We went down to the river...

*Please excuse the highlighted word...I am unsure why even after a spell check it is that way?*

Okay so actually we went down to the pool of our good friends James and Kim Wilaby but I digress. Our daughter was baptized in an example of full submersion on August 22. She had made a profession of faith on July 21 while attending VBS at her God parents Riley and Leigh-Ellen's church. As Christ following parents we have to admit this was one of the happiest days of our lives ranking high on the list next to the day each of our children were born or the day of our marriage. Jesse decided to follow King Jesus and even though she was baptized in our church as an infant wanted to show and outward example of this decision. As most know full submersion baptism is not the "norm" in the Methodist church so our church didn't have a baptistery therefore resulting in a hot afternoon spent at the Wilabys worshiping and ending with baptism. When this day was first planned it was for Jesse to be baptized. But as they say God showed up and showed out. And three others were baptized that same day. Chase and Alysa brother and sisters who had also made the same profession as Jesse at the same VBS came forward when the pool was opened to others and following them Jame's daughter Anna was so moved by the Spirit that she stepped in to the pool in her Sunday best to rise again new and full of that wonderful Spirit. It was an amazing day for our family and Jesse was so blessed to share it with 3 wonderful others. I wanted to share the wonderful pictures of that day and the lyrics of "her song" that Jake sang that day!..."Oh how he loves us" Enjoy!

Listening to "her song" being sung...He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realise just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all
Yeah, He loves us, Oh! how He loves us, Oh! how He loves us, Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If His grace is an ocean, we?re all sinking.

And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss, And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don?t have time to maintain these regrets, When I think about, the way? He loves us! Oh how he loves us!

**I think it is funny that the coloring in the pic of her coming up out of the water is different than the coloring of all the other! I know the Spirit was there. It was a great day**

BIRTHDAY GIRL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSE-GRACE!

This photo was taken in Gulf Shores Alabama on one of our family vacations. She was around 3 years old. I wish I had one of her as an infant to post but didn't have any on this computer! This will have to do. She has grown and changed so much I miss this sweet little girl! Perfect picture to capture her true personality.

Ten years ago...

Ten years ago today I became a parent with the birth of my daughter Jesse-Grace or Jesse as she now wishes to be called. I was a YOUNG mother and Michael and I not yet married (oh close your lip you knew this) it was I have to say the happiest and scariest day of my life. I was so overcome by joy, love and fear as I held my sweet baby and looked into her eyes. I know that God chose me to be her mother for all his reasons not mine. I know he knew the plans surrounding her conception and birth and I know he knows where she is going. I am so blessed to be the mother of this wonderful young lady!

Jesse was the only grandchild my mother ever got to meet...I am overcome with emotion today thinking what my mom would think of who she is becoming. And how proud she would be of Jesse's recent choice to serve her King Jesus and her example of water baptism.

Jesse is full of attitude as all girls her age are. And as each day passes myself and Michael become the biggest dorks on this planet. But the joy this child as brought me and so many others is worth all the attitude in the world. I thank God everyday for Jesse and for blessing me with this opportunity to be her mother. Happy Birthday Jesse we love you:)


Jesse shares this special birthday with her late cousin Cameron Bryant Winn. Jesse was born on his first birthday and one year later just before turning two he passed away. I remember his sweet face and spirit and I love his mother so much. I know we were all blessed to have known this child no matter how short a time it was we had to spend with him. Happy Birthday Cameron could you do Jesse and I a favor and give her Nonnie a big hug for us?!?

1st Place

Last night Jesse's school had "Grand Open House" a chance for the students to celebrate their grandparents, show off our school and of course visit the book fair. And while the songs were great and I am sure she enjoyed the book fair with her Paw Paw (my dad) my highlight was....Jesse won 1st place in the essay contest. They were given the "prompt" My Grandparent is my hero because. Jesse chose to write about my mom who died almost 7 years ago. I helped her with a couple details as she was so young and didn't remember things like my brother and dad shaving their heads to match my mom or how much my mom enjoyed her visits. But other than that it was all her memories and her feelings. I cried spell checking it for her so I knew I would cry last night. What I was not prepared for was Jesse's emotions while on stay reading she began to cry and Mrs. Sheets ( her principal) had to finish reading for her. I am so proud of her not just because she took 1st place but because she wanted to honor her Nonnie that way. I know as much as I want my mom here she would never leave the wonders of heaven to return to us but I am so comforted knowing how proud she would have been last night of her "love buttons". I know she was smiling down from heaven. Following reading the essay Jesse received her first ever standing ovation. I know she had to be so brave to share all those emotions with everyone there last night.

Below is a copy of her essay...We hope you enjoy!

My Nonnie is my hero because she was brave when she battled leukemia. When I was 2 and a half my Nonnie found out she had a very bad kind of leukemia. She wanted to get better so she could see me grow up. So she took chemo to help her get better. When she did all her hair fell out. I was scared to see her like that. My Uncle and Paw paw shaved their heads so they all could look a like. No matter how sick she was she always wanted me to visit her.

She fought very hard to get better. My Nonnie was not scared to die she knew if she did she would go to heaven with her grandparents and other family who died before her.

Her leukemia went away for a little while. We were happy she had almost died but got better. Her hair was growing back. But 1 week after my birthday her leukemia came back. She had to go to the hospital again. But she never got to come home. No matter how brave she was, she was too sick. Her lungs got really sick because of the chemo and she had to use a ventilator. Her organs all got sick and then she died.

What I remember most is she fought hard to stay with her family. She was brave and I hope that I can be brave like her to. I miss her everyday but her battle makes her my hero.

GIVEAWAY

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