OK where the wind comes sweeping down the plane.

It has been another whirl wind three weeks. We have made it to Altus, Oklahoma…not great but it will do. After we left Honey and Papa’s house we drove to Nashville to spend the night with my friend Leanne and Chad. They were so great to put us up for the night and Jackson was great and slept well. The next day we got a late start because of a storm coming through the area but were able to get to Little Rock that day. We were in Little Rock for two days and we were able to see all of my friends and visit with Maw-Maw, Aunt Inny, Aunt Shirley, and Aunt Velma. We went down to Sheridan on Thursday and we had lunch with the family. While down there Aunt Inny taught Jackson how to honk his horn for eighteen wheelers. Now he has added his own sound to the arm motion and says doot doot. It was so nice to see everyone. We stayed with Mark and Olga and were in town to go to Mark’s going away party…they are moving to Germany. A big thank you to Laura’s Mom for watching Jackson so we could go out to dinner for a girl’s night out. We left on Saturday, Valentine’s Day, to Oklahoma City and met up with Steve. The three of us had a great dinner out and then did a little shopping before heading to Altus the next day.

This past weekend we spent in Colorado Springs with Mike, Gina, Casey, Meghan, and Katlyn, Steve's Sponsor family while he was at the Academy. We were able to drive up Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, and tour the Air Force Academy. He had a great time away from Altus while we are waiting for Steve to begin class.

Our Altus “home” We are in a two bed TLF (Temporary Living Facility) so we at least have a room for us and one for Jackson. We have a full kitchen and a nice living room. There seem to be some kids around here that Jackson has liked running after. The other day we went and got him a ride on toy that he has enjoyed riding around the quad area out in front of our room. He loves to play catch with the ball and will point out EVERY ball that he sees. It is funny to see things that you over look as an adult. Yesterday we went to a local playgroup that is held in town for military families and I think that it is going to be a good outlet for both Jackson and I. They meet once a week at different play areas and today it was at the local gymnastics arena. He had a great time running around on the mats, climbing over things, and chasing the large exercise balls. There were many children around his age so it is great for him. Right now we are enjoying the company of Steve’s parents that were here over this weekend to visit us. Jackson and I are going to do a little more exploring this week and hope to find more things for us to do during the week.

Here are some of the things that Jackson is up to these days. One of my favorite things that he is doing these days is that he loves to give out kisses. Some days he will just walk up to me and lean in with an open mouth for a kiss. He also likes to give hugs and snuggles. If you can believe it ge has 16 teeth...yes folks he is 15 months old and he has alot of teeth. Jackson has been pointing to a lot more things in books. He still loves going outside and stands at the door and bangs on it and pitches a fit if he have to bring him back inside. He now can say baby with both syllables before it was just be. He is also getting better at pointing to body parts, eyes, ear, toes, belly, head, nose, and mouth. He is still inconsitant but doing better. When you ask him old he is he will hold up one finger. He loves to brush his teeth and help do it himself. He likes to try and put his shoes or ooze. He LOVES to skype with Honey and Papa, and Grandma and Grandpa. The other day I asked him if he wanted to Skype with Honey and he walked all the way to the computer saying hu, hu, hu, hu. If you ask him where Honey and Papa are he will point to the computer. He likes to go to the bathroom with you and he will wave bye bye, flush the toliet and put the lid down. I am so proud. He is trying to pick up the speed and start running....when he does this he swinging only his right arm. I know that the list is long but I want to remember!

We are also anxiously awaiting a phone call from Courtney to let us know that the new baby is on her way. Jackson and I are going to go out to Spokane when we get the phone call. Keep the Slazinik’s in your prayers because every day that baby Slaz stays in the better off she will be.

P.S. To make all of you sitting in the snow jealous....Thursday it was 90 degrees. Jackson wore shorts for the first time.

North Carolina

We are officially homeless! We are completely moved out of our house in Florida and Steve is already in OK waiting for us. Jackson and I took a detour on our way to OK via North Carolina. We have been here for two weeks and will be leaving on Tuesday. We are stopping a night in Nashville to visit a friend of mine and then we are off to Little Rock to see friends and family.

We have been really enjoying our time here. Jackson loves the mornings with Papa and the evening baths with Honey. Papa loves to wake Jackson up to have breakfast with him before he has to go to work. It is nice for me though because when Dad puts him back to bed he will usually sleep until about nine. You can't beat that. He is really getting good at taking afternoon naps. He has always taken pretty good naps but they were usually an hour long. Today he slept for 3 and 1/2 hours. I had to go up and check to make sure he was still breathing. Honey then likes to sit with him when she has her breakfast (usually about 3 hours later than breakfast with Papa). Jackson has gotten wise on Baylee and feeds her food under the table. He loves Baylee and pats her on the nose and the back and Baylee has an equal love for him. So much we caught her sneaking up the stairs to see him after he went to bed.

Jackson is still "talking" and making lots of noises. He has learned to say shoes and balloon and now he says nu nu for milk (while still doing the sign). Papa has taught him about to put his head down on command, to open his mouth (so we can see if he has crewed up what we gave him), songs with hand motions (She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain, Hokey Pokey, and Itsy Bitsy Spider). Jackson is starting to learn to run and when he does this it is so funny because he is really just walking fast but moving one arm in almost a train motion. It is funny! He has learned to climb up and down the stairs. You have to keep an eye on him because he is fast when he gets going up. We have been working on who people are in his life and he will point them out when he is asked. Honey has been teaching him to blow handfuls of bubbles while he is in the bath tub.

Last weekend we took him to Marbles and children’s museum that they have in town and he could not get enough of all of the sights and things to touch. He was so excited to see all the other kids and the toys. It was a very hands on museum and he had a great time. Today I took him to a place called Monkey Joe's which has a lot of inflatables inside for you to play on. They had an area for 3 and under but he wasn't much of a fan right now. He stayed really close to me but got more excited when other kids his size were in there to play. We are going to be sad to leave but I know that Steve is waiting to see little man soon.