THE BIG DAY!!!

Wow, it really has been a few weeks since we've posted on Mary's Blog. Our apologies, we really have been busy. Well, we've had lots of good news in the past several weeks. First, we were planning to have Jackson's Kidney surgery immediately following Mary's birthday, since it would be during my spring break, and we would have family here to help out while Jackson was in the hospital recovering. Well, we got really good news about two weeks ago and found out that Jackson didn't have to get surgery!! Hallelujah!! Praise the Lord for fixing his kidneys!!!

Since Jackson didn't have to get surgery, we decided that with Family in town we would finally get him baptized. We asked Angie and Jason to be Jackson's God-parents, and it worked out perfect because Angie was able to be here for the baptism. Here are a few pictures from the Baptism this morning:











Mary and Jackson's Great-Grandma Eunice was able to visit as well, so we took the opportunity to take a picture spanning 4 generations!





AND NOW FOR THE BIG EXCITING HUGE SUPER DUPER NEWS!!!!!!

MARY TURNED TWO TODAY!!!!

Kate planned an amazing party and Mary had a great time! There was live music, and games, and prizes, and a balloon release, and all sorts of wonderful stuff.

Mary's friend Emily came to help Mary celebrate:


The grandmas:




Jackson and Aunt Angie:




Balloons!!




Music Time!!








Mary getting ready to play "Pin the Ladybug on the Leaf"




Mary and her friend Emma:


Mary and Nicole:


Mary's friend Cooper:


The Ladybug cake:


Getting ready to blow out the candles:






Jackson had so much fun, he fell asleep:


Mary and her nurse, Michelle:


The birthday girl:






We are so Thankful to God that this day finally came, when we got Mary's diagnosis 18 months ago, the doctors told us she likely wouldn't see her second birthday. We didn't accept that and have done and will continue to do everything in our power to ensure Mary lives a full and happy life. We hope to see many more birthday's for Mary Grace! Thanks to all of you for all the love and prayers and support over the past two years!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Mary had a very fun day, which included opening lots of Valentines from all of her friends, baking heart shaped cookies to take to the firemen, and playing with Jackson. Here are some pictures of the fun day:

Mary opening Valentines!

Jackson eating Valentines!

Mary showing off Tinkerbell!

Mary and Mommy in her Valentine's Outfits!



Jackson in his Valentine's Outfit!

Mommy reading Mary her Valentine's Card!

Mary's flowers from her nurse, Michelle!



Mary reading Tigger and Pooh!



Jackson wants the balloon!!

Mary taking the cookies she baked to the firemen!

Mary with "Mack" the firetruck!

Hope you all had a great day as well!

Mary Gets to Promote Daddy!!!

On Monday, Mary got the honor of promoting her dad to Major. She was very excited about it and held on to the "oak leaf" all morning up until the big event. Mommy even taught Mary to say "Major Daddy"! Here is a picture of Mary "pinning on" (the Army uses velcro now) daddy's new rank:



Here are some pictures immediately following the promotion, can you see how proud Mary is?