also know that he will never forget his camping or birthday memories with his buddy Thomas!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

UPWARD Basketball

This was Jackson's last year to play basketball at the church.

Maybe next year he will be ready to help coach or referee!

We ended the year with a big banquet for all the teams and the parents.

This night was especially special to Jackson.

He had been waiting all year for this night.

After his friend Thomas passed away, one of the first things

he wanted to do to so people would remember Thomas

was something special with Thomas' Upward jersey.

So at the banquet Jackson and two of his other

best friends that were close to Thomas got to say a couple of words and

present Thomas' jersey in a shadowbox as a memorial.

It was a very special night that will never be forgotten in this family!

Basketball was one of Thomas' favorite hobbies

and Jackson will never forget all of the times that they got to play together.

All I can say is "Thank you Lord for Thomas!"

The Special Tree...

I wanted to share with with you something very

special that happened at my church for Christmas.

If you have read my blog from day one,

you would know one of the main reasons why I started it.

I realized almost a year ago,

after the loss of Jackson's best friend,

that time and people are so precious.

My church showed an amazingly amount of love to

children in need in our community this Christmas.

Some friends and I decided to decorate a small tree

in memory of Thomas.

We attached tags that had children's information on them that needed clothes, necessities and gifts that they would not be receiving for Christmas.

Thomas and his mother Terri had in the past shown so much

love and sympathy to some of these children and their families,

especially during the holidays,

that it was only fitting that we honor Thomas in this way.

The church members agreed!

We couldn't keep the tree full!

So many wanted to help with this because of what it symbolized.

The giving and generous donations were able to make a

wonderful Christmas for many!

...brand new bicycles,

basketballs,

remote control vehicles,

clothes for all ,

shoes,

tons of toys for all,

jewelry for the girls,

stuffed animals,

...all priceless!

Jackson felt very honored and proud to have made the tree topper-

a star with a "T" in the middle.

I think everyone would agree that this will be

a new tradition

that we will do at our church for many years to come!

Thank you God for the time and all of the sweet memories we had with Thomas!

I know that in your ways Lord we will continue to see him.

THANK YOU LORD FOR OUR BLESSING & MEMORIES

When looking for pictures for Jackson's room I found these. These two are beautiful!

what a game...

we started ALL STARS this week with our town's baseball team.

at the first game of the tournament, jackson hit his first grand slam during his first bat!

and if that wasn't amazing enough, the second time up to bat he hit a home-run! AWESOME! the crowds went wild as the team jumped on him!

later he told us that he told his teammates in the dugout that he did it for his friend thomas and that he was only able to hit both of them because thomas had helped him from heaven.

what a blessing and great memory!