365Project.2015 | Week 15

It's been a normal week looking towards an extra special ending. ♥  Peter was baptized this morning, and we are so thankful for his testimony of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone. This Mommy's heart is full to overflowing. 

Day 96. Abby's going to have a leg up on crawling over her siblings ... big sister is a first-rate teacher!

Day 97. I do believe that sitting up independently is one of my very favorite baby milestones. It's so fun to see them playing and exploring, and it makes mommy's life so much easier! But then I think about baby coos and babbling and smiles and snuggles and giggles ... and I realize once again that it's impossible to choose a "favorite" stage. I'm so thankful for the unique specialness of each age and stage ... big and little. ♥

 Love those eyes! ♥

 Day 98. :) What's better than big paper? A really big whiteboard!!

Day 99. Abby's education and entertainment committees ...

Matthew was teaching her her letters ...

 Peter was making funny faces ...

Day 100. And Hannah was giving snuggles ... #sheisloved

Day 101. Slowly, ever so slowly, Abby-girl is learning to eat solids.

Day 102. And today was a very special day for Peter. ♥  He and another young boy at church were baptized this morning.

Before the service, Pastor demonstrated the process in his office to help the boys be more comfortable with what would be happening and then he prayed with them.

 

Peter gave clear testimony of his salvation beforehand, and was so obviously excited afterwards. ♥

 

 

This will be one of our hardest good byes. We are so thankful for our pastor and his love for our family over the last thirteen years ... he knew us even before we were married and has been there with us through all of the changes of four growing children and twelve years of marriage.  So. thankful.

And we are also very thankful that Grandma and Grandpa were able to be here with us for Peter's special day! They needed to make another trip down to retrieve the John Deere tractor, so we were glad to be able to coordinate it with the baptismal service. :)

And Tuesday launches our birthday month with Matthew turning five. In the next five weeks, we will be celebrating five birthdays, mother's day, and our anniversary; finishing our third year of homeschooling; packing a household of six; closing on our house; and orchestrating an 800 mile cross-country move. On top of that, Chris will be closing out twelve years of employment in a key operational role, and we'll be saying good-bye to our church family and more friends than we can even begin to count. So thankful that in the midst of so much change, our Lord never changes. We appreciate your prayers. It's an exciting time, but good byes are hard. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17