Abby & Jadyn were Baptized Today!

We are SO happy for Abby & Jadyn.  Jadyn asked Jesus in her heart last summer (2011) during VBS.  She was afraid of being baptized.  Sometime this summer, she said she felt comfortable now and wanted to be baptized.  So we went and talked with Pastor Tony.  As we were talking to him Abby was listening.  Pastor Tony asked if Abby wanted to ask Jesus in her heart. She said "no, she's not ready".  Even though Abby knew all of the answers, I asked her if she had more questions. She said "No, I understand, I'm just shy and did not want to ask Jesus in my heart in front of anyone."  So we went into our playroom, just Abby & I and she prayed to ask Jesus in her heart.

Our church was doing their 2nd Annual Beach Baptism's today. Abby & Jadyn told us in July that they wanted to do this.  So today, we drove to Apollo Beach area with 48 other members of our church.  This was the largest Baptism at one time in our church history I believe. Of course we were praying that Tropical Storm Isaac would stay away long enough for us to have the baptism's. And thankfully the storm did stay away.

I'm so thankful that my sister & her family came and stayed to watch the baptism's.  It meant so much to the girls and to me. I wish my brother, his wife & my parents could have been there.  But they are all in TN right now.

The girls were 2nd to last.  We had to walk out into the bay because of low tide.  They were nervous.  But when it was their time, they chose the pastor they wanted to baptize them and walked right to them.  Jadyn went first. She chose Pastor Tony (our Children's Pastor).  Abby went 2nd and she chose Pastor Daniel (our Youth Pastor).  I am so proud of them and I'm so glad we were able to be there today.

Here are some photos of the day. I took 175 photos. Wow!  I will not post that many. LOL  OH, and my awesome sister made a cake for the girls.  Their request, strawberry cake with pink frosting with a green cross.

I'm so thankful for the miracle of adoption. Because without adoption, my girls would have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. And they would not have had the opportunity to ask Him into their hearts.

A Senior and Two 3rd Graders!

First day of school.  Wow! Where did the summer go?  So much happened this summer.  I can't believe we are at the start of yet another school year.  One that I have not been looking forward to for 17 years. Tiffs Senior Year.  :-(

Everyone was excited this morning.  Everyone got up on time.  I think Hope & Maggie were confused and I think they wanted to go too.  (You can read about their day on their adoption blog).

Tiff left very early.  Like 6:50.  Actually that was late for her. She hoped to leave earlier.  She was picking up a few friends and of course had to take photos with them too.  I can't believe how much the girls have changed.  How on earth are they Senior's in High School already???  We were just sending Tiff off to Kindergarten.

First day of School 2000

LAST First Day of School 2012

Friends (holding their very 1st day of school photo)

Then it was time to take Abby & Jadyn to school.  THIRD Grade!  Seriously???  How can this be?  They are growing up way too fast.  They were excited. They could not wait.  I drove them and parked the car. I wanted to walk them to their class. I did not get to meet their teachers on Thursday because we were flying home from China.   The girls ate breakfast in the cafeteria (something they did every day last school year) and then we went to class. Their teachers seem really nice.  I hope and pray they have a fantastic school year.  

Miss Abby ready to go

Miss Jadyn is ready

Sisters Forever

Breakfast at school

Abby at her desk

Jadyn at her desk

Carline was insane as usual for the first day of school at dismissal. I waited almost 45 minutes.  The girls told me about their day. They had a good one. Jadyn complained because her teacher sent her home with homework.  Abby was sent home with homework for me. :-)  

Tiffani had band today so it was almost 7 PM when she got home from school.  And guess what?  Someone hit her car as they were backing out in the school parking lot.  Tiff did not get out to look at the car. The other girl did and Tiffs friend looked out the window. They did not see the dent.  Well there is a dent. Tiff has contacted her now but I bet it's too late.  Live and learn.  Not a fun lesson Bill wants her to learn right now.  :-(

THE DENT!!!  

Other than that, Tiff said she had a good day. She said her classes are going to be great this year.  I hope she is right.  

Praying day # 2 is even better than day #1.  

My Brother Got Married!

It's been a busy summer.  Waiting for THE CALL to bring Hope & Maggie home, VBS, Youth Camp & my brother's wedding.

I'm so happy that he & Edie had the wedding here in FL.  He moved to TN last August and it made me so sad.  My brother is always here for me. No matter what.  And I was sad that he was leaving (his job transferred him to TN).  Well, a few weeks or couple of months after moving, he met Edie.  And they just clicked.  We met Edie in December. And I liked her immediately.  I could see how happy Daniel & Edie were.

I think it's awesome, that she has family here in the area.  We laugh now.  Daniel had to leave FL to find his future bride, only to find out she has family an hour from his family.  God is so good!

So the wedding was here in FL.  The rehearsal was Friday night and wedding Saturday. It was such a nice wedding. Edie was beautiful.  Daniel was so handsome.  We had a great time watching them exchange their vows and become Husband & Wife.

Abby & Jadyn were the flower girls and they did great.  Tiffani was in charge of the bride's book and she did a great job too.

Oh, and guess who caught the brides' bouquet?  Yep, Miss Tiff.  She was thrilled.  Bill not so much. LOL

Here are a few of my favorite photos that we took from the wedding.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Gunter.  And Welcome to the family Edie!

The Gunter Family

Senior Pictures

We received the proofs of Tiffani's senior pictures this week. I can't believe I just wrote that.  How can Tiff have senior pictures already?  Wow!  The year has come.  One I have not been looking forward to for 17 years.  Her senior year in high school.  I need to try to accept this.  But it's going to be hard.

So, since I have compared her school pictures in the past, I decided we needed to compare our senior pictures.  What do you think?  Does she look like me?

Debbie  1989 

Tiffani 2012

Amazing Wonders Aviation-VBS 2012

We had an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G week at VBS this week.  I had the privilege of being the Pilot for 2nd grade Red team.  Abby & Jadyn were on my team and I love spending the week with them & their friends.  Thankfully Tropical Storm Debby did not slow us down. We had a great turn out despite the bad weather.  And by Thursday (I think) we had beautiful sunshine.

Here are a few pictures from the week.

Pilot Ethan.  

Awesome decorations

Bible Study 

Jadyn

Abby

Snack

The entire Red Team

Family Night Ice Cream

My nephew Jake came to VBS this year. He had a blast