my first sunday school craft

in memory of

although i will never get to meet the original "gampa"...otherwise known as "papa don" or "don sr"...i have heard many great stories of mommy's grandpa. we decided that this easter as a family, we wanted to remember him in a special way. so, we purchased an easter lily at our church. the lilies were all used to decorate the sanctuary on easter sunday. and there was a special insert in the bulletin listing all those who purchased lilies and who they were in memory or honor of.

one of mommy's favorites

mommy and daddy bought me a nice hooded sweater for my 8-month birthday. pair it with some nice cords and i'm ready for church.

child of God

this weekend was a very special weekend in my life. mommy and daddy knew before i was even born that they would one day have me baptized in our church, cherry creek presbyterian church. well, this past sunday was the big day! gampa, grammie, and greats all got to come and be part of it...and it was really neat to actually be baptized by my gampa (a very special honor that our church was gracious to allow), just like my cousins jackson and anabel were years ago.

in gampa's arms as he's dipping his hand into the water

baptized by gampa

gampa, daddy, me, mommy, and pastor marty

all the family, including kristi and josh!

a "greats" outfit

thanks to my greats, i got a new outfit for church.

my pappa don

on sunday, gampa surprised me by introducing me to the whole congregation at church. i have never seen so many faces all at one time. but i was comforted (and even smiled) when i heard gampa talking...i would know that voice anywhere - strong, secure, and comforting. it was kind of fun being shown off. i guess they are all really proud of me!

after church, mommy and daddy took some quiet time with me to "introduce" me to pappa don. he is my great grandfather (gampa's daddy). i am very sad that i actually will never know him in person as he passed away ten years ago. but mommy tells me stories about him and knows that pappa don would have loved me very much! this is a picture of the three of us at the memorial marker and garden dedicated in memory of him at the church/school (greats and pappa don were members of heights for many years and worked at the school, too). i know that based on all the stories mommy tells me, i really would have liked spending time with pappa don.

my first day at church

my first bible

this morning was my first day at church. mommy and daddy decided that it was time to go back after taking some time off when i was born. other than the loud music that would erupt every now and then, i slept through most of it. mommy and daddy go to cherry creek presbyterian church. daddy was so excited when the attendance register was passed to him since he got to put my name in the book along with my age. it was the first time mommy and daddy got to fill in the line for "children". mommy ended up having to take me out of the car seat since i cried once the loud organ started playing. it seems these people burst out in song and don't prepare me for it. anyway, i fell asleep in mommy's arms and enjoyed the sweet sound of her singing voice. daddy has some work to do on his. i think i'm going to love church. since my gampa is a pastor, i'm sure he's excited that i had my first visit to church today.

mommy and daddy have been reading me stories from my "Jesus storybook bible" since before i was born. i heard the stories while i was in mommy's belly, but now i get to hear them in person. i have a feeling that Jesus and i are going to be best buddies. 

all set to go

my "first day at church" outfit