Enjoying Florida with family... see ya next week!

TWJ 46 - Merry Christmas!

The lyrics above come from our newest favorite Christmas song, “Lord Remind Me,” by Jon & Valerie Guerra (who I'm ridiculously excited to watch LIVE at the Ryman tomorrow night, along with my second favorite Christmas musician, Amy Grant). ;)

In the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, we are incredibly grateful for a God who is constant through it all.

Wishing you a very
Merry Christmas!

Danny, Amanda, & Baby Jane

TWJ 45

Hmm, I definitely forgot that today was Tuesday (fail). And I definitely took zero pictures of Jane this week (double fail). So... for now I'll just share a few wintery pictures from our time in Indiana last month, and we'll catch ya next week! :)

TWJ - 10 months

My goodness, when did this girl turn into a toddler?!?

Month #9 was a big one for Jane. She learned to crawl, and stand, and pull up on to everything.

She mastered "so big." Before we can even finish the question "How big is Jane?" her hands fly triumphantly into the air like a gymnast who just landed a flip.

She loves waving to everyone/everything/all the time, and she's working on her clap.

She's fascinated by photographs, mirrors, and peek-a-boo.

Her favorite toys are car keys (for chewing), coffee tables (for standing), and other people's mouths (for inspecting). How's that for a Christmas list??

Looks like we have a future orthodontist on our hands. :)

Happy 10 months, Janie Bear!

TWJ 43

This past week, we got to spend time with the Seiberts in Cincinnati. And in typical Seibert fashion, we ate 'til we were sick and laughed 'til we cried! :) So incredibly grateful for family.

As the youngest member of the family, Jane gets no shortage of attention. She was constantly doted upon by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and passed around like a hot potato all day long. :)

(Photo credit to Jane's very talented cousin, Olivia.)

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Thankful

Thankful carries a different weight this November.

On Friday, I spent the day with my dear friend, Amber, who two weeks ago today lost her sweet sister, Amanda, in one of the darkest, most senseless acts imaginable. And the nation watched in awe—even disbelief—as Amanda’s husband and family members proclaimed the goodness of God in the midst of such evil and spoke of their unshakeable hope in the One who turns tragedy into triumph.

I sat with Amber as she remembered with joy those 28 precious years with her baby sis. Amber and Amanda were as close as any two sisters I’ve known—dating (and marrying) best friends, walking down the same wedding aisle on either side of their dad, supporting each other through marathons and college graduation and pregnancy and childbirth, sharing all of life’s biggest moments side by side—which makes this loss all the more devastating. Having two sisters of my own, I cannot even imagine.

All sisters share a special bond, but few share their wedding day.

In Amber’s bathroom I noticed a sign, “There is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for.”

Always??

This November, the world seems exceptionally dark.

Death. Evil. Sin.

More death. More evil. More sin.

And yet, here stand the Byars and Blackburn families in the midst of this nightmare, choosing to be thankful. Thankful for a God who turns tragedy into triumph. Thankful for 28 sweet years with their sister, daughter, wife. Thankful for the unshakeable hope we have in Christ. Thankful this world is not our home, death is not the end, and the best is yet to come.

Wow. My “thankful list” falls pathetically short in comparison.

This November, the Light seems exceptionally bright.

Love. Forgiveness. Grace.

More love. More forgiveness. More grace.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Jane, I pray that, in the midst of great darkness, you too will reflect the Light. I pray that you will know the unfailing goodness of God and the unshakeable hope we have in Christ. And I pray that no matter what lies ahead, you will always, always find something to be thankful for.

TWJ 40

Some days you wake up thinking it's just going to be another day, not realizing that at any moment, without warning, your whole life could come crashing down.

My heart aches for my dear friends who have experienced this reality this week-- one, who's husband passed away Sunday night from a sudden heart attack, leaving her behind with their sweet baby girl, just a few weeks younger than Jane. Another, who's precious sister-- a pastor's wife in Indy, mother of a 1-year old boy, and 12 weeks pregnant with their second-- was the victim of a violent home invasion yesterday, and today went home to be with Jesus. There are no words for this kind of devastation. Only prayers and tears. Lots of tears.

Jane, this Tuesday (Wednesday), I want you to know that life is a gift. That our days are short and numbered and infinitely valuable. That the world is dark, but Jesus is light. And that no matter what happens-- though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death-- you need not fear evil, for you are never alone. Your life is precious and you are loved. So, so loved.

TWJ - 9 months

Today marks 9 months with Jane, which means she has officially been in the world as long as she was in the womb (give or take those 2 weeks overdue... but we won't talk about that now). ;) I'm not sure which is harder to believe-- the fact that we have a crawling, babbling, 9-month old daughter, or the fact that this daughter grew 9 months in my belly. Both are pretty miraculous if you ask me.

This was a big week for Jane. Surviving a lobster boil, of course. ;) Going on a spontaneous trip with our friends, the Shepards, to the most amazing international farmers market (if you live anywhere near Atlanta, you have to check this out!!). And learning how to roll her tongue like a fluent Spanish-speaker.

And then, on Sunday morning, she decided to crawl. And pull herself up. On to everything. We're still working on the "getting down" part, and unfortunately I imagine there might be a few (more) bumped heads before that skill is mastered. :(

I thought I could outsmart her with the sticker this time. It can't be done, folks.

Happy 9 months, Janie Bear!

TWJ 38

Highlight: Our favorite grocery store just opened in Birmingham! We celebrated with a picnic in the trunk. :)

Lowlight: Our favorite grocery store just opened in Birmingham. What used to be a magical stop on many road trips--driving hours out of our way to stock up on cookie butter, ginger granola, chocolate-covered everything, and all our favorite treats-- now is just a grocery store. Funny how you always want what you can't have, and once it's accessible, the desire is gone. (We might stick to only shopping at Trader Joe's for road trips, just to keep the magic.) :)

Lowlight: Another tooth popped through on top. Good grief, teething is no fun for anyone.

Highlight: Kisses!!! 

Lately whenever we kiss Jane, she returns the love with a slobbery, open-mouthed kiss of her own. It's the best. The absolute best. :)

TWJ 37 - La Tour de Jane

We just returned from 2+ weeks on the go-- part vacation (Smokies), part work (Pennsylvania), part visiting family & friends (Ohio/Indiana), and all together a wonderful trip! I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

CVCA's littlest volleyball fan, with Professor LT and Coach Audra

The Gorge

Elkhart, Indiana

Amber, my bosom buddy since 6th grade.

Traditional chubby face.

Jenny, highschool classmate & Argentina amiga.

Jane looooved Max (which did not help my case in the ongoing debate around here of whether or not we should get a dog...). ;)

Great Grandma Marge

My precious cousin, Liza, and Frieda, who was visiting all the way from India!

Hanging out with cousins...

...and admiring Grandpa Dave's latest basement hobby! ;)

At last we are home again, home again, jiggety-jog. 

And just in time for Daddy's birthday!

We sure love this guy!!! Happy 30th, Danny!