This is Gary.  Tonight I happened to stumble across Amy's blog completely by accident.  Actually, I don't think it was an accident at all...  I believe that it was by an absolute miracle and a tender mercy that I was able to discover her blog.   I was working at home on my new MacBook Pro Laptop that only I have used and I was typing my website url into the address bar when the browser autocorrected to this blog.  I had known that amy had started a blog and had even read a few posts from it that she had shared with me at the time.  But I had completely forgotten about it and wouldn't have even known what it was called or how to find it.   I know for a fact that no one has been to her blog on any computer in our house or at work for over 4-1/2 years and I don't think that I even still own any computers that are still working that would have ever visited her blog.   I don't have any explanation as to why or how my browser would have auto-corrected to this blog but it did.   Thanks Amy!!! and Heavenly Father!   It is wonderful to feel your presence especially close to us every once in a while.

After finding the blog, We read every single post out loud as a family.   The kids loved to remember the stories that Amy had shared and it was special for us to get to read some of the thoughts and memories that amy had recorded.   We laughed and reminisced about many of those memories and felt the Spirit as it once again testified to us of the ties that we have beyond the veil.  I am so grateful for this sweet tender mercy and for the love that the Lord shows us in little ways throughout our life.  I know that he lives and I know that we will be able to be together with Amy someday but it is especially sweet knowing that she is not far away, even if we can't see her.  I was totally surprised and impressed that Amy had written as regularly and as often as she did and am so grateful for this priceless treasure.

Crazy life I live

What was I thinking is what I keep hearing myself frequently say. Taylor made the High School Basketball team this year. He has usually two games a week, plus he practices everyday until 5 or so. Garrett decided he wanted to wrestle (i hate it). He practices everyday until 5:30. We signed the other three kids up for JR jazz. Then Tanner has been asked to play on an accelerated basketball team also. Gary is the Stake Sports director so he is in charge of all the YM & men games on Sat. from 1:00-9:00. It takes us all to help him Taylor Ref's with Gary and I keep score in the book and then one of the other kids helps run the clock and score board. We have all of the kids scout's, achievement days, and YM. Life has been so crazy at the Jackson House. Come March when it is all over we will not know what to do. The kids all love basketball.
The people in the stands laugh at Bryce he will yell out if they pass a chest pass or a bounce pass. One day I am going to miss these days of watching my kids. It sure is fun though.

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Bryce turned 7 on the 16Th of January. He is a great reader. He has brought a lot of joy into our family. We have all spoiled him rotten. I guess that is what happens when you are the baby.
He loves to learn. Play army, Lego's, castles. He has a great imagination. We are glad he is a part of our family.

Happy birthday Taylor!

Taylor turned 16 on Jan. 2ND. Taylor is a good example to his younger siblings.
He tries hard to do what is right. He was a hard baby. You couldn't leave him with anyone or
he would cry and not stop. I am glad he has grown out of that stage. He made the basketball team. He works real hard to improve his game. He is waiting to drive on the road with the drivers Ed teacher then he can get his license. He can't wait. He was ordained a priest on the Jan. 3rd. He is growing up to be a fine young man. Keep up the good work!

