High Five 10:43 PM

What are the moments that changed everything? The things that, when you relate them in story are preceded by an ominous “and then it happened.” The happenings that don’t hit your plan off course but rebound a new one into existence. What are the flashbang moments that caste everything in back-lit relief?

If you could shave the whole of your experience to a flash-bulb beginning – what would it be? Not the birth of a child, or the passion-underscored conception of it, but the fleeting first glance, the hesitant first kiss, or the initial dawning of daydreaming love.

Mine would be this: a sticky summer night where flag-football practice gave way to the blue-eyed brunette on the sidelines. My friend Dustin called the brunette for himself, and I nodded with zero intention of agreeing. She was mine. Several months later, in a dorm room kitchen over creamy EZ-Mac, I told that brunette that I was falling in love with her. Four years later, on the banks of the Ohio River, I slipped a ring on her finger and told her that I would love her forever. Five years later, I love her more than I did then. My life is cast with a Dana backdrop that enhances and improves each part of it. I would have it no other way.

Proverbs 31 Woman 1:11 PM

Dana is a proud feminist. This makes for fun discussions when we talk about gender roles. Inevitably, I throw back at her the old "Proverbs 31 Woman" and ask her how many fields she has purchased lately. She laughs (or gives me the Dana-face) and we move on.

As is often the case when you read scripture instead of just parroting what you've heard about it - I discovered that my beautiful bride is a Proverbs 31 woman. Although the hasn't bought any fields, she does not bring her food from afar (she is a "locavore"), and she makes line-item arguments instead of linen garments.

But step back into Proverbs 31 a bit more, and it fits Dana to an absolute "T" (or "D")

Proverbs 31: 8 - 9a

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."

My beautiful wife...worth far more than rubies, diamonds, or Utah Jazz gear.

Four Ever 6:00 PM

Last Thursday, I celebrated four years of marriage with my lover and my friend, Dana. We visited the exact location of our first encounter and christened it with our favorite college-age food (Mariah's club sandwiches and sweet potatoes), four years of highs and lows, and lots of kisses and laughter. (Not laughter because of the kisses). The first time we met, I remarked about "the hot girl over there", on Thursday, and for the past 1000 Thursdays, I've been able to refer to her as "my beautiful wife".

I have attempted many times to wrap words around Dana, and only succeed in wanting to wrap my arms around her. She is perfect. If she were a television station, she would be CNN, HGTV, the Fashion Network, and Court TV all rolled into one - and I would watch her and only her forever.

She makes the Dana face and grumbles when I call her "wife" but I just smile. There is only one woman in the world that I can call "wife", and I am proud and privileged that she is it.

My Dangerous Son 10:13 PM

Yesterday, Stockton went to his first day at Broadway's Early Learning Center. He'll spend two mornings out of the week there with six other nearly one-year-olds. (Five of those six babies are girls - everywhere this boy goes he is surrounded by girls...uh-oh.) Dana provided the teachers with a brief description of Stockton - here is what she wrote under "Favorite Toys and Games"

Favorite Toys and Games: Hide and seek, peek-a-boo, wrestling, patty cake (with hands and feet), this little piggy. Loves to hang upside down, be thrown around, twirled, and anything else dangerous.

My dangerous son, whom I love.

Pillow Talk 2:35 PM

My wife has an active imagination. Fortunately for me, her overactive imagination often freaks her out by leading her to outrageous scenarios that result in her impending death. For example, last night, while we were going to bed:

(Jason and Dana in bed, bedside table lamps on. Dana reading the first Harry Potter, Jason reading The Greatest Generation)

Jason: Okay, time for bed. (Turns off lamp, puts down book, gets comfortable)
Dana: OK, just let me get to the end. (with about 20-25 pages left)
Jason: You know what happens.
Dana: No, I don't. I intentionally forget.
Jason: Voldemort touches Harry and melts. Voldemort flies away. Quirrell dies.
(pause)
Dana: You ruined it for me! (puts book away, gets comfortable)
(pause)
(house creaks)
Dana: Jason, I'm scared! What if there is a homeless guy in our attic?
Jason: How would he get into the attic?
Dana: What if it's Voldemort coming to get us? I'm scared! I'm scared of Voldemort!
Jason: Voldemort died. And he's not real.
Dana: Put your leg over me so they kill you.
Jason: (unable to stop laughing)
Dana: Tell me a happy story so I can go to sleep....

