Josiah's Baptisim

Josiah has been saved a couple years, but has never had the opportunity to get baptized. (Well, if you don't count the swimming pool baptisms.)

Our pastor announced that we were gonna have a Baptisim and Josiah was really excited. I told Titus he had 2 weeks in order to get saved if he wanted baptized. Ha ha

Sunday afternoon, October 26, 2014, we all gathered at the lake. It was a beautiful day, but the water was freezing. 

We had several young people that hadn't ever been baptized as well so they all got baptized too. 

It was an honor that Maynard got to baptize Josiah with our pastor. I think that made his Baptisim even more special. 

The water was cold and it took Josiah's breath away. He came up out of that water like a raging bull. 

Look at all these faces he made in this collage. 

I am happy that I have a child born again and baptized. It was a special day. 

Titus was a bit jealous and later we heard him tell Josiah:

"Josiah, you haven't changed a bit. You still look exactly the same as you did before you got baptized."

I'm not sure what he expected to happen, but we all had a good laugh. 

I hope one day soon Titus and Amelia will genuinely get saved and they can get baptized. 

Here's a clip of Josiah's baptism. I have it linked in you-tube because that was the only way I could put it on here.

You will probably have to copy and paste the links. 

http://youtu.be/157OKRcasOE

Camp Wildcat re-enactment and Camping

Every October they have a Camp Wildcat re-enactment from the Civil War here in our town. We've been a few times, but I've noticed the older my boys get the more they love it. 

I mean they are boys. What's not to love about guns and horses and all that good stuff?!?!

We stopped for a group picture as soon as we got there. 

It was colder than I had anticipated, but luckily the kids had hoodies. 

Me, Titus, and Amelia grabbed a few seats to watch the action while Maynard and Josiah walked around checking things out. Titus didn't want to miss a minute of anything so we didn't get to look around. 

This boy was in pure Heaven, even if it was a little loud. He kept asking me a gazillion questions about the Civil War and I didn't know all the answers. Unfortunately, my internet didn't work way out there and I couldn't look everything up. Finally, I had to tell him to wait for daddy and he would answer his questions. 

Amelia couldn't comprehend war being anything other than a bible story. She wanted to know why the devil team was shooting the Jesus team. When the re-enactment was over, she was happy because she said the Jesus team won. Ha ha

I on the other hand was cracking up because I heard a young woman behind me tell her boyfriend/husband to take a picture of "our side". He asked her which side and she said, "Duh!!  The Americans."

Maybe I couldn't answer all of Titus' questions, but I at least knew that they were all Americans. 

I believe this soldier was a little hesitant in handing over his weapons to Titus. 

We left and headed down some country roads to visit a cemetery where Maynard's grandmother is buried. I couldn't help, but take a selfie with the beautiful scenery behind me. Sorry my face ruined the picture. Ha ha

We found out that we had some family coming to go camping at Levi Jackson so of course we wanted to tag a long. It was too cold to stay in tents and they had campers so we just decided we would hang around until bedtime. 

Thursday as soon as we got there they were having craft time so the kids all got to make a bat craft. 

Then they got to play awhile while the campers were getting set up and we went and got pizza. Pizza while camping?  Of course!!!

We gathered by the fire and sang and talked and just really enjoyed ourselves. 

All too soon it was time to take my kids home because they had school the next day. Yep!  This mean mommy made them go to school even though their grandparents and cousins were all in town. We were so tired and wiped out by the time we got home they didn't even get baths. They were asleep before I could get them in the tub. Oh well. I reckon they smelled like campfire at school all day Friday. 

The kids were so excited at the end of their school day to get back to the campground. Mamaw had promised the boys they could sleep in their camper and they were looking forward to it. 

They played awhile and then got to go jump on inflatables. 

Only Josiah's feet are touching the slide in this picture. 

After the inflatable fun it was time for a hot dog and marshmellow roast. 

Amelia was on the lookout for bears and Indians. 

There was a hayride later that evening and a werewolf was the driver. That should have been a dead giveaway that it was going to be a haunted hayride instead of a regular hayride. Unfortunately, that didn't actually click with my family. 

Me and Mom didn't ride because it got full fast so I sent my kids with my sister and her family. 

When they got back we were told about men jumping out of the woods with chainsaws and Freddie Crougar and such. What was hilarious is my sister told me my kids wasn't even phased by it and Amelia was begging to ride again. Ha ha. Her kids were like "No thanks."

