Peter's Baptism

Peter was baptized this evening at our church. Pastor DeMass gave a very nice message about Peter and Paul, and particularly Paul's endurance, courage, and godliness.

As you can see, Pastor Rayburn did the actual baptism.

Pastor DeMass reminded us that it was 4 years ago tomorrow night that we before the very same people and made our wedding vows.

Part of the baptism, of course, includes our vow to raise Peter in the "nurture and discipline of the Lord." After we make our vow, the congregation stands up and vows to do their part to help, encourage, support, etc.

I'm always struck by this, standing up for someone's child. It's a serious commitment in a day when I'm more often encouraged to commit to my own needs, hopes, etc.

I've not made many such public commitments before...few of us do. I think we'd all be better off if each of us had to think a bit more often and seriously about our commitment to things civic, social, and spiritual.

Enough...Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

It was just the three of us today--quiet and nice. We took a walk around Point Defiance, the big park at the very north of the city, along the waterfront. We baked, ate, listened to hymns and carols, napped, and such like. It was all very relaxing.
The Accidental Table--We just lit those candles, and had a nice table without even much trying...it's left over from earlier decoration.

As you can probably imagine, it was an exciting day--Peter's first Christmas, and all--made that much more fun with a little snow storm.
It didn't stick, but it was enough to get a picture or two.

Jackson collects (sort of) nutcrackers, and Miranda collects snow globes, so these two sit upon the mantle until those two come over tomorrow.

I tried 14 times

to get that last post to line up the right way. Blogger is not the easy editor for me to use, but the pictures are there, so I hope you enjoy them.

This one is of trampoliners on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, a Redux

It's kind of gloomy in Tacoma at the moment. About 40 and pouring rain, and forecast to be same for the next several days.
So, I thought it would be worth looking back at a few Thanksgiving pictures.

These two shots are of about the same place, from (my brother) Matt's house in Newcastle, CA.

That's Miranda at the start of the Fun Run on Thanksgiving morning...

and that's most of "finishing" the run. (We re-enacted it--that's the finish line, the gold arch behind us.)

Peter and Katie

Peter is very agreeable to being held by any and all, despite whatever that face is.

Katie came over after her semester at UPS was over, and we enjoyed a little holiday dinner. She's off to her family in Helena, MT. We wish her and them a Merry Christmas.

The Ladies' (and Peter's) Tea

Sandy and Miranda at tea with two friends and Peter.

Miranda reading to Peter

Miranda has very sweetly taken on a wide variety of responsibilities for Peter. She feeds him, holds him, swaddles him, reads to him, helps bathe him, etc.. She's doing very nicely with him.

I like that play mat...Peter thinks it's a bit garish and overdone, but he plays happily enough in it.

Peter and the table at which he can't quite sit yet

Peter in the hat and sweater Grandmim made him.

The table set for our first gathering of the Christmas season.

There is something wonderfully pleasing about a nicely appointed table. Probably one of the biggest benefits to Sandy and our guests is that I behave better at a formal table.

Thanksgiving Evening

12 (of the 14) grandchildren, ranging in ages from 6 weeks to 25 years.

Namesake

Uncle Paul holding Peter!

Then moving in to eat off Miranda's fork.

I am my father's son

For Kent Rohe, Jackson Andrew and Peter Melvin Paul

I am my father’s son, the saying goes.
Precisely what that means,
I never did quite know.

How right, though, to so describe
The man who leads and shapes
Your days, your heart, your tribe.

My honorific, to be sure
That he would embrace
This bond so deep and pure.

Yet, here the imagination strains--
This laurel he wins
When my sonship he gains?

For how, as son, don't I spurn
This birthright grander
Than any I could earn?

And what, as father, is he pondering
That he might have done
To keep me from manhood wandering.

So when I stop to reflect,
My own fathering blossoms
In knowing him imperfect.

Finally, I see, when my race is run
I hope my boys--become men--will delight to say
I am my father’s son.

Thanksgiving

I'll spread this out over several posts...
First, the "Holding Peter" series.
Everybody and his brother (and in this case, that expression seems right) wanted to hold him.

Of course, his grandmother held him a lot.

And his Aunt Catherine, and his Aunt Laurie.

And Aunt Pat, with Uncle Paul.

And Aunt Patty, with Uncle Matt.

And a cousin (Elizabeth).

And another cousin (Bethann).
His cousin Brett (to the left) held and fed him at Friday night's dinner, but we forgot the camera. Sorry Brett and Peter....


And another...Jen.

Hot Dog Man Cometh

Miranda fattening the hot dog, then trying to eat the hot dog.






Well we five are off to California tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving and my father's 80th birthday. I think about 26 or 27 of the 29 (I think it's 29) immediate Kent Miltons will be there. We are looking forward to a delightful time together--we don't all get in the same spot at the same moment that often, though this is the second time this year. Last June, we were all in S. California for Greg Pierce's wedding.

We pray Thanksgiving will be a blessed time for you and your family.

Peter at his first birthday party...his dad's.

Peter's grandfather turned 80 today, and his father turned 42.
He wanted that cake, but, alas...


Happily, everbody else got some.

Scenes from a shower

Sandy telling Katy and the assembled group about the adoption process.

Sandy listening to Joanne tell how to develop character in a child while also having fun.

Hey, nice Danskos, Sandy.

Is Rebekah so excited that she's trying to moderate her breathing?

Peter and Mrs. Paist

Mrs. Paist is a dear and long-time friend of Sandy's who lives near Olympia. She has been a model of contentedness for the more than 20 years they have been friends. Her frail body is ravaged by osteoporosis and she lives in substantial pain, but she has a kind and generous heart. We are both pleased that she had this opportunity to meet Peter...maybe a little of her gentle goodness will have rubbed off on him and us.