Epic, the camper and softball

Bobby and I have talked about it several times, and have decided that Epic just isn't for us anymore.  We haven't felt like we belong there for over 6 months.  I could go into detail about the why but it really doesn't matter.  I have offered many times to take Brit up there and she hasn't seemed that interested either.  She said "I kind of like it once I'm there, but I'm doing much to try and get there."  If Brit or Dakota still want to attend, we have no problem with that at all.  I feel like this is a very personal decision and those two are more than capable of making it for themselves.

However, I will rant about this a bit.  The camper.  When we first started going there, the pastor sent out an email asking if anyone had a camper they could borrow for baptism.  There's not a good place in the building for wet people to change so they decided to set up two campers.  We volunteered ours and they have requested it for every baptism since.  They have Baptism Sunday every three months.  After the first time, the camper came home without our rugs.  We told them they were missing and they said they would look for them.  Nothing.  Three months went by, and they requested the camper again.  We once again reminded them about the rugs.  They used the camper.  Nothing.  Finally after a bit of nagging, we were given smaller, thinner, crappy rugs to replace the ones that were taken...6 months earlier.  Like I said, they have continued to use the camper every three months for 2 years.  This last time, the camper came home with a broken door latch and window latch.  I can understand no one noticing the window latch, but the door?  Whoever locked the darn thing HAD to see that the door handle was broken.  They didn't say a word to us about it.  No offer to replace what was broken.  Obviously we're both pretty ticked off about it and have decided they will not be using the camper anymore.

Since we are no longer attending Epic, I decided not to play softball for them.  I know...I was SO freakin' excited about playing softball again, but I can't play for a church I don't attend and won't attend just to be on the team.  It's wrong.  So I sent a message to Amy stating such things and didn't and most likely won't get a response.  Also, the FIRST practice is going to be on Monday the 8th.  The FIRST GAME is one week later on the 15th.  So...yeah...

The Rock & Worship Roadshow

The Rock & Worship Roadshow made its way to Huntsville again last night. Bobby had to work today so he stayed home with Cody, who didn't want to go. Brit and Emily were so pumped about this concert. They went together last year,which was Britney's first concert. We made plans for Emily to go with us so after she was dropped off, we picked up some friends and went to Epic to play follow the leader to the VBC.

A little pre-concert foodage.

We got separated from the pack and couldn't find our fellow Epicans once we got there. We ended up separating from the other adults who rode with us because the girls wanted to be closer. I embarrassed Lexy several times. I've been called 'old school'. That kid needs to lighten up :)

Me with Lexy

The place was packed! We were told that they had to turn 1500 people away and that Sidewalk Prophets went outside and sang a couple songs for them, which I found appropriate given their name.

Sidewalk Prophets

Hawk Nelson

I was pretty disappointed they didn't sing Hello, but forgave them quickly when they made eye contact and smiled at us while signing things.

Lacrae
I really liked them! Particularly THIS song.

Disciple

Tenth Avenue North

I didn't get a picture of Mercy Me. The girls wanted to go out to the lobby to be first in line to get Hawk Nelson's autographs. But we seriously jumped the gun and had lots of time to kill. So...ya know...you head bang, play air guitar and drums while you wait.

Me and my girl <3

Hawk Nelson signing Brit's official concert/autograph shirt.
See? Pretty boys. Eye contact. Who could be mad at them?

Happy Emily!

Disciple signing Brit's shirt

Rend Collective Experience
This group is from Ireland. Love me an Irish man! I could listen to him speak all day...or until I got tired of him talking...
They were very chatty and nice

and happily posed for a group picture. They were the only ones who did.

We all had a blast and I can't wait to go again next year...preferably with my hubby. I know he would love it too!

Baptism Sunday @ EPIC

Britney, Bobby and Cody were baptized yesterday!

Epic has Baptism Sunday once every three months and I'm telling you, it's a full out party! Put it this way. When you walk in, they hand out various noise makers. Mom grabbed something, looked at me and said, "This is the first church I've ever been where they handed me a cowbell!" Hahaha!!

Britney had decided to get baptized last week so she signed herself up and was PUMPED!

Bobby and Cody have both been thinking about getting baptized. In fact, Cody told us he wanted to go ahead and do it, but I didn't want him to feel pressured into it at all. I thought maybe he thought this was his only opportunity or something. You know...I word things wrong sometimes so I told him he could wait if he wanted to and make the decision another time. He said he would wait. Once service started, Bobby literally couldn't stay in his seat. He just had to get up there! I looked over and Cody was standing up and telling Bobby he wanted to get baptized now too.
They did it together. How cool is that?!

This was such a special day for our family and I really appreciate everyone who was there to love and support us. Lauren, thank you so much for watching online! I don't even know how you knew to watch, but it's so awesome that you did :)

In total, 111 people were baptized during the course of their five services!

There are videos of them getting dunked on FaceBook if you'd like to watch:)

Awesome day for my family!
WOOHOO!

Recap

Our first Skate Day of the year was on the 2nd and it was packed!

Wipe Out!

The moms usually wear name tags, but Cody decided he needed one.
I mean...Mario decided :)

After skating, we went to Cathy's to hang out for a while.
I'm so glad she's starting to feel better!

Mom, Cathy, Kaitlin, Dave, Suzette, Emily, and Zachary ALL came to EPIC! It was so awesome to have that experience with all of them.After church Element (the youth group) hang out and do different activities. They were having staring contests to win a balance bracelet and Britney kicked butt! She has had a lot of practice with Cody.
Then we went to Logan's with a large group from church.

Cody has been all about Legos lately!

We saw and felt the effects of Tropical Storm Lee. It rained and rained. We got nearly 7 inches in just a couple days. Plus we had much cooler temperatures. Of course that was the day I needed to get out and run errands. I got drenched and cold. I walked in the house and Brit said 'Oh, you're going to get sick." Unfortunately she was right. I ended up with an almost sinus infection and felt horrible. I am SO bummed I got sick. We had plans of attending the Oka Kapassa Indian Festival last week. We're still disappointed that we missed it :(

The first sign the storm was passing.

Britney and Cody went to Cathy's and spent Friday night. I'm sure they were glad to get out of the house. It's not so fun hanging out with a sick mom.

Cody waiting on Cathy and freedom.

Even though I was still sickish, we all went to watch the Alabama game with our Life Group.

Cody went up to Jackson's room to play with Legos and built the Washington Monument.

After the game, we went to Kitty's for Septemberfest.
I wish I had felt better. I know I would have enjoyed it more and would have been more fun to be around. We did have a good time though and I'm determined that we will all be well next year!

Brit, Cody and I decided to have a picnic the other day. It was sunny and just the perfect temperature. Just before we went out, I found this guy on the kitchen window.

The kids named him Sherlock.

Be free Sherlock.

That's part of what's been going on. We have a BUSY week ahead of us so I'll post more when I can.