Maddie's Dedication

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 (I wrote this a couple of days ago and never got around to posting it)

Our happy family at Maddie's dedication

Well, first of all, a shout out to my two friends who have birthdays today: Happy birthday, Sandy and Pretty! I love you both so much! And Happy Birthday to my brother tomorrow! So many birthdays in April! I love it.  

We had a really wonderful weekend.  Sunday, 4/21 was the date of Maddie’s dedication service and it only would have been better if a few family members who wanted to be there were able to make it.  The service was short and sweet and Maddie had a fun time being passed around to all her aunts, uncles and grandparents.  She also thought the other babies up on stage were pretty interesting.  Phil and I promised to raise up Maddie in the ways of the Lord and to always remember that she is a gift from God.  We, also, were asked to choose a verse for her service and we chose 

Ephesians 3:20-21:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Nikki read Maddie's name and the meaning
(Madelynn: Strong Tower, Kristina: Anointed by Christ) and
Phil read the Bible verse that we chose.

After the service, we all went out to brunch at the Old Bridge Café.  It was great just being together and sharing a meal and some laughs.  

A candid shot of the breakfast table

What a great picture of Phil and his mom! 

My sister, Danielle, and my nephew, Brandon at the church. I don't know which smile is more beautiful. 

The cousins chillin' after brunch. From the right: Maddie, Samantha, Charlotte, Tucker and Brandon

Phil and I spent the rest of the weekend, including Monday, which Phil took off from work, enjoying the nice weather, barbequing and doing yard work. We each went for a run early on Monday and then later for a 2 mile walk to the park where Maddie enjoyed swinging some more and posing on some of the other playground equipment.  We also all sat outside on a blanket for a little while in the backyard. We brought some toys out for Maddie, but she was much more interested in the surrounding trees, sticks, grass and sunshine than any plastic, flashy item that we had for her.  Just like her mama!  

Maddie loves the outdoors, but she loves her daddy even more.

Is this supposed to be a car?
I'm not quite sure what she's sitting in, but its a cute picture, nonetheless.

Now, it’s Tuesday! Back to our regular schedule! 

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks trying to really engrave the book of Titus in my heart and I finally feel ready to move onto my next memorization passage.  I have chose Isaiah 55, which is 17 verses this time around.  I’m up to verse 4 already.  

I have also decided on a race to run! It will be in late July: a half marathon in Hoffman Estates.  So, I officially have started training!!! Woohoo! Well, this weekend will be my first long run outdoors.  It’s 4 miles, which I have done on the treadmill countless times recently, but I’m sure it will be a little tougher once I get outside on those hills and into the wind.  I am really looking forward to it, though.  

The plants are looking amazing and have been outside in the greenhouse full time this past week, with the exception of one night when I brought them in due to the temps dipping a little below freezing.  Isn’t it supposed to be spring?