Well, actually we really don’t TRY to do that, but this season seems to bring a lot of days like this.  Honestly, the season of raising children seems to bring a lot of days like this, and I’d be lying if I said that I never dream about the end of that season. (If there really is one!?!)   What I’m really dreaming about is heaven, I know.

Last Sunday was a big day for our family and our church.  It all started with what was sort of a mix-up in planning.  Our December baptism service was planned for the same day as the annual Hot Chocolate Run ~ which also involved people from church. “Team Marshmallow” was being recruited for weeks before it was discovered that the race time conflicted with our move-to-one-service-for-baptisms instead of our regular two.

The baptism services are at the top of my favorites, so I was planning to pass on the race in order to be there, but that all changed when Cooper began to express a lot of interest in running the race.  He ran it last year, and really enjoyed himself.  He is beginning to really enjoy running personally, and was pleading to “train” with me, and then run it again.  So, we did.  I told him that if we ran, we would need to join our church’s “Team Marshmallow,” and he reluctantly agreed.  He was a marshmallow for all of about 20 minutes, and then decided to betray the team by shedding his fluff.

Which was fine, I guess, except that he and I stayed together, Team Marshmallow went ahead, and consequently I became a lone marshmallow.  It was fine until I got asked,

“Are you doing alright? How far along are you?”

“Oh, no ma’am.  I’m not pregnant.  I’m a marshmallow, and just got separated from my marshmallow team.  But this costume is definitely bringing back some pregnancy memories!”

As soon as she passed us, Cooper died laughing.  It was his favorite part of the day, I think.

Well, maybe his second favorite part of the day.  After the race and after we stopped by church to catch a few minutes of the end of the baptism service, he requested as his “recovery meal” ~ of all things ~ Taco Bell!  I gave into this request, but held out myself for some soup and salad from Whole Foods with Robert later!

I wish this photo was a bit clearer, because Liz is about as cute as can be!  She was recently married, and was one of 7 to be baptized at church on Sunday.  She and her husband are on staff with Young Life, and are just a super-fun and godly couple.

You probably noticed that we did the baptisms in a big blue blow-up pool!  We’ve never had baptisms at our church, because we don’t have a baptistry.  It was too cold for the pond we use in spring time, and First Baptist was totally booked on the days we needed, SO Robert decided to purchase a make-shift baptistry.

The great thing about this was that we could do the baptisms in one of our regular morning services.  What a wonderful way to worship together ~ hearing the conversion stories of 7 people and watching them publicly declare their faith in Christ.  It was really a wonderfully joyful and encouraging time.

And then we watched the water get pumped out of the pool, through the window, and into the parking lot.  Ha!  Cooper seemed fascinated!

Then there were a couple of hours to shower, dress, and prepare a potluck dish for Kayla’s annual Kid’s Choir ~ Christmas Concert that evening.  Kayla opted out of the choir this year, but she still got to participate by playing the piano.  Her piano teacher is the accompanist for the kid’s choir, so he also accompanied  Kayla in two sweet duets.  She did a beautiful job, and we were so thankful that she got to participate.  The concert also raised $1000 for a South African orphanage.

And here’s the Jesse Tree pic I promised.  I don’t know if you can tell, but the corners have many layers of tape on them, from years of use and me just folding back the new tape each year.  We received this in a publication called “God’s World News” one year and have been using it ever since to help us see how all of the Old Testament stories and prophecies were announcing the coming of the Messiah hundreds and hundreds of years prior to His birth.

And now I’m off to shop for tea party food and crafts, then drop the family off at Voyage of the Dawn Treader, then drop Kayla at a birthday party, then have dinner out with friends during the party, then come home to more party prep for tomorrow.  Tomorrow holds a basketball jamboree for Cooper, a gutter cleaning job for Kory, dance class and a Christmas tea party for Kayla, sermon finalizing for Robert.  Sunday brings 2 church services, a staff luncheon at my house, and a church volunteer party in the evening…

…but not because we LOVE to pack it in like this ~ just because it’s the season, and we’re trying to be faithful.

Christmas Day brings wearing pj’s and sitting on the couch.  I can hardly wait.