Baptism Day

Our family has been to several convert and friend baptisms this year, not to mention participating in Temple baptisms.  We have been filled with the spirit of missionary work and the blessings that come from joining The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints.

Nothing compares to the missionary work that MY LB and I do in our own home.  We have been teaching this fabulous girl about the Gospel for eight years.  Baring testimony, living as an example, reading scriptures and praying with her.  She was prepared for her special day.

 I always wonder about their ability to choose at the age of eight, to make a lifetime choice.  My wonders are always put at ease when that special day comes.  Each of my three baptized children reacted differently but all with a complete understanding of their choice.  They knew they were choosing to follow Christ and his example. 

Maggie's reaction "surprised" me, I walked into the restroom to help her get dressed and her little eyes were filled with tears and she said, "I didn't know it would feel this good."   She knew!

Yee-Haw for "8"

My sweet girl turned eight last month.  She was counting down from May 1st.  Since Maggie was three she has loved horses.  Last year we were able to ride horses for a homeschool fieldtrip, this sealed her passion. 

She has professed to me that she is going to marry a man with a horse, NOT a farm just a horse.  She spends all of her reading hours on horse books and knows exactly how to care for one if by some chance she ever happens to get one.

This interest of hers turned into a birthday theme.  No horses came to the party but lots of cowgirls!

 These cowgirls had a boot kicking, boogie woogie, ho down of a time!

The Piano Kids

We are still hard at play with the piano.  This was actually one of the kids favorite parts about the move (I said was, details to come).  They loved their new piano teacher and so did I.  She was fantastic with the kids and helped them to enjoy piano, something Matthew hasn't done for some time.  They played Music-opoly and picked their own music to play and enjoy.  The boys even printed some Zelda off the Internet to play and borrowed Halo music from Mrs. Leavitt's son.  Maggie spent most of her time in simplified Primary songs and even picked one of her favorites to play at her baptism.  Spencer perfected his favorite hymn, Praise To The Man and played it at the recital.  Matthew and Mrs. Leavitt worked for months on a duet they played together at the recital and it was simply amazing.  Big hugs and kisses to Mrs. Leavitt, we will miss her.

Their Music-opoly awards!

This is a picture of Maggie at her baptism playing her duet with her dad, Choose The Right Way.  After the  baptism Mrs. Leavitt told her she could keep the primary simplified song book.  Maggie was so excited, just that morning she said, "I am really going to miss this book".  Thanks Mrs. Leavitt!

P.S.  This little girl cried happy tears after her baptism and after her confirmation, hence the read eyes.

Man Do I EVER Need to Unload

My title makes it sound like I am about to have a total Bit, whine session.  Oh poor me, what shall I ever do.  Please hear me out and feel sorry for me.  NOPE, just way behind on this.....

MUST UNLOAD

If you have ever read my blog before then you know how much I LOVE bulk posts.  I can get an entire month in one post, that does not mean we are boring, it just means that I am good.  Or to lazy to post on a regular basis, see it how you will.

However, looking through our memories I have decided instead of doing a bulk post I am going to go on a blog-athon.  Or maybe just a blog-K, they're easier. 

First up.....

So many wonderful things have happened in our new ward in the way of missionary work,our family feels extremely blessed and our testimonies of God's plan for our family and our trust in Him has grown tremendously.  God is mindful of our family and we know this. 

In our new ward we met Brother Rex, wonderful man so full of Family History information and enthusiasm that he has more than enough to share.  That is what he did, he shared his knowledge with our family and specifically expressed his desire to teach the kids how to do Family History.  Did you know that the church has a specific website for youth interested in Family History?  Matthew's inbox on his email is always full of fun videos and stories that he enjoys looking at and reading.  Spencer especially took a liking to Family History and is now convinced that we are royalty because we are related to a Prince.  LOVE IT!!

We got busy right away and have been finding grandparents, great grandparents, great uncles and aunts and other relatives to share the gospel with.  We even found that my great grandma and one of my great uncles were baptized before they passed.  My great grandma married a Mormon man and the missionaries found my uncle.  Awesome! 

This is Matthew he is a Deacon now and has a Temple recommend.  He has been to the Temple three times already.  Twice with his youth group and once with his mom and dad.  Twice he brought family names that he helped prepare.  He is an amazing youth!

MY LB and I were so happy to be at the temple with him.  It was a beautiful, peaceful feeling that I could never put into words.

 On a lighter note (or heavier depending on what we ate), he was in shock that MY LB and I ate such good food when we went on dates without him.  This picture is of him loving the good eats and one on two attention.

More Temple work...

This past month I also found myself in the Salt Lake Temple doing family work.  This is a picture of the temple from the penthouse my fellow homeschool moms and I were staying at.

We went twice and they helped me with my family names. 

This last picture I may have thrown in to bulk this post a little.  This is my fantastic youth and his mommy at a Mother's Day dinner the youth of our church put on.  MY LB and I are so amazed at how well this boy is growing into a man (and how fast), he is on his second go around of reading Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Teen and never ceases to amaze us with his confidence, leadership skills, love for others and desire to serve.  Getting older definitely has its perks (I am not just talking about FREE babysitting).