Daniel's new bunny

Daniel worked and saved for many months to prove he was responsible enough to have his own pet. This is his new bunny, Patch. She is sweet, soft, and so gentle. We are all having a fun time with her.

Gabriela - Dedicated to the Lord

We dedicated Gabriela in front of our church congregation last Sunday. These are the questions we were asked. Our answer to all of them was, "YES!"

PARENTAL PROMISES FOR THE DEDICATION OF THEIR CHILDREN

1. Do you recognize these children as gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing?

2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?

3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives?

4. Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?

5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God's grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?

THE WORDS OF DEDICATION

"Gabriela, together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claims upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever."

These are all the families that participated.

Gabi's turn.

She was excited about this part!

Praying.

Thank you family and friends that were able to attend this special day with us!

Anna's First Mile!

After seeing her brothers race last week, Anna decided that she wanted a chance. I ran with her (sort of) in the Mile Fun Run at the Wyoming Stagecoach days. It was really hard for me to keep up since I had Gabi in the umbrella stroller (which she loved!) and also because the race was out in a field that was bumpy, sandy, and with high grass. At one point I told Anna to go on ahead and I would cheer for her from the other side, but she wouldn't let me stop. She just said, "You'll be fine Mama, we can just slow down a little bit so you can catch your breath." She ran the entire way!

Two words!

Gabi said her first two words together the other day when our friends, the Goldensteins were here. Beth and I were sitting at the table and she said, "Hi...Beth." When they were ready to leave she said, "Bye...Guys." This seems to have opened the door for more language development because later she said, "Night Night...Mama," and has been trying to say more multiple word sayings as well!

Race Day

David, Jeremiah, Daniel, and their friend Peyton ran in a 5K (3.1 miles) last weekend. Pictures below are from the race and the festivities following at Linwood Family Fun Day.

Ready for the race.

The cheerleaders.

Almost at the finish...Jeremiah beat Daniel by a nose. Their time was 25:22!

Jeremiah got 2nd place and Daniel got 3rd in their age group. They both got a medal.

Gabi's temporary tattoo.

Anna's nail art.

Jeremiah's pirate face painting.

Daniel choose Bat Man.

All the kids got to climb up in the new "Transformer" fire truck that was on display.

More Grandparents!

Gabi got to meet Grandpa Dave and Grandma Polly (VanAcker) over Labor Day Weekend! I can't believe that a week has already gone by...but anyway, here are some pictures.

Hanging out.

Gabi with her new blanket from Grandma Polly.

Having fun reading books.

Rabbit hutch project with Grandpa Dave. (Daniel has hopes of getting a rabbit soon.)

Playing in the tree house.

Watching the football game...see below.

Football game!

Morning Snuggles

The other morning Gabi went in Daniel's room, crawled right into his bed, and woke him up with a snuggle! He was happy that his snuggling abilities (he has been named the best snuggler in our house) seem to be rubbing off on her.

Surgery Follow-up

Gabriela had her follow-up appointments and she is doing great! Her oxygen levels are almost perfect and her blood pressure and heart rate remain stable. She is down to one medication and she should be finished with that in just a few weeks. We are still trying to keep her safe and with minimal rough contact for 2 more weeks (until her sternum has had enough time to fuse back together), but otherwise we don't have any other heart related appointments until December! We took some time at the hospital to let Gabi and Anna ride on all the fun animals as we said, "goodbye."

First Day of School

We started school this week even though it seemed crazy! It was a good choice. Everyone has something productive to do and the schedule has been helpful too. Here are some pictures!

Ready for their first day at the "VanAcker Institute."

Another funny tradition we have of the kids walking down the road to "go to school" while their teacher waits for her students and transforms from mom into "Miss Gerri" . The boys were sweet to walk with the girls since they are a bit old for this tradition.

The preschoolers!

Anna hard at work.

Daniel getting ready to work.

Jeremiah putting together his first project.

Gabi "organizing" the teddy bear game.