a long time coming.

Matt & I had the privilege of dedicating our boys - all three together - this July 2013.  We have been waiting to dedicate James since he was born, so it really did feel like the we'd been waiting a long time to stand up with our family & friends and dedicate our boys to the Lord.  We lived in Hickory, NC when James was born, and actually had plans to have him dedicated around the time of his 1st birthday, but unfortunately, he came down with strep throat.  We rescheduled, but by then we had moved to Charlotte & Hayden was born.  We never truly found a place that we felt a part in Charlotte, and we never felt that we should pursue dedicating our boys then.  What a blessing to move back to OP, have Calvin join our family, and return to the church that we joined when we were first married.  We were so excited to be able to dedicate all 3 of our little fellas, together, for the first time.

What an added joy: my wonderful Aunt Lina made a beautiful bubble for baby Calvin to wear for his dedication.  It even had some very special buttons, from my Grandpa Dean's mother, Alma Austin.  She saved some from my Papa's clothes & my Aunt Linda sewed them onto this bubble for our little Calvin Dean - so fitting as his namesake!  The sentimental value of these things to me is priceless.

Our parents were able to be with us that morning & it was such a joy to share those moments together.
(Mimi is holding James in this photo, and Grandpa was preaching down at FBC Elfers this morning).

Little Calvin, just shy of 3 months old, in his very special outfit.

A wonderful day to celebrate: our greatest blessing in life, our children.  Our Pastor Jeff, spoke a beautiful dedication over our boys out of Daniel 3.  He prayed for them to know the unity that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew& that they too would meet the 'fourth man' in the fire in the different trials of life.  What a wonderful prayer that I will continue to pray over them for many years to come.