The O'Neill's: October 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Fall Fun!

Yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch to celebrate a beautiful autumn day and pick out Scarlett's first pumpkin.

There was a petting zoo and Scarlett was mesmerized by the animals. (She is definitely her mommy's daughter!)

Today we carved her pumpkin!

Papa taught Scarlett how to carve a pumpkin. Yikes!

Papa takes over and we just watch:

Smelling the pumpkin...

Tank "meerkats" in order to beg for something....

...I turned away for ONE second, and...

Picking the seeds out of the goop for roasting:

Scarlett and her carved pumpkin:

And we finished off the night with some Fall treats! Yum!

I love Fall! :)

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Today we had Scarlett dedicated by our friend Pastor Henry at Red Rock Canyon with her godparents Khara and Matt. It was a special day and everything turned out beautiful. Scarlett wore the gown that my mom made for me to wear on my Christening day and was also later worn by my 3 siblings. She looked so pretty, even though the gown was a bit giant on her.

Pastor Henry shared the story of Hannah from The Old Testament. She waited years and years to have a baby and when she was finally able to have her son Samuel, she thanked God for such a wonderful blessing and dedicated him to God in thanks. He also shared some really great quotes with us as her parents and with Khara and Matt as her godparents and then each of her godparents read a blessing:

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~ Elizabeth Stone

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."

~ Eda J. Le Shan

Time Well Spent

See tiny fingers and tiny toes.

Bright baby eyes, cute baby nose;

Hear baby gurgles and baby sighs.

As Mom and Dad sing lullabies.

Life is changed, but that's okay;

It's fun to spend glad hours each day.

Taking time for all the good

That comes along with parenthood.

By Joanna Fuchs

To the godparents:

"Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating. Youngsters need good role models more than they need critics. Its one of a parent's greatest responsibilities and opportunities.

~John Wooden

Matt read a blessing sent to us by Scarlett's Grandma Tricia:

"Sun you shine above my head

Stars you shine above field and cities

Animals you stir upon the earth mother

Plants you live through powers of earth and sun

Stones you make firm animal and plant

And me, the human being,

In whom God's power live in head and heart

Who walks with God's power, throughout the world."

Khara read a prayer shared by Spencer's godmother Lourdes:

In Thought For A Child

In they breath the light of the sun

In thy bread the salt of earth

In thy ears true words of love

Sustain thy growing changing life;

That thy spirit's will may work

That thy soul be warmed by joy

That thy body's world be built.

By: Adam Bittleston

After these blessings Pastor Henry asked me and Spencer some questions and we answered yes. We recognized that Scarlett is a gift from God and gave heartfelt thanks for God's blessing. We pledged as parents that, with God's help, we will bring up our daughter in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord in her life. And we promised to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs that Scarlett may have, looking to God for wisdom, love and strength to serve her and not use her. Then he prayed for Scarlett and encouraged us that we would be great parents to Scarlett as long as we did everything for her in love.

We are so thankful for our little blessing and we love her so much. After this special moment, we went out to dinner with Scarlett's godparents and celebrated how special she is to all four of us! It was a really great day. (And of course, there was cake!)

Friday, October 14, 2011

Christmas Came Early...

...for Spencer....

Mom got Spencer this extra special Ducks jersey that he REALLY wanted for Christmas and gave it to him early so he'd have it to wear for the rest of the season! :) (Just in time for the game tomorrow too! Go Ducks!) Spencer says, "THANKS ALETA!"