Better teeth than Ronaldinho

This is the best soccer player in the world, and he has been a real pleasure to watch during the world cup this summer. He has been voted the best in the world 2 years in a row by soccer's governing body FIFA. I believe you are taking after him a little in the teeth area.

You and I went out and played in the grass for a minute today in the backyard. You haven't been in the grass yet, so this was perplexing for you. Afterward, we sat in the glider on the back porch and just rocked back and forth for awhile. You are very clingy lately, and I like holding you. Sometimes, you don't want to be held or messed with in any way, so I like the clingy times somewhat.
~Dad

We have communications!

You have started something that I think is really cool. You wave your right hand/arm up and down voraciously anytime you want to say "Yes" to us. For instance, "Jacob, do you want me to pick you up?". Your arm starts flailing to indicate "yes". And other times, you just keep playing, indicating "no way". :) It's really cool because we are able to understand what you want more clearly than just a cry, you know? Only when you have your own children will you truly understand. It's great!

Your mom and I started reading this book called "The Final Quest" by Rick Joyner. It's about the last battle between the hordes of hell and the followers of God. It tells the story of Rick's vision that God gave him. It lays out the various traits of the enemy as well as the traits of the Lord's forces. It has given me a renewal of spirit, and drawn me closer to God. It's really interesting because I had been feeling very nervous for the past few weeks. I couldn't put my finger on what was causing it. Feelings of dread and doom were over me almost nonstop. I prayed that God would help me, but I wasn't hearing anything back. In fact, it wasn't until last night when your mom said the words "Remember, you have to use the tools God has given us. You have the power to bind up the devil and his demons." And it clicked with me. It was almost like I had completely forgotten that God had bestowed that to his children. How could this have happened with such totality? But I know that the devil is here to destroy the children of God, and he'll use any and every tactic at his disposal. He had blinded me to the truth on 2 accounts: 1) that I could bind him, releasing myself from his oppression, and 2) that the in Christ I am more than a conqueror (not subject to these feelings of dread and personal doom). At that moment, I did just as Kendra said. I declared to the devil that he was bound from my life, and that he has no power of me, God's child. I bound him in the name of Jesus. Instantly, and I mean instantly the nervousness was gone, and I was left with the feelings of a prisoner set free. In fact, it felt as though I had stepped into freedom and I had been holding the keys to my freedom all along. The blinders were removed, and I was FREE. I started weeping with joy and praise to the Lord. I cried out to him thanking Him for setting me free, and for the tools to live in victory over the devil. It was an awesome moment. You were there, but of course you didn't have any clue what was happening. The Lord is doing a work in me and your mother that we haven't yet experienced as a couple. His grace is awesome...just awesome.

I love you little man!
~Dad

The Crawly Jumpy Bug

Dear Jacob,

Oh my little man! You are crawling and jumping (in your jumpy seat) and smiling and laughing and doing it all like a little pro! It's been a little longer since my last entry, so let's review. A few weeks ago your Nana and Terri came for a week long visit. A week before that, we went to Wichita for a 4 day visit. Both were memorable trips, but in between the two you learned to crawl. Oh it was great. You found a new skill and you began practicing it non-stop. So during the week Nana was here, your mom remembered that we borrowed a jumpy seat that hangs in a doorway and lets you practice your jumping skills. You took to it instantly, and now you can't go a single day w/o getting your jump on. It's crazy and I love watching you in it. It's like a trip to Six Flags for you. Along with your newfound skills have come some extra bumps, scrapes and bruises. I hate it when you fall, but I know that you're learning with each contusion the value of balance, weighing risks vs rewards and listening to your mommy and daddy. We have introduced a new word to you recently - "No". And you're starting to catch on to the meaning. Thankfully, you're still in the stage where that is something you respond too. :)
You're going through a clingy stage where you just want to be held. And I'm finding out that you want to be held a specific way - and I get to guess each time what way that is. Inevitably, I fall back on trickery to make you smile or laugh whenever you aren't too happy. Currently, the Ace up my sleeve is singing the alphabet song. Specifically, you grin whenever we get to the "W, X" part. It's funny because I have resorted to shrinking the song down to just those 2 letters now, and it still works. Ha! Anyhow, I'm loving being a dad...your dad.
Love, Denton