It was a special day for Benjamin...
He was being dedicated to the Lord at church...
A Baby Dedication is a ceremony in which believing parents, and sometimes entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God's will and to raise that child according to God's Word and God's ways. To raise Benjamin knowing Christ was a given even before he was born...even before he was conceived! But today was the ceremony honoring that commitment.
He dressed for the occasion in his tux...
Before church, Donnie was outside getting the backyard ready for a party in celebration of the dedication... Benjamin was only too happy to help!
He wanted to check it out...to see how it was to walk on the rubber mats instead of the cement...
"Perfect!" he said.
Benjamin was a bit solemn at church...Lindsey said he was acting like he'd never been there. His papa thought maybe he didn't feel normal since he was tuxedoed up! He stood all quiet and still while I struggled to button that top button...
"Benjamin, you're a special little man," I told him. "You're known as a little miracle. Did you know that?
He just looked at me...I think he was a little nervous...
I gave him a kiss...
and straightened his tie...He knew his Saddie would see the pictures and he knows how she feels about a crooked tie!
The music started...which was our cue that church was starting...
We took a few pictures of Benjamin with his mama and daddy...
He told his daddy he needed a drink of water before he went in...
After the worship time, it was time for Benjamin's dedication. Up on the stage, he quickly forgot about any nervousness...he wanted to talk into the microphone...
He told the church the light was on...
After awhile, he didn't want to be held..he wanted to stand there like a big boy...
When they were presented with this placque, Benjamin was checking it out. He noticed a picture of Jesus holding a little child...and he pointed it out, "Baby!" he said.
You can see the little drawing of Jesus with the baby in the bottom right corner...
They were given a beautiful bouquet...
Uncle Gabe, Aunt Emily, and cousin Emerson came down for this special time...
We were so happy they were there!
"OK Benjamin. Are you ready to go home for a party?" He wasn't too sure. I think he was looking to see where Emerson had gone.
I don't have pictures, but during the remainder of the church service, I took the boys outside to a little closed in area outside so they could run around. At one point, Emerson wanted to sit up in a chair...so I put him in it. Then Benjamin wanted to sit there, too. So I sat them side by side. (RATS that I didn't have my camera!) I was telling them how adorable I thought they were...they kept looking at each other. Then I asked them, "Where's your nose?" and they both pointed to their noses. I did this for their eyes, ears, mouth, head...and then when I started asking them again, they would point to each others. It was adorable...and finally I said, "Where's your penis?" and they both dropped their heads and pointed. It was absolutely hilarious...
Off to the house...
Brook quickly found some pasta. He was definitely enjoying it!
I told him he was adorable with his dirty face!
He's also adorable with his face clean! He looks just like his daddy...
and of course, my little Emerson King was there...and he definitely looks like his daddy! You can see how happy he is to be at his cousin's dedication party!
Isaac came...and brought his parents. Isaac just turned 4 years old in June. When I asked him how old he was...and he said '4', I thought he was teasing, or didn't know. When I questioned him he said, "I really am!" and he is....he's a tall 4, that's for sure.
Isa
bella loves to jump...and jump...and jump on the trampoline. She loves Benjamin...they go to the same day-care.
Ahhh, this little man is Brook's brother...and my mind is drawing a blank on his name. He is adorable! Last time I saw him, well, he was hidden...yet to be born:)
Look at all that sweetness!
Oh boy...Watermelon was the favorite food for both my little men. Benjamin just loved it...even eating rind at one point!
"yummers!"
Emerson equally enjoyed his watermelon!
Another little sweetheart!
Oh, there's goes Benjamin with some more watermelon... he's not going to let any of it go to waste!
He took a break to call...um? not sure who he was talking to...he was probably giving directions to his Auntie Val and Uncle Steve who weren't there yet.
Hey Brooks! Are you enjoying being a big brother?
He had to think about that one...
"Hi Ben!" Ben is Benjamin's friend from Mommy and Me classes. I can't remember who is older, but they're basically the same age.
Emerson decided to come check out what was going on across the yard...
Down with the watermelon and quick with the Dr. Pepper.
Dr. Pepper is on Benjamin's 'DO NOT EAT OR DRINK' list...
He was trying to get a sip or two or three before his Mama noticed...
Betty and Jean Marie are sort of like grandparents to this little cutie! She also loved the trampoline...
Oh, here goes Isaac...another trampoline fan...
The day turned pretty warm...so lots of drinks were needed by everyone...
Betty, who is Lindsey, Donnie, and Benjamin's wonderful neighbor, was giving her 'granddaughter' a hug...
Madeline...what a cutie...
She doesn't like to look at my camera, however!
Benjamin got preoccupied with a ball and the box of Honest Kids juice...
He would put the ball in...close it...and take it back out...
It was almost time for this little princess to go...so I told her mama to hold on...I needed another picture!
Oh, here we go...wanting to climb up by herself...
Ben wanted to get up on the trampoline too...but his mama and daddy said, 'No, Ben!'
Emerson went over and joined him in the tub of balls...
He was telling Ben about being a ball-player...he told him about his basketball hoop...
There was another dry swimming pool that became a favorite play area. Isaac, Brooks, and Isabella were having fun...
"I'm hot," Isaac told his mama...
She gave her little guy a drink and he was ready to play some more...
Brooks was refreshed and ready to go...
Emerson was ready to keep playing...
"Hey Madeline! Look here for a minute," I called.
As it was getting time for us to leave, I realized I hadn't taken many photos of the adults...
Emerson knew the adults would like to hear a little music, so he played the part of DJ...
Oh, Auntie Val and Uncle Steve had joined Auntie Carla and the rest of the parents...
Jean Marie, the wonderful neighbor, is also a master salsa maker... roasted peppers...that's the secret!
As the party was winding down, Ben's daddy read a book to him and Brooks...
My other little man got ready to go...against his wishes! (
See post below this one!)
Benjamin, the little guy who the party was in honor of, had finally fallen asleep after his big day...
In the Bible, Hannah said, "I prayed for this child, and You have given me the desire of my heart."
I skyped with Joshua...and saw Thalia dressed to hand out Halloween candy...
and saw the new sink Joshua installed... uh, Josh? Isn't something missing?
He showed me the new mirror! (Isn't SKYPE wonderful?)
I wanted to say Hi to Erica, but as you can see, she was conked out on the couch...
My baby boy...finally got his webcam to work! 
I also SKYPED with Lindsey, Donnie, and Benjamin...who were eating dinner while we were talking...
Benjamin was talking to me through SKYPE...which created a blurry mouth when I tried to stop the action with the webcam camera!
I had lunch with one of my students, Haley. We had had a fund-raiser and her mom was the highest bidder for "lunch with a teacher." It was so much fun...I brought peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, cheese/crackers, grapes, cupcakes, chips, and her mom bought some Halloween cookies. We also had flowers on our table...and placemats...it was wonderful!
I got to see Emerson hanging out with his mama...I'm sure he climbed up on that chair by himself! How cute is this?
Gabe also sent me this picture of Emerson conked out at Toys R Us! 
I changed classrooms...after being in Room 8 for 18 years, I chose to move...now I'm on the opposite side of the hall...in what used to be Room 9...all the rooms in the school have been renumbered. I love looking out at a field instead of the side of another building. But what a monumental project to move after being there for so long!
This is my guy...who came to my classroom to read to my students...
When he told me he was coming, I asked him what he was going to read.
He did a great job... the students loved him coming...loved him reading to them...
He told them a little about working in the woods...about keeping a bear count each year...
Yep, it was a good week...
