Boating in December

Believe it or not, even though I've lived on the Gulf Coast my entire life, I have only been on a boat a handful of times.  So, when a friend invited the kids and I out a few weeks ago, I jumped at the chance!  Our kids were so excited, and quite honestly...we needed a break.  A day to sit back and do nothing.  I mean, when you are on an island, you can't do laundry, or math charts, or writing, right?

 The kids enjoyed this treats from this little boat that pulled up.  I never even considered that instead of a food truck, there are food boats.

 I. Just.Can't. Even. Believe. How. Fast. This. Girl. Is. Growing

 The whole crew: Harper, Hannah, Christian, Israel, Nicole, Nathan, Saylor, Jordan

 So, these are The Dome Houses.  This was a house that was built in the 80s.  It came into disrepair in the late 90s and when Hurricane Wilma blew through in the early 2000s it began to wash away the beach these homes were once standing on.  One day, they will be underwater.

This was the first time I have seen the Dome Houses in person.

Florida, on the water, in December.  It's something special :)

 Of course, there were some silly faces to be made.

 Sunset NEVER get old!

 So, we must have done something right, despite our misunderstanding with life jackets, because our friends invited us back out on the boat...and Jeremy got to come along too!  Once again, it was good for us to get out of the house and be forced to do Nothing!

 My little Beach Girl, who can't help but to get as much sand in as many crazy places as possible.  I mean...Hannah totally rolls in the sand.  She loves it.  I think this picture perfectly describes her, and winter in Florida.

Obligatory boat selfie.  Smile :)

I'm so thankful for two super fun days with fun friends.  I don't think I want to invest in a boat ( I mean, I can barely find time to do the laundry, let alone go out on a boat enough to feel like it's worth the payment), but it was sure fun to spend a day with friends :)

30th Anniversary of her 30th Birthday

My mom recently had a birthday.  It was a big one.  We wanted to help her celebrate in a big and fun way!  So, instead of  60th Birthday Party, we decided to have a "30th anniversary of her 30th Birthday" party.  She turned 30 in 1986....so we had to make it an 80s theme of course.

We surprised her with some of her favorite friends and family :)

 We had SOOOO much fun dancing

 And a ton of fun dressing up!

 The girls loved planning with me.  They helped put together their outfits, the decorations, and the food.

 We spent hours watching 80s music videos, and skimming through 80s movies.

 Believe it or not...I even got this guy to "dress up".  Like his mullet?

 Cousin it came to visit.

 And was passing out kisses.

 Just SO. MUCH. FUN.

 Nathan had a pilot suit and tried being like Maverick from Top Gun.  Such a cutie!

 Not to bad for her 30th celebration of her 30th birthday.  I'm pretty sure my mom will live forever!

Happy Birthday mom!!!!

Hannah's Baptism

Over the past few years, Hannah (and Nathan) have asked a lot of spiritual questions.  We could tell the Lord has been working in their lives, but waiting for the fruit of that work to show itself.

A couple months ago, I had a long conversation about heaven, hell, and the end times with Hannah and Nathan.  Hannah took a lot of what we talked about and really chewed on and thought about it.  A few days later, as we sat in the car outside of Jeremy's office, Hannah asked me to turn off the radio.  I did.  A few moments later she told me that she needed it quiet so she could pray.  She wanted to confess and repent of her sins and ask Jesus to be the Lord of her life.

I've heard this before...but this time it was different.  Her attitude was very different.  She wasn't doing or saying it to please me or someone else, it was clear she was truly convicted of her sin and desired to right her relationship with God.

We have seen fruit in her life over the past few months as she has confessed sin, desired to read and hide God's word in her heart, and lift herself and others up in prayer. We knew, when our church hosted our first beach baptism, that we needed to encourage her continue to walk in obedience with the Lord.

 We all gathered together and heard a brief summary of each person's conversion.  Even 8 year old Hannah shared.  She said she wanted to get baptized to follow God in obedience and make her public profession of faith.

 The cool part was...Jeremy got to baptize her!  How special is that?!?

 We were joined by family and friends.  Yaya & Papa.

 Aaron, Samantha, and Emma

 Grammy & Gramps

Drea, Ty, and Bryson.....sweet friends.

 We had a wonderful evening with our new church family.

You wouldn't know it by this picture...but Nathan hates sand.

 So he says :)