My Baby Sis is Getting Married!

It's almost time for Cindy's wedding! Amy, Lyndsie, Susy and I had so much fun planning her shower and her bachelorette party.

This is Oklahoma...we're USED to it

Oklahomans are tough...we are hardworking, and we've earned what we've got. We are friendly, we are helpful, and Im proud to be from Oklahoma. Every year we know that storm season is coming, and since this is Oklahoma...we're used to it! 

In April and May, we watch the forecast for any "SEVERE" storm chances, and know when to pay more attention to  the weathermen. We have the iPhone app that goes off with severe thunderstorms or tornado warnings in our area. And since they always happen in the afternoon, most of us start paying closer attention about 2 or 3 pm on those days. We've all gone halfway into our storm shelters or safe places, knowing it would come close but most likely not even drop down or if it did, it would miss us for sure. 

We're all a little scared and on edge on the days our local weatherman, Mike Morgan, wears his bedazzled tie. But we don't leave town, or board up our windows, or get sandbags ready. There's nothing to prepare for. We go about our day, send our kids to school, and go to work and lunch and rock out to music in the car on the way. After all, this is Oklahoma...we're used to it! 

But when the big one comes, and there's no escaping, and the sirens mean business...even though we're used to it, we can never truly prepare ourselves to walk out of our storm shelter and everything be gone. To see sunlight through the holes in the door where a garage or second floor used to be. A neighborhood unrecognizable, even to its residents. And devastation that can't be put into words...

Moore, OK

Just over a week later, on May 31st, we had another round of tornadoes come through our area. This outbreak was so large that we couldn't hardly come out of the shelter before the next round came through. This is the first time I have truly gotten down in the storm shelter, shut the door and prayed to God that whatever was happening above us, would not hurt us. Ive never heard wind like this, close to 100 mph, whipping around our house. And you could see the clouds overhead, spinning in circles against each other. We fit 8 adults and 8 small children (and 2 dogs) in the shelter that night, and were so lucky not to be directly hit. We had a few fence panels down, some debris and toys thrown around our yard, and a trampoline that came from a house 2 doors down and behind us, and wrapped itself around our mailbox! 

The boys cleaned up, and we waited 3 days to get power back, but that's nothing compared to what could've been. 

The outpouring of generosity by so many people, and the determination by the residents who lost their homes is what makes me love this state! We'll rebuild, and pray for the next storm season to take it easy on us, because This is Oklahoma, we're used to it. 

Cindy's Wedding Weekend

That's it! The last of us Jackson girls is hitched! :) Cindy's wedding was last weekend and I have to say it was an adventure! 2 tornadoes and several days of severe weather tried to get in the way of her big day. One of the tornadoes even moved through El Reno (where her wedding was going to be) the night before, cancelling her rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. When we woke up the morning of the wedding, I was seriously wondering if her venue was still standing, and if it was, did it even have power. It's times like these that I know God was looking out for us, bc not only was the venue untouched and fully functional, but the day ended up being AMAZING! The weather was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, and the party was so much fun!! 

Bridesmaids

Of course I dont have any of the professional pictures, but I have a few from the evening. Gavin and Crew were ring bearers, and Eric and I were part of the wedding party. Gavin had an allergic reaction of some kind though, so he was on Benedryl and wanted nothing to do with the wedding. Poor guy didn't even make it very far down the aisle. :( 

Grandma and Grandpas 57th Wedding Anniversary

Papa and Crew

My favorite pic

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Higgins!

Gavvy and His Ears

Last year, in January, I posted about Gavin getting surgery to have tubes put in his ears. His ear infections were out of control, and I just wanted my baby boy back. For the past year after the surgery, he has been so much better. No infections, and everything was good. But over the past few months, we've been battling the dreaded ear infections again. The tubes had fallen out and were causing problems again. The ENT said we need to do tubes again and this time, also take out adenoids. 

I hate surgery, and I hate seeing my baby in pain and so disoriented from surgery. But he is so tough and did so great. It was probably harder on me than him, but Daddy and I survived too. Im so glad he is feeling better and recovering like it never happened. Let's pray for no more infections

Right before surgery

Babies Babies EVERYWHERE!!

In the last month, we have had 4 close friends have their first or second baby and Eric and I have been so excited to meet them all! 

Jax Louis Baker was born April 16th at almost midnight. He started out having a hard time eating and getting acclimated but now he is just perfect and the most precious little face you've ever seen. 

Gage Langston Howerton was born on April 15th, and we got to visit him, but somehow I dont have pics! He is so sweet and looks EXACTLY like his older brother Liam. 

On April 24th, my best friend Lyndsie had her first baby, Barrett Augustus Floyd. Susy Trimble and I drove to Tulsa to meet him. We got to hold him for a few minutes, and then we've seen him a few times  since when she's come to visit! Im so happy for them and their beautiful baby! 

Last but not least, my other best friend Megan just had her 2nd baby girl, Kamry. I went to the hospital when she was born, but didn't actually get to hold her that day. She's got the best cheeks ever and is darling! 

Lots of exciting new babies! Now just waiting on Susy and Ty's little boy, Finn, to get here! 

Nana's Birthday

The boys and Eric and I were so excited to get to spend Nana's birthday with her. We started out bringing her flowers from the Gavin and Crew, to church. She loved them, and we tried taking pics with them. Didnt work out so well, but they're cute anyway! 

Later that afternoon, we cooked out for dinner and ice cream birthday cake with everyone! We had so much fun and the boys definitely loved the cake!

Gavin and Crew are obsessed with their Nana and want to spend any and every second with her. She spoils them rotten and never says "No!" I guess that's what Nana's are for right?? She drops everything on a dime to be with them, and even when they're away, we FaceTime so they can tell her they miss her!  We love her so much and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays together, especially if we're having ice cream cake! LOL! 

Love you Nana! 

Sick Babies

I hate when they're sick. :(