Dear Josie

                                                                                                                  12/22/2011

Dear Josie,
      A friend of our family stopped by the house unexpectedly today.  He wanted to tell me a story and he asked me to pass it on to you......someday when you are old enough to understand.  I'm writing you now, to be sure that it is recorded as I promised.
     Our friend is Bob.  He is an older man, 90, this year I believe.  He has watched you and your brothers join our family one by one and has loved on our family in many ways.  We count his friendship very precious.  All of you have been held by him as infants and sit in his lap often when we spend time together.   Bob lost his wife many years ago, but one of his most priceless memories are the times that he prayed to our Lord with Ora Lee while holding her hands.  He misses the touch of her hands terribly, and misses holding hands during prayer just the same.  We attend a Bible study together with him, but do not often hold hands during prayer.  It is something he longs to do but doesn't experience often.  Last night was our Christmas party.  We enjoyed food, drink, and fellowship together.  We worshiped in song and celebrated together the birth of Christ.  You and Jackson and Jon Hudson were a joy to watch and enjoyed the music in each of your own ways.  Specifically, you danced and pranced around in the kitchen to each song....even after rubbing your eyes as it was late, you smiled and enjoyed yourself.  At the end of the evening we had a prayer.  Many bowed their heads and you knew exactly what we were doing.  You spontaneously walked up to Bob.  You held out your hands and held his while we prayed.  When the prayer was over, you looked up at him and smiled.  Then you walked away.  Sweetie, the Lord used you last night to touch Bob's heart tremendously.  He couldn't muster up the right words to express how deeply you touched his soul.  He did shed tears, as did I, as he expressed his gratitude for your act of love.  You are only 2 right now, but one day, when you are older, I hope it will bless you to know how God used you in your innocence to show His great love for Bob in that moment.  Thank you, Josie, for your sweet spirit.  Bob loves you, and so do I.
Love,  Mom.

Slideshow of our pictures from Poetic Exposure

http://www.shareitvideo.com/watch.php?v=241555727863266

Jon Hudson is six weeks and we are surviving :)

A shout out to all those mom and dads who have had a baby with colic!  We have a diagnosis of reflux....which they didn't have back then but pretty sure it is some of the same thing.  JH has had a rough few weeks....so it has been a bit of a blur for Jonathan and I.  Looking through these pictures, though, I am reminded of all the joy still experienced and how wonderfully we have been blessed during this time.  Each day seems to bring a new challenge along with a new provision from the Lord.  His goodness and mercy follows our family each day.

Jackson and Josie had the privilege of giving JH his first bottle.  The adoring looks they are giving him are very indicative of their feelings towards him.  It makes my heart warm to see their gentle treatment of him and their precious love they have for him.

Be not deceived by the subdued look upon his face....he HATES baths and tells us so every time.  We have given up for now.  I just throw him in the shower with Dad for a rinse every couple of days and he seems to tolerate it!

Rare family picture....sooo hard to get us all together at the same time!

Kids had a dress up day for favorite Texas sports teams at school......uhhhhh we were not exactly prepared! Gran Pat had the genius idea to get some Cowboy tats for the day.  Ended up being super cute I thought.

Ok, so I'm not a huge fan of the Halloween holiday, but this night turned out to be priceless.  The afternoon started out with a traditional pumpkin carving....and yes that is a very sharp knife in my 4 year old's hand!!!  Jonathan drew a few options for the face and Jackson picked out his favorite eyes, nose and mouth to create this one of a kind.  Special time for the two of them.

Super spooky......

Spider man and Spider girl geared up for the neighborhood trick or treating.  We were so excited that lots of families participated with a wholesome, kid friendly celebration.  We had a blast going from house to house meeting our neighbors and introducing a safe, fun, non scary version of the holiday to the kids.

Spider-Man is Jackson-Man!

Spider-Girl!

The spoil....

I might just enjoy the spoil more than them :).

Photo shoot

They really do have a sweet brother/sis relationship.

Happy First Halloween Jon Hudson

First Two Weeks...

