Today's the day!!

Nope, not the Iowa caucuses, although those do go on tonight. But today is something much more monumental. 10 years ago today, I convinced my breath-taking wife to marry me. It's kind of funny because a lot has happened in the past 10 years, I mean, good grief, a lot has happened in the last year alone! But despite that, it still seems like it was just yesterday. At the same time, I can't even remember what it was like without her and I don't want to.

Sometimes in relationships, someone looks really great at the beginning (hear me out). They are not only attractive, but they seem really nice and fun to be around, but the more time you spend with them the less you want to. The more you get to know them the more you realize what a jerk they are. The complete opposite is true with my wife. Sure I thought she was pretty at first, good grief, I thought she was gorgeous! And not just pretty, but amazingly attractive (yes there is a difference). Anyway, after 10 years of being married to my sweet wife I can honestly and whole-heartedly tell you that she is not only even more amazingly beautiful today than she was 10 years ago, but she is every bit the incredible person that she seems to be. She is the most loving, big hearted, genuine, wonderful, giving, generous, tender, and fantastic person I know. My wife's beauty goes well beyond skin deep. On the contrary, her beauty comes from deep within her heart and radiates out to encompass everything about her. She's a phenomenal Christian woman. She's an incredible wife. She's a wonderful mother. And she's my very best friend.

It's been a great 10 years. I can't wait to see what the next 10 bring us.

Hickaboom!!!

Six years old today! That's just crazy! I mean, come on, I remember being six years old. Hard to believe that my SECOND son is six. Not only that, but he starts baseball tonight! What an exciting day!

Six years ago today, we had been up most of the night with contractions, then went to Bill Johnson's for breakfast (the chicken fried steak is KILLER). Anyway, we dropped Hunter at Kim and Jason's house then went to the hospital. Later that day, after some contractions, an epidural and 10 minutes of pushing, Aunt Amber says, "What? That's it? I could do that!" Oh yes, we have it on tape. Anyway, little Hickaboom was born and things just haven't been the same since. Jacob is such a loving, ocassionally mischevious, but usually peaceful and always friendly kid. It didn't take long to discover that he had the infamous kavorka and we've been pushing little girls away ever since. :)

He's awesome. We are truly blessed to have him in our house and part of our family. It's an interesting dynamic between all the brothers and it just wouldn't be the same without our little Jacob.

God has blessed us with four wondeful and lively boys!

Praise God it wasn't four girls!!! :)

Hunter Lee Jones

Hard to believe. Our little Bubba is eight years old today. Man, how time flies. We've watched him grow so much in that time. Not just physically, but in so many other TREMENDOUS ways.

I couldn't be more proud of him. He's a great kid.

It seems like every time we turn around Brandi and I are left staring at each other in shock to hear the amazing observations and then conclusions that Hunter draws and articulates. I keep having to tell myself how old he really is. When a kid is as big as a 12 year old and then suddenly pontificates like some second year psychology major you have to remind yourself that he's only in second grade.

Thank you, Lord. Thanks for eight wonderful years with our Bubba. Eight exciting years as parents. Good stuff.

Cooking Tip

You may not have EVER expected to see that title on a blog maintained by me. But I have to tell you about this stuff. It is the best seasoning ever and we use it on a ton of stuff. Get it. Use it. Love it. Remember who it was who spilled the beans about it. :)


It's the original one we like.

Post bath hair

Gabe came out with a full head of hair and after every bath he gets a wispy little fro (for lack of a better term). It just cracks us up. Sorry for the quality of the pick, I took this one with my phone.

Halloween

Our friends Jamie and Corey came over for dinner with their son Colton. A good time was had by all. Good food (turkey, mash potatos, stuffing, corn on the cob and Brandi's home made rolls) and tons of candy.

Before the trick or treating began a mighty battle waged between two knights, Spiderman and the grim reaper. :)

Hunter drew and carved the three eyed monster all on his own. We attempted to do the outline and carve kit for the other two. Jacob had the alien and Kyle the dragon.

The sleeping baby

Gabe is a pretty good baby. But it doesn't matter how good the baby is or even how old the baby is (I still watch Hunter sleep sometimes), they all look like little angels when they are sleeping.


p.s. if you can't tell from the picture, he has finally put on a little weight. Almost 9 pounds at his doctor visit today.