Only the Good Die Young

I have been a bad blogger lately!  Here's a short long recap of what's been going on in the Jackovin's household.

2 weekends ago we went to Chicago for our good friend's Rob and Katie's wedding.  My parents were able to pick up Will in Des Moines so we headed to Iowa City to break up the trip.  We were able to go to Graze for their chicken lips and we were both in heaven.  We so wish Graze didn't close in Des Moines.  We love us some chicken lips! 

We got to Chicago on Friday around 1:00 and of course I was out the hotel room door in a matter of seconds to go shopping.  After shopping we went to the rehearsal dinner which was at a reaaalllly good pizza place.  The kind of Chicago pizza place that leaves you stuffed after only ONE piece!  So good.  Saturday we went and walked around, had breakfast with Gary and Linda and then Tom took off to get his sexy on, rocking the tux with the Groom and the rest of the wedding party.  I met up with my new friend Julie and we went shopping and to HAPPY HOUR with her sister.  I love happy hour if you haven't caught on from past posts.  :)  The wedding was beautiful, so much fun and the drinks were of course flowing.  Shocking, I know.

Will had a blast with my parents and didn't really care that we were home.  He went to the Bell Tower Fesitval (which happened to be my 10 year reunion - at least he made an appearance for me, right?), went to a pond that has so many feeeessssh (fish), played outside, went to a parade, snuggled with my Mom, you get the picture - he loved every minute.

Mr. and Mrs. Naurath


The Hubs and Me ( I do have a dress on, I promise)


That following Monday brought some sad news.  My good friend, Sarah's (high school buddies) mother had a stroke and by Tuesday she had passed away.  She was only 61 and was so healthy.  It was absolutely devastating news.  Sarah has 4 other siblings and it just breaks my heart that they lost their Mom at such a young age.  She was super Mom, Grandma, Wife and Friend to so many people and had the heart of gold.  Her heart of gold was definitely passed on to Sarah and we thank Mary Jo for that.  My friend Ebban flew back from Switzerland and was up at Hyvee and somebody said to her, "You are such a good friend", Ebban replied, "no, Sarah is a way better friend".  Ebban couldn't have put it better, Sarah is one of the most selfless people I have met and it breaks all of our hearts to see her go through such a terrible loss.  It just isn't fair.

On Wednesday night I went to Jefferson to see Sarah and her family.  While I was there Sarah got a call from the organ donation coordinator and Mary Jo was able to donate EVERYTHING except her heart (which had the tinniest flaw).  I can't even describe the feeling in the room - it was something I will never forget.  They were all so proud of their Mom and even though she was gone, she continued to be selfless and giving to others in need.  Because of Mary Jo, somebody will see again, somebody will be taken off dialysis, somebody will be able to breath again, someone will be given another shot at a normal life.  She is a hero in every sense.  Mary Jo, your life was taken to soon. 

Sarah, Mary Jo and Sarah's sister, Lisa

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a fun, but super busy 3 day weekend!  Friday night our good friends from Chicago got to town for the weekend.  Tom met them at Centro for dinner so Will and I hit the mall(if I am going to spend 80+ on dinner, I want to enjoy it, no offense, Will).  Guess what I found at the mall?  Under Armour finally has toddler clothing.  I am not sure if that's a good thing or not.  For all of you that know Tom and me, we love us some UA and UA isn't exactly cheap.  Will and I had some great Mommy/Son time at the mall and I even let him play at the germinfesteed-toomanykidstocount-playarea.  He was NOT happy when we left the play place.  After the mall, Tom, Rob, Katie and our old neighbor Jarrod came over for some much needed cocktails at the Jackovin Pub.

Saturday morning we took Rob and Katie to the Des Moines Farmers Market and of course it started raining.  Umm, not such a good job on the forecast Jerriann.  We then came back and lounged and then Rob and Katie had to get ready for a wedding and we had to get ready for the annual Mitchell Memorial Day Kegger.  Mitchell's are our good friends/neighbors across the street and their annual party makes for an annual hangover as the beers, jello shots, wine are flowing and then the game of flippy cup starts.  Flippy cup is ALWAYS a great idea at the time . . . at the time are the key words here.

Sunday we went out for breakfast with Katie, Rob and Amanda and Scott.  There is a new cafe that opened up by us so we thought we should try it out.  It was delicious and I am anxious to get back to try all of their smoothies, coffee drinks and shakes!  Yum.  That night a few Adpi girls were in town so we all got together for Mexican and then hit Saints to sit outside on their patio.  I MISS YOU GIRLS SO MUCH!  We had a great time gossiping, reminiscing and catching up.

Monday we stopped by Jack's Memorial which turned out awesome and is right next to Tom's Mom's Memorial.  These were the only picture we took all weekend!  My camera battery was dead and Tom isn't the best at getting the kodak moments with his phone.  After that we walked around and then headed over to Krista's house for a pool party and then went over to Mary's house for a bbq.  Needless to say, when Will is around his cousins he doesn't sit for longer than 5 minutes and that's only because I am trying to get him to eat.  He didn't have a nap that day so he was WORN OUT and so were his parents.  :)

Kind of creepy statues that Will was very interested in.  Here he is trying to hold her hand.  :)

Hope you had all had a great weekend!