Lucy's Baptism

And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

Genesis 17:7

Yesterday was Lucy's baptism into the Covenant of Grace.  It was such a special day for our family.  Brian and I were emotional from the very first song in the service.  It just tears me up as I ponder what God promises to do in the lives of our children as we raise them in the faith.

 I love that Lucy's daddy is her pastor so that he has the privilege of baptizing her.  

Aidan was all eyes; this was an excellent opportunity for him to learn about baptism.  It was fitting because his catechism question this week was, "What is a covenant?"

A blessing for Lucy.

We invited all the family to celebrate this wonderful occasion with us.  Unfortunately, my parents were sick and brother & sister-in-law were on vacation.  They were missed!

Aidan and his cousin, Sophie

They have such fun together!

While the ladies were preparing lunch, the guys did a mini-photo shoot.  I haven't yet found a great one of just Lucy in her dress so she'll have to get dressed up again this week.  I just loved her dress; I told Brian the next big, white, frilly dress we buy will most likely be her wedding dress...*tear*.

 Papa Jake and Lu

 Daddy and his girlie

 Lucy & Bop John

 Bop John with all of his grandchildren.

I know, it's no fun being at the kid table...alone.

 Her beautiful cake.

Afternoon fun.

What a special and blessed day for our family.  I will always remember it and cherish the memories.  Thanks to all of those who shared it with us.

Love.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations...

Psalm 119:90

Nine months!

Guess who is 9 months already!?

Lucy Jane!

She weighs 20 pounds, 12 ounces. 

Aidan wanted to be in the nine month photo shoot too.  At 3 years & 7 months old, he weighs 35 pounds, 2 ounces. (We were at the doctor yesterday so I know their exact weights.)  

Aidan's big news is that he is potty trained!  Yay!  Aidan was the quickest learner - it took just a day and he's had no accidents since.  I am so proud of him!

He has been the best big brother; he prides himself in being able to make Lucy laugh her deep belly-laugh and being the only one who can get her to open her mouth when she doesn't feel like eating solids.

Lucy's baptism into the covenant of grace is this Sunday, February 23.

Brian came home during our photo shoot yesterday so we could get a picture of Lucy for the bulletin.

The boys were being so silly; Lucy wasn't too sure what to think!

These two love their daddy.  I do too - he IS the best.

I believe this is the picture Brian used for the baptism announcement:

I love Genesis 17:7 and what it signifies for children of believers:

(And isn't my pastor-turned-graphic-designer-husband so talented?!)

I just wept as I stared at her picture and pondered God's promise to be her God.  It's grace nearly too amazing to comprehend.

Oh, Lucy-girl, I just pray so fervently that your baptism is a blessing and not a curse; that you will love the LORD with all your heart, soul, mind and strength all of your days; and that you love the law and the One who has perfectly fulfilled the law, treasuring Him above all else.

We have family coming into town in honor of her baptism; we look forward to celebrating with them.

On another note, a huge snow storm hit north Iowa last night.  It was great fun; we played outside in the afternoon.  It was the first time I'd bundled Lucy up in her snowsuit and wore her in my sling (your name was mentioned, Naomi Ching!).

Aidan made his way over to the church playground, but the snow was too wet & heavy for him to slide down the slide.  Instead, he sat there eating snowball as if it were an apple.  We seriously couldn't interest him in anything else!

Leo is home!

My parents took exceptional care of him for 9 months, and we couldn't be more thankful for all the love they gave him.  Now I finally am energetic enough to keep up with two kids and give the dog the attention and exercise that he deserves.

Love this man!

Once we coaxed Aidan from the slide, he helped Brian make snowmen.  They are so cute!  It's fun to see the expressions on people's faces when they drive by.

Our power went out just before 9 pm; it was thrilling to use candles as we put the kids to bed.  It's something about candlelight that makes story time so cozy.

I was relieved, though, when I woke up at 6 to all the lights on! And it was warm!  I'm very thankful to the crews who worked in the treacherous weather to restore our electricity.

It is so beautiful outside.  Leo and I romped around this morning, but it was so deep we couldn't move very quickly.

I've heard so many people say that this has been the longest and weariest winter.  It's comforting to know I'm not the only one feeling that way.

I'm so grateful to the LORD for my family and warm home.  We've been playing lots of games; Aidan's favorites are Old Maid, Memory and Hi-Ho Cherry-O.

Lucy loves this mini-gym and so often gets herself twisted up.  She's such a mover & a shaker.  In the picture below, she's totally collapsed it.  She is so hilarious.  I just love her spunk.

That's the winter update!  Thanks for taking the time to read my neglected blog. :)

Bye Bye Crib!

Recently, I was training in a new babysitter and Aidan was acting up so I placed him in his crib for a timeout.  As we were sitting at the kitchen table, I heard Aidan say (in very close proximity), "I'm sorry, Mommy."  

So I asked him, "Aidan, where are you?"

"I'm in the living room."

"How did you get in the living room?"

"I climbed out."

I knew it was only a matter of time before our boy was done with his crib.  When we got home from lunch that Sunday, Brian and Aidan took off the front rail.

 One last picture before the rail comes off.

Daddy's best helper wants to use the wrench.

 So strong!

So happy trying out his new big boy bed!

 Trying it out.

This is how he climbs out.

Our boy is so proud of his bed!  He has been doing an excellent job - he doesn't climb out unless he's given permission to get up and he's still been taking excellent 3 hour naps each afternoon.

He's also excited about putting up his baby sister's white crib that arrived last week.  Mommy doesn't want it to get dusty, though, so I think we'll wait until the last week in June.

 

Easter

Easter 2013

Mommy, Aidan and Grammie are all ready for Easter service.

 After church, Aidan discovered that the Easter Bunny had visited and filled his basket with all of his favorite things.

 Thomas & Diesel!

Aidan also received the book Bear in Underwear because last week he went on the potty for the very first time.  We're not sure he's ready yet, though, to take the plunge.  He'd still rather go in his diaper and isn't all too excited about his potty.  The Easter Bunny was hoping this book and some Thomas underwear would encourage him.

 He's so excited!

Grammie Jane & Bop Chuck gave Aidan some Easter gifts too!

We also tried to get some photos of our family all dressed up for Easter.  Unfortunately, they had to be taken inside because it was too cold and blustery outside.

Baby girl at 25 weeks.  Her daddy is already smitten with her.