Is this how other married people talk at night?

Big Red Bomb 4:49 PM

Dana and I celebrated our alma mater's last-second squeaker by losing our minds and waking our sleeping baby.

Dana has been singing the fight song ever since.

Happy Birthday, Baby 2:26 PM

When I was younger, I wanted to marry She-Ra. She was beautiful and she took on the bad guys alongside He-Man. I think (hope) I realized that the She-Ra was not real and therefore, my chances of actually marrying her were slim to none.

In fact, She-Ra does exist, and she is my wife.

I know of no other woman that can go through 38 hours of labor and be beautiful on the other end. There is no other woman that single-handedly balances baby poop and national public policy. She is a hot, hilarious heroine who takes on anybody that would take advantage of anyone else. She is smart and articulate, and can change the brakes on the car while stopping traffic in high heels.

She is not only my wife, but my teacher, my best-friend, my clothing-picker, and my hair-stylist. She is my hero and I am privileged to get to share life with her. True to form, she is testifying to the Kentucky Committee on Economic Policy today...with Stockton in tow.

Happy Birthday, Baby. I love you.

Thoughts on three 11:59 PM

Three years ago yesterday, underneath a painted-pink sky, I held my best friend’s hand, looked her in the eye, and climbed over the lump in my throat to tell her “I do.” It seems like we just got married yesterday…but so much has happened since yesterday. I get more chill bumps looking into those baby blues than I got when I first spotted the brunette-bandit that stole my heart. To celebrate our anniversary, we went through the drive through at Burger King – here’s a brief sampling of some of the more exciting adventures we’ve shared.

- hearing Stockton’s heartbeat / seeing the ultrasound

- road trip to Mississippi

- our first (last) yardsale

- second anniversary splurge at Le Dauville (so good…)

- Salt Lake City trip to see the Jazz (fifth row! Picture with Jerry Sloan! Stood on the court! Three at the buzzer!! Overtime!! Win!)

- The mouse….(“um….there’s a mouse.” “ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshkillitnowkillitnowkillitNOW!”)

- Political / theological / cultural / everything-al debates on road trips

- Wheel of Fortune (“We are NEVER playing this game AGAIN.”)

- Dana’s screaming at my intramural basketball team to “REEEEEEBOUND! BOX OUT!”

I hesitate to call them adventures – because they have been blessings. I cannot wait to see the incredible ways God will continue to bless us – especially as “we” becomes three.

"Our Son" 6:40 PM

While preparing dinner, I did something stupid. I don't remember what it was. But Dana responds, "You're not allowed to do that in front of our son."

I understand that part of my calling is to influence kids. But it takes on a whole new meaning when it's yours...

I don't like wearing alot of clothing when I'm at home - does that mean Stockton will strip when he's at school?

Stockton, meet Bradley 10:30 PM

Dana and I just returned from our first "Bradley" class. It is a natural birthing process that emphasizes relaxation techniques to control pain over against drugs. It was intentionally educating and unintentionally hilarious.

- I was the only guy in a room of three woman, two of them pregnant and the other pregnant with knowledge. Have you ever talked about hemorrhoids with three women?

- The leader passed around questions for each of us to "talk" through. My question: How do I feel about an episiotomy? (An episiotomy is a procedure by which the perineum, the skin between the vagina and anus, is cut for a variety of reasons.)

- Actual conversation:
Leader: "I didn't think they made bra sizes beyond DD, but when I got to looking, they go all the way to J"
Other pregnant lady: "Oh they go beyond J"

- Actual conversation:
Leader: "There is a sack that surrounds the baby in utero. Sometimes the baby is born in the sack."
Me: "Really?"
Leader: "Oh yeah."
Other pregnant lady: "My cousin (or some relative) was born like that. I could bring some pictures next time if you want to see what it looks like."
Me: "Umm....no thanks."

