Church Picnic & Baptism

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may bound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Roman 6:1-4

The church picnic and baptism was such an awesome experience. I really love the church God has placed us in. It may be small, but can't be a better place to worship Him. The people there are amazing, and so willing to make you feel like you're part of the body. I have gone to many churches in my life time, both small and big, and I have never felt like I was exactly where God wanted me until now. My family really enjoys it so much. Everyone knows everyone (mainly because of its size) and accepts you for who you are, not for what you have to "offer, or "who you know", or "who's daughter you are", that stuff doesn't seem to matter to them. It's so awesome to be part of something so GREAT!

This was our first time going to the picnic & baptism. Can you say fun? There was so much good food, fellowship, and that precious holy moment of the baptism.

When we arrived the kids couldn't wait to jump into the water. So I sprayed them down with sun screen and let them go. Brycen and Bobby headed right to the rope swing, and I about had a heart attack with how high up the tree Brycen had climbed. But they said they were being "careful" and there were no injuries, and they both had a great time. After watching them for a bit, the little ones and I headed over to this one area about knee deep, and I still had my dress on, because at this point I was just "checking it out", but then I slipped and went splat right on in. All I could do was laugh, and have the kids come join me right? Braden was a little scared of the fast running water so I took them over to a more shallow spot, where I sat my chair in the middle of the water and let them play. It was so relaxing, I wish Brandon could have gone, but he had to work that day.

Then after eating some yummy food, playing in the water some more, it was time for the baptism. Pastor Jim talked about how getting baptized is a symbolism of dying to your old self and coming up spiritually a clean person. Brycen was really excited because he has never had the opportunity to be baptized, so he jumped at the chance. It was a very emotional time for me to see my baby getting baptized. With all that we've had to endure this year, it was such a blessing to see. This was like the cherry on top! I truly thank God everyday for giving me the family I have, and the opportunity to love on them everyday...

Here are some pics of our wonderful day... Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Whew what a weekend... It started on Saturday getting everything ready to head up to Temple to spend the day with my Uncle and Auntie. I made pasta salad, a 4th of July cake and festive cookies. I bought my family matching shirts as I do every year, but Old Navy was out of some sizes I needed so I got them at Wal-mart. I added some beads and ribbon to Aubrynns which made it a little sassy, it took forever, but she is my little Princess and it came out adorable. I think Brandon and I made it to bed around 2 a.m.

We woke up on Sunday around 7 a.m., got ready, packed the car, and headed out so we could make it to the 11am service up at Calvary Austin, but forgot we needed to take care of something and didn't adjust for the extra time, so we were unable to make it. I called my dad to see what he was doing, and he was shopping away at the Conn's 4th of July sale. Since he was busy, we ended up visiting Brandon's brother Gabe for a while. It was a pleasant visit, Brandon even got to ride his motorcycle, which was too funny. We ended up swinging by my dads to see what he bought, then we all went out to lunch before heading to Temple.

My Dad came up with a good idea, to show up and see if my uncle would remember him. So I called my Auntie and asked her if my "friend and his wife" could come over and of course she said yes! So after lunch we headed up there, and then immediately went shopping for some fireworks. My Husband was like a kid in a candy shop, didn't know which ones to buy, good thing my Uncle was there to help him out. While Brandon was shopping, I got to talking about having lunch with my Dad and Pat, I asked him if he would even recognize him if he saw him, and he said yes.

We return to my Uncles house, snack on a bunch of food, and the door bell rings (it was my dad but he didn't know it). My Aunt let my Dad in, and I went to get my Uncle to tell him someone was at the door for him, and he walked into the house, washed his hands and mumbled to me he didn't know that guy, so he proceeds to walk over to him, and my Dad asks him if he remembers him, and my Uncle said no, and my Dad said I'm your ex-brother in law, and he got all excited! It was so funny, because just an hour earlier he told me he would recognize him.

After everyone had some bbq and my fantastic pasta salad, and a bunch of other great food, we head outside to shoot off some fireworks. It was SOOOOOO hot and humid I was dying. But beside the uncomfortable weather everyone had fun. My Auntie helped all the kids with the sparklers, and my Uncle, Dad, Husband and all the teenage boys could have set the block on fire with all the dangerous fireworks they were doing. About 40 minutes into it, the cops shut us down, saying were in the city limits and couldn't do fireworks. So we cleaned up, and went inside. The kids got baths and we all went to bed.

My little ones decided to wake up bright and early, and because I didn't want to wake anyone we packed up and headed out, I mean like before 8am.. TOOO EARLY!!! We got breakfast and headed down to my Dads so that Brandon could mount his TV and set up his surround sound. While they were occupied with that, Pat and I were on a hunt for a T.V. stand to house all the electronics, and luckily we found a nice one on craigslist. We went to pick it up, came home changed the kids and went to the store and off to the pool. It was so hot out, that the pool water was warm, like tooooo warm! After a while we headed back to the house, bathed the kids and my Dad BBQ some hamburger and hotdogs for us on his new grill. We were nice n full, then relaxed for a bit before heading home. Talk about going non stop with toddlers for 2 days, its tiring! But even through all the chaos it was the best 4th of July!

Friends for the week...

We got the pleasure of having my friends sons over for the week. We packed in loads of fun things to do from going to movie in the park, watching Toy Story 3, going to the pool a couple of times but on Thursday was Me'khi birthday, so we took him to Incredible Pizza's. We ate their all you can eat buffet, sat in the old 50's diner, then we were off to play some games. The boys went on the go-karts, bumper cars, Brandon and I did mini golf, and bowling with the little ones and a bunch of games. Later that day we sang to him, ate cake and opened presents. He had a great day, and can't wait to have them over again..

Movie in the Park 2...

Another movie in the park night, and what amazing sunset it was too! This time Brycen, Matthew and Me'khi came along. I don't really think they watched much of the movie which was Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, it seemed like every time I looked over at them they were in line for something else. Brycen said he had like 4 snocones, 2 cotton candy and 5 bags of popcorn. Matthew & Me'khi had about the same. It was much cooler this time around, but still had to chase the kids a bit, after so long they lose interest and want to play. Next time I think we will experience with their car seats, since they do wonderful in them at the movie theaters. But despite everything everyone had a great time. I cant wait for the next one. I think I will have to have a babysitter for that one, and make it a date night for Brandon and I. There going to be playing the Blindside.