  Levi has a new favorite game.
 Where’s Levi?
 Peek-a-boo.
 Where’s Levi?
 Peek-a-boo.
 I don’t know how he learned this.
One day he just kept pulling his blanket over his head.
Then he would pull it off and smile.
It was like he was trying to play a game with me.
So, I started saying peek-a-boo.
I had to pull out the video camera
because I was afraid Joel wouldn’t believe me that he was doing it all on his own.
It is so crazy how fast these babies learn things!
Whenever you hear Daddy’s voice yelling,
“Mr. Leeeeviiii,”
you race to the door.
 Sometimes Mama has to give you a push if you are stuck,
but usually you go as fast as you can.
Your arms pump back and forth the whole time because you are so excited.
 And you always have a huge smile on your face.
 Your daddy bends down to talk to you.
And you talk back to him…
telling him all about your day.
 But, I’m pretty sure THIS is the best part of your day.
It doesn’t matter how fussy you have been for Mama,
when Daddy comes home you are SO happy.
You’ve been invited. This invitation is not to a party but to a person. Jesus wants to open his heart to you, so he has said, “Come to me.” This invitation is addressed to all who are weary and carry heavy burdens. This invitation is for you. Jesus wants you to come to him so he can give you the gift of rest. He knows that what you need is real rest–not just for your body, but also for your soul. And only Jesus can give you soul rest. He wants you to rest from trying to be good enough and from doing too much. He wants you to fully rest in his finished work on the cross, his provision of salvation. This is rest that begins now and continues into eternity. Jesus knows that if we don’t rest in him, we’ll sacrifice the important for the urgent, the personal for the public. If we don’t rest in him, we’ll end up empty on the inside, moving through life in a fog of meaningless religious ritual.
So how do you RSVP to Christ’s invitation? He said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you.” At first this may sound like just another burden. But the yoke of Jesus is the burden that makes all other burdens bearable. This yoke is what connects us to Jesus so that he can share our load. He wants to bear the weight of your burdens with his strong shoulders.
So when you find yourself searching for something to soothe the pain in your life, will you listen for the voice of Jesus whispering his invitation into your ear, “Come to me”? When you feel your frustration building and your strength fading, hear Jesus saying, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens.” When you find yourself weighed down by unrealistic expectations or unbearable emotions, Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30, NIV).
Jesus stands with his arms outstretched saying, Come away from what is insignificant and empty so you can enter into what is eternal, essential, restful. Come to me. Let me love you. Who could resist such an invitation?
Nancy Guthrie, The One Year Book of HOPE
I was really encouraged by this. It was too good not to share. I hope it is an encouragement to you today too. I long for this kind of rest, don’t you? And Jesus is right there offering it to us. The burdens of life are wearisome. And so often I try to carry the load myself. Sometimes I don’t even think I realize I am trying to do it on my own. But I do…all the time. This week I am reminded that I need to go to Jesus. He makes my burdens bearable. In Him is where I will find true rest.
Happy Sunday!
It seems like every time we go somewhere, it takes me so long to get back into the swing of things here at home. Today I just downloaded our pictures from the Fourth. And I realized it is Thursday ALREADY. Crazy how fast this week is going.
This is the first time in four years (I think) that we haven’t hosted a party at our house for the Fourth. Joel’s cousins had invited us to come see them over the Fourth, so we decided to change it up a little this year. It was fun to be able to spend time with them.
 The original plan was to hang out by the pool all day. Instead it rained most of the afternoon and we just hung out inside and talked. By the time evening rolled around the skies cleared and we spent the rest of the evening outside. The weather was beautiful. Joel’s cousins have an awesome backyard with a pool…
 and these fantastic lounge chairs. It was very relaxing.
 When the sun went down we were entertained by an awesome fireworks show. We didn’t even have to go anywhere. And Levi slept through the whole thing.
   Joel’s brother James came along with us. He is home from China for a few months. It is great to have him around! I don’t know how to explain this picture…it must be a cousin thing.
    Thanks Sands and Heusers for inviting us. We loved our time together. Come to Kansas soon!
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 Today is my little brothers birthday (left). He is 19..which means he is almost 20. (I know, I’m a genius.) It is weird for your baby brother to be almost 20. And the worst part is…that means I am almost 30. Yikes! Thank goodness my hubby gets to reach that milestone before me. Levi and I got to have breakfast with my brother and his girlfriend this morning. My other crazy brother (right) came by too. Levi was loving the attention.
