Happy Anniversary Grandma & Granddddy

These are some photos from last fall that I don't think I ever published, but I decided to put them up today in honor of the grands' 39th wedding anniversary.  You can just tell from the photos how much these boys love their grands and vice versa.  :)

can't shake this

A coworker from another unit lost her husband in a tragic accident last week.  I don't know her other than in passing, but she is always smiling, friendly and sweet.  She has a son and is very pregnant with her second child.  Other friends who know her better say that she and her husband were literally the nicest couple in the entire world.

My heart breaks for her.  I can't stop crying for her and her family.  I can't imagine braving this world of parenting alone, especially so unexpectedly.  I know that God only gives people burdens that they are strong enough to carry.  She must be one strong woman.  I don't say that lightly.

I know that this world holds pain that was never meant to be felt by the human heart.  God would give anything for us to never have experienced such devastation, and some day, whoever wants to be with Him will never have to feel the stabbing pain of grief.  Until then, here we are.

Lord, you are good.  You are faithful, everlasting, and perfect.  Please be the rock that this family needs as they try to pick up the pieces and bravely move forward.

May I carry this perspective with me daily.  In my frustrations with the inconveniences and messes of life, will I remember how precious life itself is.

The following photos are from last summer, but they are one of my favorite memories from the year.  We have so much fun together, our little jordan fam.  I mean, why not throw an old mattress outside and jump the heck out of it?  How unbelievably blessed am I to share this life with this incredible man and sweet, perfect, joyful boys?

I am not worthy of this joy.  But I will take it.  I wish I could share it with people who are hurting more than even this seasoned heart can fathom.

There is a really amazing song called "All of Me" by Matthew Hammitt.  Buy it on iTunes.  It's such a great song.  The lyrics speak to reckless love ... loving someone even though you know you may be hurt in the process.  His story is really cool.  His words can be applied to anyone ...

Afraid to love
Something that could break
Could I move on
If you were torn away
And I'm so close
To what I can't control
I can't give you half my heart
And pray He makes you whole

You're gonna have all of me
You're gonna have all of me
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
You're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love
Even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts
But giving you all of me
Is where I'll start

I won't let sadness
Steal you from my arms
I won't let pain keep you from my heart
I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose
For every moment I'll share with you

You're gonna have all of me
You're gonna have all of me
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
You're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love
Even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts
But giving you all of me
Is where I'll start

Heaven brought you to this moment
It's too wonderful to speak
You're worth all of me
You're worth all of me
So let me recklessly love you
Even if I bleed
You're worth all of me
You're worth all of me

  I know I could never navigate this world without my Jesus.  Thank you Lord for your unending love and sacrifice so that someday, we will never know words like sorrow, pain, or death.

~ Jessica

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Joy.

Built-Ins!

Empty wall before desk went in

Our beautiful Kitchen desk!!!  What a labor of love this project has been in terms of arranging for everything from the cabinetry to the electrical (our printer is plugged in in the top shelving and I wanted under the counter lighting) to the painting, the glass top, and all of the hiccups in between.  It turned out so gorgeous though, and I could not be happier.  I took a risk and went with our trim color rather than matching the cabinetry of the kitchen.  I was a little worried, but I love the results.  It makes the space look so much bigger because it expands the kitchen.  I am sitting here at the desk now typing.  I feel like I can be in the middle of all the family action whereas before I was tucked in a little corner when I was using the computer.   I have everything I need right at my fingertips, but all my files are tucked away out of sight.  Now comes the fun part ... accessorizing it with shelf decor :)  I need to wait though because I blew all the budget on the projects themselves.   Alright, here comes the next project ...

Here was the empty space before the butler was built

Tad-Dah!  The space is too narrow to photograph well, but it looks so great.  The cabinetry and granite are a perfect match.  You would never know this wasn't built with the house.  I did so much research on the fridge, but love the one we got (from Lowe's).  Now we just need to fill up the bar :)  

Here are two phone pics I took in our kitchen when trying to match the granite stone and bevelled edging.  Like I said, we were able to get a perfect match.

Of course, the bevelled edge we have in our kitchen is the one they charge extra for.  I haggled a bit and got the extra cut for half price.  I've become quite the negotiator with all these projects :)

The pictures just really don't do these built ins any justice.  Hopefully all of our friends can see them in person soon.  We went to Trader Joe's tonight to buy some wine so that the wine rack would not be so bare as it is in the pics above.  CHEERS! ~ Jessica

PS: I may be able to coordinate built-ins, but I can't for the life of me allign photos in blogger.  Sorry for the randomly arranged post.  I'm still learning.  I miss iWeb!


Oh ... 2 more pics ...

This was the desk before it [finally] got painted.  The painting was a HUGE ordeal.  He had to build a huge tent that took over our entire room so he could spray it.  Seriously, an ordeal.  Great results though.

Painter's Tent: not fun to live with (with 2 young kids) for a week

Ok, thanks for looking at our new projects.  Here is your reward ... 2 sweet Gavin snaps ...

alopecia areata

Sorry if you are on facebook and this is a duplicate but ...

When Matt was in jr high, he lost his hair from Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its hair follicles.  His hair grew back and he has been in remission until less than a month ago when his hair began to rapidly fall out again despite steroid treatment. Tonight, with the support of our amazing family, Matt took the plunge and shaved it all, with no promise of any regrowth ever (although we will remain hopeful for another remission).  We are so grateful for an overall healthy family! That being said, it is still difficult to have your appearance change so rapidly (and to have to explain over and over again it to everyone you know).  Matt, we ADORE who you are as our husband/daddy; hair or no hair you are the handsome, kind, amazing hero of our family.  We love you!  ~ Jessica, Tyler, & Gavin


Thank you so much everyone for the amazing facebook support via comments and "likes."  We feel very loved.  ;)  ~ Jessica

First Unofficial Days of Spring

The weather has been LOVELY.  We are all fighting colds, but we have still ventured out for some much needed spring sunshine.  Tyler picked his own outfit for a short little nature walk. Poor kid doesn't remember what it's like to go out for a walk without rain boots and an umbrella (he insisted on these despite the 60 degree sunny day).  True Oregonian.