I'm off to go do my Kegel exercises...

Wesley witness with the wife 3:22 PM

One of the reasons I was so attracted to Dana was her moxie; her general unwillingness to accept anything without searching it for herself to make sure that it is true and trustworthy. Sometimes this bites me in the butt - like when Dana searches to see if I actually cleaned or not - but is a tremendous blessing to banter theology with my wife.

My intensive class on the theology of John Wesley sparked a recent conversation with the Awesome Lawsons (who always live up to their name) regarding Christian perfection (full-on orientation of love towards God and neighbor) and John Wesley the husband. More specifically, Dana, while acknowedging the contributions of John Wesley to theological thought, dismissed a great deal of John Wesley because he was a horrible husband. While I am not an expert on Wesley, the biography I am reading confirms Wesley abandoned and neglected his wife under the banner of ministry. For Dana, Wesley's treatment of his wife was a dealbreaker.

Realizing this is a Cliffs notes version of Wesleyan perfection and the dynamic between Wesley and his wife, I am curious as to what you faithful readers (both of you!) think. Does Wesley ruin his witness by neglecting his wife? While Wesley never claimed to reach Christian perfection, does his horrible relationship with his wife undercut him? (It is worth noting that John Wesley, at least to my knowledge, never repented of his treatment of his wife)

Very curious to hear your thoughts.

Absolutely Unacceptable 2:11 PM

While recently having our washer and dryer delivered and installed, the delivery man asks Dana if she is married. She replies yes.

"Happily married?" he asked.

She told him yes and that we were pregnant.

I don't know the tone in which his second question was delivered, but in my mind I picture this gross delivery dude cocking his head to one side, sneering, and giving my wife that wink-wink look.

I was furious. I still am.

The dude I talked to at the company was also furious and said that he would see to it that the delivery team in question would be re-trained.

Jerk.

Moving Day....er....Moving Weekend 11:03 PM

Let me first appologize for the lack of recent updates. I have spent the last couple of days letting the love of my posse percolate as much as possible. (Lame comment alert) What an incredible blessing it has been to live in the Asbury community with so many quality people.

I'm not sure I can string a coherent paragraph together (at least one you want to read), so here's some quick thoughts on moving.

1) Loading the U-Haul truck is life size Tetris. We kept loading and loading and waiting for that long straight line to drop. Luckily, we got it. Who said video games didn't influence you and/or make a positive impact on your life? Everybody say it with me - do, do-do-do, do, do, do, do, do dee, do, do. Lamech, AnneMarie, and Jeremiah sang it with me :)

2) There is a reason the makers of EZ Off (oven cleaner) tell you to wear long gloves. It makes your skin BURN and BUBBLE. And it hurts. Bad.

3) Furnishing the new crib in Target today overheard this conversation:
Big Brother (as mom was walking into the door): Who's that walking the door?
Little Sister: Mommy.
Big Brother: No. That's my mommy. You were abandoned...........You were abandoned.
(if you want to hear it - it's even better!! - call Dana!!)

4) The new crib is very spacious and nice. Very homey. I have a "man bathroom"! Best part? Basketball goal in the back. 8/10 on the first go-round baby.

5) Wierd sleeping in a new place. When does it become "home"?

6) I have killed 304 spiders. Wait. 305.

7) We don't get Fox. Because Fox was the only channel we got consistently in the Bettie, all my shows are on Fox. We do get NBC crystal clear - yeah Office! - but what about American Idol, the People's Court, and most importantly Nanny 911?!

8) After watching my wife clean / work for the past four days, I have come to an important realization. Dana is a robot.

9) Driving the U-Haul is more scary than manly. You can't go fast and every single tractor / truck / tractor-trailer is about to hit you.

10) Sitting in the U-Haul truck at a red light, and one of the Broadway youth sees me and yells "Jason!! Hey!!" Made me smile.

11) Jazz season ended this week. I was sad, but it was offset by the quality of the week and the fact that they got as far as they did.

12) Stuff gets lost easily moving. I have no idea where some of my stuff is. So, I'm going to find stuff.

Be blessed!