Jayvan's Dedication

 On Saturday, March 31, 2012 we dedicated Jayvan.  To be honest it is more about dedicating ourselves and our friends and family dedicating themselves to help us raise Jayvan to develop his own relationship with Christ.  It is a special time to publicly pronounce our intentions to raise our son in a Christian home and all that entails. 

We chose a life verse for Jayvan:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

When Matt and I were considering life verses for Jayvan, this verse really spoke to us.  We knew that God had already planned Jayvan's life before we knew of him.  God already knew that we would be his parents and he would be our son.  

Here we are on stage with our Children's Pastor, Brian Gann.

 After the dedication, we stopped to take some pictures in front of the tulips outside the church.  Lexi is rocking the cheesy smile these days.

 Then we went for our standard after-church dinner at Jason's Deli. 

 Jayvan really got into opening his gift from Nana.  He even used his teeth.  She got him this beautiful blanket with various scriptures embroidered on it.

 We really appreciate all of our family and friends who made it out to celebrate this occasion with us.

Face Paint

Lexi and Daddy went to the local comicon and Lexi came home with this awesome face paint.

 Jayvan wasn't so sure about it.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Our Neighborhood put together an Easter egg hunt at the elementary school.  It was a great time for all of the kids.

Before we headed to the hunt, the kids tried on the baskets. 

 The kids all waited patiently while they waited for the start of the egg hunt.

Then they were off.

 Jayvan even got his hands on an egg.

Celebrating Nana's Birthday

Zoo Time!

We decided to buy a zoo membership this year.  So, we went for the first time and I have to say that I don't necessarily recommend going during Spring Break.  You know that phrase, "It's like a zoo out there?"  Well, I think that phrase originated from the zoo on Spring Break.  Despite the crowd, we still had tons of fun.  It was so fun to see Jayvan's eyes when he saw the animals. 

A Boy and His Dog

Roxi was my "we're-not-ready-for-a-baby-let's-get-another-dog" dog.  A few short months after we got her, I was pregnant with Lexi.  

Roxi is such a sweetheart even if she has some quirks.  She went through her chewing phase and she has a bit of an excitable bladder.  Ultimately though, she loves us and most women who come to visit.  

What has made Roxi even more endearing to me is the way she loves Jayvan.  She will sit with him and let him pull her hair without a flinch.  By the way, how do you teach a baby not to pull a dog's hair?  

 Sometimes I'll look over and see her just sitting next to Jayvan with his little baby arm draped over her neck.  It's enough to make a mama cry.  So sweet.

Marble Maze Saturday

Lexi went through a phase of loving her marble maze and playing with it nearly every day.  Then the marble maze's popularity dwindled.  Nana found another set of the same marble maze at a garage sale and Lexi wanted to build the biggest marble maze ever (at our house anyway). 

So, we set to it.

Little Brother thought is was pretty awesome too.