A Week in Review

Last week it seems that we did a little bit of everything.

Liv is the one with the ball

Olivia had her 2nd soccer game. We have discovered that her little catholic school soccer team is in the wrong division this season. Getting beaten by 10 is kind of tough. On the bright side Liv was excited that her team scored one goal. What a little optimist. Love it!

Reagan ran in her second cross country meet on Friday. She improved her time by over a minute. Out of 5,000 (not really but there were a lot of girls) Reags placed 4th in the 7th grade division. 

Emma and her friend Ben went to his HS homecoming dance Saturday. Since neither Ben nor Em drive (I like that) his parents played the part of chauffeur. The night ended with two girlfriends coming to our house for a sleepover. Church came very early for all of us.

I just love these girls.

We also had my brother with us for 10 days, which was nice. Our plan was to stain the deck but it rained nearly every day. Instead he witnessed what it is like to have three active children in the house. We took him to a HUSKER football game, two high school football games, Reagan and Olivia's soccer games and lots of trips to and from schools. Eating together as a family means we may eat at 4:30 or at 7:00pm. Since moving from Arizona in 2003 my girls have not had much time with their uncle. It was good to get them reacquainted. I hope Aunt Karen & Regina will be able to stop by too.

One of my favorite fall activities: going to the pumpkin patch. I still need to buy a mum for my porch display and finish the fall wreath but my house is looking a little more festive.

To wrap up our week, yesterday Reagan's club soccer team had the privilege of being the ball girls for the University of Nebraska-Omaha vs Creighton University Women's soccer game. It was a great game even though Creighton pulled out the win in OT. I know you can't see which yellow shirted girl is mine but I promise, she is out there. I couldn't help wonder if our girls tried to picture themselves in the blue and white jerseys suiting up for their university some day. Dream big girls!

This week is Reagan's Birthday week. I love celebrating! Pictures next week.

I guess it's time for me to wrap up my lunch break and get back to staining the deck. Tonight we have a soccer game, soccer practice and I'm sure the family hopes to eat dinner too. Blessings to all who visit my blog. 

Flash Back Friday ... 1st day of school

How is it possible that these girls are growing up so quickly?

For the second year we have 3 girls in 3 different buildings. It can be overwhelming but this year I don't have to battle as many crazy parking lots. My baby is riding the bus to and from school. This is a first for me but already I have embraced the beauty of this freedom. LOVE IT!

Sophomore

7th grade teacher and 7th grader

3rd grader at a new school

Back to School Dance

Em and her fellow group of firefighters had a great night!

This is what middle school girls do after the first day of school.

I love that my girls invite friends over, it's a fun way to get to know their buddies.

Taking Her Faith Public

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  Proverbs 31:25

After our children were born we had them dedicated to the Lord just like Jesus' parents did with him. When our children become the age of accountability and want to make a public affirmation of their faith they are baptized. In Acts Peter tells a crowd, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ." Acts 2:38

Every August our church has a fantastic even called Baptism on the Green. For the last several years I have wanted to attend but it just hasn't worked out in our schedule. This year, Reagan chose this event as her time to tell the world that she loves Jesus and He is the Lord of her life. As you can see in the pictures below, it is a great celebration that is casual outside. There were 105 baptisms on this particular day. Praise God!

Chris, Reagan & our youth pastor Klint

Just looking at these pictures brings back such emotion.

I can't even explain how full my heart feels.

Just dunked!

On of Reagan's very dear friends, Kate

What a gift to have so many people invested in Reagan's life. I've said this before and I will probably say it again. It's a wonderful thing to move away from family when you first get married. We did it, not because we thought it was a good way for us to become a family on our own but because Chris' employer moved us. However moving back to Nebraska and being surrounded by family is such a great thing for our girls. Thank you Grandparents, Helers, Birges and Eric for making this day a priority. It was one of the most important days of Reagan's life and we were so pleased to share it with you.

We Love

There just happens to be a soccer goal in the background

My sweet friends Kelli and Tracy

Thank you Kelli for taking all these pictures...250 in all.  Whew!

My favorite little man!

The symbolism of baptism is so beautiful. Christ died for us and rose on the third day, cleansing us from sin and hate. When we die to self as we are buried in the water we are accepting Christ's cleansing blood to wash over us and then we rise out of the water victorious. We are clean, we accept His salvation but we are not perfect. We will stumble and struggle in this life but know one day we will be in the presence of the Lord who sits at the right hand of God the Father, creator of all. Oh the blessing!