to my jabberin' jack-jack...

I can't believe that you are two years old today. How quickly the time goes by, and how blessed I am to be your mother. Your precious spirit is a blessing to everyone you come in contact with and it is amazing to watch as you grow and become the person God has created you to be. I love to watch you as you discover and learn. You are so intelligent, so helpful, so gentle, so joyful. You have your daddy's sense of humor already and I think you've inherited my love of cleaning! Everyone always has a funny "Jack story" to tell...you just bring joy to so many lives. I never could have imagined, two years ago, as I held your five-pound body in my arms who you would become in such a short amount of time. You teach me daily to slow down and to enjoy each precious moment. Now your 34", 26-pound body is almost overtaking your short mommy, and yet you still ask me each day, "mommy, hold you?", and each night, "mommy, rock you?"

Your laugh is infectious, and I love to listen to you jabber, to hear you say, "i lub (love) you", to watch you play in the floor with your daddy, to see your joy when you see family members who love you so much, to listen to you make up songs on my guitar, to watch as you play with your toys so carefully and examine how each part fits together and works, to hear you count to 14 and spell your name all by yourself (thank you sesame street), and to hear you say, "God is love". I cherish the time that we spend in the rocking chair as we sing and pray and recite scripture with each other. I see in you the innocence that God commands and loves.
I wrote you a letter earlier this year that really sums up so many of the wishes that I have for you right now in my heart. It is so amazing how I can already see God working through your life, and how you my precious son have changed our lives forever. We are so thankful for you, so proud of you, and so hopeful as we look forward to many more years with you. I never could have dreamed how blessed I would be, and with each day my cup runs over even more. It is scary to think about raising a child in the world that we live in today, but I do not fear, because I know that you belong to the Lord...you have always been His. Determination has always been a strong trait within you...you were determined to be here on this earth, and early at that...you fought hard then, and I have no doubt that you will continue to fight hard for the Lord. I am so thankful for you and love you so very much.

The verse that we printed on your birth announcement has been such a reminder to me throughout these last two years of how the Lord knows just what we need and when we need it.


"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." ~Psalm 127:3,4

My son, you are just what we needed. We are stronger because of you and we are blessed to have you in our lives. I pray that you will always know how much we love you and even more, how much you are known and loved by God. You are ours for awhile, but His for all time. Happy birthday, my sweet Jack Jack. I love you, ten thousand miles high.

birthday season...

is upon us at the Pinson house. We somehow managed to have all of our family milestones so far within the period of about two and a half weeks. Matt and I celebrated our anniversary on July 19th...Jack, who was due to come on August 28th of 2004 decided to make an early appearance on July 28th, just one day before my birthday, July 29th. We end with Matt's birthday on August 6th...it's a fun-filled few weeks of cake and combo-presents (ugh, just kidding!) So...yes, there will probably be a cheesy birthday post tomorrow for my little boy who is not so little and turning two tomorrow...just get ready people, if you don't like it, sorry! This is just a rather nostalgic time of year, and seems to be even more so this year as we get ready for lots of transition for all of us. I wonder if we have another child who is born at a different time of year if they will feel left out, or if they will be glad to have some birthday time all to themselves?!

our best friend is green and lives in a tree...

so these are our new best friends lately











it really is a cute show...we have both videos that are out right now...and are of course highly anticipating "bananas, bubbles, and busy bodies" due out in Fall 2006...i am just thankful that we finally got the full length videos and aren't watching the 5 minute preview DVD over and over all day long! for real though, Jack really enjoys it, and I do too...you can find out more about it here

for my incredibly hot husband...

I, Christine, take you Matt to be my husband.
I pledge to you my love
in the presence of our family, our friends, and our God.
I promise to be yours and yours alone,
and to love you as Christ loves his church.
I promise to celebrate with you in times of joy,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow.
I promise to love you faithfully; to honor and cherish you-In sickness and in health; in good times and bad.
I promise to be your best friend; to pray with you and for you, and to hold your hand
as we help each other get to Heaven.
Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people, and your God my God.
This is my promise for as long as we both shall live.


Alot has happened in the past three years. On July 19, 2003 I thought I couldn't love you more, but I was very wrong. Each day, I fall in love with the man that you are and the man you are becoming. The road hasn't been easy, but the Lord has continued to provide for us and show us his grace at every turn. You have been such a wonderful leader, faithful to follow his call and to lead our family in his ways. We have seen sickness and health, we have seen good times and bad, and I have no doubt that we will face many more trials. But I am truly confident and at peace knowing that I am travelling on this journey with you beside me. We have lived in five different homes, we have graduated college, we have seen jobs come and go, you have stood beside my hospital bed holding my hand, and we have welcomed a precious soul into the world. I can't even describe the joy and pride that I feel when I watch you as a father. It is something that God truly designed you to be, and you are teaching Jack every day what it is to be God's man. Thank you for loving me, for putting up with me, for understanding me (or at least pretending to). Three years doesn't seem that long, and yet I feel like you have always been with me. From the days before we had met when you led your school in prayers for a girl you didn't even know, not knowing that she would someday be your wife, to the nights now that I listen to you pray over our son, our marriage and our family...I am more in love with you than I have ever been, more thankful for you with each breath, more excited to watch the future unfold in God's perfect timing for our little family. And just as the words of Ruth that we spoke in our vows, there is nowhere that I would rather be in any situation than beside you.