Happy birthday Taylor

Happy Birthday Lindsey

Where has the time gone Lindsey turned 9 on Sat. I was remembering the day she was born.
I had been leaking fluid for a few weeks instead of getting bigger I was getting smaller. They had scheduled a test an amniocenteses test on a Monday morning. I remember being really nervous. The Dr. called on Sunday night and asked Gary if he would be willing to drive the fluid they drew out over to Utah Valley Hospital, so they could get the results faster. he agreed to do it. When we arrived on Monday to the Dr. I walked into the room and seen the needle that they was going to use I said a little pray that I would be able to get through this and that all would be alright with my baby. We did not know the sex of this baby. I had stress test every week starting when they could hear the heart beat. They keep telling me it was a boy's heart rate. So we just decided we were going to be an all boy family and that we didn't need to know the sex because we figured it was a boy. When they started the test they start with an ultra sound the Dr. turned off the machine I remember just freaking out inside because that is what he did with Nathan. I took a deep breath thinking I can do this. He then told us we had to delivery the baby today they didn't have enough fluid to do the test. They sent me to the hospital where they gave me medicine to soften my cervix and sent me home for awhile. We got a few things in order and went back to the hospital. The baby was born at 12:29 am. They pulled the baby out he(because we thought it was a boy.) had have a lot of hair. Then the DR. said it was a girl. Gary and I both cried a girl.
We were excited. They took her away rather fast. They could not keep her body temputure up. I was laying there hoping all was alright. next thing I new was a nurse grabbed my gown and pulled it down. I was a little in shock of what she was doing then another lady ran over with the baby and placed her on my chest and then they snapped up the gown again. They then told me they were going to try something different to bring up her temputure. By using my body temputure. So we laid there for awhile. She had a ton of hair so I looked liked like I had a man chest they all got a kick out of that. April came to see what we had and all she could see was hair and said Miranda doesn't even have a chance.Because she was 2 and still had no hair.

When we called to tell people in the morning that we had the baby Gary would tell them if you want to know what we had you have to came see. Well I called his brother Rick and told him that he said come on and tell me I was so excited that I told him. I think he told his wife that we had a boy. Because when they came to the hospital to see his wifw asked why did they put a bow in his hair. We laughed and told her it was a girl. It took us a long time to name her.

We are glad we have her she add's a lot of joy and laughter and love.

Week of Labor Day

On Monday it was Labor Day. We went over to Payson for the parade. We went to my parents shop. Where all the cousins aunt uncles come and we bring camp stoves and make breakfast before the parade. We have pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, Gary's cheesy hash browns.They have bought bleachers to put out in front of the store for the parade. They even put traps on them so it is shady. We have a huge turn out. The kids have a lot of fun. The tribune even wrote something about it in there paper on Tues.. I didn't get one so I don't know what they said about it.

On Monday night Taylor went to a concert with my niece. Gary and i took the other for kids hiking up Santaquin Canyon then had a hot dog roast. I am thankful for the 2 1/2 miles I walk every morning at 6:00a.m. because I don't think I would have been able to do the hike. We had a great time with the kids up the canyon and had a great time setting around the fire and talking.

Emily and Taylor had a great time at the concert. The concert was at UVU. So they parked at the walmart parking lot. Big mistake. When they got to the car they had put a tire boot on Emily's car tire. And about 50 other cars. Emily didn't have the money to pay for the boot to be taken off her car so Taylor paid the $60.00. They decided they would split the ticket and that she would pay him back on pay day. It made me mad because you can pull your trailer into any walmart and sleep in it over night. But you can't park there for a few hours. A lessoned learned I guess.

I went to Garrett's Football game on Tues. night they played in Salem. They won just in the nick of time. They were tied 22 to 22 and had 15 seconds left. They were able to get a touch down and won in that 15 seconds they had about 50 yards to be able to get the touch down. The kid that got the ball just ran like crazy it was fun.

Lindsey went to achievement days on weds. They made the cutest bracelets with washers and ribbon. They were cute.

Thurs. in the middle of the night Bryce woke up with a tooth ache. When he woke up Friday morning his face was swollen. I called the dentist he was out of town so he had a dentist that was taking his calls but didn't work on Fridays but had a number for emergencies. So I called that number explained to the dentist what was going on. He called in an antibiotic for Bryce and told me that it is hard to numb them if they have that much infection. That he needed to clear that up first so we are working on that.

Friday Gary's uncle Dale passed away. His daughter Linda passed away about 4 weeks ago.

On Sat. morning I went to Garrett's football game. They won 27 to 0 they played in Spanish Fork. They had a great defense today.