We gathered by the fire again and told stories and the kids entertained us with Knock knock jokes. Shew. Isn't it horrible after laughing over and over again at their made up jokes that don't make a lick of sense? Ha ha 

 It was getting late and cold so we were ready to head home and get in a warm bed. Titus was having a hard time obeying others and unfortunately we had to bring him back home with us. Josiah got to stay with Mamaw and Papaw. We felt bad that Titus didn't get to stay, but he brought it upon himself. 

The next morning we went by the campground again to see our family off and to have a little more playtime. 

We grabbed lunch and it was time for our family to leave. 

We will have to get another camping trip together next time with more family. Preferably in August or September. 

Let's do a random blog, shall we?!?!

Amelia will absolutely not leave the boys alone while they are wrestling. She always ends up crying, but the very next time she's right in the middle of it again. This last time she scored a black eye. 

I think most of it was carpet burn and it healed really fast. Maybe she won't be so quick to jump in the middle of a tussle next time. 

Here are the boys wearing their school hoodies that their Mamaw and Papaw bought them for their birthdays. 

Josiah loved his, but Titus is beyond love. He has so much school spirit. He wears his hoodie and T-shirt with a lot of pride. We were in Walmart after school one day and he walked around saying things like. "I go to LCA. Or he would say, "Go London Christian Academy. Go eagles!!"  He will look at LCA yearbooks for hours. I am glad he loves his school. 

Here's a Sunday morning picture of the kiddos all matching wearing purple. Amelia thought she was something else for sure. 

Josiah kept stepping on Amelia's feet while we were taking a walk. He refused to apologize about it so I made him carry her. He had a hard time carrying her, but mainly because they were laughing so hard. 

This is the other the day while I attempted grocery shopping with all 3 kids. They chose to ride and I had to push them while on tip toes just so I could see over their heads. 

This picture was taken last Sunday night at steak and Shake. A random lady asked us what kind of milk shakes my kids wanted and then handed us a $20 bill. Josiah asked me if she was an angel because that was a true miracle. Ha ha. I wish I had more money because I would love doing stuff like that for other people. 

This picture cracks me up. I took Amelia with me to get my teeth cleaned and apparently she thought she needed to get a picture of it. I'm suprised she didn't take 100 selfies. 

We've had a boring fall break so far. Between being broke and all the rain, there's not been much to do. Yesterday we went to the library and then their treat was Pizza Hut afterwards. 

Today we caught a break in the rain and went on a little hike at the park. Walking through the park makes me want to go camping so bad!!  I would love to have a camper to go camping in. 

After 2 miles we stopped to eat our picnic lunch and the kids played at the playground. 

They played awhile and then we decided to head back in case it started raining. We were 2 miles aways from the car so if it rained we were gonna get soaked. 

These stones made a path all the way up the hill. Talk about those leg muscles burning. 

Yes, they were patiently waiting for me. I didn't have as much energy as they did today. 

We had a lot of fun!! 

Tomorrow will be a good day to clean the house because Friday calling for sunshine. 

Hope you enjoyed the blog and the random photo dump. 

When you sleep through your own funeral

I've went through a little spell of not feeling well. First off, I'm probably the only one who hurts their neck while cleaning a ceiling fan. Also, we started revival so that's just a perfect time as any to get sick, right?  Well, it seems that's how it happens anyway. 

My neck throbbed and hurt whenever I layed down. So Friday night I decided to sleep sitting up in the recliner. I had a rough night and didn't fall asleep until around 3:00 a.m.

Maynard had left for work and the kids were all starting to wake up around 7:30. They helped themselves to pop tarts and were playing quietly with each other so I continued to snooze. 

I was sleeping pretty good when I heard the piano stool being moved around. 

I opened my eyes and the kids were all dressed in suits and Josiah had a bible laying on the piano stool. (That's always their pulpit when playing church)

I figured they were just getting ready to start playing church. I knew they were gonna get loud (umm, yeah. We are holiness) So I grouched at them, "Go to your rooms if you want to play church. I'm sleeping, now GO!!!"

Then I looked down at my blanket and seen this:

Flowers. Made especially for me by my kids. That wasn't it. There was also a teddy bear that was holding a peice of paper that said "PARKER FAMILY". 

