Boat ride

Some of you may know that my in-laws are big boaters and they have a house boat on the Tennessee river. I find it only appropriate that we should get Noah accustom to the boating life early. His nursery is boat/aquatic themed and he will be addressing his grandfather as captain, but nothing gets a child ready for the boating life then a ride on the boat. Not just one ride but two so far.  So today we packed him up, headed north over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house we went!

Every man needs a good boating outfit. 

The grandmother or (Admiral) as we refer to her while on the boat briefing him of the rules. 

The captain giving Noah his first of many lessons on the water. 

He loves his time with the Captain. 

Noah driving solo. (of course we have to hold him up to the wheel)

Ok time for the exam. All eyes are on you!

Oh My first mate did well!

What better way to celebrate then stripping down to your diaper and getting some R&R

And no boat trip would be complete without our first family photo on the boat.

Seeing our family together in a photo is such a joy for me, but it also made me think of how much life has changed since my first boat ride Katie took me on in 2008.

Or the first one after our engagement. 

 Man life has changed so much but I would not trade it for anything else in the world!

Dedication of Noah to his creator.

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.  (1 Samuel 1:27)


For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (Psalms 139: 13-18)

These are my two favorite verses about babies. 

Katie and I share many beliefs. (Thats what makes us so compatible.) We are both Christians, Neither are pro-choice( We stand firm on our views of abortion) , Both have always wanted to be parents, And both of us firmly believe Noah is a gift from us from God. So what better way to show our beliefs and praise God for our son then a public dedication of him back to his creator. 

So the party started on Friday May 10, 2013 with a dinner and class with the other families that were dedicating their children to God. There were quit a few. (Noah was born around the same time as 4 other couples in our Sunday school class alone).  We met the Childhood pastor, listen to some pointers, had his photo made, and rehearsed for the event on Sunday morning. It was good fellowship with a few of our church friends.

Katies mom spent  a lot of time on making his outfits for these two events. This was his outfit for dinner Friday night. 

All the ladies loved his outfit. He is such a laddies man but thats a whole different story. 

Sunday morning my mother and Katie's family attended the event. We dropped them off in Sunday school while Katie, Noah, and I went and consumed the free breakfast.  During the 11 o'clock service is when we dedicated him with 10 other couples. The dedication reminded me of my very important role in raising Noah correctly and helping him to find his way to Jesus. I pray in todays deteriorating world I succeed with the task I have been given. I also hope Gods blessings continue on my household and most of all my Son. 



Below are pictures from the event. 

 After the main event we had both sets of parents over for lunch. We grilled hamburgers on the grill. We hung out, talked, and played games.

Katie's family

Close up of Noah's outfit made by Katies mom. He outgrew the hat after measurements were taken the previous weekend.

Noah and my Mommy. 

This day also happened to be Katies first Mothers day. Man with everything happening it SOOOO snuck up on me! In all the hustle Noah at atleast gave his mother and both grandmothers flowers and cards. 

I can personally say Motherhood fits Katie perfectly. It amazes me to see the love between her and Noah. She has a new glow about her. I have never heard her really complain about it. I get so excited when I see them both smile and each other. I must say I love our little family!