Baby Dedication

Becoming a mommy is a life-altering event that you'll never forget. Even more exciting is the fact that God created your child with a special plan and a purpose. Like any Christian parent, it is my desire to see Julianna bloom into a God fearing woman who serves the Lord. Today Jesse and I dedicated her to God, promising that we'll raise her to be an obedient follower of Christ in front of the entire congregation.If you're not familiar with the Baptist faith, baptism is an event that takes place once the child is old enough to understand the scriptures. The dedication is an event for your child to be prayed over and to promise everyone that your child is going to grow up with Godly parents. I currently attend services at a Baptist church but wanted to include some traditions from my Catholic upbringing. Julianna wore a traditional Christening gown and a special cake awaited everyone after service. I almost cried today while seeing how angelic Julianna appeared with her pale skin, big blue eyes and white dress.

                                           Getting ready to attend the Sunday  service.

                         Julianna with Grammy and Grandpa before entering the church.

                                             A close up of my beautiful little angel.

         Here I am telling the church how I pray for my daughter to love and serve Christ.

                                          Julianna wants to give her two cents.

                           

Squeezing in the Last Bit of Summer

With fall right around the corner, the church thought a picnic would offer a fun chance to catch some sun before the overcast days arrive. Emmanuel Baptist church headed off to Lacamas lake for burgers, hiking and a chance for fellowship. Here's how Julianna and I enjoyed spending September 1st with our church family.

                                     Everyone is getting ready to enjoy some good grub.

My cute little crab playing on the grass. A few minutes after this picture was taken Julianna took her first steps without holding mommy's hands.

                                             Views of the lake along the hiking trail.

                                  Julianna is having fun interacting with another baby.



I'm thankful for the bonding that took place while being surrounded by God's amazing handiwork!

Rainbow Glasses

Learning begins at birth, so I figured why not provide Julianna with stimulating activities. First I filled four glasses with water and counted them while placing them on the table. Once our short math lesson was complete I grabbed a spoon and banged it against the glasses to create music. Julianna enjoyed using the spoon to make new melodies. In order to teach Julianna about colors I used food coloring and explained what the different colors were before using the spoon to gather water, (teaches cause and effect). Granted at 11 months she won't remember everything, but it's a chance for her to gain some knowledge while spending quality time with mommy.

Splish Splash

Babies find everything fascinating. DVD cases, rolls of toilet paper and other common objects become endless sources of amusement. Today I thought we would beat the heat with common items used in the kitchen. I filled a large bowl with water and gave the baby different objects to play with in the water.

                                             Julianna is having fun with the cup.

Right after I showed Julianna how to fill the kitchen items with water she became fascinated with the water. Here she is taking a break from getting her hands wet.

This activity proved to be a fun bonding experience and a way to promote learning cause and effect.

Baby's First Trip

The Worden clan recently made a trip to Seattle for a family gathering in honor of my great great aunt Grace's 100th birthday. Like any busy mother, I loved having a break from laundry, dishes and housework while staying at a hotel. Jesse enjoyed going out of town to see his favorite city, and Julianna took in all of the new sights and faces on her first out of town getaway. Here are some of the highlights from our trip.

Julianna and Xavier are playing with Grandpa Johnston. Mastering the art of sharing is still a work in progress.

                           The family is enjoying a cookout at my sister Brianna's house.

                           Julianna is fascinated by the fish outside the Seattle aquarium.

                                                     Off to visit Pike's market.

Everyone loved the chocolate milkshakes and cheeseburgers served at a nearby diner. Julianna seemed more interested in playing with the food.

                            My aunt Grace is getting ready to enjoy her birthday bash.

Decorations for Aunt Grace's party. Here you'll find important events that took place over the past 100 years. The picture is of my aunt Grace as a child.

   Julianna is spending time with her cousin Xavier, auntie Brianna and of course the birthday girl.

                                       Five generations of the McKenney/ Johnston clan.

Julianna is visiting with her Nana before eating lasagna at Liz's family gathering.

                  Julianna is spending some quality time with Grandpa at breakfast.

My aunt Michelle surprised us with a beautiful hand sewn quilt for Julianna.

                                        If you look closely you'll find owls in the quilt.

Here's to even more memorable events that allow us to bond with the family!

Six Years and Counting

On August 19, 2006 Jesse and I exchanged our vows at Lyon Falls Bible Fellowship church. Our journey together in marriage offered much excitement, some hardships and most importantly a chance to grow closer to God and each-other.

          Here are some of the major highlights that took place in the past 6 years.

- We took advantage of rewarding opportunities to volunteer at church and within the community.

- Jesse and I left behind life in the rural northeast and moved cross-country to Vancouver, WA. Although I miss life on the east-coast, being closer to family has certainty been a blessing.

- God helped us survive unemployment.

- On September 29, 2011 a beautiful baby girl entered our lives and continues to bring us much joy.

- The first 9 months of our daughter's life were spent at doctor offices, feeding clinics, hospitals and with the community health nurse. God glorified the situation by answering prayers and sending a loving team of doctors and nurses.

- Although we miss living in rural America, God led us to a house with nearby country settings.

- Christmas 2009 was spent southern style with my in-laws in Mississippi.

-We made a round trip train ride to California in order to celebrate my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary.

- We welcomed new nephews into the family while mourning the loss of our grandparents.

In order to celebrate our love to one another, we escaped to Multnomah Falls for breath taking scenery and gourmet meals at the historic lodge.

                  A view of the Columbia River Gorge while driving to our destination.

                                                    God's amazing handiwork.

                                             The historic lodge where we had dinner.

                         Eating at the lodge felt like being inside of an enchanted castle.

                                                              My tasty meal.

                                                              The happy couple.



                                                    Here's to even more adventures.

Just for Fun

I stole this questionnaire from a blogging buddy. This should be a fun way for us to get to know each-other better. If you want to participate, feel free to join in the game.

1. What color are your socks right now?
I'm not wearing any socks. It would look goofy with my ballet flats.
 
2. What are you listening to right now?
More Like Falling In Love by Jason Gray. It's a beautiful song about loving the savior.


3. What was the last thing you ate?
  a bean burrito I made for lunch.

4. Can you drive a stick shift?
  No, and in my case it truly is a lost cause.

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Someone calling to sell me something.

6. How old are you today?
  31 years young.

7. What is your favorite sport to watch?
I'm not a huge sports fan but I do love gymnastics.

8. What is your favorite drink?
  Starbucks white chocolate and peppermint mochas.

9. Have you ever dyed your hair?
  yes but I don't like messing with touch ups so it's my natural auburn color.

10. What is your favorite food?
Anything Mexican or Italian. I'm also a huge fan of french onion soup.

11. Do you sing in the shower?
    No
 
12. Favorite day of the year?
Christmas

13. What is one place you want to visit?
California, Mississippi, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, New York, Maine or Connecticut. It's where my family and close friends live.

14. What was your favorite toy as a child?
It's a tie between my turtle tot and my American Girl doll Molly.

15. What is your favorite season?
Summer, because I love the sunshine and warm weather. It's when families make fun plans for vacation, the time the county fair opens and when smells of BBQ cookouts linger in neighborhoods everywhere in America.