1-29-18  Layla is 2 months old now!

Angie writes:

Layla is Two Months old today!

Our sweet little peach continues to grow like crazy! This morning she weighed in at just over 9 pounds and measured 22" long.

She loves going on walks with the dogs and loves story time with daddy; her favorite book is "Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA." She likes all types of music but especially loves when mommy sings "Kumbaya, My Lord" before going to bed.

1-9-18  icy Amicalola Falls:

Been awhile since we've been up to the mountains.  So with the weather warming up above freezing, I suggested we ride up to a waterfall and see if they still have ice around them like I've seen in so many Facebook pictures lately.  Ken suggested Amicalola and I quickly agreed.  So off to the mountains we went.
Even in the dead of winter it's a nice ride.  There were even some Christmas decorations still up---like here at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville.

 The country roads took us past a lot of quaint little churches

1-8-18  finally!!!  Warmed up enough to take a walk on the Ivy Creek Greenway!

I've been seeing lots of pictures on Facebook of icy waterfalls in the N. Georgia mountains.  That got me wondering if the little waterfall by us on the Ivy Creek Greenway froze at all.  It's not suppose to get that cold here in the Atlanta area---so I've been told!
On my way to the Greenway, I decided to walk by the pool area.  I was surprised to see they put a cover---sort of---over the bar b q pits 

 and added a lot more loungers to the pool deck.

1-7-18  Layla's Baptism!!!!

Layla's Baptism

January 7 at Rivercliff Lutheran Church

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

 Working around all the parents and grandparents and godparents schedules, today was the best day to have Layla's baptism.  So Josh's folks came down on Tues. of last week and stayed for the week.  Ben flew down on Sat. and joined them for 3 nights.  Godparents Emily and Brian flew down with their son and Emily's parents on Friday.  Tim and Faith even drove down and spent Sat. and Sun night at our apartment.  So it's been another hectic week!  Josh even started back to work from his 2 weeks off.  I'm sure Angie is exhausted!!!!
In addition to all the visitors and caring for a preemie newborn, they've also been trying to take care of all the stuff they need to get done before the adoption can be finalized: a bunch more paper work; Dr. appointments; vet appointments; finger printing; CPR re-certification; and I'm sure there's more I don't know about.
But on to today-----
The baptism was beautiful and Layla was a little angel all the way through it.

We were a little early

 The guest of honor has arrived

 Hurrying to get out of the cold

 There she is!

 admiring church members

 Godmother Emily and son, Alex.

 Someone was not too happy being taken out of her warm carrier.  (I loved the little rainbow sleeper---rainbows remind me of my Mom and today is her birthday). 

 Layla getting a full tummy to help her make it through the ceremony.

Emily and family with Josh's family behind them

More well wishers

 Godparents getting their instructions.

 time to change into her Christening outfit.

  the happy family

content again.

 The children of the congregation were invited to come to the front of church for the baptism.  We thought that was a nice gesture.

 addressing the kids

 

 Time for the hand off.

 hardly a squirm

 almost done

 no crying, but she did decide to share some of the milk she just drank with pastor.

 presenting her baptism candle to be lit on the anniversary of her baptism every year.

 final words before the commencement of mass.

 Newest member of the church.

Introducing Layla to the congregation

 content with her new place.

 introducing her to the other children in the congregation

 lots of congrats

 family hanging out

 time for the Godmother to take a turn

 after mass photos

 Proud Mom and Dad

 and Godparents

 The Hicks

 The LaBeaumes and a few Hicks

 Layla's new family in Christ

 The Godparents and family

Then we were on our way to Jim and Nicks Bar B Q for a delicious meal.

Courtesy of Angie and Josh!  Darrel and Ken tried to pay for the lunch, but Angie and Josh were not having that. 

Brought back so many memories of the days Tim and Angie were baptized---although we didn't go to lunch, just had family and friends come by the house.   Where has the time gone?!