Salvation in the Water!

Sunday night the girls made a decision to be baptized as a public display of their faith.  It was very special to see the girls continue to grow in their faith.  Also special was who baptized each.  Maggie asked Mrs. Kristen Arp who leads the kids team to baptize her.  It was sweet.  Mrs. Kristen said "Did I do okay Maggie?   I had to be sure I got you under and that it stuck to match your spunk".   Mrs. Kristen and the rest of the team sure pour into our girls.   Mr. Sam baptized Gracie.  Mr. Sam and Mrs. Bekah lead our Cleveland team.   When we started at the Net years ago they lead the youth team.  As the girls were little I was so excited for them to be poured into by this awesome couple.   Then they decided to lead other areas and I was crushed.... but God is awesome!  We are all now serving together and the girls are being poured into by them as well!

As the girls were being baptized the song played "Washed over me....there is salvation in the water.   I stand to sing your praises.  I stand to testify.  For I was dead in my sin".  What a sweet precious moment.

Night of worship.  Sweet friends.  Maggie P and Gracie 

Maggie and Logan 

Grammy and Papa meeting Silas.  They are proud grandparents! (even thought not biological).  This makes me smile that they love my brother and his family as much as they do us).  

I absolutely adore that my brother and I get to raise our kids together.   They love their Uncle Gabe and Aunt Katelyn (she was outside with Silas when we snagged this picture). 

Sweet cousins! 

Mrs. Kristen and Maggie 

Mr. Sam and Gracie

Gracie, Mr. Sam and his sweet daughter Trinity 

Grammy and Papa stayed most of the week to help.  I was traveling to Nashville for teammate on boarding and planning meetings and Jimmy had several approval deadlines.   We cherish time with our families and the sacrifice they made and continue to make at times to support and love us.   Thanks Grammy and Papa for managing the house this week while I was out!   It spoke volumes to us and made the weekend so easy for me!

Grammy and Papa- thank you!  

Maggie has been doing tutoring for reading with Mrs. Barrow (Gracie's 1st grade teacher).   Maggie loves tutoring days and is doing so well! 

This weekend we had Tag and loved every minute.  We played it up while Daddy was on the church mens retreat!

Friday we were off together so before we ran a few errands we enjoyed a sweet treat!  

This girl!  Sometimes I am speechless at her contagious joy!  Her Daddy always wanted her middle name to be Joy!  I am convinced she did not need it in her name as it is just who she is! 

Tag, Gracie and Maggie!  

Mommy snuggles while Daddy is gone! 

This girl loves her puppy! 

We could spend all weekend like this snuggled with Bella!

A few games!   

Big Anniversaries and our littlest Birthday weekend!

This week I was recognized at SunTrust for 15 years of service (I started the Tuesday after Labor Day  in 2001 just days before 9/11!).  

15 years at SunTrust!  Praying for the guidance to make 15 more!

A special day for Jimmy and I in my memory is our first date that was really not suppose to be a date!  He remembers the date and we both recall the hours of conversation.   Often Jimmy sends me flowers to remember and I still have to read the card to know why they are arriving!   It is fun to recall when it all started and as I tell everyone the power of praying parents over the lives of their children!   God is so good in how he has orchestrated our lives together, not perfect lives but lives that go through the highs and lows together!  I love you boney!

16 years ago we were on our first "date".  Now in December we will celebrate 15 years of marriage!  

This year we decided rather than partiers we would do weekends away and focus on time as a family. This was a big change for me as I have loved the parties, not the parties that one up the other but where we have family and friends gathered to celebrate with us and pour into the birthday girl.  But this year has marked a change.  We celebrated Gracie's in Nashville as she wanted her ears pierced.   Maggie requested the Wilderness Lodge water park.    What a fun weekend!  And after the crazy work and school week it was a needed get away!

We were in the PM Peds due to a cough every minute the night before we were to leave for the weekend trip.  Thank God for guidance of the doctor with a breathing treatment, steroid and then follow up treatment.  She is on the mend. 

Ready for the weekend trip! 

The birthday girl! 

A few hours of play before bed! 

because we are Martins... of course we did the arcade before we went to dinner! 

Apple Barn for dinner with Apple fritters before dinner!  Yummy! 

We loved the lazy river! 

Happy girls on the family ride!  They loved to go backwards! 

When you are in a hotel your options are limited.  Mommy packed Little Debbie cakes and a candle!  

We love you Maggie!  7 years already?   

Sisters! 

Silly with Mommy! 

Tired girl on the way home!