Living Loud

Our church family is very special to us. Our pastor and his wife are incredible people whom we have known for at least 10 years now. The congregation is filled with friends who have supported us through our struggles to add another child to our family. The congregation also consists of people whom we have never met that have prayed for our family's well being. The band (yes, awesome band - we are a UMC with a contemporary service) and it's members bring smiles to all of our faces every Sunday morning with the music that they choose to play during worship - the boys sit mesmerized, watching intently on what is being played, then they come home, run upstairs and play their version of the band's music. Church, for us, feels like a loving home for our family. On Sunday, May 11, we officially introduced Mason-Kate to our church family. Mason-Kate was baptized and everyone, including our many family and friends, promised to teach her about our loving God. Well, I wish I could say that it all went smoothly....it did, for awhile, seem that all was well. We arrived at church early (rarely does that happen), we said our hellos, got our donuts (a must as they are still warm when we arrive) and took our seats. Mason-Kate did so well.....UNTIL....the baptism was to be held at the end of the service and as the service went on, MK grew agitated with life in general. Then, the most horrible thing occurred....Ryan (who was feeding her a donut to lull her through the remainder of the service) took the donut away! The screams began, the breathholding occurred, the blue lips appeared and this all took place until we heard our song "Mighty To Save" being played after the baptism. At that point, the dancing began once again and life was good. Thus, we are living loud!

Here are some other highlights from our week:

• Pryce decided early in the week that he would like to attend a neighborhood swim team practice. After attending, and participating, he decided that he would like to join the swim team. We are so proud of him! Well, lo and behold, Colin got wind of Pryce's new sport and decided that he would like to join as well! They are both wonderful swimmers and we look forward to watching their progress throughout the season.


• Colin scored the winning goal at his soccer game on Saturday!


• Mason-Kate has decided to agree to disagree when it comes to hairbows. Her compromise is this....I put the hairbow in when she gets dressed, she takes it out when we get into the VAN (still can't believe we have one of those - enjoying it though), I park the car, open her door and she promptly gives me the hairbow and leans her head down for me to put the bow into her head once again.


• All three children are thrilled that the neighborhood pool has opened for the season....the boys are water boys and MK seems to love it as well :)

I also want to share with you all a family event that takes place daily in our house....prayer. The boys and I pray on the way to school together, Ryan prays with them at night and we pray as a family at dinnertime. We have been teaching Mason-Kate to "fix pretty hands" when we say our dinnertime prayers. When we started this weeks ago with her, I would take her hands in mine and hold them there while we said our prayers. This week, I began just telling her to "fix pretty hands" without putting mine around hers....her response? Well, wouldn't you know that I think she thinks I don't know how to do my own pretty hands....now when I say "fix pretty hands" she insists on taking my two hands and puts them inside hers to pray! And on this prayer note, please take a minute tomorrow to "fix pretty hands" and say a little prayer for Mason-Kate, Dr. Yu (the surgeon), the boys, Ryan and I. Thank you! We will post an update as soon as possible....hope you all have a wonderful week!

MK's baptism...before........and during

The boys and MK after church; Taking a ride



Colin's amazing soccer skills

Pryce and Colin swimming some laps in the pool

MK says "Fix pretty hands!"