I remember the verse that we claimed on our wedding day, and I continue to pray it over each day of our lives together...
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ~Romans 15:5,6

The words that I sang right before I walked down the aisle were true then, and are true each day of my life with you...
My Jesus, I love thee. I know thou art mine. For thee, all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious redeemer; my savior art thou. If ever I loved thee, My Jesus tis' now.

You are faithful, you are kind, you are honest, you are gentle, you are courageous, you are talented, you make me laugh (and everyone else), you are a wonderful father, you are handsome, you are strong, you are selfless, you are understanding, you are loving, you are Christlike...you are the love of my life.

Happy Anniversary, Matt.
I thank God for you, and I love you...ten thousand miles high.

no one promised the road would be easy...

So much going on right now...summer is almost gone, even though summer weather seems here to stay...it is so hard to only be able to take Jack outside for very short periods of time. Matt's parents just got a pool and that has been wonderfully refreshing...hopefully they don't mind us "just stopping by" even more now!

In about two weeks, I am supposed to report for teacher inservice for my new job. I will be teaching middle school theatre. This is a decision that has had our hearts completely wrenched for months, but I am learning to trust my husband's leading as he follows the leading of the Lord. Jack will be going to a sitter, a wonderful woman who we know and trust will care for Jack very well. We know that social interaction will be good for him and that he will enjoy playing with the other kids, and we know that if I can work for even a year or two, that it will help us tremendously. I am so thankful that I have had these last two years with Jack, as I know that many women don't even get that chance. This has been very hard on me, and will continue to be difficult, but I am clinging to the passage in Ecclesiastes 3 that tells me this is only a season of my life, it's not forever. In the same breath that I say that, I realize that Jack being in this stage is only a fleeting season as well. But we trust that the Lord has opened these doors for a reason to help us get on our feet a little more and that it will only be temporary. I know I will enjoy teaching these kids. I love middle schoolers, and I know that is not a love that Lord puts on just everyone's heart, so I feel like I should follow that call! I also feel like this will be a great ministry opportunity for me, a way for me to share Christ's love with these kids through our interactions each day. Whoever said God cannot be in public schools underestimates God. The great thing about middle school theatre is also that the outside time is much less than it would be in highschool. The part-time job I had before teaching at the performing arts company was great, but Matt and I met each other coming and going, as those classes were in the evenings. Now I am thankful that we will all be home each afternoon and evening together. (I'm trying to focus on the positive here!) I have received alot of encouraging words, and of course, some not so encouraging. But I know that the plans the Lord has for each family are different, and I trust that he will give me the strength that I need to be everything that I need to be for Him, and for my family. It is a very difficult situation, but I have no doubt that God will use it to provide for us, bless us and teach us as he has so many times on our road so far. I would ask for prayers on our behalf that we will have a peace about this decision that we feel the Lord has led us to, that we won't allow Satan to trap us with doubt and discouragement, and most importantly that Jack will make this transition as smoothly as possible.

On another note...anyone who knows me might say that I like to sing...I have been so blessed in the past few nights as I rock Jack (or "mommy, rock you" as Jack says to me) to hear his sweet little voice singing with me. I have tried not to drill anything into him, because I do want him to have his own interests...but of course I am so thankful that he asks to sing all day long (almost as much as he asks to pray, if you read my last entry!) He has a cd that he loves to listen to in the car of praise music, and he just giggles with delight as soon as it comes on. And next time you see him, you have to ask him to sing "high" and "low", because it is absolutely hilarious. The other night as I rocked him and sang Jesus Loves Me, he sang every single word in the sweetest munchkin voice. Then I sang to him the song I have sung every night since he was born, and was brought to tears as he sang with me...I changed to word "I" to "You" when he was born as I sang it to him, but now that he sings along, I think I will change it back, so he learns to claim these words...

I (You) have a maker; He formed my (your) heart.
Before even time began, my (your) life was in His hands.
He knows my (your) name.
He knows my (your) every thought.
He sees each tear that falls; and he hears me (you) when I (you) call.

