Bentley's "Baby" Dedication

We finally publicly dedicated Bentley to the Lord yesterday at our church gathering. We dedicate Bentley as opposed to baptizing her because we, as parents, are making a covenant to the Lord and our church community that we will raise Bentley to know Christ. (Ephesians 6:1-4 "...Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" Deuteronomy 6: 1-9 ("...These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children..." Proverbs 22:6 "Train your child in the way they should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.") Our church body also makes that covenant as well, saying they will help in teaching and raising Bentley to know Christ. We know that by dedicating her it does not guarantee her salvation. Our deep prayer (practically every night) and hope is that God will do a work in her heart and she will choose to follow him and submit her life to him. It is at that time that we pray she might choose to get baptized making her own public profession of her faith and desire to follow Christ.

I recommend you watch this video twice. The first time, just watch Bentley, you won't be able to not pay attention to her anyway, ha! The second time, listen to our elder, Jeff, as he prays over Bentley and as Drew and I covenant before God and our church community to raise her to know Jesus. enjoy! :)



If you are interested in looking at more scripture related to dedicating to the Lord, Exodus 13:11-15, Leviticus 27 :)

First Ferry Ride

Bentley and I went to her Great Aunt Pam's home in Port Orchard last Monday and walked on the Southworth Ferry right by her home and rode it to Fontleroy (West Seattle) and then to Vashon and then back to Southworth. Bentley LOVED the ferry. She liked being able to walk around the (secure - don't worry) deck. And she felt like a big girl when I let her push her own stroller all through the ferry cabin.

Mommy-look-alike?

So, now that Bentley is a bit older, I am starting to hear from people that she looks like me. My mom sent me a few shots of myself as a baby, so I thought I would post one of me and one of Bentley on here - decide for yourself! (I still think she has Drew's eyes, even if they are blue :)

Lindsay Brooke


Bentley Brooke

I am 1-year-old!

I can't believe I just typed "I am 1-year-old!" is she really? holy nuts. Drew's and my friend, Cindy Hickly (who was also our wedding photographer) took a few photos of Bentley for her 1-year portraits. It is nice to not be the only photographer sometimes! You can view the entire album here: Bentley Brooke and then if you want to download any of the images to your own computer to print out, follow these steps:

1) Click on the photo you want
2) Click on the small button above the photo that says "All Sizes"
3) Select "Download Original"
4) Choose where on your computer you want to save the image
5) Voila! :)

Enjoy!

Dancing Machine

These Boots were Made for Walkin'...

She is not wearing boots, actually she is not even wearing shoes, but she is walking! Just after we took this video, we were playing upstairs and several times walked from one end of the room to the other!

little miss smartypants

I showed Bentley just once today how to get down from her new little chair. She wanted up several times and each time got down by herself just fine! It was so amazing I had to capture it on video when she showed daddy her new skill for the first time. She likes to sit at her table and "read" a book or play with her pop up toy.

Birthday Girl

Bentley celebrated her first birthday this last Saturday (even though her actual birthday is this Wednesday, August 5th.) We had a small brunch party with our family recipe of "Christmas Casserole", homemade blueberry scones, fresh fruit and birthday cake! I didn't get photos of the birthday cake, but if you watch the video you can see the result of my endeavors :) I used blueberries to make a little "B" on her cake. For the other cake for the adults, I used teal M&Ms to make a "B," complete with serifs and all!

She received the nicest gifts from our family and friends, from a stroller and baby to her very own grocery cart that even makes sounds when you put items in the basket, to a Bentley-size table and chairs (that daddy put together Friday night, and mommy put together the baby doll stroller and grocery cart!). She even got a power wheels! I always wanted one of those when I was a kid. She got a popper, and collectible Madame Alexander doll with a little kangaroo (a stuffed animal kangaroo was also my very first baby gift when I was little). She received some floating rubber duckies that were a hit that night in the bathtub and a little watermelon outfit that she wore to our church picnic today. (I washed it this morning so she could wear it again today!) and some little size 5 light up shoes that Bentley spent awhile trying to figure out how they worked.


Bentley and her presents


Bentley already trying out her baby doll and stroller wearing her new watermelon outfit.

She enjoyed a little dance with Simon, our friends Vanessa and Chris' son. I also made a video of Bentley's first year of life which his too long for you tube. I got all teary eyed watching the early clips showing one of me pregnant and then of her as a newborn and on up. Precious. I will let the photos and other videos of her day speak for themselves.

"Why is everyone singing about a candle. And why are you walking that flame near me."

"Mom you are bizzare."

The only people missing from this photo are Adrianne and Ryan (who are just to the right of Josh, oh and me, since I am taking the picture. :)



This is my favorite photo. It perfectly captures Bentley Brooke's spirited self.


"The Experience Cake Project"

I just can't believe my baby girl is one year old. People constantly told me it would go by fast. So fast that I haven't even been able to finish her first year baby book yet! I am so grateful to God that he blessed up with such a giggly, happy, inquisitive, darling daughter. And that we get to steward her little life for Him. Amazing.