Happy birthday Owen!
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 And right now I am attempting to make a chocolate peanut butter pie to take to small group tonight. I have never made it before (that was probably my first mistake). My crust came out of the oven kinda crumbly still. I am wondering if I should have added a little extra butter. But I followed the recipe EXACTLY and I don’t have that cooking instinct that alerts you when the recipe isn’t working and tells you exactly what to do to fix it. I wish I had that. I am pretty sure my pie won’t look as good as the picture. I might not even have enough time for the pie to set up before we have to leave. It is taking longer than I thought. Obviously I didn’t plan very well. So, I am sitting here thinking about what my plan B should be if my pie making turns into a disaster. This is why I don’t make pies.
Hope you all are having a good week!
Happy Fourth of July!
 Thank you to all the men and women who so faithfully serve our country.
We are grateful.
Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.
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The Fishers - My son started doing that right about the same age! 🙂 He loved the “where’s Eli?” game.
Levi is such a handsome little guy and seems to have quite the personality!
Blessings from WA.
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hoosier68 - Sometimes we miss these kind of things because we don’t think they are really doing it. Levi knows exactly what he is doing, spending quality time with his mother. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
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Beki - TheRustedChain - Jess, that baby is so.stinking.cute!
I just want to squeeze him.
Love your photos!
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Lauren Kelly - Too precious!!!! 🙂
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Anonymous - What a sweetheart. He is such a gorgeous baby!!
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mommaof4wife2r - i am in love with that sweet face…and i think his personality just shines! what a sweet baby!
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rhinz - I always hope you’ve included a new picture of handsome Mr. Levi when you have added to your blog. Today he is as precious as ever……I really need to give him a squeeze! Rosemary
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Tricia - I just can not get over how scrumptious he is!!
I hope that you are all well today.
With love and prayers,
XO*Tricia
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Vera - He is SO precious, and those pictures are just perfect!
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Aja - So sweet!
Where did you get that adorable quilt? Did you make it? Thanks!
Aja
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Shane and Casey - Levi is such a cutie. I love that stage.
I love that blanket, where did you get it? 🙂
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Lacey McKay - Love that chubby boy and love that quilt! So cute!
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kati - i just love him 🙂
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Candice - What a cutie pie!!
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carollai - so cute. 🙂 just yesterday with baby sophia i tried peek a boo. she totally didn’t get it. 😛 i guess at 2.5 months she’s not there yet!
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Lloyd Sisters - I LOVE these pics..he is the most adorable little boy out there. 🙂
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Nancy - He could be a baby boy model! He is PRECIOUS!!
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writing4612 - Levi is a handsome little fella! Cute photos.
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The McBrayer family - Oh. my. word. I have commented before- I just have to say today- he is THE cutest thing!!! Seriously- he is THE cutest!! Love these pictures!
Kelli- Atlanta
(my blog is private- if you would like an invite please let me know. I just don’t want to be someone who comments and you cannot click on to find anything out about!)
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Merrill - Isn’t it fun when they learn something new? So cute, little Levi is!
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Sharon - Too cute! He really is Joel Jr. as he looks so much like your husband!
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Anonymous - He is to cute! What a happy little soul..Love the pictures and the updates.
Kim
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Anonymous - What a clever little boy! He’s absolutely beautiful Jess! x
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Life Chasers - That is my daughters favorite game too. I love how she squeals with delight when she pulls the blanket down!
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Jenifer's Journey - Wait till he get older lol my little Nephew is only 1 and a half and he makes us hide and come out at him lol the blanket thing is totally gone but its so much fun to hear him laugh
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Cyndi - Hi Jess! Would you mind sharing this Stella & Dot fundraiser for my friend with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma? She has a 2 year old she’s trying to stay alive for!
Thank you!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=114662278581692&ref=mf
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Christina - I don’t think that little boy could get any cuter…..and I am totally convinced that BLANKET was made “FOR HIM” because every picture you show us with him on it…. makes me …. sigh at the cuteness! It’s perfect!
*sigh
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Robyn B - You son is the cutest little guy…my son is now almost 9 years, but he was super-chunky style too. I love seeing pictures of him.
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teresa - Oh Levi, you are adorable! So glad your Mommy shares your special times with us.
Hugs & prayers,
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Lexie Loo & Dylan Too - Oh, he’s so cute!!!
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