Monday, January 26, 2009

Down With Old Kids, Up WithThe New

There are some moments in life that God gives us that say,"You are a good parent." And on December 6th, God allowed us to have one. Khayle and Andy made the decision to profess their faith in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and get baptized.

This may be the proudest moment of our lives! It is such a good feeling (and some what of a relief) to know that your children have accepted Christ into their hearts, and are going to live in Heaven with us eternally. (Whew)

At our church, they believe in baptism by complete submersion and that any one who has been baptized can baptize others. Our church is very large, and people often make the decision to accept Christ in small groups, Sunday School, etc. Anyways, usually the person who helped lead you to Christ is often the one to baptize you. So, Khayle chose her dad, and Andy really wanted my mom to do it. Well that led to this conversation:

K: I really think Dad will be good for me because during the summer I see him read his Bible everyday. Or Gramma Dee could do it because I talk with her about God. Mom could, but she really doesn't like people.

A: I'm gonna ask Gramma.

K: Well, you better hurry!

A: Why? Do you think she's gonna die or something?

K: Well, Andy, all I'm saying is you better hurry!

Holy crap! It was so funny! My mom was very touched that Andy asked her. And she sure got a good giggle out of K saying he better hurry. Well, at least the kids are accepting the fact that Gramma has cancer and she's not gonna live forever. We also found out that Andy had waited so long because he didn't want to get up in front of all the people.

K decided she really wanted to be baptized on her birthday. The church said we could do it on the 11th, but K decided that the 6th was better because there was a church service and more people would be there. (Andy loved that!) Khayle just gets the whole God thing. She is always very concerned about everyone's salvation, and she want to make sure that everyone she loves is going to be in Heaven with her. Some of the preaching she has done is awesome.

For example: The 3 kids are in the back seat of the car, and we are on our way home from Gramma's at night time. K is telling Andy about how she would like to get baptized and they are discussing it and this is what I hear:

Khayle: Andy if you don't let Jesus in your heart and ask for forgiveness for all of your sins, then you will go to the 'Other Place.'

Andy: It's not like we're going to die tonight.

Khayle: You don't know that...we could die any time.

Andy: Khayle, we're not just going to drop dead now.

Khayle: Andy, you don't know...mom might drive us right in to that car, and boom, we could be dead. I know I'm going to Heaven with Mom, and I really don't think that you want to go to the 'Other Place.'

Now, I have no idea how the conversation ended, but I did not drive in to any other car. (And I never have!) I was laughing so hard, and I was so proud of K for being so concerned for her brother.

I thought I was gonna cry my eyes out. But, instead, I just felt so relieved and so incredibly proud that we had raised our children well and that they have dedicated their lives to Christ. I was also hoping that the bickering and arguing went down with the old, but it did not...it came right back up!

Adam took pictures for us, and I do believe that they are some of the most special pictures that will ever be taken of them. I would put the video on here, but I'm too retarded to figure out how to do it. (It's making me want to say *@#&!!)

Sadly, the time for communion was right after the baptisms were over, and I didn't get to witness their first communions. My mom and Tony were there as they took the body and blood of Christ for the first time (back behind the "scenes") Awesome!

After church, we all went back to my parents house and had our family and friends eat supper with us. It was such a sweet night.

Just one last little thing to say, "YAY GOD!" And thanks to all of our friends and family that have been wonderful examples of how to live your lives for Jesus...you are awesome!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

LayceeBug #6!

Can I just say, "Holy Crap!" My baby girl turned 6 on December 2nd. Since I only have 10 1/2 months before she turns 7, I thought I should get busy and get her birthday posted!

(She really was Heaven sent! She weighed in at 7lbs, 7oz....just right!)

Seriously, now that the baby is 6, I guess I have to stop telling people, as an excuse for being freaking HUGE, that I "just" had a baby...crap!

Though there are like a gazillion things I could tell ya about her, I'll keep it to the 6 most recently amazing!

1. The girl is honest! If you look like you just got run over by a truck, she'll tell ya, and anyone else who has ears! (Awesome, yet brutal!)

(She loved eating the frosting off her ladybug 1st birthday cupcake)

2. She is the best snugglebear in the ENTIRE world! She is so great at snuggling, we don't even care if she keeps sneaking in to our bed for the rest of forever! (Except that her wicked morning alligator breath could actually kill ya!)

(Princess Laycee at the young age of 2.)

3. She recently voted Thor, her dog cousin, 'out of her land' because he chewed on her cute new flippers (slippers)! We don't actually know who is lucky enough to be in her land, but now we all now that Thor isn't!

(At 3, her first school picture, she was going to preschool for speech.)

4. Laycee has a bff named Gracie, and that happens to be so amazing because their names rhyme. Rhymes are so awesome when you're in kindergarten (and even when you're 32!)

(She loved going to Miss Marli's class...she was 4 but thought she was 14!)

5. Since she can't spell yet, when she makes a list for the gifts she wants for Christmas or what to pack in a suitcase, she just draws what she wants and puts the number of how many she wants off to the side.

(Rocking out at her 5th birthday.)

6. Lace is a dancing diva who can also sing! She can actually dance to the wii music while she is taking her turn bowling. She doesn't even know she's moving! It's about the cutest thing you've ever seen. She often wins the game that way, as anyone who is watching her is laughing so hard, they cry!

(She's all grown up here at 6 years old....can you get any more beautiful?)

She got lucky this year in the present department. It's like Santa had told us what she was gonna get for Christmas, so we knew just what she'd need. She got a sweet 'Intendo DS' (she just wont put the 'n' on that!) It's so amazing how that little DS can keep her busy on a 3-4 hour airplane ride. It's also like Santa told everyone...she got a water proof jacket, a Hannah Montana Backpack, a Hannah Montana towel that turns into a backpack. It's like she had everything she may ever need to take a vacation! Lucky ducky girl! She sure is loved!

We cannot thank God enough for the sweet blessing of our Laycee Brooke! She has made our family complete! We are so lucky to get to love her. We love you, LayceeBug! You've given us 6 perfect years, and we hope that there are sooo many more to some!