We are sure putting the miles on the suburban. Taylor made the golf team and has to be to the golf course everyday after school and because he doesn't have a license yet I get to take him. His friends mom picks them up in Elk Ridge but I have to go to Payson to get him. Garrett is playing 8th grade tackle football in Payson he has practice everyday from 5:00 to 7:30 at Taylor School. Thank goodness we put together a car pool. So I only have to take them over on Monday nights and pick up that night. Garrett's Team won there first game. Gary is playing men's fall softball. He really enjoys that on Tues. nights. I enjoy watching and supporting them in what they are doing. Sometimes it is hard to be to everything but I try. I am glad right know we only have one in football. that makes it a lot easier. Basketball is always tricky because we always have 3 or 4 kids playing.

When I came home from camp I came home to a new girl. She is all about trying to do her own hair. And has to have it done everyday. She fixes it about 10 times a day. She used to care less about having it done. But not anymore. she sure does add a lot to the family. He is enjoying the third grade.

Tanner is enjoying 5th grade. He wishes basketball was year round. Bryce is loving first grade. Taylor loves going to the High School.

Garrett is in the 8th grade. On Monday August 31, 2009 he went to school at 5:00 a.m. to do a qualifier for a Mount Nebo hike He had to run 3 miles in 39 min. with a twenty pound pack on his back. Then they had to run bleachers afterwards. He did the 3 miles in 30 min. On Friday Sept. 4, 2009 They went on the hike he had a great time. He had to get up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the school to go on the hike. He was tired when he got home.

You want to beat them but instead you hug them.

On Weds. Sept. 2 2009, I was having a peaceful morning just getting ready to shower and the phone rang.(it was 9:30am) I answered the phone it was the elementary school Brooke the Secretary, said Amy is Bryce home this morning I said no she said was he late I said no he was there by 8:30. She said hold on let me check if he was in class I said OK. I new he was in class because we took him to school. She came back on the line and said Amy he has not been to class at all today. I said OK I am on my way there. As I was getting dressed I called Brenda to see if she would come help us look for him. When I got to the school the lady that does playground duty was in the office she said she walked around the whole playground and didn't see any one. Tanner's teacher Mr Bailey was teaching the kids some math and happen to look out his window with the corner of his eyes and said those two kids look like they are going on an adventure then he got up to look closer out his window and said they have back packs on and a jump rope. He sent to boys out to run over where they were sure enough it was Bryce and a little boy Taylor from his class. They had been to the rodeo grounds and were coming out when they seen them. They were heading to the fields behind the rodeo arena. When they got him in the office and we came in he looked sad. They had a little talk and then we took him back to his class. I had the school counselor go and talk to him so he new it was serious. When he got home after school he started to cry. Mom Taylor hates school. And he made me go with him, I said Bryce you are bigger then he is and you could of told him it was wrong. I said you made a bad choice. He said I know I will never do it again.

First Day of School

The first day of school was on August 19Th. I was not ready to send my kids back to school. I felt like we did not have enough time together. Taylor is a sophomore this year. I can't believe he is getting so old. Garrett is going into the 8Th grade. He is getting so tall. Tanner is going into the 5Th grade he has Mr. Bailey this year as a teacher. He was scared at first, but he really likes him. Lindsey has Mrs. Rupper, she was sad that Elli and Kyler were not in her class. She is making friends. Bryce my baby ( he hates it when I call him that. He lost his first tooth and said know you can't call me your baby anymore.) is going to first grade he has Miss Dooley. I do not know how Kanyon and Bryce ended up in the same class but they did. I did the kissing hands with him before school. Tanner and Lindsey said I can remember when mom did that for me. They said Bryce that really helps. He made it through his first day and loves it. All my kids have seemed to enjoy school so far. Thanks to all the teachers for there time and dedication they give to my children.

Park City

On August 17TH we went to Park City to do a little over nighter with the kids. Westgate resort kept bugging us to come to one of there little spills they would give us a free night stay and fifty dollars. We had to be to the meeting at noon the kids played basketball and we did the tour. I was not impressed the rooms were really tiny. We did the spill then we had 2 hours until we could check in. We went for a little drive and the little kids were dying to go swimming. We were able to check in at 4:00. We were in the room for only a few min. and the kids were in swimming suits and were ready to go. They swam for 5 hours. They loved it. They were in heaven. The next morning they got up early to go swimming before we checked out. They had a lot of fun swimming. I just relaxed. Gary swam with them. I had left my suit on the back of the couch. I had fun watching them. They are great kids.

