Good Friday

photo by krj

"Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Inque Hominum Salutem"

for the greater glory of God and the salvation of humanity

May we all wash one another's feet...not only with our words, but most especially through our deeds.

~Happy Holy Thursday

COLE JACKSON

...real men wear pink! aunt ann would be proud!

whether it's a stick, glove, or ball in his possession... his motives are crystal clear...

BACK OFF, HE'LL TAKE YOU ON!

Cole, watching you play is one of our greatest joys.

We pray you continue to give all the glory and praise to God for His blessings.

twenty-one!

one....

+ twenty =

twenty one!

some of the

BEST OF TOD

• sing yourself silly and barney videos
• singing "Friends in "SO" Places" at two
• watching the Ba-link-its drinking a Coke-a-lella
• your nickname...Tod-o...which Scot-o started
• "thank you much"
• "i love you 40-100, my karen"
• your love of movies, music, & clothes
• ring master: "Ladies & Gentlemen represent"
• power rangers
• your anxiety over storms
• Rene cutting your hair...you crying it "hurt"...but LOVING the LOOK afterwards
• i-tunes
• you and Craig crooning "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
• Catholic
• guitar playing
• "where in the world is carmen sandiego?"
• your goldfish Samey, Clark, and Effercet
• Jesuit soccer's ranger heart 2 years in a row
• laughing with aunt krissy about the private purple circle
• kicker
• mother-son brunch
• miles
• LA Tech & UTA
• michael bolton's "tine" & tenderness
• you telling your kindergarten teacher, mrs. sharp, to "shut up" on the first day
• Go Dog Go
• you called aunt ann..."auntie em"
• "Dorphee" in the Wizard of Oz
• Winnie the Pooh & the Honey Tree
• ultimate frisbee
• being the gander and SCOOP in plays
• the RISE school
• gemina
• the "castle"
• F.I.S.H. & NCYC
• being a partner in crime at the PINES
• busted for beer pong
• sig ep tristate
• UCLA weekends
• your love of family
• your near death experience on I-20
• coming clean in your sophomore year
• you telling grandma she was your hero
• george strait's "run"
• mustangs, patriots, marlins, warthogs, lions, saints, raiders

we have so much we could lift our glass to, tod. twenty-one years ago you opened our eyes and hearts to a love that was unknown until you. proud is truly an understatment when we reflect on the man you have become. we know God's plans for you are amazing and perfect. we pray you continue to rely on Him, always.

happy 21st, our 1st baby boy.

we love you, son.

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.