Halloween x 3

This year Mara got to dress up three separate times to celebrate Halloween.  She was the cutest Strawberry and honestly loved her costume so we were more than happy to put it on again and again.

The sweetest little strawberry

The batallion had a small fall festival on the 30th with trunk-or-treating, a costume contest and fun events for the kids.  Mara was still a bit young for most of the festivities but she did really enjoy checking out all the costumes.  We stopped by one trunk and she came home with a stuff animal. (Mama's favorite kind of treat aka not candy) Later that night I entered her in the costume contest.  The clapping scared her a bit but she came away with one of the top prizes anyways!

She never let go of her pumpkin

On Halloween we went downtown to do some trick-or-treating with some friends.  Again Mara wasn't too interested the activities but really enjoyed being pulled in the wagon with her friend, Benjamin.  She never let go of her pumpkin and even ended up with some candy.  All of which she proceeded to try to eat.  After a stroll downtown, we were going to do some more serious trick-or-treating near our church but Mara was beat so we headed home.

Happy Halloween

Our last Halloween activity was hosted by our church.  We had a huge bonfire, chili contest and of course more trunk-or-treating.  It was a bit cold but we bundled up and enjoyed every minute.  Mara and I shared a bowl of delicious chili and then headed to the cars.

Downtown trick-or-treating

I had helped a couple of friends with decorating their car and was excited to show it off.  The church had asked that we keep to a story book theme and we went with "I Spy."  We filled their trunk with Mara's toys and came up with a few rhymes.  It was a huge hit!  Even the adults kept coming back to search for the items and collect their candy.

Yes she managed to break into that butterfinger

Sharing with Buddy and admiring her stash

Mara also made out like a bandit at the trunk-or-treat as she and her buddy Mr. Bill went around and filled up her pumpkin!

Halloween was a tad bitter sweet this year without Josh here to celebrate it with us.  We tried to keep busy and make memories regardless.  I am already looking forward to next year where all three of us will undoubtedly be rocking a family costume!

Baptism

For awhile I've been thinking and praying about believer's baptism.  I knew it was something I wanted to do but up till a little while ago the timing and the church just wasn't right.  Then we came to North Carolina.

I love our church community here; every part of it.  Our pastor, the women's bible group, the ladies in the nursery, the congregation as a whole...It's where we've found the closest relationships and best friends.  It's really amazing how when you are so far away from family (as you normally are with the military) God blesses you with an "extended family" of sorts.

Well one day after our pastor just casually mentioned that some people were thinking about baptism, I just knew that I had to be a part of that.  That this was the church, this was the time.  After some planning we finally found a day and location that would work.  

We held the baptism at a local YMCA after service on April 13th.  It was so touching to have the whole congregation gathered around as well as Josh and his parents, who had traveled up for it.

Mara's Dedication

We love our church community here in Fayetteville and were really excited to dedicate Mara at the service last week.  It was important to Josh and I to dedicate Mara in the church because we wanted to publicly step out and say, "We will raise this child to know the Lord."

Josh did an amazing job of speaking before the service.  I know he was nervous but he definitely got our thoughts across. He share with the congregation the story of Samuel and his mother Hannah. 

Baby girl ready to head to church

Hannah was barren and prayed for a child.  She promised the Lord that if He let her conceive she would dedicate her son to Him.  Hannah gave birth to Samuel and when he was weaned she took him to the temple so he could study under the priests there. 

Josh speaking

Josh talked about how although Mara is a gift from the Lord, she is ultimately His.  All we can do as parents is dedicate ourselves to raise her in His ways and take care of this precious gift. 

Mara was great through the dedication, sleeping the entire time.  We were thankful to have the support of the congregation as well as Josh's parents who were up visiting.   

Praying over Mara

I was so happy to be able to do this for our daughter and I hope when she looks back at the pictures she is thankful for this small but meaningful ceremony.

Church Baby Shower

To say that Josh and I love our new church community here in Fayetteville is an understatement.  We are so thankful that God has brought us to this congregation and introduced us to the amazing people who attend this church.  Last weekend was just an example of how giving and loving these people are.

The church threw us a baby shower along with four other couples.  It was the sweetest showered filled with encouragement, laughter and good times with friends.  We are so thankful for our church family!

(Stole these pictures from friends....)

The men come up with their answers

Answering questions

What did he say when you told him you were pregnant?

Who's most likely to leave the baby behind?

The lovely ladies from our small group at church

Loving on our newborns

All five couples