the planting of the Lord

This past Sunday, March 6th, your dad and I made a commitment to raise you and train you to know God.  

Wow.   

Kinda a big deal.

 Of course we knew we would raise you in this way before we even knew about you,  but when I stop and think about the great responsibility we have as parents...it's kind of overwhelming.  Of all the things your dad and I might do, could do, will do, to further His kingdom...

our loving and teaching YOU to love the Lord, will be what has the greatest impact.  

We are so proud of you, Oak Jackson.  We pray that you will be called an oak of righteousness.  You have been planted to display His glory.  We pray the effect of your righteousness will be peace and the result of your righteousness, quietness and trust... that you would know and receive God's love, that you would be full of purity, in every way...That you would have an obedient heart toward God and a heart to know Him.  We pray that you would exude with thanksgiving, joy, peace, and a pure mind.

We praise God for you, Oak!  We love seeing Him, already, in your life!

"And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:17-19

4 months.

Happy four months Oak Jackson!

Really? F-O-U-R? Wow.  This past month has been so much fun.  So many new "firsts."  I love watching you do new things.  Today we have made the trek up to Tulsa.  Caro is getting dedicated on Sunday and we have lots of 31 parties to do in the next few days.  Tomorrow we are going to Norman for a couple parties and then back to Tulsa for sweet time with the Dales for a few days.  I'm so glad we are here.  I love watching you and Caroline together.  I think her favorite thing about you is still your pacifier. :)

Here are some stats on you right now:

-you have started "gurgling," and its hilarious

-you follow people with your eyes...especially your daddy

-you had your first "snow day"

-you officially sleep all night!!!  last feeding at 10pm...and your next feeding is at 6am
(which means you get to jump in bed with mom and dad and nurse all you want for the next couple hours)

you then sleep for a little bit then work at waking me up for a good 30 minutes...this includes singing, playing with my face and anything else within your reach.

Your dad says it is pretty funny to watch you trying to wake me up in the morning as he is leaving for work

-we are becoming pros at feeding!  I am so thankful where we are w/ feeding and where we have come from....we can now feed ANYWHERE and ANYTIME...AND you are only feeding for about 10 to 15 min.  That sure beats an hour and 1/2!!!! Whoohooo!  We have fed in restaurants, w/ friends, in a pasture, etc.!!!!  So thankful for the hooter hider.

-you like the exer-saucer more every day!

-you love when your dad plays guitar

-You constantly have your hands in your mouth- you prefer just your pointer finger most of the time

-you have awesome control of your head!

-you rolled over!!!! (tummy to back) and are working on back to tummy.
It is SO FUN to see you do new things!!!

-You are grabbing things like crazy.  Your favorite toys are still Sophie, Marsh and Roman Frank.  but this month we are adding water bottles...you love 'em!

-you can now wear your cowboy boots!!!

-This month you have showed some attitude/frustration for the first time.  You arch your back when you are mad or dont want to get in your car seat, you now sometimes refuse  your paci,  and turn over when im trying to get your boogers!

-you are wearing some big clothes, boy!  like, up to 18 months!!!! what?!  we never know what size you are...but we have learned that going with the bigger size is the safest bet!

-you have your four month appointment next week...i can't wait to see how much you weigh!


We love you monkey man.
 I love this life with you, and watching you become more and more the boy God has made you to be.
God is teaching me so much through you.
 I am amazed by His love for us.
I can't wait for you to know His love for you.
Because its huge...and amazing.

I love you, Oak Jackson.


                                    "Show me the wonders of Your great love."  Psalm 17:7

We heart Caroline.

Come on Spring!

Between some really crazy cold, snowy, rainy, weather...we have had a few amazingly beautiful days.  

So, naturally, we went outside.

I can't wait for more warm weather and days of playing outside with you, Oak! 

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly."  Psalm 84:11

PBJ

Parker is here!!!  (born Jan. 22) Parker Burton Jones surprised us all and came 5 weeks early!  He is PRECIOUS...and doing great...getting bigger every day!  I am so amazed at Z and Ness and the way they have handled life with such an early surprise...they are amazing!

OJ and PBJ getting to meet for the first time

Way to go Ness!

PBJ and OJ...best meal ever :)

Oak, we are so blessed to have the Jones' in our lives.  I can't wait to watch you and Parker grow up together.  What a blessing!

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

OH MY GOODNESS!

YOU ROLLLLLLEEEDDD OVVVERRR!!!! today. February 9th. 3 1/2 months old. And ON CAMERA. WHOOHOOO!

Way outta the blue, buddy.  I'm shocked.  And VERY proud.

Life Abundant.

Poverty mentality.
I think I've been here too much- not a "woe is me," but a "we can't, I can't, we shouldn't" mindset- in a cautious, careful, holding myself back, maybe even non deserving kinda way.

And too many times- the incredible things...I don't celebrate.
 Because of caution... caution of loosing them, caution of bragging/being boastful, caution of being disappointed in the celebration.

I want to learn to celebrate.
Like a deep gut celebration.  Of big things and small things.
With out caution.

Is this caution fear?  Sometimes, I think so,
And it cripples me.
It steals from me.
It is a thief.  Fear is a thief.
Of joy... of celebration ... of truly living life abundant.

John 10:10-18
^"10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming andleaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ For this reason the Father loves me,because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it downof my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

And so I find myself again in this place of riding the fence.  Staying in a "safe place" of caution- condition yellow- not truly ABUNDANTLY living.
 And it may "look" like it- but I think that abundant life in me has been pushed down- hidden in me because of caution, because of fear.

Oh, it has been released-but not in the way Christ intended.  He didn't come lay His life down for me to choose when I live in the pasture or not- sitting on the fence 90% of the time.

He came saying, come out into my pasture!!! YES there are wolves in this life- there is a big wolf-  but I am the GOOD shepherd.
I am not a hired hand.
I am YOUR shepherd.
You are Mine.
Let me do the protecting of you.

You come, do what you were made to do...
be in the pasture living life abundantly.


In these two places(below), I was living life abundant.
They are both thick, incredible stories.

Places of deep faith, where I threw everything aside.
I had no other choice, but to run into the pasture.

And it felt so good to meet my Shepherd there.  He is good.