Zack's Dedication

Adam and I have been looking forward to this since we got home from China.  Adam even e-mailed the church the first Sunday we were back and found out that the dedication ceremony would be November 19th.  Yes Nov. 19th was a Saturday.  As opposed to the dedications I have seen at other Churches Crosspointe made this an event...it was truly something special for Adam, Zachary and I.

Beforehand Adam and I had to do some homework, listen to some podcasts and attend a tour of the Children's ministry.  The podcasts discussed 3 important things for all parents to remember as they raise their children.
1) Talk with your kids about God...even when you think they can't understand you.  I have always knows that kids know and can do more than we give them credit for.  If Zachary has learned that when he sits in the high chair and I come over with a bowl he should open his mouth because he is getting food, why can't he learn that when it's bed time we say a prayer.
2) Put your marriage relationship first.  This doesn't mean I am supposed to love Adam more than Zack or that I should take care of Adam before I take care of Zack.  There is no way I am going to do Adam's laundry or fix dinner over having play time with Z.  It means that in the midst of taking care of a baby we need to make our marriage relationship top priority.  Since date nights have become super expensive with the cost of a babysitter we have decided to have dates in with take out and no TV at our own table after Z goes to bed. 
3) Come up with values and habits that you want to put in place starting today!  Our 5 habits that we want to instill in Zachary are: honesty, hardworking, giving, consideration, faithfulness.  The habit I wanted is happiness, because I believe happiness is a choice and there is no excuse to not wake up everyday happy.  After the sermon on happiness this morning Adam agreed to make it our 6th value.  The 2 habits that we want to instill are praying every night with Zachary and keep our family involved in Church.
Our tour of the Children's ministry was interesting, they showed us parents what our kid's future at Crosspointe would look like and I am ready to sign up for the long haul.  With my time in the 3 year olds and the kindergarten class I knew that their program was great but I was really pleased with everything else they talked about.  My favorite thing was hearing that even in the baby nursery they sing songs and pray with the babies.
When we got to the Church Sat. night there was a photographer that took pictures of our family:

I have to say that when our church does something they do it right...they over plan and over organize so that everyone can enjoy the event. 
This was the centerpiece:

we got a certificate, a gift (a kids bible) and an assignment to write a letter for Zachary to open on his 18th Birthday.

There's my baby!

They even left a snack for the babies:

Our Pastor and Children's Pastor gave a short talk, they showed photo's of the babies and families and served cupcakes.
During one of the transitions they showed this video:

It was an Amazing night thanks to all who could be a part of it...

Uncle Scott and Aunt Bethany

My Parents (Grandma and Grandpa)

Adam's Parents (Grammy and Grandpa)

My Grandma (Great Grandma)

 And thank you to everyone who wasn't there but is a part of our lives and who will support Adam and I as we raise Zachary.