Girls Camp

This year I went to camp on a stake level. They had a camp committee of four people Myself, Leslie Hindes, Melanie Kunz, Trisha Ringger. They are a great bunch of ladies and I love them and have a great new friendship with them. Our theme for camp was super hero's. We wanted the girls to learn that they were all super hero's and that the greatest Super Hero is are Savior. We had a lot of fun. The 13Th ward was a lot of fun they kept putting nerds in our beds. So we would pick them all up and return them to their beds. I had a lot of fun with the 8Th ward joking around and laughing. The 3rd ward was awesome of course and were great at there acts of kindness and for doing my hair( Addie & Becca). I had a lot of fun with my photo shoot with the 15Th ward. I would dress up in red skirt and red boots, mask, and super man shirt and go out and do the caught being Super Award. All the wards were great. I could go on and on about all of the them.

This is what happens to your hair when you let Becca and Addie do your hair. This is not a wig. Bryce tried to pull it off but it is the real thing. The stake YW President is Colleen Wilson, first counselor Amber Bascom, second counselor Lori Hansen, Sec. Katrina Davenport. They are great ladies and they love each one of these girls and they worry about everyone of them.

July 24th

I have not posted for awhile, so I am going to try and catch up. On the Weekend of the 24Th we went Jet skiing and camping to Mona Reservoir. We had a great time. The kids played in the water and had a great time. On Friday night you could see the fireworks from Levan. IT started to rain really hard and we did not have the rain guard on so Gary had to put it on and the rest of us ran to the suburban to stay dry poor him no one stayed to help him. On Saturday Gary's cousin Allen and his wife and there four boys came down. (poor Lindsey we are going to have to let her bring a friend). Bryce and Hugh would set and make songs up. they set for over an hour just singing. Garrett and Sam had a blast taking the Jet ski's out by there selves. Tanner and Lindsey had fun in the water and riding in the tube and on the Jet ski's. Taylor loved that he had one all to himself. Allen and his Family left after dinner. We decided to stay one more night. We were able to see the Mona fireworks. We then tried to go to bed. But the other families that were camping down there stayed up and partied until 3:00 a.m. in the morning they were not quite at all. They had there music up full blast. They kept screaming don't drink the whiskey save it for the last. They drove us crazy. some of my kids were so tired they slept right through it. Then a horrible wind came through and knocked are shade tent into the tent we were sleeping in so Gary once again had to get up and take care of everything that we had outside. The next morning we got up early to come home. I told my kids to be as loud as they wanted to.(maybe the drunks would realize how loud they were.) All in all we had a great time.

Old Times

We had Rick over for dinner he is working in Utah. His family will be moving back to Utah the first of August. Gary and Rick used to karaoke in the little house we used to live in. So tonight they pulled out Rock band to play Gary was singing, Taylor on the drums, Emily on the guitar. Gary kept trying to get Rick to sing. He kept saying he had a headache. They got him to finally sing The Eye of the Tiger. He sang for just a sec and gave Emily the mic. he said I am to shy. We will have to work him back into it. I just think he is getting old and could not see the words they are kinda small. I am going to the dollar store to get him some reading glasses. Valerie and I used to laugh at the jam sessions they would have. We just need to get him in the grove again.

Old Times

Seven Random things about me!

I was tagged so here I go!

1. I broke my arm in second grade on a trampoline. My friend drove me home on her bike. When they took me to the hospital and they got the x-ray's mixed up with another Amy Reed and was going to take me into surgery. Then they realized the mistake thank heavens. All they had to do was put me to sleep to set the arm. When i got the cast off it smelled so bad I pucked all over the Dr.

