Monday, Monday

Annah and Sylvia went to 6 Flags Chicago with the Pivot Youth group today.  I took them to church at 7:15 this morning, slathered in sunscreen.  I think Sylvia was a little nervous--both because this was her first youth group activity, and because she is not a fan of roller coasters.

Pastor Scott gave instructions and prayed over the 22 teens and several chaperones before they left.

Caeden and I met Mom and Dad at Denny's for breakfast.

Caed had the peanut butter cup pancake breakfast, which included 2 HUGE buttermilk pancakes with white and chocolate chips in them, covered with peanut butter sauce, hot fudge, and syrup!  AND, 3 scrambled eggs, 2 sausage links and a mess of hash browns!  He ate about half of it; it was a LOT of food!

After we filled our tummies, Gram and Krampa set out for Indiana.  

We really, really enjoyed having them visit. 

I was planning to surprise Caeden with a movie, but it didn't start until 11:30. So we went to Barnes and Noble to enjoy some reading time.  Caeden found some Calvin and Hobbes and Zits books to enjoy.

 He read for a long time!  I tried to do some work for church on my iPad, but ran into a friend and had a great chat with her for about 45 minutes or so.  

When we arrived at the movie theater, and I told Caeden we were going to see How to Train Your Dragon 2, he was a little disappointed.  He really didn't want to see it!  So, we decided to go to Family Video and rent some Wii games instead.  He picked out Mini Ninjas and I chose Disney's Guitly Party. They were both pretty cool. 

It was a hot afternoon, and Caeden wanted to have a squirt gun fight.  I had badly injured one of my toes yesterday, and would have been absolutely no fun in a squirt gun fight while having to stand still.  So, we texted Dawn to see what Reece was up to.  He came over for a water fight, and the boys played Clash of Clans on the iPad and had some supper before I took them to VBS in Saybrook.

Meanwhile, the girls were having a ball at 6 Flags.

The group returned around midnight, and I picked up two very tired girls.  At first, they were so tired they were almost teary, but after a few minutes of my questioning, they reflected on all the fun they had and great memories they created.

Family visit

It was so wonderful to have my parents here to share this weekend with us! 

We had fun snapping a few photos in the backyard using the tripod and timer.  Dad started the silliness with the pine bough mustache, and Jeremy decided to be Annah's muscle arms.  We decided to roll with the silliness...

Everybody flex!

Annah's been working out.

So has Sylvia.

And Caeden is really pumped!

Gram and Krampa brought the kids t-shirts from Arizona.  They spent a few weeks at their home in Green Valley recently--ahhhh!

This year, I am more grateful than ever to celebrate my dad on Father's Day.

The kids gave him a great fish card about "the one that got away."

We love our Krampa!!

I never realized how much I look like my dad until this photo!  I love you Dad!

God blessed me with some of the very best!!

This evening we just hung out at home, sat on the front porch steps and chatted.  We took a short little walk around town.  Dad asked Jeremy told tell him about his current work duties.  

And, we decided it was a good time to give Caeden the summer haircut he's been needing.  He was not happy about that idea.  He hates haircuts.

Annah got a hold of the clippers and teased him.  

It was not good.  Caeden tried to run, threw a fit, and a big, uncomfortable "situation" between him and his daddy went down.  It was not a fun part of Father's Day.  Caeden spent about an hour in his room, then finally came down and suffered through the haircut.  We came to learn that it is the holding still and itchy hair he hates so much.  Next time we'll know...

Caeden showed Krampa his current favorite game--Clash of Clans.

We taught Gram how to play Skip-Bo.

The girls said goodbye to Gram and Krampa, as they won't see them in the morning.

After Krampa and Gram left for their hotel, Jeremy and I had a few moments with Sylvia to talk about her baptism day and pray over her.  

Going to bed with a heart very full of love tonight.

Sylvia's Baptism

I can't even begin to describe how awesome it was to watch our Sylvia Claire be baptized today.  So, I will just write the facts and ponder the goodness of them in my heart, because there just aren't words beautiful enough.

My parents came from Indiana.  It was the first time they've been able to visit Point of Change, since they haven't been able to visit us in almost a year and a half.  It was really special for us to have them see the building, meet our church family, and worship with us here.

During the service, the baptizans were brought to the front of the church to profess their baptism and their faith in Jesus.

Immediately following the service, baptisms were outside.

Sylvia has a super sweet relationship with Pastor Celia.  Each time they see each other, they say, "Friend!" and greet each other with a hug.  They share with each other what they are reading in God's word and how life is going.  I love the way they encourage each other!

Pastor Celia helped Sylvia into the pool.

 

It was a little difficult for the pastors to decide who would get to baptize Sylvia.  Pastor Todd has known Sylvia her entire life, and was even one of the first to visit her in the hospital when she was born!  Pastor Karin has been her children's pastor for the past several months, including when she made the decision to be baptized.  Pastor Scott is now Sylvia's your pastor, as of her officially moving up to youth group last week.  So, it was decided that Pastor Celia would help Sylvia into the pool, Pastor Scott and Pastor Karin would baptize her, and Pastor Todd said he would just stand outside the pool and cry.  (I think he cheered instead, which was awesome.)

And this is how she told the world that she is walking with Jesus!  Praise the Lord!!

Some parents' greatest wish is for their child to be happy.  Some wish for their success in life through education, sports, fame, money, even health.  When Sylvia was a baby, we dedicated her to the Lord; today she claimed that dedication for herself.  I am grateful that God has answered our prayers for Sylvia to accept the salvation Jesus has given her and walk through life with Him. Nothing in life could be better than that!