Pumpkin Patch

We finally got a chance to go to our local pumpkin patch on beautiful Lake Morton! It was during those couple of beautiful fall weather days that were perfect for taking pictures and feeding the ducks! I just love this time of year!

Here is our pumpkin with the pumpkins! =D

He thought he was big stuff trying to lift them up!! So cute!

Me & my little man!!

He wanted to sit on all of them!

"I pick this one mom!"

He LOVED feeding the ducks!!

Look mom!!! Duh! Duh! (Ducks)!

Worship Expo 2009 & Floida Baptist Worship Choir

I had the great joy of attending this years Worship Expo held in my home town and home church!! Worship Expo was more than a conference, it was an experience. This weekend not only benefited my ministry but transformed my life! I became a better worshipper, inspired, encouraged, enlightened, equipped, and excited about being "offering our lives as living sacrifices, and being transformed by the renewing of our mind." Not only was I able to attend but also got the privelge of singing with the Florida Baptist Worship Choir for our final concert of the year! It was such a worship experience!!Practicing for the concert!

Todd Bell & several Senior Pastors at Worship Expo!

Presenting the Florida Baptist Worship Choir!

Singing "Unto The Lamb"!!

1 Year Photo Session

I have known Kellie since we were young and it still amazes me to think any of us are grown up enough to have kids! Well, we do and what better person to capture Jonathan's 1 year pictures than the one and only Kellie Day!! She is an awesome photographer that has taken some amazing pictures of our family over the past couple of years!! We love her and Clint (her husband) dearly and were honored to have her capture Jonathan at his 1 year milestone! The photos speak for themselves, Jonathan is ADORABLE and Kellie did a phenomenal job as usual!!! Thanks Kellie!

www.kelliedayphotography.com

Jonathan Michael Pike II turns 1!!!!!

This year we've learned more in our life

than we ever have before

how can we look into your eyes

and not simply just purely adore.

You taught us how to care for someone

more than we do for ourselves

to fear the little things in life

and cherish every moment that we share.

We've seen you struggle to roll over

and finally get it right

We've learned how to travel with a heavy stroller

and how to stay up late at night.

We've watched you crawl all over the place

we've heard you say mama and dada

we've cleaned sticky food off of your face

and wiped your tears when you get sad.

Every day we laugh and play

we sing along to Veggie Tale songs

everyday you brighten up our way

and teach us that with you our life is never wrong .

We cant wait to see you grow and learn

and do new things every day

We promise you our little boy

that we will be there to guide your way.

Just a year ago you were in mommys tummy

and today you are a toddler

We love you unconditionally

and everyday it gets much stronger.

Happy first birthday our precious son

We love you...you're our #1!!

Jonathan's very own cake!

Awesome "Truck" cake!

Presents!!!

Lego truck from Mommy & Daddy

Balloons!!!

"Happy Birthday to you!!!"

"What is this sticky stuff mom?!?!"

He definitely did not like the cake on him!!!

Awesome Mac Truck from Mimi & Opa!!!

Vacation & 11 months old

After a long but wonderful trip to Nashville for IMMERSE we were ready for some R&R at our houses in NC!! What better time to reflect on my week in music city than rocking on the front porch looking out across the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!!! Totally different from August in Florida that's for sure!! We spent 2 weeks doing some routine maintenance on the houses as well as enjoying the local annual crafts fair that comes to town!! We had such a great time and as usual did not want to return home!!

On a side note...Jonathan is growing by leaps and bounds and is a whopping 11 months old!! I cannot believe in less than a month he will be a year old! As a mother no one can prepare you for that 1 year birthday! It has come so quickly!! I am amazed at what Jonathan teaches me everyday! He is such a joy!! I have a feeling that he will be walking by his 1st birthday! He finally stood alone by himself! It is cute to watch him stand and then realize that he is doing it and then falls down!! He'll be running before I know it!! I know people think I'm crazy but I cannot wait for the day I can chase him around the house!! Keeps me young!! =)

When You Least Expect It

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at when I attended "The Gospel Post Convention and Fan Awards" in July because this was my first year participating. But, it was a great afternoon and evening of meeting new people and making new friends. Congratulations to all the winners in each category. Job well done! After being a member of the Gospel Post for just over a year I was finally able to put the monthly pictures and articles together with a real face. I enjoyed hearing each group minister in song as well as being able to sing my praises to Him for all He does for me “when I least expect it”!

Now as if that event wasn’t spectacular enough it just gets better! Next stop was

Nashville, TN to attend IMMERSE 2009, Gospel Music Association’s music training experience and competition. And what an experience it was!! I had an awesome week learning better how to engage people across generations to discover the promises and purposes of the Bible through music. It was a wonderful time also to learn better how to partner with other Christian churches and ministries to raise the level of music engagement across the whole church; and to promote, expose and celebrate the gospel through music. I also met some important artists, songwriters and producers. There are some God-sized doors opening for me and my future direction. Exciting news will continue in the months ahead just “when you least expect it”!