1 yr. Photos

About a month ago we had some pics made for Aidan and Addison's first birthday. We went to Pullen Park to snap some memories. A little known fact is this is also where Diana and I were engaged over 6 years ago. We had a blast and got some great shots there. I hope you enjoy. Let us know which one you like the best.

Thanks to Rebecca for the photography. We are grateful for your friendship and ability to help capture the different stages of our wonderful kiddos. You're wonderful!


Enjoying some time on the swings.


Aidan on the swing.


Aidan Again. Notice the bruise on his forehead... he's definitely taking after his dad on the rough-housin'...


This is our beautiful Addison.


Who's the bozo in the back taking a picture in the picture? - oh me... right.


Leaning in for a kiss.


Aidan.


Addy-bear.


Me and my boy goofin' off. A normality.


Dad and baby boy.


Mom and baby girl. Beautiful.


Space ship.


Me and my little princess.


This face is adorable.


He's a little uncertain of grass at first these days.


Holding hands. Lots of fun.


Great smiles.


They both have more hair than me already.


We have a lot to be thankful for.


Note Addy has discovered her "serious face."


I wonder if I will still see Addy this way when she's 18. Definitely Daddy's girl.


Aidan's blue steel (see Zoolander)


My boys hand.


I love my wife (Diana that's you ;)


Family Time!


Family Cut-up time!!!


My girls... I am forever ruined.


Me and my boy.


Gettin' a little early training in ;)

Friends and family, thank you for you love, support, and prayers you've given us over the last year. Doctors and nurses, thanks for what you do and how you have served and provided for our family. Lord, thank You for our children. Thank You for bringing us together as a family. I pray we would show Your love to the world around us.

Thanks for checking in. Peace be with you.

-Jason

1 year annaversery - of a crazy time...

It was a year ago yesterday that I posted this (click here)

At this minute last year we were, all of a sudden and unplanned, in the hospital with Diana in pre-term labor at 26.5 weeks (over 3 months early) wondering what was going to happen with our 2 little babies that we had never met. We didnt know if she was gonna have our children that second, in an hour, or in a week. It's so hard to believe it has been that long ago since that time in our life.

As most of you know we saw some amazing miracles over the next 24 hours, 48 hours, 10 days, 3 months, and really the entire year. On this day I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who offered us your prayers and support during that time in our life. I can still remember the strange sense of peace I felt in spite of the intensity of that situation. I also would like to say thanks to all of the medical staff at Rex and Wake Med here in Raleigh. So amazing. I also want to give all the glory to God for caring for our family the way that He did. I can't make sense of it but I am thankful.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the birthday of Aidan and Addison (yes I know their birthday isn't until next week ;) with some of our family and friends here in Raleigh and next week we will celebrate in Hendersonville with the rest of the family. If I could say one word that explains the way I feel about getting to celebrate their one year birthday it is this; humbled. I am humbled they are so amazingly healthy, so smart, and so strong. I am humbled because I now have friends who have lost hard fought battles to save their children. I am humbled because I have friends who are currently struggling with health issues day after day with their children. I dont understand how we got to where we are but I can say I am tremendously humbled to be here. I am humbled because I deserve little (if any) of the blessing I experience with my family and especially in celebrating the 1st birthday of our children.

It's hard to believe it's been 1 year since this whole whirl-wind started. I feel like I blinked and now it's gone. It seemed much less brief a year ago while we were in the hospital. Then the nights were long and it was hard for me to close my eyes and sleep but now it's as though a breath has passed and now we're here.

A year ago tonight. We were right down the street in the hospital with no idea what the next few hours held much less the next year. What a journey. It's almost hard to breathe while remembering. Thank you for journeying with us through that time. You helped us make it through. We are so blessed.

If you're interested in the whole story or just want to read the rantings of a desperate man click here and scroll down to the bottom. You will be able track along.

