Dear Cottage Cheese,

I just wanted to write to you and let you know how deeply sorry I am for the way I have treated you my whole life.  I completely miss judged you before I even got to know you.  I remember a few encounters we had when I was younger and they were not pleasant.  So I kept my distance. It wasn't until recently, when I wanted to loose a few "baby pounds" that a girlfriend suggested I give you another chance.  I admit I was very reluctant.  I saw you at the store week after week and avoided you time and time again.  Well, as you know, I finally gave in and picked you up, and I have never regretted it. 

Little did I know that you only ever wanted to help me.  That you were there to help me look better and feel better about myself.  I never knew that eating you would actually help to remove you from my legs and other areas (shhhhh!).  I have enjoyed you in so many different ways (w/pineapple, peaches, pomegranate, blueberries and even marinara sauce, YUMMMY?)  I hope that you will accept my sincere apology.  I promise to be more open-minded and I promise I will never mistreat you again.  Thanks for all you have done.  

Sincerely,

Becca J.                  

Thanks but no thanks...

For the past three months I have been trying to get Ella to eat baby food.  And for the past three months this is the reaction I have gotten.  When I mixed applesauce in with her oatmeal she gagged and then she would not eat the plain oatmeal for several days.  Perhaps for fear I contaminated it again.   But nine seems to be the lucky month because she has gradually started to acquire a taste for it.  No more shuttering or gagging.  

What's Twilight?

OK, so apparently there is a book (or a series of books) in circulation called Twilight.  I've never read the book.  I've heard of the book because I gave my mom (an avid reader) the series a year and a half ago for Christmas.  I've heard a lot about the book since then.  All my sisters have read Twilight, even Melissa who does not read books.  I've heard several of my friends talking about the book and the young women I work with in my ward are well, border-lined obsessed.  So I began to think, am I the only person in America who has not read this book?  Well I am proud to report that I am not the only one who has not read Twilight.  I found two other people, my husband and my dad.  Just kidding, they were even female.  

So, why haven't I read the book you ask?  Because I'm not a reader.  No, I'm not boycotting it because of the phenomenon it has created.  Or because of its questionable values?  Or because I'm afraid I'll get sucked in to this fictional love story.  I just simply struggle to find time to sit down and read a book.  However.....On a personal level, I do have a hard time justifying reading for entertainment when I struggle with daily scripture study and reading any of the slew of church books my husband has that will actually do me some good.  So I was talking to my sister and she put it quite simply.  Twilight is like cake (chocolate for me).  Every now and then I want some chocolate cake.  I know it's not healthy and I know it has sugar in it.  But it's good and I enjoy it and when eaten sparingly, has little effect on me.  

I guess the reason I all of the sudden got interested in Twilight is because my husband rented the movie and I really enjoyed it.  But it left me with a lot of questions.  Why do their eyes change color?  Why doesn't he just bite her and get it over with?  Are all of these "vegetarian" vampires really going to stay that way?  And what's with the shady red head?  So, yes, I will probably read Twilight some time this year when I am in the mood for a little chocolate cake.                 

Quallergies

Quinn definitely keeps life interesting around the Jackson household.  Apart from his hospital visits regarding his asthma and unforeseen accidents, managing Quinn's food allergies (referred to as Quallergies) is a continuous daily task.  Quinn is allergic to eggs, milk, wheat, nuts and soy.  So what can he eat?  Otter Pops of course.  If mom gets busy and isn't looking Quinn will go on a little Otter Pop binge.  I think I counted 8 wrappers!  But don't worry, each Otter Pop is only one ounce, so that is like drinking an 8 oz. box of juice....right?     

Quallergies also call for a little creativity.  At his sister birthday party Quinn could not eat the cupcakes and mom didn't have time to make his own special cupcake so dad came up with this very special treat for Quinn.  It is an apple cinnamon rice cake with Quinn approved frosting and sprinkles.  Quinn LOVED it!  What a trooper!      

I'm Going to Disneyland!!!

On Friday, March 6th I decided that I needed to get away.  Not from my kids but from home.  I have been wanting to take the kids to Disneyland for quite some time but Dave and I have been in a money saving mode.  But that Friday I cracked and by Sunday evening we were off to Disneyland.  On the way there I started having second thoughts.  We took our kids to Disneyland three years ago when they were 5, 3, and 8 months and we swore we would not be back for at least another 5 years.  But I couldn't wait that long.  They're not going to be young forever.  Well, I must say that the trip went great!  No wining, no complaining, no overly tired kids asking to be held while you waited in line.  All four of them did great!  

In fact the only setback was me.  I woke up at 4 a.m. Monday morning with what felt like the stomach flu.  I was so bummed and so sick.  I was determined to make it though, what choice did I have.  Dave gave me a blessing and off we went.  I held up pretty good.  In fact it felt like I was pregnant.  No, I'm not.  I just had that sick to my stomach nauseated feeling but I knew I had to keep going.  Just like when you are pregnant.  Well, I made it through the day but the minute we got back to the hotel I started feeling terrible again and by 1 a.m I finally tossed my cookies.  And on that note...enjoy the pictures!       

Quinn didn't feel like posing for a picture and refused to look at the camera.  
The Finding Nemo ride.
I think I've mentioned a time or two on my blog about what a good baby Ella is.  Well, Disneyland was no different.  We debated leaving her with my sister but I'm so glad she came.  What a sweet baby girl!   
The teacups, it's a family favorite. 
Ella in AAWWWEEE on "It's a Small World".  

Becca Jackson you and your family just had a fun and successful trip to Disneyland, what are you going to do next????

LAUNDRY!!!!!!!

Dailee's Baptism

Our little Dailee bug was baptised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday, March 7th.  What a wonderful day it was!  There was so much anticipation leading up to this very special day.  Dailee was so excited she couldn't stop smiling especially as she entered the water.  I am so grateful for my membership in the church and I am grateful for the ordinances we are able to partake in.  Dave mentioned how this was the most significant day in our family since we were sealed 11 years ago.  How blessed we are!         

Happy Birthday Aubrey!

Today is Aubrey's 6th birthday and I've realized that I haven't posted much about her.  If I have one regret it would be that I didn't start my blog three years ago when she was little.  Aubrey was one of those three-year-olds who would say the darnedest things.  And now I can't remember any of them and I wasn't smart enough to write them down.  One thing about Aubrey is that she suffers from a terrible case of selective hearing.  If you do not first say her name when you want her attention and if she is not looking straight at you eye to eye, don't plan on her hearing one word you say.  But we can overlook that because she is such a joy and we sure do love her!  Happy Birthday Auby daubs!