Our Birthdays 2009

Andy and I were born exactly 1 year and 2 weeks apart, which makes our birthdays very close to each other. We had a fantastic time celebrating each other this year. Here are some pics from those 2 weeks.

To celebrate Andy, we had a hot date out for burgers, beer and a movie and then went camping at French Beach. So, so fun. French Beach is on the Southwest coast of Vancouver Island. It is a beautiful cobble beach with 1 strong breaker coming in at a time. We got to see 2 sunsets across the water, watch Eli eat his first smore, be humbled by one of the best views of the night sky (very little light pollution... the milky way clearly visible), eat yummy food, hear the breakers come in all night and day and throw rocks at different targets (well at least Eli, Josh and Andy did).

Sitting in Eli's chair, chattin with Dad. We could not get enough of this chair. So fun.

More chattin.

I LOVE this picture. Every time I see it I smile. Eli wanted his picture taken after all of the fuss and pictures we took of Savannah.

Eli and Savannah watching the waves come in.

Savannah and Noah... they are both so different now... so much more mobile! They would never go for this now.

Andy calls this one "Whoops-I-Threw-Her-Too-High-She-Is-Stuck-In-The-Trees!"

Our little Moses.

Savannah making her get-away while Dad isn't looking.

She likes rocks just like her mama.

Watching the sunset with Dad.

There it goes...

For Katie's birthday, Andy took her on a hike and then to a pumpkin patch. Both were fantastic. The hike was through a maple forest. The pumpkin patch was reached by a 15 minute horse and buggy ride. It was beautiful. We were the only ones on the whole property besides the owners and the sun was just about to set. Beautiful.

The Sixth Month... Mommy's Favourites

The Baptism of Savannah Kate

We decided to baptize Savannah after much conversation and thought. This is the practice of the Anglican tradition. The emphasis of an infant baptism is on 2 things: 1) God's active role in pouring out over Savannah more than enough grace and 2) the community as an active role in her forming view of spirituality. The ceremony was beautiful to us. Many people people came to support her... even many off-Islanders. Nearly her whole family was there to stand with us.

The Note-Worthy:

She didn't cry.
She looked so cute.
She pulled at the priest's mic.
She ripped her headband off right before the water was poured over her head. I think she was getting ready.
The priest who baptised her brought water back from the Jordan River in Israel (the river Jesus was baptised in).
She lifted her hands up during one of the prayers. This seemed so holy, but I think she was just reaching for the priest's rings.
Andy gave her a special blessing. This was beautiful (see below).

Thank you to everyone who stood with us on that special day in both body and in spirit. We are so thankful for her various sets of communities and what all of us have to teach her about God, life and all things good and beautiful. Though clumsy, we certainly will do our best in this great task. We are relieved to know that God's commitment to her is far beyond ours.

Andy's Father Blessing given to his first born daughter,
Savannah Kate Withrow,
at her baptism September 27, 2009

May you grow strong and healthy.

And may you always have peace and joy in your gender, in your womanhood.

I bless your eyes that they may always see the Lord’s work and hand in your life.

I bless your ears that you may always hear His voice.

And I bless your mouth that you may always speak his praises

And be quick to bless your neighbors.

May you be blessed like your Matriarch Sarah,

Who when she heard the ridiculous promises of God and laughed, she received them with great joy and great laughter.

May you be like your Grandmother Jill, who trusts the Lord, has great discernment and wisdom and raises a family who knows the Lord and is healthy and strong and loves others well and serves the Lord all her days.

And may you be like your Grandmother JoAnn: quick to reveal what’s in your heart with words of love and thanksgiving with words of mercy and compassion; quick to welcome others into your home who don’t have one and to welcome them to God’s household.

Savannah I bless you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

May He be with you and remain with you all of your days.

Amen.

Her Godparents (and God-Brothers)

Her family all made the trip over the waters to be with her that day.

Savannah reaching out her hands in prayer...?

With her cousin, Oliver.

The Fifth Month... Mommy's Favourites

With Grandma Jo

With Grandpa

Getting her first measurement on her growth chart.

Andy misses his Waynesboro softball team.

Savannah with her Bellingham friends. We woke Savannah up for the photo. She was not happy about that.

Camping near Lake Cowichan.

Going...

Going...

Gone.