this one's for the ELVES

Because Santa's elves are already shopping, Elias would like to post some things he needs/wants for his new room. He is also including some things that Ethan could use. He is such a thoughtful big brother.

Ethan's list can be found HERE on a registry on Target.com and HERE onAmazon.com
But there were a few things Target and Amazon did not have that Ethan needs and they are:

• An oversized highchair spill mat found HERE
• Some portable bib clips found HERE
• a new stroller cover, in "Charcoal," found HERE
  

Elias has a list HERE on Amazon.com since of the items he wants for his new room are hard to find while out and about

• NAVY cotton TWIN comforter, sham and RED bedskirt, like THESE from JCPenney's
  

• Dri Nights Waterproof Mattress Protector from One Step Ahead( we could probably use two!)

• Little Tikes Classic Racing Tire Toy Chest

found on Amazon.com

Cars Race Track Self-Stick Mini Wall Mural 32-Inch x 29-Inch

Found on amazon.com and Disney store

• Lamp from Amazon.com
  

• Disney's CARS 10 Piece Room Décor in a Box by Delta Enterprise

found on Amazon.com

• also from DISNEY STORE:

Vintage Cars Sheet and Pillowcase Set (Item # 300999MS )

Vintage Cars Sheet and Pillowcase Set features rustic-style Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater art on flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcase.

• CARS body pillow

At Target and Amazon.com

• CARS growth chart…I found on Target.com

• Peel and stick chalkboard
  

Miscellaneous items....

• Junior Stomp rocket (we played with this at a birthday party and had SO much fun)
  

• Easy-on fleece mittens
  

• Alphabet lacing kit…Elias loves making words!

• I Can Spell Alphabet puzzle
  

Happy shopping, elves!

Pictures ready for viewing

I FINALLY uploaded some pictures onto our Shutterfly site...it only took me all day! There are several months missing, but I tried to start with the most recent and work my way backwards. Maybe I will upload them all by the end of the year.

This brings me to what I want for Christmas...

not sure if you can find it marked down at any Black Friday sales...

won't be able to put in a bright paper package tied up with string...

but I need most of all....

a FASTER INTERNET CONNECTION!

Milestones

This weekend, we celebrated several!
Christopher turned 30 (today, actually) and we celebrated with a few activities this weekend.

He canoed the Eno (which was roaring from the recent rain) with a buddy in the morning.



No ride is complete without a cheering section!


The whole family celebrated later with some cupcakes.




And thanks to Grandma and Nana, the Ammon couples enjoyed an adult evening of dinner, bowling, and dancing!






The other milestones involve our family as a whole. At our church today, Watts Street Baptist Church, we dedicated Elias to God in a small ceremony during the service, where we committed to teaching him about Jesus and our faith. Some of you might be wondering why we haven't done this before, as in a baptism or christening. Elias is almost 4, after all! I think the answer there is a little complicated for us spiritually(and I would be happy to share offline), but a very practical explanation is that we have not had a church home until now. We were both working so many weekends when he was born and never found a community of believers that we fit into spiritually. And before we knew it, almost 4 years has gone by.
The child dedication ceremony is so beautiful at our church...we have seen several of these since attending there, and I cry every time. The words, which I am sharing here, are so simple, yet touching. And my favorite part...after the congregation pledges their support, our pastor carries (or walks, in Elias' case) the child down the center aisle as he tells the child about how much Jesus loves them and how he died for them. Then the whole church sings "Jesus Loves Me."
It was so great to experience it with Elias today (and for him to cooperate famously!). For it to to be on Christopher's 30th birthday. And to think about how in light of the loss we have experienced this year and the two babies lost before even having Elias, just how precious his little life is and how eternally grateful I am to be able to raise him to know and love God. Needless to say, I cried during the ceremony, right there in front of the whole church!
Here's what was said:
Minister: Kristen and Christopher, do you sincerely desire that Elias shall grow up with faith, to become a follower of Christ?
Us: We do.
Minister: Kristen and Christopher, do you promise to inform Elias about the faith, to teach him the Scriptures, to pray with him and for him, and to use the programs and members of this church to lead him toward a full acceptance of God's love in Jesus Christ?
Us: We do.
As the pastor walked with Elias, here is what he said:
Elias, today we want you to know that God loves you. It was for you that God created the world-the sun, the moon, and stars. It was for you that God sent Jesus. It was for you that God sent this congregation to nurture you, and your parents, and grandparents to love you. We want you to know, before you ever understand it, that God's grace is given to you. The Lord bless you and keep you.

We ended the service today by officially joining Watts Street Baptist and were welcomed with the traditional greeting the congregation says in unison: "Thank God you're here." We were definitely thanking God, too, and continue to have gratitude in our hearts for where He has brought us and all the blessings we have experienced.


Here's to many more milestone in the years ahead...may God continue to guide us and shine his light on our lives.