I suddenly realized that my children were playing funeral and I was the deceased. How rude of me to chase my funeral guests away like that. 

I was sick, not dead. I haven't decided if they were relieved that I was in fact alive or if they were a tad disappointed. 

I told them I was sorry and it was very thoughtful of them for the flowers. Of course I didn't get to keep the teddy bear because it was intended for someone in the immediate family and not the deceased. 

One thing I am definetly thankful for and that is that they have never heard of cremation. 

Can you even imagine?!?!?!?!

 

Allergy testing

A couple weeks ago I took Amelia to her Allergy Dr to get more testing done. It had been well over a year since she had been tested. I also scheduled Titus an appt because of his recent bouts with hives and asthma. 

The last time Amelia was tested we were told she was allergic to:

Beef 

Tree nuts

Soy

Tomatoes

Apples

Bananas

Peaches 

Green beans

We had a suspicion of a dye allergy as well, but nothing was available to test for that. 

She went a whole year without any dye unless it was pure accidental or my stupidity. I'm just thankful it wasn't a fatal allergy because I ain't always with it. Lol

After the year was up I gradually started letting her have candy again. She would only break out with any candy made from Mars INC. Such as skittles and starburst. I'm not sure what the deal is there. Her DR just suspects it's where the candy touches each other during the manufacturing process. For instance the lemon candy touches the cherry candy and thus the reaction. 

She was tested again and was about 90% better on everything. She showed postitive for strawberry and cherries. I think that's why I thought she may be allergic to red dye. In fact it's not the actual red dye, but the fruit that she is allergic too. She is also allergic to blueberries. So she still has to stay away from red and blue candy that have those flavors. 

She still showed postitive for tree nuts, but she rarely ever eats anything with that in it. 

Everything else was all cleared up and they are in the process of weaning her off her allergy medicine. We were tickled to death with the results. 

We found out that Titus was pretty much allergic to outside. He's allergic to trees and grass. He loves it outside so I hate that for him. 

He also had an asthma test done which he didn't do horrible, but still had to be put on another inhaler. He hates the new inhaler because it makes his face flush and he gets hot. He goes back in another month to get tested for more food allergies and to check his asthma. 

Amelia was so excited about her allergy Dr appt. They told her last time they were drawing a princess on her back and painting it. 

Titus was with us this time and he was more surreal and kinda broke the news to her about there only being numbers on her back. 

Amelia was more than happy to remove her shirt for the testing. 

Titus, not so much!  They had to let him put his arms through the sleeves in front of him and hold his shirt before he would cooperate. 

Titus was itchy all over and was in the worst mood for having to miss a half day of school. 

He also had to go that morning to have his wart on his toe worked on again. He tried to trick his dr and took off the wrong sock and shoe and then crossed his legs. 

We are hoping this is his last treatment, but we never know. This wart normally only takes 4 treatments to remove, but has taken 12 treatments so far. I can't remember if I have blogged about it before or not. Here's what it looks like all blistered up. 

It hurts him so bad he cries in his sleep. If he thinks you are going to step on his toe he will freak out and possibly attack you. 

I am hoping it gets better soon!!

So that wraps up our dr appts for the day. Titus was allowed to go back to school the rest of the afternoon. I got him a Happy Meal for his lunch and it all made it better. He was happy to be back at school. 

Last chance to wade in the river.

We had a work day at church Saturday cleaning and preparing for revival. We got home and I was layed out on the couch when Maynard said something about going to the river. I only opened one eye to look at him and then chose to ignore what I heard. Lol. Unfortunately, my children heard and was already in their room changing their clothes. I'm not sure why I didn't want to go. I just didn't really feel like it. 

I tried to tell them it was too cold to be playing in the river and blah blah blah. I was quickly outvoted and there was no turning back. We packed up a few things to take with us so we could roast hot dogs and marshmallows. 

Once we got there I was glad we had come after all. We had a great time. Josiah was really into catching crawdads.   I grew up thinking I had caught crawdads, but when in fact I was only catching minnows. Once seeing this:

I knew I had never picked anything up that had pinchers on it. 

The water was really shallow so I didn't constantly have to be worrying about them. They slipped and fell a few times so they were all pretty wet by the time we left. 

Roasting hot dogs and marshmellows!!

We had a great time and I can honestly say I was glad we had went after all.