....Brody's baptism....

....if there was a pill out there I could take that would enable me to forgo sleep so I could tackle all of the creative, fun, wild and precious things I want to do, I would pay a million dollars for it.....I think I speak for every Momma out there.....time is precious and I wish I had more of it.....

....I sit and stare at boxes of Christmas decorations that have yet to be hung, a brown UPS box of Christmas cards that arrived a week ago that still hasn't been opened, a box of crafts that I have pulled aside that I want to do with my girls for some festive decorating around the house; which now has a pile of papers set on top of it, a carpet that needs a good vacuum, a pile of mail that needs attention and a slew of photos from the crazed birthday/Thanksgiving/baptism/prepare for Christmas kind of month we've had.....

....and so to put priorities in their proper place, I have decided to let it all sit a while longer and linger at each picture of my little man's special day that occurred two Sundays ago......

....it deserves attention because it was a significant day for our family.....

                                       .....Stealing a kiss from Daddy on his baptism day, 11/20/11......

.....it's important that I capture it while it's all still fresh in my mind....the discussions with the girls about baptism, our minister's hospitable family who celebrated with us over a good meal, the prayers Brody received from others, the fun in picking out his white suit, the cross necklaces the girls each received from Mimi and JJ that they wore as symbol of being the big sisters of the notable boy and the scene of over hearing Elsie inform her sister that, today we are making a promise to teach Brody all about Jesus, Cal.....

....she learns quickly and remembers everything we say.....and for the record, I love it when Elsa calls her little sister Cal.....

....as we settled in to begin service, all was calm.....we were all serene and anxious to witness the moment of his sacrament......friends were taking photos from the pew behind, the girls were on their best behavior and Brody was all smiles as if he knew that it would be his revered moment.....

.....and as soon as service started, it all fell apart....

....not only did Brody want nothing to do with the service, but he certainly did not want to get passed over and have water sprinkled on his head.....I have never experienced him clinging to us as hard as he did that morning....although I didn't quite realize it at the time because I was trying to multitask soothing a screaming baby, as well as corralling a 2.5 year old from hiding inside the pulpit.....

.....notice who is missing from this photo......

....and once we summoned Callie back to the group, it would only take a moment until she was back behind the pulpit again....

....and for the visual of this scenario, the entire pulpit is clear plexiglass; so our congregation watched her press her entire face against the base.....repetitively.....all while Brody screamed his lungs out.....

.....it was comical; yet still holy, nonetheless.....

.....and those who know Brody know that he rarely screams.....he is a happy, laid back, bright, blue eyed baby boy who smiles at everyone.....so his outburst was a surprise to all of us......

.....Callie being the funny, adventurous one of the group is a bit more predictable......she keeps us on our toes in more ways than one......and she has also helped to enforce a new rule on Sundays.....

.....no more than two muffins during coffee hour.....

....we haven't gotten to the part about gluttony in the Bible yet.....

...she is priceless....

.....our morning certainly had its hiccups, but it didn't distract from the commitment we have made to raise our children to know and love Him.....and our prayer is that we might do so according to His will and testament....

....For I will pour water on the thirsty land, 

and streams on the dry ground;

I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,    

and my blessing on your descendants....

Isaiah 44:3

    ....Brody's first Bible.....thank you, Mimi and JJ....

.....Congratulations, Brody.....you are our God given gift and are uplifted everyday.....I pray that we raise you to honor the One who makes all things possible....

...Amen....