Dedicating the Boys

On Father's Day, we had the joy of dedicating Evan and Asher to the Lord at church. When we dedicated Elena we were living in Houston, and our church there called it a "Parent Dedication" which I think is so appropriate because we view it as an outward testimony of our commitment to raise our children in a home that honors the Lord, and to publicly acknowledge that these children are a gift from God and are His to do what he wills.

Ben and I were honored to have both sets of parents there to share the day and were then later able to celebrate Father's Day together!

The other family being dedicated at that service was the Lock Family. Sarah and I have been in Bible Study together and our baby boys are only three weeks apart. This was our attempt to get a picture together beforehand. :)

Elena Knows Her Savior

Last night Elena prayed with Ben and I to receive God's gift of forgiveness. It was late, we had already put her to bed, but I heard her doing something in her room that is not allowed, so up the stairs I went to discipline her. As I'm putting her back in bed she began talking about sin, and the things she has done that are sin. That right there was an answer to prayer! She knew the story of Jesus, but had never shown us that she understood her need for forgiveness. But as we talked she began showing a very contrite spirit. Long story short, Ben and I went over the gospel with her and she told us she was ready to tell God that she was sorry for her sin and to thank Him for giving Jesus to take her punishment.

I know Elena was impacted from hearing the Gospel presented at VBS that day. In fact when I was asking her questions about sin, I said, "Elena who has sinned?" And she replied, "Well, Captain Amy says ALL have sinned!" (The preschool assembly was led by four women who were the "Captains" for the week, and three of them are named, Amy)

This is an answer to many prayers prayed by many that love Elena. Thank you, Jesus!

VBS!

This week is gonna be a busy one for our family because we are "exploring the deep love of Jesus on the High Seas!" at Vacation Bible School!

This may not be the picture to hang on the wall with Asher's diaper about to explode and Elena's recently cut bangs (more on that later), but I was determined to get a picture while we were all still in our shirts from the day. This is the real us at the moment.

She's A Great Big Sister

Elena adores Asher. The highlight of her day is getting smiles out of him. As I was taking pictures for his 6-month birthday she crashed the scene and it turned into something really sweet...

And looking at those pictures reminded me of these...

Asher - 6 Months

Oh goodness - half a year already!

Well I hate to sound like a know it all, but I was so right. Asher did get his two bottom teeth by this 6 month birthday... just like Elena. He is handling teething pretty well, but there has definitely been more crying when he goes down to sleep.

When he's on his belly pushing up, he's starting to pull those knees up as well.

He's sleeping really well and is waking up between 6:45 and 7am, which is a wake-up time I can handle.

Ben is convinced he's our most "smiley" baby (I just can't quite remember how Elena and Evan were so I'm not going to make a call; but I sure do love the smiles Asher gives out)

I just pulled out a new round of hand-me-downs, and theses polos were ones that Evan wore for a long time, so I know it's going to bring back memories seeing Asher now in them.

He is SO excited to see himself in the mirror. He shrieks with glee and simultaneously winces in surprise at the loud noise coming from the baby in the mirror.

We went to the doctor and I swear he knew what was coming. As soon as the nurse entered the room and he heard her voice, he started fussing in my arms. Then when I put him down on the exam table covered with that paper, he lost it; crying as if he was already getting the shot. It's amazing what they put together at this age!

His Stats: 16lb 10oz and 25 3/4in

(75% and 50% respectively)

Laughing at my jokes - he makes me feel so funny :)

Woah - what are THOSE wiggling things.

We're so in love with this guy!

The First Tooth

Asher's first tooth popped up over the weekend. I wanted to throw him a parade when I saw it; I was just so proud of him! I seem to recall feeling the same irrational pride with Evan and Elena as well.

It was his bottom right tooth and I think the bottom left one is going to be visible any day now. He's really handled it so well. He's been a little cranky as he goes down for his naps, but perfectly sweet when awake; just very preoccupied with soothing those gums!

No pictures of the tooth yet because when a toy isn't in his mouth his tongue is rubbing those gums.

Way to go Ash-Man!