I am soooo excited to announce.....

....that our oldest, Jocelyn (age 7) is going to be baptized on Sunday!!!! 

Why is she getting baptized?

I have written a few times about how you can get saved.

You can read about it:  Here.
Here. 
and there are others...

But wasn't she baptized as a baby?

No.  We aren't seeing that written in the Bible.  Correct me if I am wrong.  Not seeing it.

It is not required for salvation, but one of the three symbols in the Bible-- the cup/loaf (Jesus' life/blood), the head covering, and water baptism.

A baptism is a Christian's outward testimony of faith.  It illustrates the believers identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.  The action of being baptized under water symbolizes dying and being buried with Christ.  Coming out of the water is a picture of Christ's resurrection.

Salvation is a FREE gift that happens in a split second when you believe in Jesus.  It is impossible to lose or "leave" salvation.

There are a ton of verses in the Bible about baptism  Lots of stories about people getting saved and then being baptized. 

Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Mark 1:4, 5 “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 8:35-38 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water;what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch;and he baptized him.”

Acts 16:31, 33 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes;and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.”

These are just a few....

So join us on Sunday, January 6 at 11 AM at Millard Community Church.  12656 Weir Street.  Omaha, NE.  Dress is casual.  It will be a packed house, so you can come as early as you want.  There is a Sunday school that is from 9:30am-10:30am...so you can come to that as well.

There will be a potluck afterwards.

Let me know if you have any questions about salvation, baptism in general, or Sunday's baptism.

Need a New Year's Resolution?

I am not really into New Year's resolutions.  I usually fail at them if I start...I am sure I am not alone.  But as the new year starts most of us are probably thinking how we can change something in our lives for next year.  Maybe it is to get in shape, not smoke, strengthen a relationship, organize our home....etc...it is a time for fresh starts and goal making! 

I have a huge goal for 2013...Run the Lincoln 1/2 Marathon on May 5th.   I signed up and there is no turning back.

I have a lot of work to do before the 1/2 marathon.  The farthest I have run...at a very slow snails pace....has been 8 miles.  This race is 13.1 miles and I want to finish...and not be last.   I want to be stronger for this race.  I also want to run a bit faster than I currently do.  I want to find shoes that feel good and don't bruise my feet...still working on that:) 

My official training will start February 10th.  I wrote out a pretty detailed training plan that will have me working out 5 days a week at first and then once I get into the swing of things 6 days a week. 

I want you to join me. 

How you can join:

Join my facebook group. 

• It is titled 1/2 marathon training.  Sorry I couldn't think of a catchier name.   
• You do not have to be training for the 1/2 marathon.  You could be training for a marathon.  Trying to lose weight by exercising.  Trying to just stay healthy by exercising.  Maybe you just want to run a mile.  You don't even have to be doing anything physically to join.  Maybe you are a good encourager for all of us out there. 
• Post what you have done for the day.  By doing this, it may make your more accountable to start/stay in shape.  
• Encourage others.
• Provide tips for others.  Maybe you found a good strength video...or a class that started at a local gym.

For details on my journey:  Go here!  This link is actually on the front of my blog (1/2 Marathon training) You can also see what my training plan will look like.

To join the facebook group:  Go here!
You have to ask to join...and I will accept whoever wants to be in the group.  So spread the word.

Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!  Thanks!

Getting ready for the holidays!

Last year we did a Truth in the Tinsel project...where we studied the birth of Jesus and did crafts every day related to what we studied.  We didn't do that again this year.  I didn't have the time...nor the energy to do the extra crafty stuff every day.  We do did a few fun activities...found on Pinterest of course:)

This first one were ballerina snowflakes.  So pretty!

 These really cool (Large) snowflakes.  The pictures don't do justice.  You can get the tutorial over at my friend Erin's Blog:  At Home with the Boys! 

