Five years ago today we were blessed with our first born, Albert Lloyd Louis Jones. He was born with Trisomy 18, the doctors deemed this diagnosis as incompatible with life. Albert was a great blessing to us and many others, though his life on earth was a brief 26 days he still continues to touch lives through people coming upon our caring bridge sight, walking this journey with us, and we see glimpses of him in his two younger sisters.

My dream for a couple years has been to build a playground in his memory. I felt this was fitting because one night before Albert passed Will and I were asleep and Will tapped me and said Albert is gonna be okay I saw him swinging and he is older and he is fine. Will doesn't remember this so I am not sure I dreamed it or if he actually spoke to me. The second vision that came as him on a swing was a by someone given an assignment to write a paper based on the story 5 people you see in heaven. One of the people she met was a little boy about the age of 8 or 10. He was swinging and it turned out he was Albert. She talked to him about him dying as a baby and he talked about not really having an age in heaven (I am just going by memory on this-the document is on my old computer).

I thought at first it would be perfect to put a playground at a rest stop where kids could play and stretch as we travel to visit family. But the more we visited Ebenezer (where Albert is buried) the more I was being nudged that it needs to be there. At Albert's burial we had intended to get a picture with Will and I and our nieces and nephews on the steps of the church. It turned into every child at the funeral running to be in the photo so I just went with it. I was often brought back to this photo and knew God was trying to tell us something through it. Still not completely sure His whole story has been revealed but I am also posting a second photo taken this year of how many young people are being blessed by the Ebenezer church today.

As they run around after services I continually think they need a place to play. I am not sure the best way to get it rolling-I know little about fundraising, playground cost, etc. I had really hoped to have in in place for his 5th birthday. I had spoken to a couple people but felt pressed for time. This am I felt lead to get the fundraiser started and maybe it can be in place by his 6th birthday.

If anyone is great at getting things organized and helping this happen I would love a volunteer to help figure out cost, find a place to collect funds, or get it set up. I haven't even priced a playground set yet but they have some pretty awesome ones at the Kentucky Barn Store in Salvisa near the church.

This is list I cam up with:

Playground equipment and mulch(or something else) under it.
2 benches/picnic table
Memorial plaque.

                                          On steps of Ebenezer August 2010

On steps of Ebenezer Spring 2015

Miss You everyday. 

Glory Baby- by Watermark

Glory baby you slipped away as fast as we could say baby…baby..
You were growing, what happened dear?
You disappeared on us baby…baby..
Heaven will hold you before we do
Heaven will keep you safe until we’re home with you…
Until we’re home with you… 
Miss you everyday
Miss you in every way
But we know there’s a
day when we will hold you
We will hold you
You’ll kiss our tears away
When we’re home to stay
Can’t wait for the day when we will see you
We will see you
But baby let sweet Jesus hold you
‘till mom and dad can hold you…
You’ll just have heaven before we do
You’ll just have heaven before we do 
Sweet little babies, it’s hard to
understand it ‘cause we’re hurting
We are hurting
But there is healing
And we know we’re stronger people through the growing
And in knowing-
That all things work together for our good
And God works His purposes just like He said He would…
Just like He said He would… 
BRIDGE:
I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies
and what they must sound like
But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home
And it’s all you’ll ever know…all you’ll ever know…

On this amazing journey of life, we travel the road. Sometimes the way seems easy, sometimes the way seems long, and sometimes we never seem like we will make it to our destination. So thankful we are on the journey together.

We celebrated 10 years of marriage in May. It is hard to believe it has been that long. We have 2 beautiful girls to teach and grow with and one beautiful boy who turns 5 in a few days that will be celebrating with Jesus.

Today I am reminded of the importance of allowing God to lead our steps and guide our path. Often it is easy to think we know where we should be and what is best and it is easy to forget while God sees the whole picture we are only getting a small square of it.

Excited to continue growing together in the family God has blessed us with.

Kizzie's first week.

First Valentine Date with Mama and Papa.

Valentine's Day

Mama, Papa, Marmie, and Pap

First day at church 2-12-12

Baby Blessing at Church

First Bath

We have had a great time getting to know our daughter and learning what it means to be parents to a child at home. Our first week was mostly filled with time at home. We also went to church and had a baby blessing and the three of us went on a Valentine's day date. We have probably worn her out taking so many photos this past week.

Keziah Josephine

Looks like we will have a Amethyst birthstone for a February baby. Someone was asking where we came up with her name. Her name was picked out before we were even married. Will's dad always wanted someone to use the name Kizzie (Will's great grandmother), I fell in love with the name it is derived from Keziah and the nickname. I have always wanted to use Josephine after my great grandmother. when we put the two together we loved it. So we knew she would be our first baby girl over 7 years ago. What's even more amazing is God knew she would be our first baby girl forever. Someone recently asked about the meaning of the name. we weren't really sure other than Keziah had something to do with cinnamon. So I looked it up. It actually comes from the cassia tree, which some forms produce cinnamon. The cassia trees symbolism is longevity. Josephine means "the Lord increases" or "He will enlarge" (excited to see what this means in our life). In Job 42, the Lord blessed Job more in the latter part of his life than the first. This was a comfort to us after loosing Albert. But we didn't read on until we knew there was somewhere in the bible Keziah was mentioned and when looking that up Job 42:13-14 says he had seven sons and three daughters. It only gives mention to the daughters names the second he named Keziah. God knew she would be our second child. Isn't he awesome :). Looking forward to introducing Kizzie Jo to the world in the next week or so :).

Keziah Josephine was born 2-7-2012 at 6:07 am, weighed 7lbs. 10 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

1 day old

At home now

At the Hospital

Proud Papa

Time with Mama.

April 2010

Will turns 34 with a caramel bundt cake. His parents came to help celebrate as they traditionally do.

Painting Shelves for the Baby room.

Pictures I painted for my sisters baby room

25 weeks...the room is coming along.

Kaua'i

We decided to celebrate our 5th anniversary early in Hawaii. We had a nice time. The trip was very relaxing and laid back.

Hiking

Roadside stand first time we saw to buy leis

Lighthouse

Boogie Boarding

Luau

More of March

We decided to get a new vaccum before the babies arrival. Ours was not picking up very well and we didn't have any attachments. we also thought it would be good to have one that would do better with pet hair.

Shelves for the baby room are finally together but still need painted. 22 weeks.

I was cooking with some strong garlic one day and Will thought it was funny I went to get the safety googles because it was burning my eyes.