Baptism

I don't even have words for how life-giving this post is. Ollie has been asking questions about baptism and asking if could be baptized for 6ish months now. We had talked about it on and off but hadn't made any plans. At church one Sunday, we saw about 7 to 10 people baptized, which was also the first time Ollie had see believers profess their faith and be baptized. This really sealed the deal for him. He was ready. I pulled out my baptism verses that my campus minister, Jud Weece, took me through almost 2 decades ago when I made the decision to be baptized after following Christ. I'm tempted to type about how sweet it was to see him pursue this, but really sweet it only a teeny tiny component of the over-whelming reality of what he was said yes to. 

Ollie has recognized that in his own power he will always be a flawed and broken person. The world tells us that money, relationships, comfort, or reputation will fix us by bringing us completion or peace. Ollie is beginning his journey to understand that God has placed eternity in the hearts of man and only falling in love with the beauty of Jesus will be an answer to any of life's questions.

We went down to Brushy Creek and Ollie was baptized that evening. Ollie was agreeing with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and declaring an allegiance to Christ by choosing to die to the world and live in pursuit of Christ.

Ollie, I pray that your identity and self-worth would be found in the creator of the universe. I pray that your desire to know Jesus would drive your pursuits, relationships, and life. I pray that you would continue to be amazed by God, learning more about Him, and becoming more enamored with His love for you; love for the world. I pray that your eyes would be open to the people around you, that you could see people as Christ sees people. I pray that as the Holy Spirit resides in you, you would become more attune to his promptings and his comforts. Lord, let Ollie be yours. Let his love for you grow.

Join me in welcoming a new brother to the Lord's table. Love you for all of eternity, Ol. 

Halloween Time

Frank and friends halloween cookies! Our first ever attempt at royal icing and flooding and I must say we were fans. It was way easy for kids to help, cookies turn out way cute, and (most important) everything tasted delish!

Minnie for book character day at school. No other Mot was awesome enough to dress up.  

We had a family theme this year for Halloween from the show Clone Wars on Disney Plus. We had Ollie as Captain Rex, Nolan as Cody, and Seth as Obi Wan. I even had big plans to make myself an Ahsoka costume, but that didn't come together in time. 

I feel the need to include a picture of Ahsoka though, so you can see how awesome it could have been. 

On the big night, Jon came out for trick or treating as Papa John, which of course was awesome. I was bummed though that he didn't let me in on his thinking so I could have thrown together a pizza or pizza box costume for myself. 

Our neighborhood was so super fun. Tons of people were out on their porches, ready to hand out candy. 

Clone Cody

Just a tuckered out kiddo and his Papa Jon. 

Lookie Lou...

 ...our good buddies came back! I think they wanted to test out our new swimming hole before fall weather hit too hard. 

We found a stick house while hiking to the swimming hole at Chalk Ridge Falls.

See that graffiti? I think I'm going to name this Alexa and Eli's bridge.

Every kid except Nolan tried out the rope swing. Ellie and Ollie had to face their fears on climbing up to the rope, but everyone prevailed. 

After IKEA, we found Creamistry, a nitrogen ice cream shop. Sometimes you see contestants use liquid nitrogen on Food Network challenges and I thought it was super cool (get it??) to see in real life.

Backyard camping for the win! I think Micah may have been the most pleased by this arrangement because it freed up a bed for him. 

Only in Texas.

Back yard fire pit

I bought a romper on a trip to goodwill so I could match Addie in her romper love. (The one pictured is the third one she wore on the trip.) Ollie, Ellie, Micah, Sam... well pretty much everyone was not impressed with a 37 year old in a romper.  

More pandemic church. I think we filled a whole row.

Group Hippo picture time! 

We love you, friends!

School and Football Update

We've been busy! I've subbed 11 times in the last three weeks and probably have just as many days booked in the next three. Everyone is thriving at school. Thank you, Jesus!

Mrs. Tieman continues to send us pre-k pictures. Yay!

Nolan's 9 weeks award is for being a Brillant Builder. Way to go bud!

Ollie's was for all A's, Math, and Music. The music teacher fawns over him, much like at Waters. 

And the Hutto Lions saw their first win this past Saturday! Ollie was quite the quarterback, connecting with Owen multiple times for touchdowns!

Date Night!

Jon is continuing his reputation of being a lucky winner. He entered a contest and won tickets to see Shane Smith and the Saints live at the brushy creek amphitheater. We put Nolan to bed like normal and the big boys stayed up and watched at movie. We walked over to the show, with our cell ringers turned up high. You better believe I'm sighing with deep contentment over how easy the baby-sitting/night-out situation is turning into. 

It was a really fun evening! I don't listen to Texas country as much as Jon, but even I recognized a few songs. And if you are someone that is into a real mean fiddle, I would highly suggest checking them out. 

Masks off for pictures. ;)

Let's hold hands: LBK Guests

 A stream of people continues to visit us. It makes me feel so loved and my heart so happy. Our good friends Dan and Eryn were in town for other reasons, but we all were super glad they came over to see us as well. 

Lincoln and Noey were thrilled to spend time playing again. I love how they were unintentionally matching with black and red, and I believe Noey was even wearing hand-me-downs from Linc. Lincoln had a new stuffed animal he was bringing every where, so Nolan decided he needed one too.  

I don't need to tell you that I melted when Nolan asked Lincoln to hold hands. Gah, sweet boys. 

We have been going to church with Dan and Eryn and participating in community with them for over 6 years. (Maybe 7?) I knew Eryn before she ever ran a marathon. Our families have seen new kids, new houses, new dogs, new jobs, new diagnoses, new hardships, and new seasons of soccer together. I'm grateful for their faithfulness in both their love for Christ, and how they have steadily walked beside us. On the con list of moving, their family was high on the list. 

We have played a little game over the years where we try to hide a porcelain black box in the other families home. The box started as a loser's prize in bunko, which Jon rightfully had won, but since it was so ugly, I claimed the hosts couldn't take any prizes and we made Dan and Eryn (the second place losers) take it home. The most epic hides would have to be the time it was buried in a popcorn tin, and the time it made it's way into a moving box. When they came to visit I was planning to be on high alert because I figured they would try to sneak it in, but when they came I was so happy to see them that I totally forgot! When they were leaving at the very last minute, it crossed my mind and I got super suspicious when they were giving us a gift from a mutual friend. Dan casually said, "We don't have the black box." What??? I immediately assumed it meant that they got rid of it, because surely no sneaky business had gone on! Jon immediately assumed it was hidden in our house. But it never turned up! I didn't think much more about it until some other Lubbock friends confirmed that it is currently hidden in our house. I'm stymied! Where could it be? But I'm delighted. The game is afoot. Ha!

Love you, D.E.S.M.L.I! Come back and see us!