"The Love Dare" Day 3

Well, for those of you who still haven't seen "Fireproof" the movie, what are you doing? Stop reading this dumb blog and go get tickets for you and your spouse right now!!

Claire and I saw this excellent movie on Saturday. From the makers of "Facing the Giants," this movie takes aim at addressing the central issues in marriage. The main character, Caleb, is played by Kirk Cameron. Rock on Kirk! Caleb is an amazing firefighter. However, his marriage is burning to the ground.
Unable to understand how to save their marriage, Caleb and his wife are headed for divorce fast.



His father gives him a book, "The Love Dare." It requires a 40 day commitment from Caleb to do everything the book says, one day at a time. Day 1: "Resolve to be patient with your spouse today, and to say nothing unkind out of impatience." Day 2: "In addition to not saying anything negative to your spouse today, also do one random act of kindness."

Well, the days move on, and Caleb begins to realize his biggest problem in marriage is himself. He is a selfish husband.

Well, as you can expect, a happy ending results.

The coolest part:
You can get a copy of the love dare for your own marriage. Yup. Not that we're on our way towards a divorce (in fact, far from it), but we consider it a little preventative maintenance. Claire and I started reading it together just a few days ago.

Today is Day 3 for us.
Todays Dare: "What you invest your time and money into will determine what you have chosen to love. Your heart will be inclined to what you invest in. Today, buy something unexpected for your spouse as a way of showing them that they are what you value most."

I thought as Claire and I read it on the couch this morning, "Oh that's sad. Claire wont be leaving the house today, so she wont be able to buy me anything."

But my sweet wife outsmarted me again. Yes, again. I just got this email.


Praise God for my amazing wife and the sweet blessing that she is to me in ALL of the creative ways that she chooses to give up her own wants for the sake of meeting mine. Thanks baby, you rock! I am praying that God will fireproof our marriage from now until death does us apart (or Christ returns).

So you're wondering what MY gift is to Claire. Well, I haven't given it to her yet, so you'll just have to wait and see...

Video: Alaythia's Birth

OK. For all of you who have waited so patiently for photos of Alaythia, here is your reward.
This video is from Alaythia's birth.
No no, not that part. You don't want to see that part.
This video is of the part AFTER that. The good part.
Enjoy friends.

Alaythia Grace Drumm

Yes, i'm well aware that we are exactly one month behind. Those of you who don't understand clearly don't have children. Nor have you probably been hit by a hurricane. We're behind at everything right now. Nonetheless, we are blessed to announce the birth of our sweet daughter, Alaythia Grace. Thanks for waiting so patiently. :-) This image is posted to be large enough to print as a 4x5 photo if you'd like to download it. Just click the image to see the bigger version, then right-click and "Save image as..."

Memories Forever

There are some periods of time in your life that you know you will never forget. Of course, as our second daughter Alaythia was born weeks ago, I knew in advance that this would be one of those times. But in many ways, it has been for reasons that I did not expect.

Of course, Alaythia's birth was exciting, nerve-wrecking, and tear-jerking for all the usual reasons and for a few extra. The time we spent in the hospital while Alaythia was in the NICU was difficult, but God has strengthened us through it all, and as My good friend Terry reminded me, "When the trials come, I can always know that the grace to get through it will come with the trial." (rough paraphrase, totally botched, but you get the point) More to come about Alaythia, and yes, yes... more pictures of her too.


Then of course the Hurrication that we all got thanks to Ike. That too is for another blogpost. And yes, that with many pictures as well. I got some great pictures; I can't wait. However...

This blogpost is about one of my new best friends. She is a princess. She is wonderful. She is Sophia. Of course, Sophia and I have always had a great relationship. But over the last few weeks, Sophia and I have had some really priceless moments together that have turned our daddy/daughter love into something phenomenal. While Claire had to be at the hospital with Alaythia in the Neonatal ICU, I had a whole week off of work to just hang out around the house with Sophia. This little girl amazes me with her tiny curiosity and massive personality. What started out as an adventure in merely babysitting turned into a relationship building week that has changed me forever. She has only been in our home for a year, and I dare use the trite phrase, "I didn't know I could love someone this much whom I have only known for such a short period of time."

The joy I have over my family is just a reflection to me of the infinite wisdom of our Creator, to give us this precious gift of relationships, love, children, and family. Praise God. Make His praise glorious.

I'm sorry blog

Dear blog,
I know. I know. It's been over a week since i've talked to you.
I know. I keep saying this won't happen again.

I know how it makes you feel when I ignore you for so long, but please understand that it would take a hurricane to keep me from you. I really mean it; I don't just say that to all the blogs.

Now that the power is back on, and this whole thing is behind us, I promise to be more of the author you are hoping I would be. Oh blog, I really want to change.

Can you find it in your HTML to forgive me?

Apologetic keystrokes,
Jason

Cute Cousins

Sophia and Alaythia's cousins Nicole and Katelyn are super-cute.
We were blessed to have them join us for Sophia's first birthday party.
Here are a few of the pictures we took of them. It started as a game in which they DID NOT want to have their picture taken, but after awhile, they were really into the fun of it.

Nicole hiding behind her sister, trying not to have her picture taken.

Two words: Cake face.

Tim nailed this AWESOME photo of Nicole.

Both girls are paying close attention to the birthday girl eating her cake across the table.
Thanks to mom and Jake for picking up the girls so they could come!!