We will follow

I have had a lot on my mind lately, and the past few days I have felt somewhat overwhelmed. There are a lot of unknowns in our life right now, and if you know me, you know I love to have a plan. I really, really hate not having a plan. But there are a lot of things that seem to be up in the air and circumstances that are outside my control. Between the post-pregnancy hormones and not getting enough sleep, tonight I became pretty much completely overwhelmed. As I was sitting in my bedroom crying, and crying out to God, and reading my Bible, I came across this verse.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16

These are words I have read over and over, and taken comfort from on so many occasions. However, tonight, the words seemed to slap me across the face.

I WILL. There are no if, ands, or buts about it. HE WILL.

As I return to work and have to leave my sweet baby and that difficult transition -
HE WILL make the rough places smooth.

Tyler's graduate school and job situation -
HE WILL guide us.

My parents' moving to Fort Smith and 2 hours away from us -
HE WILL not forsake me.

The state of the nation, health care reform, and consequently, mine and Tyler's careers -
HE WILL turn darkness into light before us.

HE WILL lead me by ways I have not known. Along unfamiliar paths. Out of my nice "planned" comfort zone. But HE WILL guide me. He sees and knows so much more than we can imagine or comprehend.

Though I do not know what the next chapter of our life holds,
I do know and trust and believe the One who holds our life.

And just one short chapter over, in Isaiah 43:19:

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Lord, this family will follow where you lead us.

We have had another busy week! Saturday, we went to visit Tyler's grandparents in Fordyce. It was his second lengthy car trip (almost 2 hours) and he did great, sleeping the whole way there and the whole way back, and being nice and happy while we were there! His aunt Peggy and cousin Jennifer also stopped by to meet our little man! Here are a couple of pictures :

Family picture! Possibly the first one in two months, since one at the hospital!

Jackson with Jennifer

Jackson with his great-grandpa, Papaw McDonald in their matching overalls

Jackson hanging out with his great-aunt Peggy

Jackson and his great-grandma McDonald

Last weekend (well, weekend before last now, as it's Monday!) our friends Austin and Linley came up to visit, and brought one of Tyler and Austin's friends from high school, John, and his fiancee Allison with them. We hadn't seen Austin and Linley since the weekend of Thanksgiving, and Tyler had not seen John in 5 years. We had a nice visit, though it was rainy and gross outside! We took Jackson to Cracker Barrel with everyone, and he slept in my arms the entire time! He's really getting good at going and doing things. Here are some pictures from that weekend:

Tyler, Austin, and John

Linley with her babygirl Kenlee and Jackson

He is growing up so quickly! I can even tell a difference from the picture with Linley to the pictures from this weekend in Fordyce. I have to go back to work on Thursday, and that brings mixed emotions. On one hand, I am very ready to have some semblance of a routine again. We haven't had much of a schedule since Jackson was born, and though I don't expect him to settle into a perfect routine, I think it will do us all good to have a set bedtime and time to get up! The other part of me is very sad to know that these are my last few hours to be at home constantly with my sweet boy. At this point in our lives, Tyler and I don't have much of a choice except for me to continue working. Hopefully, in about 2 years, Tyler will be done with his masters' degree and I might be able to stay home more at that point.

On another note... Happy Easter!

Week 6

We've had a fairly laid back week! Last weekend, we hung out at home as a family. Tyler had worked over 50 hours that week and we all just needed some downtime together. Monday, I had a doctor's appointment so Jackson got to hang out with his Sassy for a while. Tuesday, Jackson and I went to Russellville to eat lunch with Tina & Lauren and see everyone at work for a little bit! Wednesday, Jackson hung out with Sassy again while I went grocery shopping. Today, we're just enjoying a quiet day at home before the weekend. Here are a few random photos from the past week:

Jackson's 5th week of life

We had a big week last week! Wednesday we went to Russellville to visit everyone at work. Here's Jackson with Miss Myra:


Thursday was Jackson's one month checkup. Here's Jackson getting ready to go! He had gained weight from 5 lb 15 oz to 9 lb even, and grown from 19 inches to 21 inches! He's getting so big so fast!


Friday we went to visit family in Van Buren. Here's Jackson going on his first big car trip:


Jackson meeting Vernie for the first time:

Cousins! Minda, Tripp (Vernie's son), Vernie, and Jackson:

Saturday night, we took Jackson to church for the first time at New Life. He did great, and slept through the entire service! I didn't end up taking a picture because we got sidetracked before the service by an explosive diaper.

Sunday afternoon, Jackson and I went for his first walk in the stroller. It was a gorgeous day!



Brennan has been home this week for spring break, so we have been hanging out with him some. Monday night we had taco night, and Tuesday night everyone came to our house for Lost and fried deer steak. Tonight, Tyler and I are going on our first date night since Jackson was born, and Sassy and Grandpa Chris are going to keep him for us. :)