On Thursday I took the kids to get their hair cuts. You could call it their “spring cuts”…but they’re probably more accurately called our “just really really wanting spring to come so bad that maybe haircuts will help get us through the last weeks of winter, cuts”. Anyway, Lincoln was getting really shaggy and usually I trim it myself, but I just didn’t want to this time, and Ava’s hair…well there is a story behind that one. Ava has always had long hair and I loved it…but her Daddy loved it even more. He was always very attached to her long hair and would barely let me trim it. It was getting to be too long though and constantly needed to be pulled back and I had thought of the idea quite awhile ago that when it got long enough that we would donate it to Locks of Love…but I didn’t think I would ever be able to talk Josiah into it, and I didn’t even bring it up to him. But a couple months before he died, Ava was running around with her hair down and we were commenting on how crazy long it was and Josiah said that he thought it needed to be cut…that he was letting go of it and giving me permission. I explained my idea of donating it and he thought that was a great idea. Well, the haircut just never happened…until this week I knew I just needed to do it. And even though I probably would have cut it anyway…having Josiah’s permission made it so much easier and more special.
On a side note, I had not anticipated how much easier and less time consuming it was going to be dealing with short hair. Yesterday morning, I was fixing Ava’s hair like normal and when I told Ava I was done, she said “already?”. An unexpected blessing I guess!
Soooo, without further ado…drumroll….
Before
AND…
After
And here is Ava with her pony-tail ready to donate:
Her short hair suits her don't ya think?
Oh man! They are so cute I could just eat them up with a spoon!
Beautiful Things 
Oh for precious! What an inspiration you all continue to be! Thank you for making me smile…..again!
Oh my goodness, could they be any cuter??!! 🙂 What a blessing you are to so many, Jess! Whoever gets that beautiful ponytail will certainly be blessed 🙂
Judy
Darling…., I must say. Ava looks like she is ready to be 4 now. She looks really big all of a sudden and Lincoln, well…… he just looks so much more Johnson now. Oh my goodness, the haircut really brought out his daddy in him. Hopefully it will help on the spring arrival also. We are all anxious for winter to be gone I think. Love & hugs to you all!
Aunt Karan & Uncle Doug
Ava’s hair looks so cute this way! Continuing to pray for you.
Adorable!! 🙂 Continuing to pray for you and your family…
LOVE IT!!!!!! Ava, we’re so proud of you…someone’s gonna love that ponytail! 🙂 Linc, you look just like your daddy! Lot’s of kisses to both of you! Uncle Nate, Aunt Sarah, Jude & Celia
so precious Jess! thanks for sharing! absolutely beautiful! lifting you all up daily! love from kc, annie.
I, along with no doubt most of your blog readers, found myself saying aloud, “Awww, how cute are they!!!” You are such a great mama!!!
She looks adorable.
We have tried to grow Karis’ hair out, but each time we get close she takes the scissors herself and snips away. Thankfully it has never been so short it can’t be repaired.
I even had her bangs all grown out, but she hated wearing a headband or tie so it was always getting in her face. After asking for them cut and me refusing she took matters into her own hands, and… she has bangs. 🙂 At least she had the sense to leave them fairly long.
Love you!
So adorable!!!
Hello, I’ve been reading your posts and cry everytime. I’ve been married for 3 years and have a 3 month old son and can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through and what you’re going through.
A friend of mine sent me this on YouTube. I hope it blesses your heart as it has mine. My mother-in-law suffers from cancer and there’s such a peace in knowing that she will go to heaven and that Josiah just “went home”.
Thanks for sharing those adorable pictures, Jessica. I will miss seeing the pigtails bouncing through the aisles after church on Sunday, but I’m guessing that though the pigtails are no more, the bounce will still be there!!
LOVE IT!
Just a note Jess, Elaina had her FIRST haircut like a week ago… you can hardly tell.
I guess I had one some MINIMAL shaping right around 1.
They both look adorable, of course!
Precious, precious children! As you nurture them, they must be nurturing you.
How special that you and Josiah both agreed on the hair cutting and to know that a hairpiece will be made for a cancer patient is like a part of him living on.
They are too cute for words! Ava looks so grown up with short hair!
What a beautiful thing to do!! And she looks soooooo adorable! (Both of them do!) Link looks just like his daddy. 🙂 What a special idea to donate her hair in honor of her daddy. That is something she can always remember.
Praying for you always!
Jen, Craig & Andrew
http://www.thehuegelfamily.blogspot.com
when i FINALLY let Genevieve cut her hair (when she was 15!), she donated an 18-inch long ponytail to Locks of Love. It made it easier for me to let it go. If i thought it would have worked out, i would have kept it to use myself! 🙂 Ava looks adorable, as does her brother.
CUTER than cute!! Get me a spoon–I’m with you, Jess!!
LOVE Ava’s bob cut! 😉 Both or your kiddos are simply adorable! God did good on them! 😉 Much love and prayer, my dear. You are an amazing mother and an inspiration! Josiah is so proud of you, i’m certain!
Thank you for sharing the simple things…the kids are so cute, and I love Ava’s new ‘do’. Continuing to keep you in prayer…
Such cute pictures! Ava looks super cute with her new bob and Lincoln is very spiffy with his new haircut. 🙂 You have such adorable children. What a blessing!
I love Ava’s hair!!! Maybe Ava should call Lilly and talk her into cutting her long hair. Her mommy and grandma would be very unhappy with me for even suggusting such a thing. Our secret.
She looks so old! So “big girl”! Some little sweetie is going to love that hair. I’m sure it’s easier to deal with, Jess, but Clint would throw a fit so I’ll leave MC’s alone for now! He has some “releasing” to do! Hope your idea works and spring comes in a hurry. Love you all!
Super cute! Love the haircuts! I have donated to locks of love twice now! I am never used to having shorter hair, but each time I do it, I know the joy it will bring to someone else! 🙂 Take Care! Ava and Lincoln are super cute! Love the spring haircuts!
Jess…
They both look adorable!!! We have been gone and I am catching up!!!
Your babies….are so precious and they just make my heart smile 🙂 I love love LOVE Ava’s hair. And how proud she’s holding her ‘donation’. Sigh.
So sweet. Their daddy is so proud.
Praying for you all.
Super cute! I did locks of love too… very satisfying hair cut. I am asuming her big beautiful smile means she liked it too!
How ADORABLE, Jess! Just ADORABLE. Nothing more to say – Love you!