Trip to Louisiana!!!

Oh man, was I ever excited to be going "home"! I have never appreciated the site of river boat casinos...never...not once in my life until now! I don't mean I agree with them, but the moment I saw them in Lake Charles I knew I was getting close to home. That's pathetic but true. I cried when I saw the Mississippi River Bridge...my heart sunk when we drove through LSU's campus on the way to my parents...my heart sunk even further when we drove by our old house...it was hard, hard, hard! It was so good to see all these familiar things.

We were pretty busy while we were in town. In fact, at times it was almost too much to handle. I was overwhelmed with everything I wanted to do and everyone I wanted to see while I was there. Of course I did not get to do it all, but it was just great to be "home". It was also so great to worship at JBC on Sunday! So many people that are so special to us all in one place...it was great to be back and to have Jackson with us at church. Kyle and I have felt such a huge outpouring of love from our church family at JBC, and we miss them so much! I only wish we could see them more, but it will just make our times we are there more special.

Kyle ended up renting a car and going home on Monday evening so that I could stay in BR a little longer. After such a busy weekend running here and there, it was the only way I'd get to spend a little more time with our families. It worked out well since he had a busy week going anyway.

When it came time for me to leave, I was extremely upset. I didn't want to leave, but at the same time I missed Kyle and hated him having to be away from Jackson (and me of course). I called mom right after I left (I left from the church) and told her I was way too sad. I could tell she wanted to cry, but I knew she was trying to be strong for me. She told me that I would probably be sad until about Lake Charles and then my attention would shift toward my home in Texas and things I needed to do to get settled back in. She was right as always. I cried until I reached the Atchafalaya Bridge. I was still sad and thinking of how great it was to be with family. After I stopped to feed Jackson in Jennings (not far from Lake Charles) and got back on the road, my focus did shift. I started thinking of how although I miss Baton Rouge and our families and friends like crazy, it is so clear that we are where we are supposed to be. The move could not have been smoother. Everything fell right into place. This is truly God's will for us to be here. Everyone always commented that it must be hard moving while I was 8 months pregnant and starting a new life in a new place...I guess it could have been, but God was in it, so it was simple. He gave me the strength I needed to do it and the friends I needed to encourage me here.

All that to say, the first trip home was so many things. It was wonderful. It was overwhelming (at times.) It brought further confirmation that we are where we are supposed to be (not that there was any doubt.) I can't wait to visit again!

Now for the pictures...
I think this picture is hilarious! This was in the car on the way to BR. I mean this is the face of a happy guy. Or one that just has a lot of gas...
Uncle Mitch sang a song for Jackson. I never got to hear it but I'm sure it was funny.
Some of our friends were able to stop by mom's to meet Jackson! His little buddies Brooks and Maddox (sons of our friends Mike & Lori and Chad & Ashley) were checking him out, and I'm not really sure they knew what to think of such a little guy! That's okay, guys, he'll get bigger soon! I wish I would have taken more pictures that night.
Mike with Jackson
Aunt LB was so busy with summer school, but she managed to get a few moments to love on Jackson! Uncle Jase spent lots of time with him, too! What a sad face! He was so busy meeting all of his new friends!
We were so excited to bring Jackson to JBC for his first Sunday at church. We had not been able to get to our church in TX yet because we have had lots of family in town since he's been born, and it's hard to get away when they are only there for a short time. It was special for his first Sunday to be at Jefferson. We'll be going to our new church this coming Sunday. We can't wait for everyone to meet Jackson. Jackson got so many compliments on his little outfit and shoes! Thanks, Miss Mandy!!! He sat in the service and did really well. Kyle took him out for a while because he is kind of a noisy eater...he makes all kinds of sounds while he is drinking his bottle. Hey, what can I say, the kid loves to eat. =)
First Sunday at church (JBC)
Me, Mom, LB (my sis), and the J-man
Mrs. Wanda...the baby whisperer
It was so great to go eat at Las Palmas after church with the fam...just like old times. Jackson enjoyed his first taste of refriend beans! Kyle did it , not me!!! After lunch, we spent the rest of the day at the Silvios. We had a great time eating and just hanging out. I love this pic of Keith and Kayla with Jackson.
How many Silvio men does it take to find out how much Jackson weighs??? This was hilarious, and you kind of had to be there I guess, but Paw Paw had a little trouble seeing the scale! We had such a good time laughing about this.
This was one of the little outfits I bought for Jackson to come home in, but it was waaaay too big. He didn't really care for the gangster look; he preferred to look like a ball player. Good job, son! As your PawPaw Denny would say, "'Rap' don't rhyme with "crap" for nothin'!" (PS - check out those big feet!)
Jackson got to meet the rest of his cousins on the Silvio side. Jacob, Nick, and Noah were so excited to meet him and loved watching him sleep. Noah even fed him and did a great job. They are going to have so much fun teaching him everything they know.
Some more pics with friends and fam from the week...

KK (my mom)
Uncle Jase
Uncle Mitch
Mrs. Eddye (my best friend Britt's mom and Jackson's third grandmother!)
Matt and Mitch (Matt went to Malaysia last summer with my brother for missions and is one of my favorite guys.)
Jaimes!
Uncle Benj
Well, Jackson is going to be waking up soon! I think he is enjoying his nap in his room. Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention in the last post: he is wearing size 1 diapers now! No more newborn! Wow, time flies!