The Chucks

So, as some of you know I have been all over town trying to find some size 4 chuck taylor shoes. for Jackson. They are a popular shoe, I just coudn't find them anywhere. Well, FINALLY, I found some at Kohls of all places. Anywho, in honor of the shoe that was once the basketball shoe king, I got Jackson in his Duke finest, thanks Coby and Christy, and took pics. The chucks that I have on were the ones I wore in our wedding. I can't wait to take some pics with all three of us in our cute chuck taylors. Coming soon I promise.








So, I wonder where he gets those funny faces from?
We both have that crazy left eyebrow and furrowed brow.

The Park

This past weekend my mom, my sister and brother in-law came to Longview to hang out. We had a great time catching up and playing around. We even went to the park to play. I, of course, brought my camera, thinking it would be the perfect place to get a few pictures. Since he was born I have been thinking about doing a picture with him holding a single balloon. I know it is crazy but I promise I dream about cute pictures. Anyway, I thought three balloons would be plenty in case something happend to one. Well, after attempting to tie one balloon on my extremely squirmy child's wrist, I was down to two. Then, a nice gust of wind took the others right off the bag I had tied them too. Obviously didn't tie them very well because there they went. The second picture is Jackson's reaction.




Things got much better when mammaw took us swinging.




Playing with Aunt Jess


Playing stuff the keys in Uncle Johnny's mouth

So much fun at the park


So, no balloons, but oh well. I might need to leave that picture to the professionals!

Don't Teach Me Anymore

I was listening to a song by Derek Webb and it got me thinking about all the things that the world teaches us. This is what came from it.


There is a teacher whose lessons are vast and too numerous to count. She has many names. She goes by, Culture, Society and often times Progress. She is always teaching. Even when I am unaware, she is teaching, and I have been her student long enough. No more.
I no longer want what you are teaching. I have a new Teacher who speaks truth. I don't want what you want. You want whats here and now. You want what you can touch, what you can buy, what will rust and eventually be no more. I want something different. Don't teach me anymore.
Don't teach me about Beauty because to you it is a size two and nice clothes, but Beauty is what pours out of a loving heart. Beauty is a poor, unkempt carpenter.
Don't teach me about Love, because you love so that you get something in return. You teach me that the person I am suppose to love must look like me, talk like me, and vote like me. Love does not have expectations. Love is completely one-sided, therefore not dependent on what the other person does or doesn't do, say or doesn't say. Love, loves in the face of looking like a fool. Love, loves in the face of getting spit on. Love, loves to death.
Don't teach me about Wealth, because it is not the money that you have or the "stuff" that you boast about. Wealth is having the gems of wisdom acquired over a lifetime. Wealth is having investments in people's lives.
Don't teach me about Security because no 401k or work of my own hand can protect anything. Security is only found in the One that holds the Book of Life and whose wings cover us in protection. Security is not living not to die, it is living to live with the trust that we are as safe with him in the middle of a jungle as we are in our own bed.
Don't teach me about Greatness, because Greatness is not your large bank account or your famous name. Greatness rode in on a donkey with only the clothes on his back, to serve the poorest of poor, and love in spite of persecution.
So, don't teach me anymore. I don't want what you have to offer. I have a new Teacher whose words can pierce the hardest of hearts, whose lessons can change the world, and whose very name can save us all.

He's On The Move!

I just had to do a quick post to say that our little guy took his first steps on Saturday!!!! Yeah! He took four steps on his own!!!!! Ahhhhhh.....what are we gonna do when he starts really walking? We are so proud of him. He is such a joy and everyday is filled with new adventures that we get to go on with him. What a fun time!!!!

The Dishwasher Diaries

So, in honor of my sister in law, Amanda's great blog about the invention of the large straw, here is my blog on an invention that I love....the dishwasher. Well, this blog was inspired after a few days of dishwasher difficulties. Our dishwasher broke, and Joey and I had to do them BY HAND!!! What? Dishes by hand....a whole sink full and then some...BY HAND! That just seemed wrong. I tell you what, life was restored back to normal again thanks to Darrell and Stephanie. Guys you are awesome!!! They gave us their fantabulous dishwasher since they are pimping out their kitchen with new stuff. I tell you I have never been so happy loading dishes into it than when I was without one for a few days. It makes you thankfull for these inventions that you take for granted. So, cheers to the inventor of the large straw and the dishwasher, and all those other inventors out there plugging away at new ways to make our lives more fun! We drink to you.....with our large straws!!!
This is the new one. It looks great, Darrell and Stephanie!!!!

Cowboy Jack And His Big Boy Boots

So, you all know how I love to dress up the little guy and take pictures. Well, we got this red cowboy hat and had to take some pictures. The boots, which are just precious, are from Jess and Johnny. The only problem is that they are like for a three year old. They were huge on him, but I think that just added to the cuteness!

My Heart

So, in honor of my husband's push for me to use this blog as more than just a baby picture book, I am posting some other things. I have posted before that I really love to create. That means through photography, scrapbooking, working on the house, and writing I feel that I can express myself. I thought I would blog some things that I have written. This blog was also inspired by my Auntie who reminded me of the mystery books that Jess and I used to write when we were kids. She still has them on her computer! Yikes! Anyway, I am now mainly writing poems and I like writing down my thoughts. It helps me process. Anyway....this was one I wrote a while ago when I was really thinking about the hope that I have in Chirst.

My Heart


Set loose the chains that bind my heart
And the freedoms you intend,
Break through the bars and heal the scars
Battle wounds only you can mend

Tear out the lies from Satan's tongue
His mission to destroy,
And revive in me your sweet melody
Sing the song of unending joy

My heart, your home, your dwelling place
Forever let it be.
You knocked, I cried and bowed my pride
To embrace eternity

So, guard my heart Oh warrior God
With all your weapons drawn,
For in this fight I need your might
It draws close to the break of dawn

And with the turning of the tides
And the dawning of new days
Come valleys to cross and suffered loss
Its so easy to lose my way

And though these days I will have to fight
And defeat sometimes will come,
I can proclaim in Jesus' name...Victory!
For the war we've already won!

-Nicole Kraus