Enjoy some Maddie fun as she turns 9 months

Man…where to start on that question…there are so many things.  I (Beth) love this time of year b/c I’m challenged and encouraged at the same time.  By what you ask?  I’m challenged by my inability to be totally and completely obedient to the Lord…but I’m encouraged by the Word b/c it tells me that I can be forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice for me.  Thank you Jesus!
Well, we’ve had a busy kick off to the Christmas season – we went to TN for Thanksgiving and spent some great time w/ both fams.  It’s always exciting time to see the spiral trees, string lights and inflatables in the yards.  We can’t wait to share all this with Maddie this year and to see her tear into her presents for the first time.  Check out some new pictures and videos from her newest trends, clapping, babbling, and crawling on our Flikr page!
We’re thankful for all of you and love you!
Love,
Will, Beth and Maddie

This past Saturday, Maddie boo encountered her first picnic with Mommy and Daddy at Southern’s Josephus Bowl – you’re wondering what the heck a Josephus Bowl is?  haha…it’s the great lawn at Southern where graduation takes place and it’s beautiful…especially when it’s Nov. 14th and it’s 70 degrees outside.  Very nice.  We had ham and cheese wraps, cheetoes, green beans, applesauce, oranges and water – and some fun play time on the blanket, I must say!  She’s 8 months old now, and she’s crawling all over the place and also pulling up to things and acting like she’s going to let go and start walking.  ha!  She’s a mess…very sweet though.  Maddie is such a joyful baby and even though she makes us work for a smile – it’s totally worth it!!  More pics here…

This year, Maddie was born, I graduated from seminary, and I turned 30.  Yet I never really viewed myself as old.  I’ve had some gray hair for years, but it’s still all there!  I’m still active in the Young Adult ministry here at church.  So, I feeling pretty good . . . until earlier this week.

Our Young Adult ministry (includes college, single, and young marrieds) is heading out on our retreat today.  Last week, I was asked to drive the church van (1st clue) but didn’t think much of it since I’ve done it before.  Then earlier this week I got the schedule and saw the first session starting at 11:30 pm and said out loud, “That ’s too late for anything.”

It was then that I realized, this retreat is not for me . . . I’m the younger old guy with the baby bringing the whole family who’s driving the church van.  When I was in college, we called them chaperones. 

I’m now a chaperone.  I’m feeling old.

We are off to our Fall Festival and wanted to give our blog readers a sneak peak at the Jackson’s theme for ‘09.  Enjoy!!

Last weekend, my parents and grandmother were in town to visit Maddie, and were so kind to give Beth and I a night out.  So after a tasty Chick-fil-A dinner, we headed to a seasonal favorite: the temporary Halloween store!  As we walked around trying to find something that wasn’t sketchy or shady, I thought to myself, “Where’s the Christian Halloween store?”  Now I realize that this may be an oxymoron to some; however, I began to wonder what all one might find in the Christian Halloween store.  Here’s some of our ponderings . . .

• Definitely masks of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and William Carey.  It is Reformation Day ya know.
• A shepherd outfit
• Probably some OT characters: Moses, David, maybe a prophet or 2
• Peanuts characters . . . Linus does quote the Christmas story, remember?
• Bob the tomato and Larry the cucumber
• Just say no to the Bibleman
• Got to have some ladies: Mary, Martha, Ruth, Esther, Rahab post fall of Jericho, Church Lady

You would also have to have some good accessories . . .

• Big Baptist hair wigs
• A Preaching Bible (KJV only)
• Youth pastor paste-on soul patch
• the armor of God (Eph 6) . . . gotta have that sword of the spirit
• offering plate

Anyway, we had a good time thinking of these things.  So now you tell us what things you would expect to find in the Christian Halloween store.

If you’re wondering who SCAL is – you’re missing out! It stands for Super Cool Aunt Lindsey and it’s her birthday today! She sent Maddie some awesome fun Halloween outfits (Yes, the outfit she’s wearing is one of them!) the other day and we wanted to say thank you and Happy Birthday! Love you!

We had a GREAT time at the beach this past week!  It was Maddie’s first trip to the beach and we got to see family and friends.  It was a sweet time of relaxation and encouragement.  Will and I got to play some Catan – it’s been forever, so, it was fun teaching my family how to play and having them beat us!  haha…we saw 3 of my best friends from SC (Anna, Taiter and Ashlee) and got to hear what was going on with their lives…we’re all so busy!  I wanted to post this pic for Anna b/c it’s her bday today and wanted also to let her see the bib she got for Maddie when she was born   I LOVE October and  Fall, and Anna only wanted to clothe my child in the proper attire to reflect that.  We love you Nonnie!!
Check out more pics of the beach here.  Also, check out some pics from Poppy and Momma Kay’s first time babysitting Maddie boo here!

We have been packing and getting everything ready for our trip to N. Myrtle Beach w/ my (Beth’s) family.  Maddie was helping us out…she said, “Do we need THIS many diapers, Mom??”  To which I promptly answered yes.  It’s going to be a house full of kiddo’s running around, sand on the floor, and precious pictures of family…I’m also looking forward to seeing some Flo-town friends – Anna P (soon to be Anna F), Taiter, and Ashlee!!  I hope it works out for them to meet Maddie and for us to catch up with each other.  Well, this is my last chance to get some sun for the year……ha!