I hope you have a wonderful evening. Would you do this before bed tonight... Would you kiss your family before you go to bed? Say a prayer for those who have lost their family. Say a prayer for those who are going through questions without any answers. Offer hope and love where you can. Thank you for sharing it with us.

-Jason, Diana, Aidan (Buckeroo), and Addison (Addy Bear)

Crawling!?!?

So a week ago Aidan started crawling. By crawling I mean pulling himself across the floor in a way that is truly hilarious. He has now graduated into a a full fledged scoot in only a week. Here is his progression just after first couple of days. There is also entrainment in Addison's beautiful smile all throughout both videos and a guest appearance by Tanner our German Shepherd (who is also Aidan's best friend right now.) As always with videos of me and my children, please disregard the ridiculously absurd way I laugh and talk to them.

Aidan first day of truly crawling (moving across the floor in a dancing motion)



A few days later...


He is now all over the place. I have purchased a baby gate and i have suspicions this will only work for a small while as he is using this now as a means to stand. I believe before long he will have Tanner pulling him over the wall soon enough. We may in trouble soon. Send help.

-Love Jason and Diana

Set List / Reflection from 7.12.09

Beautiful the Blood
- Steve Fee

Welcome / Reflection - Corinthians 14 / Corinthians 12 - "at the foot of the cross we're all the same"


At The Cross - Daniel Renstrom

Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin

Jesus Paid it All - (arrangement Alex Nifong/Kristian Stanfill)


Jeff gave a great sermon on Corinthians 12. He brought to light all of our tendencies to compare ourselves to each other which, if left unchecked, leads to either pride or inadequate. It was a great challenge for us, the church as a whole, and really any community in general. Jeff, thanks for your hard work serving us in the way you do each week.

In the days prior to and since Sunday, my reflecting has lead me here: When the gospel hits us in the midst of this tendency we realize that we all stand at the foot of the cross looking on our savior. In that moment we have no right to feel "better than" anyone else or "less than" anyone else. Something happens when you realize that the creator of all things had to and did die for you. It was meant to "right things" that have gone terribly wrong and to, among other things, put us back together again.

May you humbly realize the love God has for each one of us. May you realize the depths he has gone to to show each of us that love. May you receive it. May you find the joy in giving it. Amen.

Love and Peace,

-Jason

I Twitter

I do Twitter. I do think it's an interesting social phenomenon. Actually, I don't think that. Most people in the world know we like ourselves and think what we do is really important so "why wouldn't everyone want to know." That isnt a phenomenon. It's social media thriving on our "normal tendencies." I also like twitter for some other reason but either way this video is hilarious... more thoughts on twitter later. But for now.. enjoy. It will make you. Laugh out loud. Smiley Face.



(this is a real band. they are good. listen to them.)

winkey face,

-Jason

A baby video for your enjoyment

Our kids are hilarious. They laugh a lot. Here is some evidence.

Please disregard the annoying sound I was making as the babies seemed to really enjoy it (it's similar to the sound from dumb and dumber that is claimed as the "most annoying sound in the world."

Also realize this... I have found children seem to empower you to do really... uhmm... dumb things.

Enjoy!



Love,

Jason and Diana

Corporate Worship Sunday - 6.28.09

I had gotten away from this for a while but have been getting some emails about names of songs we are singing as of late within Visio Dei. So without further ado...

Week of 6.28.09

Not to Us - Chris Tomlin
All Because of Jesus I'm Alive - Steve Fee
Cannons - Phil Wickham
Doxology - Thomas Ken (arrangement varies)
From the Inside Out - Hillsong United


Now, I was not leading/present Sunday but I have heard great things regarding the band and their time of leadership. Band was Jon Hathaway, Jon Pritchett, Ben Davis, Zack Van Hoy, Larry Dempsey, and Julie Watkins. We have such a gifted church community. I pray God is glorified through the gifts He has given us.

I have also heard Shannon did an incredible job teaching. More on this later today.

I hope you're having a great week!

-Jason