In Case They Ever Wonder

Of all the gifts I've received this year, Lillian Hope is by far the greatest. Still, after 10 months, I just cannot believe she is mine. She is without a doubt the sweetest, funniest, most precious little girl. When I think about this year and the goodness of the Lord in giving me such a laid-back sweet-natured baby in what would be one of the most stressful years our family has known. Lillie can bring a smile to the face of the most sour-faced stranger. She loves nothing better than to catch someone's eye and flash her toothy grin from one ear to the other. In fact, she stopped the whole parade at Disney World because the characters could not waving at her and even coming over to meet her! I won't be a bit surprised if she doesn't grow into an amazing encourager because she seems to love to make people happy. And she has lived up to her name by bringing hope to our family during a year when we so desperately needed it. The other night as I was rocking her, just thinki...

My kids are over-the-moon about their Uncle Derek! Not only is he an amazing uncle, he is truly the best brother-in-law and Matt's favorite partner in crime! We are so proud of Derek's passion for helping transform every day kids into passionate followers of Christ, and we are thankful for the way he willingly shares his many gifts and talents with everyone around him. Our family feels so blessed that the Lord brought he and Tori together, and we are amazed at how perfect they are for one another. Together Derek and Tori form "Team Jones," and in just a few months, that team is gaining one adorable little member named Zoe! We just know that Uncle Derek is going to be the best dad! Partly because Sophie, Will and Lillie have provided him with more training than he ever could have imagined! From building castles and pirate ships to changing toddlers in the trunk of a car, to wearing an infant in a sling to giving countless surprises to his nieces and nephew to hosting m...