Baptism

May 19, 2008
South City Church, PCA
I LOVE THESE PICTURES!

Pastor Jay Simmons explaining to Samuel what is taking place in his heart. We do not believe his baptism actually produces salvation, but rather it is a sign and symbol of Samuel joining the covenant community with the promise of God's graces surrounding his life.





Mama reading Zephaniah 3:17. We pray that Samuel always knows his Father loves and cares for him in this way.
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.



Dad explaining why we chose this verse.

We were glad that our good friends, Eric and Jamie had their daughter, Lilly, baptized at the same time.

Some friends Ashley teaches with came to see Samuel. (Amela and her daughter Selma, and Molly.

David Graduates from Covenant Seminary

Samuel didn't get to go see Dad graduate (way past his bedtime) but loved the tassles on his cap and felt proud of him!

with Dr. Peterson, a favorite professor

with my Mom and Aunt Bobbie

Dad and Angela

in line ready to walk

with some friends from Auburn days

with Carol

a favorite professor, Jerram Barrs

with Seima

It is Official

We have so many pictures to upload from graduation, Samuel's baptistm, etc...but we just have not gotten around to it.

Rather, I want to share the latest news...Samuel officially has food allergies. As far as I can interpret (we still need to meet with the allergist again), this is the real deal. They tested 15 foods, 10 of which he is allergic to. I have "known" for months that egg and soy (and probably dairy) were a problem, but had no idea he would be allergic to peanut(ugh), wheat, meat, etc. So, David and I are going to become those parents. The ones who carry epi pens and scare (or annoy) every teacher, nursery worker, or friend's mom by communicating that they have to be vigilent when we leave the room. No more restaurants (as far as I can tell or imagine). Goodbye Aldi, hello Whole Foods. Even this morning in church I realized that unless things change, he might not be able to take communion. I am sure there are lots of weird things like that. We need to test him for lots more to see what else to avoid without having too many instances of learning the hard way.

Of course we will pray he outgrows them, which he has a good chance of doing, except for the peanut. Until then I am going to figure it out, learn how to be a creative meal planner, and make friends with other mama's of children who have food allergies. I know it could be much worse, as I hear about and see other children with more serious medical issues, but, I am sad for him. And, to be honest, for David and me. We love food. I love to cook and celebrate, socialize, and comfort with food. I love to explore other cultures through food---the list goes on. These are things that I had actually imagined sharing with Samuel. But perhaps Samuel will teach us how to dig deeper to express and explore such things in a more meaningful way we had never imagined.

Sam the Worm

Nashville

A couple of weekends ago we went to Nashville. David, his brother Worth and cousin Grace ran the half marathon. It ended up being a bit of a family reunion (sorry Fudgie) as Worth's family, Grace's mom Laura, and David's mom came too. It was a lot of fun. They did a great job in the race too. It was the first time for Samuel to meet his cute cousins.

Luke and Samuel

Ben

Random pic showing off Samuel's new teeth

How most of his time is spent...with something in his mouth

Rachel, Davis, and Campbell

Please pray for this little family who just lost their husband and father. Please go to the link to the right "Tony and Melissa Woodruff" for more information. Melissa just got back from the funeral, and after talking with her I feel things in my life have been put into much more perspective.

Toddler Carseats...Advice?

It's time for us to get a bigger car seat. We went to the doctor today and Samuel is 20.4 pounds and almost 28 inches long. He is a big boy. We have several road trips in the next couple of months and know we need to figure out which one to buy. I don't know lots about these, but have been told that Britax is the brand to buy, and, considering his size we should get the Marathon. My question is: Will it fit in our cars? We have a 2001 Subaru Forester and a 2000 VW Jetta. Does anyone know? You would think there would be a chart someone on the Internet that would provide that kind of info...but I am yet to find it.

On another note, we are doing well. David is spending all his time writing papers, reading, studying, and finishing other assignments that are due on May 1. It is weird to think that after that we will be finished at Covenant...more on that later.

I took the day off to take Samuel to get his shot. Sounds incorrect, like I should say "his shots", but that is not what we get. We get one. We got one...the DTaP. (We are on a delayed schedule.) My doctor called it the DTP several times and I had to correct him as if making sure we are not getting the older (and potentially harmful) version, though I knew that was not the case. I have been worried over these shots and the possible effects they could have on Samuel. I felt/feel particularly concerned because I believe his little body is very sensitive to things...for example his food allergies. However I know he needs them. And, I was comforted on my way to the doctor, by the fact that God really is sovereign. That sounds simple, but I felt this in a rather profound way that made a difference in my heart. So, he got the shot...that brave little man did not even flinch, much less cry. And, we have had a great afternoon since, praise God as such things ought not be taken for granted.

I also had an interesting exchange with the doctor about my anxieties for him in general. I told him that I know I worry too much, and that I know this is not good and even unhealthy for him and me and that I am working on it. He told me that I made his day because he sees moms like me everyday who have all the anxiety but none of the conviction that it is something that needs to be let go of to some degree. I asked him how it is possible to not be aware of such things, but then knew the answer as I was once probably far more unaware of my self then they. There is something good about knowing you are broken and in need of help, opposed to ploughing through life like all is okay, all the while haphazardly hurting people (like little Samuel) by your blindness.

Weaning

I have never liked this word; I'm not sure why. It feels strange rolling off my lips and connotes something strange, though exactly what has always been ambiguous to me until now.

If you have read previous posts, you know that we have recently started giving Samuel solids. As of this morning he has had rice cereal, sweet potatoes and squash. So far so good and fun.

As I have been reading to try to figure out this whole solids thing, which has been rather intimidating, I continue to see the word weaning, used where I prefer to see something like starting/feeding solids or feeding infants. Even manufacturers use it to describe bowls and spoons. I have a problem with this word because it seems to communicate something like "the process of your child going from breastfeeding to real food has begun, and, hallelujah that will be soon." It just feels negative to me. Seems urgent even. I think I am overreacting. Definitely I have noticed some unhealthy mothering patterns whereby I like being needed by Samuel and am a bit too zealous to be the perfect mom (which has turned out to be so not the case)...so maybe that is what this is about. I should be happy that Samuel will soon no longer need me for his survival in such a dramatic way. I should be thankful that for six months God has seemingly-miraculously enabled my body to meet all his dietary needs. I should be happy that the process of him eating solids means that one day soon I can finally eat all the foods I miss (since I avoid them now because of his allergies). These things are good, I know. I just wish the authors of these books would choose a more gentle-sounding verb for mothers like me who are a bit too attached (for lack of a better word). Has anyone else had this experience?
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Okay, after posting this, I have been thinking...perhaps I would not feel so passsionate about this where I at home, with Samuel, all day. Maybe it is a particular struggle of working moms?

BIBS

a couple more pics

Someone to share Daddy's love of sweater vests.

FINALLY FOOD!

My sister and Emma pulled up Friday afternoon with a car full of goodies for Samuel. Of particular interest were the bowls, spoons, bibs (one that says I Love My Aunt), and lots of baby food. It was a subtle hint that we would be feeding him solids for the first time. As with other milestones, I was glad to have Niki here to help me know how to do this thing that feels foreign to me. He did a great job. He loved rice cereal and ate as if he had been eating for weeks. My parents would say that is because he has been wanting to eat for weeks!






This picture does a good job illustrating how much of our time was spent...Emma could not get enough of her little cousin.

Easter Weekend

Our Trip to Asheville

It was great to be back in Asheville to see old friends and faces. This one of David's favorite places to visit. It is surrounded by so much beauty and nature. By the way, Samuel got to fly for the first time. He was so well behaved that the pilot let him see the cockpit.