Isaiah's dedication

On November 10th we dedicated Isaiah to the Lord in front of our church family!  We were very blessed to have most of our immediate family there (my parents, Randy's mom and brother) as well as both of our "neighborhood family" friends.  We chose Psalm 16:5-11 with which to bless Isaiah for his dedication day, and will continue to pray these over his life as he grows.  We are so blessed to have Isaiah in our family!  And we are so blessed to have a church family to support us as we raise Isaiah to know, love, and serve the Lord!  

My choice is you, God, first and only.
    And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
    And then you made me your heir!

 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

 I’m happy from the inside out,
    and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
    that’s not my destination!

 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
    all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
    I’m on the right way.

Halloween weekend

What a crazy weekend!  Thursday night was Halloween…

As usual, we had lots of fun at our church's carnival, and a bit of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood afterwards (with the older 3, Isaiah was a tired little lion).  

Friday morning, while at the park with Isaiah, getting out a few wiggles before heading out on some errands for Violet's upcoming birthday party, Isaiah slipped on the teeter-totter.  He got up, crying, ran straight for me with blood running down his chin.  I took one look and knew we needed to to head to the ER for some stitches.  Luckily, Isaac was with me, taking a sick day from school after a rough week of coughing and asthmatic breathing.  I'm not usually one to let a kid stay home without a fever, but I guess God knew I'd need the help!  

He let me put this band-aid on in the car before our drive to keep it sealed on the way.  He was a trooper!  He was calm in the waiting room, sat with me to watch TV while the nurse and doctor checked him, gave him medicine, and eventually stitched up his chin.  The nurse wrapped his arms behind him with a sheet (baby swaddle-style) so he wouldn't try to reach out while they stitched him and he FELL ASLEEP on the table!  No joke!  He snoozed while they put 6 stitches in his chin!  Amazing!  

He let us put band-aids over his chin the next 2 days to make sure he didn't try to mess with the stitches.  He's doing great!  They should dissolve in a few days and he'll be back to normal!  Crazy to think that was his third trip to the ER since he's been with us!  I'm sure it won't be our last.

Sunday we celebrated Violet's birthday!  Eight years old!!  

She specifically said she wanted a party in the park with a piñata.  So that's what we did!  

The birthday girl got first hits!

Then the two little guys…without blindfolds.

Randy had some great fun messing with Isaac when it was his turn (notice the head was already off…CJ gave it a good whack)!

Happy birthday Violet!  We love you so much!