walk in the newness of life

Our church holds family baptism services every couple of months or so.  Due to other scheduling conflicts, the first one that Gehrig could participate in after his January spiritual birth was coincidentally on his birthday in May.  It seemed like a long time to wait, but celebrating both on the same day was so special.  

The sweet church staff put together a video of each person being baptized where they talk about their faith and coming to know Christ, their favorite verse, etc.  Gehrig had been so shy about discussing it all, so we weren't sure how it would turn out.  Ms. Connie was wise and had him do it without Mama and Daddy in the room and he did such a wonderful job.  I'm so glad that we get to have a copy and he can look back on his early testimony forever.

We love our sweet pastor and are so grateful he was the one to baptize Gehr.

Surprised by the emotion of it all...and so grateful to be his mama.

Raised to walk in the newness of life!

Trying to get a fam shot afterwards with our boy :)

Over.  Whelmed.  And so grateful for family and friends who came to support Gehrig and make it even more memorable for him.  The Links came home with us from our zoo trip to stay over and be here for it.  Bebe and the Pouloses drove from Atlanta.  Papa surprised us by making the long day trip just to be there and Mammaw and Pots drove up too!  Local Bourne and O'Neill fams and sweet friends, Ruckers, Millers, Lords and Moviuses took time out to join us as well.  It meant more to us than we could ever express...such a gift.

Love these kiddos and their friendships with Gehr :)

We were so excited that Papa was there!

Garner and Sam enjoyed some playtime and love during the reception...

And our kiddos loved having time there and afterwards with their cousins :)

Not sure our hearts could've been more full after such a precious service celebrating Gehrig's faith decision and a full weekend of fun celebrating his life.  We continually thank God for him and for the amazing friends and family we have in our lives, and we are so thankful that Gehrig will have such a sweet memory of his baptism.  Much love and thanks to you all who helped make that for him :))

he's eight

Though it's crazy that I have an 8-year-old, I admit that he really seems older to me a lot of the time these days.  I love just hanging out with him and enjoying conversation and feel like he is a bit more growny than I imagined he would be at this age.  He looks more like his daddy every day and he's sweet and laid back like him too.  I love how he is the firstborn with tendencies to obey and be responsible but without being easily uptight or stressed.

He made the best decision of his life this year, acknowledging his need for the Lord and accepting Him as Savior.  He knows the Word so well already, continues to favor the Action Bible and contemporary worship music and still says Rom 3:23 is his favorite verse.  His favorite things include football and baseball, art, animals and co-op.  He has the best group of buddies I could ever hope for him to have, including some that he's known since birth and some new ones, some local and some out-of-town.  He l.o.v.e.s. social time and constantly asks when the next set of plans are to get together.

He's been busy this year with church, 2nd grade homeschooling, co-op, art and Latin classes, baseball (pitching machine) and tennis lessons.  He would live at the field(s) with Daddy and recounts games play-by-play for anyone who'll listen.  Favorite school subjects include Bible, geography, history and art and he does not enjoy creative writing.  About midway through this year, he really started enjoying reading and is currently reading through all the Narnia books.  We truly believe that newfound love has developed because of all the reading we do together as part of his schoolwork...and it makes my heart so happy :).  He is detail-oriented and gets wrapped up in "projects" easily...usually involving drawing, coloring, cutting and making something related to whatever he's into at the moment.  

Our girls are so fortunate to have him as the best big brother.  He is so patient and kind to them, and loves spending time with them.  He and Greer still share a room at night to talk and read until they fall asleep...Garner will love joining them when she is big enough :).  He is cold-natured and athletic and still snuggly.  He can be sensitive and teary sometimes, especially when you show disappointment in him...and picks up on so much that we don't realize until he asks or talks about it with us later.  

He loves well, teaches me much and I'm so thankful for him and thankful that I get to be his mama.  Happy birthday, sweet boy.  I love you so much!

zoo birthday trip

"So Gehrig, what do you want for your birthday this year?"

"To go to the zoo with Madi"

Same answer every time we asked for the past few months.  

It easily could not have happened.  With neither of us having a zoo where we live, Madi living 3 hours from us and May being the busiest and most unpredictable month for B, we ended up having only one day that worked for all.  So grateful for that day and for the sweet sacrifice the Links made to drive so far to meet us there.

At the entrance...so happy to see each other!

  

Love :)

Hard to find two better daddies than these...

On our way in, a fairy gave the girls some pixie dust :)

First stop...koala bears.  Perfect after Gehrig's study of Australia this year in co-op!

Snake-petting :/

Oh my word, they are so adorable and really love each other.  When Garner saw this pic, she said "That's me and that's Sam.  He's my brudder.  He yikes to pay wit me."  :)

Waiting for the zebras and ostriches

Penguins...another Gehrig fave after co-op studies this year

Milking the wooden cow

Love this whole scene :)

Statues are always a fave

All the kids are into birds right now

Oh my goodness, I can hardly stand the cuteness!

So sweet

Carousel riding :)

And fam pics :)

I love her.

Some playtime in the gardens on the way out

A really wonderful day for all of us.  Animals and buddies and nice weather and yummy dinner afterwards too.  Thanks again, Links...we love you guys!

putt-putt with the guys

Since Gehrig's birthday request was to go to the zoo with Madi...and we weren't sure of B's schedule with state baseball playoffs, we didn't plan a traditional birthday party.  As his birthday week approached, we made a last minute plan to use some putt-putt passes we had with some of his buddies and grab some pizza and ice cream while we were there.  (He doesn't really like cake anyway... :))

Love how Campbell hangs close to Gehr...truly like the little brother he doesn't have.

Such an easy and fun group of kiddos!

Birthday boy :)

I hung out with the first group...Gehr, Gentry, Campbell and Caden.

Kaylee babysat Garner as we played.  She was such a huge help and Garner had fun too :)

Tucker and Jenni were so awesome to hang around and chaperone the 2nd group...Whitt, Ti, Cole and Lydi.

And the competitive group of the night was B, Spencer, Brendan and Luke.  I think B had as much fun as the kids ;)

After and with an ice cream treat...

We are so thankful for these great friendships for Gehr.  Most of them have been buddies his whole life and they all have godly families and love being together.  Such a blessing for our family!