Taras Tweets

"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."

Psalm 91:11

This past Sunday was such a special day in the life of Virginia Kate. She was baptized at our church and many of our family and close friends were in attendance! 

Richie Sessions our dear friend and senior minister, baptized Virginia Kate- it was so special...earlier in the service we sang, "Saved to magnify His goodness..." Richie used this verse to remind us that God saves people in order for us to know that He is good..He also said that God works through families so that the family will know it is not about them- but God brings children into families and lays the sign of the promise upon them- he said that Virginia Kate will not remember this day, but God remembers this day, and this day is about God's covenant with His people- So we should worship God for the covenant He is making with us! We baptize our children not because we think it saves our children, because we know that God saves our children-but we do it because these are special children, set apart and precious in His sight and God commands us to do it! He charged Sam and me to lean on Christ for guidence as we attempt to raise Virginia Kate- because we are sinners, and we can't do it without Him- we will fail miserably! It is such a relief to know that I am not responsible for Virginia Kate's salvation, but that God has her in the palm of His almighty hand and has a perfect plan for her life! It is our prayer as her parents that she come to know Jesus personally at a very young age and that she would not remember a day where He was not the Lord of her life! We rejoice in advance because of God's goodness and faithfulness to us- and we hope and pray that our lives and Virginia Kate's life will be a reflection of the gift of salvation and grace that only comes through Jesus Christ! 

This picture of her in the bonnet was immediately before the church service... she looks very happy and content here-- although she SCREAMED through the entire baptism! SCREAMED!! It was a day we will never forget! =) 

She finally calmed down once Richie poured the cool water on her head and held her! Her paci helped too!! Gotta love a pretty little baby with a beautiful christening gown on and a huge, pink paci in her mouth!! =) Thank goodness for the paci! 

After the service, we had a beautiful luncheon at Sam's parents home. It was such a wonderful afternoon, with wonderful food! 

I had Carolyn Hicks, a sweet friend from our church, make Virginia Kate's baptismal gown! What a treasure! Carolyn has such a wonderful God-given talent! I met with her back in December about the gown and when we met she prayed for Virginia Kate and told me that any time she makes a gown for a baby she looks at it as the perfect opportunity to pray for that child! She is so precious! I gave her a beautiful lace handkerchief that has been in Sam's family for a while, that had a "T" within the lace- I love that she was able to incorporate a family heirloom into the gown! So special! If you ever need anything like this made- Carolyn is so talented and I'm sure this is not the last time I will have her make something for VK! =) 

Virginia Kate LOVES her Aunt May and Uncle Buck!! 

These are Virginia Kate's great-grandmothers! And also her name sakes! They had more fun watching her coo and smile at them! What a gift to have them present for her baptism! 

We had many sweet friends there! 

Such a happy baby! 

She sure is happy to be with her GiGi and Jack! 

Yia Yia and Papou are so proud of their baby girl! 

Uncle James with his "Spunky Monkey" as he calls her! 

We finally took her gown off of her and let her cool off! All that lace makes a baby hot!! =) 

This past week, we got a wonderful snow fall! It was beautiful! And Sam got a day off work - so we had a great time riding around our neighborhood to see all the sights! Virginia Kate seemed to like it too! =) 

This is the entrance to our little neighborhood! It was so fun seeing all the kids enjoy a day off school, playing in the snow! 

Home Sweet Home! 

We headed to the park in our neighborhood for some pictures... it was just too pretty to pass up!! I look like something straight from the 80's with my headband! But it kept me WARM! 

VK loves her daddy! My two favorite people! 

We tried to get the pups to participate for a pic! 

Black was very obedient for the pictures! Lucy... not so much! 

This is my all time FAVORITE!!! Love that little chunklin and her daddy! 

My little snow angel!!! 

Even the pups enjoyed the snow!! They frolicked in it all day long! 

On New Year's Eve, Virginia Kate and I visited Sam's family for their annual lunch and scrabble game! I took Virginia Kate over to meet her great-great aunt and uncle! Everyone had so much fun seeing Virginia Kate, that they didn't end up playing their scrabble game! She was the center of attention, and she loved it! =) 

Here VK is with her Uncle Pete and Big Yia Yia! 

Virginia Kate is showing off, feeding herself her ba-ba... her big yia yia is so proud! 

"I love you Big Yia Yia!"- VK

Happy as a lark! 

New Year's Eve night, I headed to the grille to meet Sam and some friends for dinner! Yia Yia so graciously babysat Virginia Kate for us! We had a blast ringing in the new year with friends! 

This was right at midnight! Hence all our big grins! Especially John's! This is going to be a great year! 

In Memphis, instead of watching the ball drop, we watch the guitar drop! Classic! 

John's sisters and brother-in-law, joined us for the New Year's celebration! So fun getting know them! What a sweet family! Not to mention, KC looks like she could be a third sister!! Look at the resemblance! 

Nice! 

I pray the Lord blesses everyone in this NEW YEAR!