 Graham cracker houses.  Graham crackers...well duh!  Who has time to make gingerbread and cut them into pieces...or spend all of that money buying a kit...The kids really enjoyed this activity!  I think Weston's turned out the best...don't you:):)  He is so proud!

 Jocelyn's roof collapsed right after this picture....I think it may have been do to the overload of frosting on the roof.??

 The girls also made these cute little snowflakes....Easton made one in the childcare at church, but disassembled it in the car....

 The girls each made a snowman.  This is Katelyn's.

I had my own little fun with a group of friends.  We met at a Pottery Place in Omaha and had a well needed girls night out.  I made an ornament and put the kids' name on it.  So not artistic at all...but the kids loved it!

and there was a night out with my hubby!  His corporate work party was in New Jersey.  It was fancy smanchy with servers in tuxes delivering hors d'oeuvre (or however you spell it) to everyone....and it took forever to serve all of the courses...it was really nice though.  Here is our lovely pic right before we headed over there.

Isn't he handsome?:) 

I hope everyone has a nice, safe holiday season!!!!

An evening with Snow White!

The girls enjoyed an evening at an Omaha Library with their friends.  Snow White came to sing them songs, read stories, do crafts, dance through out the library, and to sign autographs for each child.  My girls know that Snow White isn't real....it was the same gal who was dressed up as Rapunzel last year..and they recognized her...but they still had a good night!

 Both of the girls in their Ariel costumes with Easton's BFF J.

Snow White Singing to the girls (video)

 The girls posing with Snow White and getting her autograph

 Arts & craft time.  They had 3 different crafts.

 Katelyn's little fairy craft...and her cheesy smile:)

The girls dancing.

 Listening so closely:)

Some firsts for our little family!

This year our little family have had many firsts!  Probably too many to post here...I don't want to bore you too bad....

January:  
Katelyn's first pretty in pink party invite.  Her little friend Bella turned 4!

February:
The kids' first Valentine's Day party with our friends from our homeschooling co-op!

March:
The kids' first visit to our State Capitol

 and our first circus!

April:
The girls first visit to Disney World

May:
The kids' first visit to Adventureland Them Park in Des Moines, IA

Our first hike through Pioneers Park-- just a few miles down the road....we have been so missing out!

June:
My first 3k race....and first longest run....without stopping!

July:
First visit with the kids to Mall of America in Minnesota

My first Color Run!

August:
My first Mud Run!

September:
The kids first visit to Washington DC

My first time running a 5k....without stopping!  This was a benefit run in Georgetown, a suburb of DC.
                                           
and first ocean visit for Easton & Weston

Our first visit to Chattanooga, Tennessee!

October:
Our first visit to Arbor Farms in Nebraska, City!

The kids' first ride on a fire truck!

November:
Easton's first friends party for his friend Jael!

 Our first visit to the Nebraska Dairy Store with friends!

and the tractor museum!

Our first time bowling with the entire family!

Our first cat!

I am sure we will have many more firsts...including Jocelyn getting baptized on January 6th!!  Can not wait!  I will write more about that later!!

Weston's 2nd birthday party!

A few friends and family came over to my parents house to celebrate Weston's 2nd birthday.  My sister was in town, so that was nice that she could be with us.

If you know me....I love making cakes for my kiddos birthdays.  I kind of obsess over them really.  I choose the plan usually months in advance and slowly gather supplies throughout the planning process.  It really has to do with how cheap I am...don't want to spend the money on a cake....however when it is all said in done....I could have probably spend less money buying a regular cake from the store.  Oh well.  It is fun and the kids love it.

Weston is really into trains.  So I made this cake from him.  This idea was inspired from Pinterest and Betty Crocker.

I thought it turned out really well.  Weston was really excited about it.

Then right before the party it turned into this.  People still ate it.  I guess I should have labeled the box-- don't move...cake inside. 

Sean ran up to the store and we bought a substitution cake.

and Weston enjoying one of his birthday presents. 
                                    
here are my other cake creations of the year: