Harper the Nazarite

Right before we walked into the church, I told Cody that along with Harper's dedication, we were also having her take the Nazarite vow.  We had just discussed Samson two weeks ago in our bible study.  He looked at me and said "Really???"  Haha!  No...

We dedicated her at First Baptist Church of Lewisville on February 19th, 2012 at 11:11 am.  We have been going to FBC ever since we got married so we have lots of good friends there.  We even got to dedicate Harper with her sweet friend, Avinley Hunt.  We have been friends with Matt and Katharine Hunt all 5 years and it has been so fun having babies at the same time.  I'm pretty sure we solidified their friendship in the womb.  We even decided Avinley's older brother, Quinlan, might even get to date Harper one day...

Matt, Quinlan, Avinley, Katharine and Us

Avi and Harper having girl talk

Careful Avi, she's quick!

Our preschool minister, Sherry Shaw, gave the presentation and our pastor, Stephen Hatfield, sang the babies a song.  They each got a New Testament bible and a certificate.  They also got a sign that explained their name and gave them a "life verse."  Harper means praise and her verse was Psalm 139:14 - "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  I pray that she always knows that God made her exactly like she is and that she is perfect in His image.  What a sweet, sweet thought!

Us with Dr. Stephen

Here she is during the prayer.  I'm not sure she knows quite what to do during prayer time yet...  During the dedication, Harper kept kicking her legs and squealing, like always.  Of course this made the congregation laugh.  Everyone just thought she was hilarious.

All of our close family came to the dedication.  Cody's parents, my mom and sister, and my dad, stepmom, and sister.  Grayson was napping and Carleigh had gotten sick with pneumonia on Thursday so they weren't able to make it.  But I was impressed with our crowd.  These were the best pictures we could get.  It's hard work to get lots of adults and a baby all smiling at the same camera at the same time.

Us with Kathryn and Kristen

Us with Serena and Buddy

Us with Gary, Kristi, Taylor, Kristen - This was the best one!

After church we went home and had a family lunch.  Harper got a Bedtime Prayers book from her Mimi and Pop (my dad and stepmom), a Bible DVD set from Big Daddy and Rene (Cody's parents) and a sweet dress from her cousin Grayson (Kristen's little boy - he's not a baby anymore!).  She liked everything, but mostly just wanted to eat all the paper, of course.

We couldn't get one with her smiling because all she 

wanted was Kristen's necklace.

She HATES her shoes.  She just wants them off.  And when she gets 

them off, they are a great chew toy.

She had a great day and pooped out for a sweet nap.  She is truly one of the most funny, cute babies ever.  She's usually talking, loud, and moving all her extremities.  She just never wants to stop or miss anything.  And she's always good for a smile.  We are so excited to see what God has in store for her in the future.  I've often wondered what path her life will take.  Teacher like her parents?  Missionary in Africa?  Some PR charmer?  But most of all, we pray that no matter what her vocation, she stands like a light on a hill.  Shining through the darkness of the world.  Being a sweet guide for those who don't know Jesus.  Being joyful even when times are hard.  Being strong because her strength comes from a Higher Source.  Being content because she knows the Prince of Peace.  I just can't wait!  Today, we rejoice in what a blessing God gave us with our sweet Missy Prissy Harper.