Ten Months Old

Children's Christmas Trees

Abby's Tree


Aiden and Anthony's Tree

Christmas Decorations

Putting our new ornaments on the tree






Bailey Family Ornament 2010


The Star


The finished tree


Stockings

Profiles

Traditions

One of my favorite holiday traditions is Operation Christmas Child. Every year our family packs a shoebox for a child in need. I love taking the children to pick out gifts and having them help pack the shoebox.

Back to the Fifties

Fifty days of school have passed.



Explaining "the Fifties" to a five year old was very interesting!

My Ring

I was playing around with my camera's micro settings and got this shot of my wedding ring. I just love the story behind my ring.



First, let it be known my first engagement ring was made of duct tape and I wore it proudly for several months. Now onto the story of my current ring. The large stone in the ring belonged to my grandmother. I love having a part of her in my ring. It speaks to me of generations past, hard work (because marriage is work!), and an everlasting love. The band for the ring was made by melting down a piece of my jewelry and a piece of Patrick's. We combined the two parts of our past and created his wedding band and mine. It was a way for us to symbolize the two becoming one. The six diamonds on the outside came from a ring I had previously that I never wore anymore. I like that the total number of stones is seven, my favorite number. I just really love my wedding ring.

But I would have worn the duct tape ring for all eternity for this man.

Great Golf

Perfect Purple Princess

Fall Photo Session

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a good picture of three kids under the age of five?



Aiden John, 5 years old





Anthony Joseph, 4 years old





Abigail Jaicee, Nine Months Old





At least we laughed alot!

Baby Dedication

When Abby was born I felt God telling me "tell the story" and at every opportunity I have tried to be faithful to testify to the miracle of our daughter's life. My story, my testimony of God's incredible faithfulness, is so intertwined with Abby's it's difficult to separate the two. I knew that I wanted to share our story on the day we dedicated her, so I gave my testimony and signed a song that was meaningful to our journey towards her, "That's What Faith Can Do" by Kutless.



Abby waited patiently for Mommy to stop talking.



A baby dedication is more about the parents than the child. It is a time to recognize that God has entrusted us with a special gift and that as parents we have a great responsibility to raise that child to know, love, and serve Him. It is a time to dedicate ourselves as parents to that calling. It is a time for family and friends to dedicate themselves to aid us in raising that child in a Godly way. There's nothing magical or mystical about it, it does not ensure eternal life for Abigail, only she can make that decision. It is a commitment ceremony for the adults.



For our precious family it was a time of great celebration!

First Haircut

Whatcha doin' Nan?



Um, no really, What are you doing???



Nooooo!!!!! What do you mean I keep getting hair in my mouth when I eat? I don't care that I can't see! I wanted to play Rapunzel!



Mommy's version: We literally took 1/4 of an inch, just barely trimmed it to get it out of her eyes. She was crying because I was holding her still, a mighty difficult task, I might add!

Fun Weekend

Look who's here for the weekend! Nan and Grandaddy! They flew up for Abby's baby dedication.




And he brought this cool hat too!


The boys are more interested in the movie they brought though!


Grandaddy played on the Wii.


Nan made a cake for Abby's dedication.


Patrick built a roaring, cozy fire.


And we cuddled and cuddled and cuddled!