Twirling is a dangerous sport

We arrived in Amarillo Monday afternoon. Monday night, Jones was twirling and fell into the end table.

Happy Birthday Justin

Happy Birthday to the man I love most.

"Happy Birthday Fathers Day"--Georgia

"tiyoahe" jones "Happy Birthday Daddy"

We love you,
Leslie, Jones, Georgia, and Annie

Lubbock

We stopped in Lubbock to visit friends and eat lunch. Thanks Carrie and Missy for bringing your kids to eat and play with us. It was fun!

on marriage and friendship

Topic #1: Tomorrow is our sixth wedding anniversary. Seven years ago I had no idea that Leslie even existed and now we have 3 kids and a mortgage together.

Topic #2: I spent last weekend camping out with eight of my closest friends: Aaron, Brant, Joel, Keith, Kyle, Mark, Ryan, and Scott. I had more fun than I've had in a long time and it was the first time I had been together with that many of my college buddies all at once since my bachelor party.

How the two topics are related: I remember having a conversation with my wife when she was still my fiancée. We were looking at what to put on our wedding invitations when we came across the ones that say, “On this day I will marry my best friend etc….” I remember vetoing those and telling her that we were getting married and I loved her, but that she was not my best friend. (Yes, I was/am an insensitive jerk at times.) I told her that there was a group of guys who had lived with me longer, knew me better, and had more shared experiences and memories with me than she would have for quite a while; that it was my sincere desire that we marry and she become my best friend, but that she wasn’t my best friend. At least not yet.
Six years later……
My wife has become my helpmate. She takes good care of me and has become the person I share more with than any other; spend more time with than any other. I depend on her and she depends on me. Our daughters depend on the both of us. She has become THE best friend in my life.
My friends are still my friends. We still share those common experiences and continue to make more memories on the rare occasions that we can get together.

Six years ago Leslie and I vowed to be husband and wife until death parts us. When it does, I expect my friends to shore me up if I remain or to be there for my wife and daughters if she remains here on this earth. As I often do, I ask that you click on the song/video below. I believe in songs, and once again this one says it better than I can.

“Lord, when all my work is done
Bless my life and grant me one,
At least one,
Old Friend.”

San Angleo

Jazbo and Mimi's Pre 4th of July Party.

Happy Father's Day

I love you, Justin!



jdhyeyghfjjjgjjghgyghhbvbf (Jones)
Happy
ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd(Georgia)
Father's Day, Daddy!











The shirt the girls made for their daddy.


Happy Day to Jazbo, Grandpa, and Papa too!

My Husband Rocks

MHR is celebrating their one year on the blog anniversary. They had a topic M-F this week along with prizes. I picked out three that touched me this week.
~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Birthday Bash: Let's Talk Commitment
A big thanks to Justin for loving me when I am not lovely or deserving at that moment, day, or week(surely it's not longer than that, but if so, I am asking for forgiveness now). Thanks for being my hero at the end of the day and my sunshine in the morning. I am honored to belong to you these past almost 6 years.
~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Birthday Bash: A Husband's Covering
Justin's covering for me is safety and protection. He keeps me safe and is head of our household. He protects me physically, spiritually and intellectually(most of the time he enlightens me :)), and emotionally(..you see, usually when you get three women together....).
~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Birthday Bash: The Battle We Face
In the last three days I have been hit with three different scenarios that all tie into this post about marriage, my unending love for Justin and why he rocks.

Wednesday night: Beth Moore's Esther video
It made me think about the need to continue pursuing our relationship with the "what aspect" and not the "how aspect" of our love. The main point that hit me this week study was Esther was called to obedience, not to figure it all out, not to figure out how to do it. I am called as a baptized Christian to be obedient and faithful to God, but also in my marriage commitment I choose to be obedient and faithful to Justin. I am responsible for "what" I am to do, not the "how". That is God's amazing release for us. He will provide the how.

Thursday night: Kirsten came over with cookies and tea and we watched He's just not into you. It's ok, it had funny parts, it had many parts that really could have been left out, but over all a B chick flick. There were so many different couple scenarios that made me pray, Thank you for my marriage and keep Satan away from my marriage, I love Justin. But, then that made me think that I was thinking pretty high and mighty of our relationship, and of course we have our share of problems, but we have stayed the course and I don't want fleeting thoughts to even creep into our household for our girls. They need the best example we can give them of marriage and men and women. Thank you , Justin, for being a dad and husband that is a good wholesome example.

Friday: I had just read a part of this book online and then MHR had a part of it on her post too. hmmm
Shannon Ethridge says in "Every Woman's Battle," "While avoiding unhealthy emotional connections and relationships is important, it's not enough to guarantee success in keeping our hearts guarded against compromise. The secret to ultimate emotional satisfaction is to pursue a mad, passionate love relationship with the One who made our hearts, the One how purifies our hearts, and the One who strengthens our hearts against worldly temptations. The secret is to focus your heart on your First Love."
Matthew 22:37-38 says "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."

It's funny how God works through so many channels in our lives that all connect.

Justin is gone on this Father's Day weekend for a guys fishing/camping/hanging out trip with 10 college buddies at Lake Whitney. I know they are going to have a wonderful time renewing their friendship and building one another up til next year when they all meet again! I am so glad he is able to spend some guy time with his friends who are scattered throughout TX and NM and that he sets a good example of being a good friend to me and the girls.

I love you , Justin.