I (You) have a Father; He calls me (you) His own.
He'll never leave me (you), no matter where I (you) go.
He knows my (your) name.
He knows my (your) every thought.
He sees each tear that falls; and he hears me (you) when I (you) call.

I am so thankful that my little boy is already claiming these words as his own...what a precious blessing to hear that tiny voice lifting praises to the Father. I am just constantly amazed at how the Lord uses my child to teach me. I don't know why it amazes me so much, he said it himself that they are what we must become.
Thank you, sweet Jack, for reminding me of the precious gift of praise in a whole new way. May his praise always be on your lips, and may you never forget this truth:

For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. (Psalm 71:5,6,8)

elmo gets a check-up

I love this little boy...he is a constant source of love, joy, and of course, entertainment! He has recently given us a whole new picture of "praying without ceasing"...no matter where we are, at dinner, before bed, in target, in the car, anywhere...he will stop me several times a day, bow his head, fold his hands and say,"Mommy...this" And we pray...we pray in Target, we pray in the car...we pray at the park. What a precious lesson to learn from my 22 month-old! Thank you Lord, that he already knows that he can talk with you at any time! I am so thankful that we have Jack for a little while, but even more thankful that he will always belong to the Lord.

start spreadin' the news...

i'm leavin' today...i want to be a part of it...NEW YORK, NEW YORK!

okay, so we aren't moving...but our trip was wonderful! it was so nice to have time with matt and to experience such an amazing place together...we saw three shows-"The Drowsy Chaperone" is Sutton Foster's new show and it is wonderful, especially for musical theatre lovers, as it pokes fun at and celebrates what the theatre is all about in a funny and very clever show-definitely deserving of its 13 tony nominations..."The Light in the Piazza" is just beautiful-the music, the lighting, the sets...you definitely get whisked away into the romance that is Italy..."The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is another fun one...we were very happy with all three of our choices. After we got in on Friday night, we had a fabulous dinner with Jason and Allison, a couple that we actually met in blogworld...their apartment, dinner and conversation were great, and it was fun to be around their son, Levi, who is the same age as Jack...We walked the brooklyn bridge, explored central park, we walked everywhere really, and I LOVED THAT...i will be forever ashamed that here at home people(myself included) will drive their car from one end of a shopping center to another so they don't have to walk that far...it was so nice to be outside and to see all kinds of people in one place. We rode the Staten Island Ferry and got a good view of the Statue of Liberty, saw the World Trade Center site, and the Empire State Building was right outside our window...Our hotel was right in Times Square and as exciting as that area was, I was glad to do some non-touristy things like visiting The Strand Bookstore, Bank Street Books where we found Jack a children's book on New York and his very own taxi that he has hardly put down since we got back, Brooklyn Industries-a neat little clothing store, strolling down the streets with brownstones in Brooklyn, people watching in Washington Square Park, just exploring in Greenwich Village (where we did have a celebrity sighting--walked right past Sandra Oh), and enjoying long strolls just wondering about all those people who actually live on Park Avenue! Everywhere that we ate was wonderful...we did everything from a local diner, to a hot dog at Gray's Papaya, to Ruby Foo's...a wonderful pan-asian restaurant, to a sidewalk french cafe, to the best pizza in New York city at Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, to dessert at Serendipity, to my favorite...a charming little place on the upper east side called Elaine's. We made it to a good many places in the city, and of course we could have still seen much more...I can't wait for our next trip!

Here's some pictures...

Outside the Marquis Theatre, after "The Drowsy Chaperone"


Outside the beautiful Lincoln Center where we saw "The Light in the Piazza"


Circle in the Square Theatre, where we saw "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"


I really love this picture Matt took of the amazing Grand Central Station, standing amidst all the movement of the city. Yes, that's me telling him to hurry up because it's time to cross the street! And we learned quickly that when it's time to cross, it's time right now!


Frozen hot chocolate and a strawberry cheesecake sundae...YUMMMMMY! It's a good thing we were doing so much walking!


On our walk across the Brooklyn Bridge


A lunch picnic in Central Park


If you look closely, you can see Katie, Matt and Al...we got to be there for Katie's last working day on the Today show...that was fun! I still didn't get to meet any of them, but it was still neat to see those people in person that are in my living room every morning!


This church was amazing. They say you could lie the Statue of Liberty down inside of it. Beautiful.


Someone had made a peace sign out of flowers on the John Lennon Memorial in the "Strawberry Fields" area of Central Park.


Okay...so we had a great time...however, this was still probably the best part of our trip! Jack had a great time with both sets of grandparents, and of course didn't get spoiled at all! I am glad that he did so well with us being away that long...but I also know that I will never lose that picture in my mind of him running towards us with his arms out, yelling "Mommy! Daddy!" What a sweet moment...Looks like we were squeezing him a little hard, but hey, we missed him!