Welcome to the Family... Of God!!!

Our oldest son Eric this past summer accepted Jesus into his heart! (that's a whole other story in itself!) The church children's leader Marta asked when we would like Eric to baptized; Eric's response was "I would like Uncle Scott and Auntie Diane to be home, so Uncle Scott could baptize me." As the schedule unfolded we knew that Dec. 30th would be the best day for this event! You see Scott and Diane are IBM missionaries in Russia and haven't been home in 14months. Thus scheduling was key! What a great way to start a new year! Andrew and I prepared Eric, went over what he would say, how he is now the light of the world, an example to his brother and sister. So last night we prepped his clothing and the speech he would say in front of our church family. I woke up this morning early to sing on our worship team to find Eric up and fully dressed! Mind you I get up on these days at 6:15am (yes it's a very long day, but I love it!) Andrew wanted to spend the morning with just Eric, so I took Ethan and Abbey with me to practice and first service. So with almost all Andrew's family, our church family, and great friends in attendance Eric was baptized. Showing to all what had transpired in his heart! Here's are the few pictures I could take through the happy tears...

Here is the speech Eric said before he was dunked... Hi I’m Eric, I just turned 9 last week! I became a Christian this past summer after seeing a skit at Kid-venture. The skit scared me, and made me THINK I might miss out on being with Jesus, my family and friends. I am glad I’m being raised in a loving Christian home, and have a wonderful Church family to hold me accountable. I’m not perfect and I’ve got a lot of growing to do, but I know God will not give me more than I can handle.

Questions from Uncle Scott before the dunking!

I just love the look on Uncle Scott's face in this shot...

Merry Christmas...

As always we had Family over for Christmas eve, dinner and presents! Last night was different, the boys as we were putting dinner on the table were trying not to fall asleep; it was about 6:30pm. After they finished their dinner they grabbed their blankets and plopped on the couch until we were ready for presents! Finally it was present time; and it did not disappoint them! They quickly ran up and put on their new jammies, and at 7:59 Eric came into the room and said it's bed time; good night! WHAT, who's kid are you??? The one night a year they want to go to bed! My mother in law, and Andrew's Aunt offered to help us wrap the kids presents because I was due at our church for the 11pm service to run the computer. HUGE help that was! I got home from church and the dishes were done, thanks to my wonderful husband. Kids were asleep, well until we got our toes in bed that is! They started stiring and finally came and slept in our room with us! I heard them get up around 7 and wait until said time of 7:30 (so Abbey could get her sleep!) No sooner did their alarm clocks go off did I hear the little girl knock sweetly on her door! SANTA came, after the tornado of lego's, wrapping paper, candy, and instructions a family nap was in order! Andrew and the boys were putting lego sets together the majority of the day! While Abbey and I snuggled of the sofa watching the Disney parade and Cinderella!

Santa's coming to town...

Everyone has a baby crying sitting on Santa's lap right!?!

Sandy Hook

Day of Silence: I know all of you share my sadness over what happened yesterday. As a mother - I can't FATHOM how those parents must feel. This hits so close to home for Andrew and I; these babies that were taken are the age of our sweet Ethan (6.) I can't begin to think of what it would be like to lose him. I'm heartbroken for the all the families. I hope you will all be praying for the people of CT. They need our prayers. On Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible. We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to: "Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area. ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING." Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation. We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating. Love, The Blog World The littlest Sandy Hook Elementary Victims: 1.Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/2006 2.Daniel Barden, 9/25/2005 3.Olivia Engel, 7/18/2006 4.Josephine Gay, 12/11/2005 5.Ana M Marquez-Greene, 4/4/2006 6.Dylan Hockley, 3/8/2006 7.Madeleine F Hsu, 7/10/2006 8.Catherine V Hubbard, 6/8/2006 9.Chase Kowalski, 10/31/2005 10.Jesse Lewis, 6/30/2006 11.James Mattioli, 3/22/2006 12.Grace McDonnell, 11/4/2005 13.Emilie Parker, 5/12/2006 14.Jack Pinto, 5/6/2006 15.Noah Pozner, 11/20/2006 16.Caroline Previdi, 9/7/2006 17.Jessica Rekos, 5/10/2006 18.Avielle Richman, 10/17/2006 19.Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/2006 20.Allison N Wyatt, 7/3/2006 Adults Sandy Hook Elementary Victims: 1.Rachel Davino, 7/17/1983 2.Dawn Hocksprung, 6/28/1965 3.Anne Marie Murphy, 7/25/1960 4.Lauren Russeau, 6/8/1982 5.March Sherlach, 2/11/1956 6.Victoria Soto, 11/04/1985 p.s. If you would like to, copy-paste and repost any part of this, please do. Share on.

trial run

So yesterday I had quests over and had put Abbey down for her nap so I could foil Auntie Diane's hair. Abbey took her normal nap and when I went to get her up I found her laying on top of her changing table (picture below)

She was yelling help because she didn't know how to get back into her bed. So I asked some of my mommy friends on Facebook if I should make her bed into a toddler bed or keep it the same. Andrew and I talked about it and came to the conclusion that if it was not a good time we could always put the rail back on. So trial run... I got Abbey all ready for bed, and before we started our nightly routine I got on my knees and looked in Abbey's eyes. I said "Abbey this is your new Big Girl Bed, mommy or daddy will put you in your new bed and get you out, if you need us just call us!" We followed our routine and I put her in her bed; and she STAYED in her bed all night! I'm so proud of my Big baby girl. Makes a mommy sad when this day comes that your baby is no longer in a crib.

How did we get here?!?

Today marks our 14th wedding anniversary; where has the time gone?!? December 5th 1998...

December 4th 2012 (we celebrated the night before, due to one of our kids basketball practice falling on our actual anniversary!)

20 months...

This past Saturday Abbey was 20 months old. She is your average toddler; but oh so sweet! She is talking more and more, climbing up our chairs, loves her blankie, loves apples and banana's, likes bath time,you are using sign language more and more, and it's amazing that at 20 months old she knows how to find the things that interest her on my iphone! Abbey is increasing her vocabulary daily! Abigail we are so so blessed to have you in our family, you have brought all of us a joy we didn't know was missing until you came! We love you so much sweet pea~