No crayons needed for 7th grade

For years I have complained about Baylee's growing school supply list. You send your child to school with paper, pencils, and crayons. This day in time, you have to buy paper towels, ziploc bags, and one year... toilet paper (I swear.) The list goes on and on. The next thing you know you have well over $100 in just paper products. That does not include backpack and the "cool" lunchbox. Well, this year with great sadness, I did not buy one single pack of crayons or markers. I tried to buy them but Baylee refused. Please I begged her, just for old times sake. She reminded me that no crayons are needed for 7th grade. Please do not think that I got off any cheaper because this year we had to buy "locker supplies." That included color coordinating locker shelf, magnets, and post it notes. All she needs now for the locker is a set of curtains and a disco ball. Party in Baylee's locker! She gets it honestly for those of you that know me...Well, tomorrow is the first day of school. I was informed that we have to get there early to decorate her locker...not to do the important stuff like register for school, duh! For those of you reading this with small cute little kids, your day is coming...just wait!

Back to school and back to work!

Well, swimming and diving has come to an end. Baylee finished her swimming in 10th place over all for the entire city of Mobile in her age group! Yippee! She swam against year around swimmers, so we are REALLY proud of her hard work. As for diving, she finished in 2nd place in the Jr. Championship. Since not she is not in the pool everyday, we now have to figure out how to get the green out of her hair. Any suggestions?? We are getting ready for school, Baylee is so excited! She loves her friends, but is not ready for the "learning" (according to Baylee.) She is going into the 7th grade this year. That means changes classes and being in the high school hall. Ugh! Where did time go?? I am really OLD! Books, uniforms, supplies...oh my!
Drum roll please...well I am headed back to work! I have been hired with CPSI. A computer company in Mobile that sells and maintains hospital and clinic based computer system. As a nurse, I will go in to the hospital and clinic and teach the clinical people to use the system. It does involve around the country travel. The bonus is I do get to keep my sky miles and hotel points for personal use...darn! That means if I am in Hawaii, Michael could fly out with me....darn again! Well I could be in Michigan in January...that will not be fun. So, say a prayer for our family that we will all adjust well. Baylee is very dependent on me and this will a big change for her. She has a great support system and she will be fine. We made the decision to return work for great benefits and a retirement plan. The economy is tough and doesn't seem to be getting better. With returning to work, it takes a lot of pressure off of Michael. So, please keep us in your prayers as we all make adjustments...keep in touch!

The pool is our life

As you all know, summer is in full swing and keeping me very busy! Baylee is doing wonderful with her swimming and has really impressed us. This is her first year back in swimming for at least 2 years. She has done AWESOME! She has won many blue ribbons (first place) and competes with the all year around swimmers. Baylee should have really been born with gills and fins. Then if that wasn't enough, she has won her dive meets as well. I spoke with her diving coach yesterday and she has suggested year around diving for Baylee. There is a lot involved with that. Baylee will have to start tumbling and trampoline with a gymnastics coach to learn proper techniques. Then diving 3 days a week during the winter...brrrr. We are going to pray about what the right thing is for her. She has been watching the Olympic trials and really has been motivated. She has seen the Auburn swimmers and divers. She wants to go to Auburn and swim/dive. Do I hear scholarship, maybe?? We could only wish...As for Michael, well he is just as busy with work. He is putting in long days and weekends. I miss spending time with him but I know that because of him I get to stay home with Baylee. As for me, well I am Baylee's taxi driver and I help Michael as much as I can. We had a great Fourth of July with family. We had a fish fry with my parents. I love eating with my family. We have so many good cooks. We ate so much that I was glad I wore shorts that had some spandex! I can't believe I said that..HAHA! I keep you posted...

Summer is here!!

Well, summer is in full swing at the Jeffrey-Jackson household. I guess you can say that things are quite hectic! Baylee is swimming for West Mobile Swim Club. She is also diving as well. That means practice everyday at 8am-10am. She loves it so much that Baylee sets her alarm and is up and going at 7:30am. So much for us sleeping late. She is doing awesome! She had her first dive meet yesterday and won FIRST place! Swimming is going just as well. She is under a great coach and could go far with swimming if she sticks with it. We are headed to the beach next week and then Baylee is off to camp the following week. Anybody want to baby sit the dog so Michael and I could have some quiet time. Irie the dog thinks that he is a human baby and is suppose to get all of the attention! We have much more coming up...I will post swimming/diving pictures as soon as possible!

Mother's Day

I hope everyone that reads this had a wonderful Mother's Day. My wonderful little family made my day fabulous. I had breakfast in bed...Baylee got in the bed with me while Michael cooked breakfast. It was Baylee's way of making sure that I didn't go in the kitchen while breakfast was being made. I think she just wanted to snuggle with me and didn't want to get up yet. Baylee made me a "coupon book." It included coupons for back massage, mopping the floor, and cleaning the bathroom! GREAT PRESENT! Michael got me a pedicure from my favorite little place. We had a great afternoon...I had requested that Michael fix his famous shrimp etouffe (sp?) instead of going out to dinner. I thought a nice quiet dinner at home...well we had party crashers. Mom heard that Michael was cooking and that was all it took. My parents were in B'ham and I had expected them not to be back in time. Well, Mom heard Michael was cooking and they hit I-65 southbound. The more the merrier and she had Carrot Cake cheesecake from Cheese Cake Factory, YUMMY!! We had dinner outside on the deck it was so nice outside. Then to top off the day...The Blue Angels flew overhead. YEAH!! Michael found out they were flying home from a show in Louisiana. Needless to say, I had a great day thanks to Michael and Baylee.

Natalie Grant

What a blessing! Baylee and I spent a week trying to win Natalie Grant tickets and backstage passes from Power 88 for her concert May 2 in Mobile. Without a win, we thought our chances were over. Baylee had to go with her Dad friday and she said forget it. Well, God had another plan. Last Saturday we went to Crossroads book store and Baylee registered for tickets to entertain herself while Michael and I looked at books. Well...I got a phone call Thursday evening and Baylee WON tickets and backstages meet and greet tickets! YEAH! She took her Dad in hopes that Jesus would work in his heart through the music. (he is a musician) Baylee sat on the front row and had a BLAST! It is so amazing to realize that God does have a plan and he does reveal himself in many ways that include concert tickets! Look at my baby with Natalie Grant...Please click on the top video on the video bar and watch Natlie Grant's video In Better Hands Now. It is our current favorite song.

Babysitting

Ok I am writing because I finally have a quick minute! I am babysitting Sophie since Wedesday(my 2 year old niece) who is VERY active. The only reason I have a moment is she is currently modeling ALL of my high heels that I have in my closet! She is on pair #5 and she has many to go...she has a shoe fetish. We have had a blast with her! The dog is not to sure about her though...jealous! I heard Sophie screaming and the next thing I know Irie dog is tearing though the house with her pacifier!! What a baby the dog has become! She loves anything PRINCESS and considers herself one. Baylee and I took her out to dinner last night we were exhausted by the time we got home. I felt sorry for the people that had to clean up after us...mac and cheese on the table, floor, and some left in Sophie's hair for later! In the car on the way home, Baylee reminded me that we DO NOT need a baby at all because it was too much trouble! I guess you can say she has the only child syndrome. Sophie is going home today and we are really sad! It has definitely given Michael and I something to think about if there is going to be more children in our future. Maybe adoption of a potty trained child!! haha! I hope to post some pictures of Sophie's adventures at our house! She is a HOOT and I can't wait for her to come back! I must go now, she is currently trying to brush the dog's teeth with her tooth brush and diaper rash cream. Man, she is fast!