Our New Ruger

So...we weren't going to get another dog until the new baby came. But we always had this certain saying "if the right dog comes along." So...yeah...This is the right dog. He's 8 weeks old. Half lab, half springer, just like Kerub was. Sam wanted a new Ruger revolver this year, and this is as close as we can get for now. Meet Ruger!!!

Paul and Ruger going on a stick hunt!

Every boy needs a dog right? Paul and Ruger make a good team.

Fun Christmas Pic's

A tradition we began last year and will continue forever, Jesus is the reason for Christmas and deserves a realy Birthday celebration, Cake and all. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be sincere.
Paul with his new Elephant, he loves it. Thank you Grandma V.

Loves the Pound a Peg. (doesn't he have the most beautiful eyes?)

Paul wasn't much into the opening, just the playing....Maybe next year. :)

This is the best we could do without an actual photographer.

Christmas Morning

Due to the unfortunate weather, we weren't able to spend Christmas with our family this year, so we had our Very First "Our" Family Christmas. We missed the fun and noise of our relatives, but had a great Christmas with just the 3 of us.

Paul is enjoying Daddy's special Christmas Blueberry Pancakes!
He can't wait to tear into the loot.

Paul in the snow

Paul's first snow was last year but he was very young and didn't really play. This year is was so fun to see his facination. He loved it. Especially when he was out there while it was actually snowing. The flakes made him giggle.

Honored at our Church

The next morning after graduation, we had a great reception and time of honoring Sam's accomplishments at our church. He was presented with his License to perform ministry. Which basically means he can perform weddings and funerals and be official. :)
Pastor Joe also presented him with his own copy of "Systematic Theology" in order for him to continue his study of the bible. He thought he was done...but of course it has only just begun.

Showing off his sword!!!

Catching Up!!!

It seems I have alot of catching up to do. December has been a very busy month for us, marked by many special occasions. The first of those occasions happened on Dec. 6th when Sam, after 3 long, hardworking and rewarding years of studying and learning in the Convergence program finally GRADUATED!!!!!!! I am sooooo proud of our new Pastor. There were 9 men that graduated from the program with Sam as you can see in the picture below. These men have been such an inspiration to each other over the past 3 years. I was so happy to be part of the small circle invited to this great event.

Sam with his "Cohort"
The pictures aren't great because we were in a dark banquet room, but try and see beyond the people and the bad lighting. :) As a way of presenting his "diploma", they had Sam come and sit in throne-type of chair and had his family (that's us :)) and his mentors (Joe and Nancy) come and pray around him and they presented him with a sword instead of an actual certificate. The sword is so symbolic is so many ways...I'll let you think on that one instead of making a list.

This picture doesn't need much explanation, they are all so proud of their swords. They have definately all earned them.