Lent

The best way out is always through.

~Robert Frost

LAX

Growing up in northeast, I was introduced to Lacrosse early. Back when I was in elementary school, Kar's first love, Mike, played Lacrosse. Karen also kept stats for Arundel High School and Western Maryland's Lacrosse teams. None of us played formally, but Kar's Mike taught us how to catch, throw, and cradle. Thankfully, Lacrosse has made it south! Mike bought sticks for Tod when he was little hoping he would pick it up...which he did, but only to throw against our garage door! Craig, too, caught and threw around...but hoops are his love.

And then came Cole....who was playing around with those same two sticks bought for little Tod...and Cole decided he was going to ask Santa for all the pads. Well, knowing that Cole had been a good boy that year...and we figured Santa would deliver the goods, we thought we would search for a team. Dallas Dueces. They are basically a farm lacrosse program for Jesuit and ESD. Perfect.

All of our boys are sport loving. And, all are talented in very different ways. Cole, uniquely however, is our player. He has the perfect combination of Tod's humbleness, Craig's love and dedication for the game, Mike's talent, and my attitude. We have had the best time watching him move up in this sport. 1st and 2nd grade teams literally learn the sport without the physical contact. 3rd and 4th grade boys work on skills while adding the physical component. I never knew how true the quote was on a t-shirt Aunt Karen bought Cole..."Give Blood...Play Lacrosse"

Cole's team this year is made up of all the best 4th graders, and 5 (I think) 3rd graders.

Yesterday was his first goalie experience. Nerve racking for parent...and player!

We hope he sticks it out with this sport!

Goalie!

Cole and his #1 fan...

Cole playing center middie

my toes are froze, my feet are froze, ....

My attempt of nature shots like Kricky....

Our street south

North view

home sweet home

crp & me

Lady's attention is on the huge amount of snow falling from the trees while I'm taking this...most of which fell on my head.

Lady & the boys

Georgia and Trapper sure made some beautiful pups.

Although this "SHREK-LIKE" girl darts any given chance, she is the sweetest of dogs...

....not to mention,

beautiful,

just like the snow.

Brrrrrrr.......

You would think that since school has been cancelled for 4 days here in Irving that Kim would have a minute or two to keep our friends updated on what is going on in our lives.... Unfortunately, she has New Moon keeping her busy.

Spring is just around the corner so soccer, scouts, baseball, drivers ed and lacrosse are what will occupy our evenings and weekends until summer. Let the games begin!!

Big E

Future Firefighter

Ethan

Together with God, my brother, Brad, and his wife, Dawn, make the most beautiful babies! In fact, I need to post in the future with all of their pictures...all blonde headed-huge blue-eyed kids! All of my nieces and nephews are special, and occupy a unique place in my heart. Ethan, the babiest of the Jackson clan, came with a double portion of special! First, he's the baby. And, "the baby" at the Jackson home growing up occupied a distinguished place in the household and momma's heart, much like the oldest. After all, he was the only boy, and the baby. Unlike his father, E is the fourth, and last, boy of five children ...making him...the baby...and trust me, he is holding up the distinguished place in the home quite well! Second, he looks like Mom. He looked so much like mom, in fact, that it took my breath away the first time I laid eyes on him. God is so good! Mom left us in 2006, and Ethan was born exactly 1 year and 11 days after...looking so much like her. I ache when I think about him not ever having met TaTa personally...but then marvel at how God gifted us with a bit of her... in him.

Happy 4th Birthday Ethan!

my favorite cowboy....

Down, Set, Hut....

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, SOCCER, ...

The obvious answer to that question, at least in this house, is YES.

Despite Dallas' sorry season, this family remains

GAME ON.

We are ready each and every week. Just look at the t.v.

Months ago, while cleaning, I stopped dead in my tracks because of this site! Helmet to helmet match up for the upcoming week's game. Had to take a picture.

Thanks to Aunt Karen's best-gift-ever, Reed has a collection of all NFL miniture football helmets. Each and every week, no fail, they are arranged according to WHO is playing WHO. Currently on the t.v. are the Jets/Steelers and Packers/Bears helmets. I love it!

Tod took care of arranging the MLB match ups...well, the ones he had HATS for!

And, Tod has gotten us all into the English Premier League Soccer...Tod follows Liverpool, Craig and Cole follow Tottenham....

Number one for my boys are, of course, the Cowboys and Rangers but there are some other favorites:

Redskins, Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Dodgers, Phillies...

I'm thankful for my love-of-sport upbringing...and that God has surrounded me with

SPORT-LOVING MEN.

99 more days until MLB opening day

70 more days until JBA-Jesuit basketball

63 more days until Dodger/Lugnut baseball

30 days until Lacrosse

15 more days until Superbowl 45