a dedication and a baptism

Last Saturday, July 7, was a great day for our family.  We've been waiting for this day for a while.  We knew we wanted to have Asher dedicated and I've wanted to be baptized for quite sometime.  The key part was having Sam, Trav's best bud, perform the services for us.  We waited until we moved back East, got settled and got our schedules lined up.  It was such a special day.  Having Sam made it great.  He and Trav have been friends for a long time and he knows us well.  Here is how our day went...

Asher looking mighty handsome and ready for his day!

Sam is the Youth Minister at Cumberland Fellowship.  We went to his church for the services.

Every word that he spoke was perfect and lined up perfectly with our beliefs.  We want Asher to have a heart for God.  We want to be Godly parents and teach him about His amazing love.  We want to show him what a loving family looks like.  We want him to be surrounded by those who believe the same. 

My heart was full and anxious the entire time.  When Sam spoke to me and my role as a Mother, it made me happy and so very scared.  The thought of Asher looking at me to see how a mother, wife, daughter and friend should act is scary.  Sam mentioned Asher watching me to see how I treat Travis and how it will help him when finding a wife.  Just thinking about that makes my eyes water.  I look at Asher and I see my heart.  I love this boy with every ounce and I want nothing but the best for him.  The thought of letting him down breaks my heart.  I want to be great for him (both hims, little and big H).

After Sam spoke to Travis and myself, he then talked to our family.  He talked to them about the importance of being a part of his life and how they are also an influence.  He asked them to have a heart for the Lord and to let be shown around Asher. 

Everyone then gathered around us, laid their hands on us and prayed.

This is the only picture that was taken of us three.  My camera was on the wrong setting and most of my pictures from that day are terrible!! 

After Asher's dedication, I quickly changed clothes and was ready to be baptised.

My relationship with God has grown so much over the past few years and I was ready to make that known.  I've thought about it several times in my life but my heart was never fully ready.

All smiles and happy hearts.

Babies, babies everywhere!!

Samuel and Asher.

These two are going to be best buds, just like their daddies.

(Samuel is exactly 6 months older than Asher.)

Asher with the two Tolletts.  Isn't Miss Lily gorgeous?

Josie B hopped in the picture.

And then Charlie.  How we got all five kiddos to sit there that long for pictures is beyond me.

Some of my favorite ladies.  Don't mind my half-wet half-dry hair.

Asher playing with Little Granny.

My Dad, Charlie and Katie

Katie is going to be officially joining our family next year.  She and my cousin, Ben (who shares a middle name with Asher), got engaged this past weekend!

Travis and Asher with two other Sisco boys, Tyler and his Dad, Steve.

This picture is classic Charlie.  He is a momma's boy through and through.

The Family

After both ceremonies were finished, many of us headed to our house to play in the pool.  Some of our friends came over to celebrate with us..

Miss Eva ready to slide.

Asher playing with his Nana.

Ella and Josie.

These two are so silly together. 

"And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6: 6-9