2. I love Hawaii. I thought I would hate it because I was so fat. But it was awesome. I dream about it all the time. It was so relaxing.

3. I wrote in my journal in 9th grade that I was going to marry Gary Jackson. When i found out he got married I was going to tear that page out, but I never did. Then guess what we ended up together.

4. I have always wanted to run a 5k. I hope I can get my weight of so I can do that. (now I said it I have to do it.)

5. I love the ocean especially in Hawaii. it is so pretty and you can even see your feet. The water is so clear. I loved snorkeling in the ocean. That was awesome. We seen turtles and all different kinds of fish. ( I usually I am a little nervous in water. But Salt water helps you float)

6. I used to hate to read when I was younger, but know I love it.

7. I wish I could sing. I can't carry a tune but in the next life I am going to be a singer. Taylor always says I should sing in sacrament he said I would bring everyone to tears not from my voice but tears of laughter. It is said when they are young they love to sing with me. until they would go to preschool and realize that mom can't sing and then they no more want to sing with mom.

Seven Random things about me!

What is that bad Smell.

On Monday July sixth me and my niece Were heading to Payson. We thought we could smell something in the car,but we checked under the seats I even smelled Garrett shoes to see if it was it could not find anything. So we got on the freeway as we got to Payson there was this smell that was horrible we were both gagging. We were trying not to throw up. We had to drive that car back to Santaquin we did not know how we could drive with that smell. So my niece got out her Victoria Secret lotion and squirted some in our hands so we could set and smell it on the way home. I pulled in the drive way and the front of my suburban was covered in flies. Gary came out to check he opened the hood and the smell was so overwhelming he was trying not to puck.
Well he found the problem the four kittens that we were getting ready to give away were dead in the fan. They were on the porch Sat. night when we got home from the fireworks. My niece spent the night and Gary got up early to run her home so she could get to work. That is when he figured he had got them. Bryce was so sad. He had been praying we could find his kittens. I said your prayer was answered we found them. He got mad and said that is not what I wanted.

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a busy weekend. Friday was my dad's birthday. We got together as a family to celebrate. We had a BBQ and then we did fireworks. We had a lot of fun. Tanner was not feeling to good he had got really sunburned that day I think he was a little dehydrated. He was eating an Ice Cream sandwich and set it on a chair. It was dark and I could not see so I sat on a chair next to Gary well I said I think I just set on something wet. It got a little cold so i reached back and to my surprise I had set on that Ice Cream sandwich. The kids had fun playing with cousins.

On Saturday we went and visited my grandma Clark for awhile the kids played with Lego's and these little wooden doll things that stack into each other that a friend gave her from Russia. The grand kids love them. She let's them play with them. We had a great visit. The kids were excited to get there pickle fix. Nobody can make a pickle like her. My mom and aunts have tried but they can not get them to taste like hers. My kids call her the pickle grandma.

After we left her house we stopped at Macy's to get an Ice cream cone. Taylor told Gary Macy's has the biggest cones. He was not a kidding. Gary ordered him, Taylor, Garrett, Tanner a Cong Cone. It was a 20oz. cup overflowed with Ice cream and a cone on top. They were big. Bryce and Lindsey had a small one.

We then headed to Gary's parents where we had a BBQ and then we headed to the fireworks below the temple. The kids played catch and ran around. Emily, Lindsey and I taught Valerie how to play down by the banks. Gary joined in. Then Emily and I gave everyone a great laugh and tried to get everyone to play ride that pony. I nearly wet myself from laughter good thing it was kind of dark and nobody seen me make a fool of myself, but it was fun.

We had a good weekend. Gary's brother Rick is moving back to Utah we are excited we used to have so much fun with them. We have some very great memories with them. It will be fun to get together with them more.

Scott

It has been almost a month sense Scott has left. We sure miss him. He is always whistling or humming around the house. He always would give me and Gary a hug and a kiss on the check before he went to bed. He is thoughtful caring person we sure miss not having him home. He added a lot of joy into our home. I feel bad that he is giving up on some of his dreams and goals.