Words are few tonight....as I have been much more excited about having the energy to vacuum rather than writing a blog!! Ha ha.  It is incredibly nice to have some sense of normalcy back to my body and feel like I have motivation to have fun with all 3 of my children :).  The last few months have been anything but fun.  I am in awe of how much I love this new addition to our family and am collecting my thoughts each day of what to share here on this blog about the experience of adding number three.  I am most grateful for all the help our family has had over the past month.  We have had grandparents sacrifice sooooo much for us to help make this an easy transition.  I am overwhelmed and cannot wait to share all that the Lord has provided for us through Mamma Z, Pappa Z, and Gran Pat!!!!!!!  Please enjoy these pictures for now and look for a more completed update soon.  We continue to covet your prayers as each day brings new challenges for this family.  They are not challenges to big for our God, though.

Joining the Crew: Jon Hudson meets his Brother and Sister!

Jackson and Josie were so very excited to finally meet their new baby brother, Jon Hudson Wade Jones. He was born on September 21 at 9:12 pm, weighing 7 lbs 12 oz and measuring 19 1/8 inches long. Holly did such an amazing job giving birth to our sweet baby, I am more than proud of her and honored to have the privilege of being her husband. Both mom and baby are healthy and doing well. We are all so thrilled to have our little "Huddy Buddy" join our raucous crew. We love you Jon Hudson!

Happy Birthday Jackson

Jackson and Josie celebrated their birthdays together a few weeks ago at a party at our home.  This party also hosted the congratulations of Jonathan's graduation!  We had a great time celebrating with our Dallas family friends.  

 The spiderman theme was requested for months prior to his 4th birthday...so we treated him right.  He loves his suit and had a blast showing off with his friends.

 She had a great time also just playing with friends...gotta love that sweet face :).

 Now to the present....Mamma Z is here visiting awaiting the arrival of Jon Hudson.  She has been a huge blessing as I have needed a break!  The kids have been grateful, obviously, for the competent playmate :).  Guess I've been out of commission for a few months now.  The kids are adorned is some most precious capes that a good friend of ours made for them....sooooo cute!  They love that sword fighting!

Hope the next blog will contain a birth story and some birthday pictures of our third...due any day now...

Happy Birthday Josie!

Josie turned 2 yesterday....my sweet precious baby girl.  She is a true joy to live and breathe with each day.  She greets me each morning with a smile and a darling "hi."  We are so blessed by the Lord to have her in our family. 

Obviously she is fun and vibrant and keeps up well with the boys in the family....along with picking out a bow for her hair each morning.  Her favorite gift (one which she is having trouble sharing already) is a new stroller which she strolls her baby doll around the entire house.  She finds that her most favorite activity is sunbathing in the kiddy pool in our backyard :).  Happy Birthday sweetie.  We love you.

Here's to You, Jonathan!!

Jonathan and I moved to Dallas, TX 5 years ago for J to start a masters program at Dallas Theological Seminary.  He and I were both excited and nervous about the new turn in our journey together, but confident that it was where God was directing our paths.  To say that these past 5 years have been difficult would be an understatement.  I don't believe we ever had a clue of the challenges that were before us....if we had, we might never have chosen to come.  To say it has been a joy would be a complete  understatement as well.....our first two children were born here with another waiting to make his appearance.  As I write, Jonathan is engaged in his last class...his VERY LAST.  He will finish up loose ends tomorrow on campus and he will be done.  I can't even type without welling up with emotion.  There were times that I really wondered if we would ever finish this chapter in our lives.  Now it is here. It is really here!!!!  To say I am proud cannot begin to describe the enormity of passion I feel behind the words.  Not only has he attained a Masters of Theology (120 hour program including 5 classes of Greek and Hebrew!), but he has steadfastly loved me as a husband and encouraged our marriage to grow stronger, become the most wonderful, devoted father to 2 (really 3) amazing children, and grown in fellowship with others deepening relationships to higher levels.  Growth really has been his theme in all areas of his life.  And growth is something we will never finish.  Please join me in praising our awesome Father in heaven for sustaining him through these years.  Please join me in praying for our future as we enter into a search to find a place for him to pour his passions for Christ into the lives around us.  There is no other place I'd rather be than by your side, Jonathan.  Congratulations.  I love you.