Jacob's Baptism

We had our first baptism this year, and what a wonderful day it was!  We're so proud of you, Jacob, for making the decision to be baptized.  You've set a great example for your younger siblings!

 I told you that Jacob looks like a mini-Brandon in his suit!  He wanted one just like his dad.  Don't they both look handsome?

Here is our family on Jacob's baptism day!

 Jonah wasn't about to be outdone by his older brother's photo shoot session.  He wanted his picture taken too! 

And here's our handsome baptism boy!

Daddy and Jacob are in their whites ready for the baptism outside of the church.  The baptismal program was simple and wonderful.  Uncle Chris played the piano, Aunt Natalie led the music.  Our wonderful Bishop conducted and gave a perfect talk on the Holy Ghost, complete with visuals.  Jacob's Papa and Uncle Justin were the witnesses.  And my darling niece Hannah was on "Jonah Duty" so that I could enjoy the day!  Nanny and Grandma gave the prayers.  And his sweet primary teachers gave a talk on baptism.  The Spirit was definitely present, and even Jacob felt it.  During the closing song, he leaned over to me and started sobbing.  I was completely caught off guard and hoped something hadn't upset him.  Later that night when we were alone I asked him why he had cried.  "It's because I was so happy, Mom."  My heart swelled to think that he knew the Spirit when he felt it and knew he had made the right decision to be baptized!

I didn't get any pictures of this, but after the baptism we had everyone over for root beer floats and cookies.  That's the food Jacob wanted to have.  Oh, and he thought we'd better have a veggie tray too for a little healthy food.  Good idea, Jacob!

Later that night we went to Red Robin to celebrate.  We were so grateful to have Grandma in town to share the day with us!

The next day we got a special visit from Great-Grandpa, the only one Jacob has left now.  He congratulated Jacob and gave him a coveted box of Bluebird Chocolates!  Boy, were those hard to leave alone!

I look forward to more of these special days with the rest of our children.  We're so proud of Jacob and the righteous boy he has become.  The Primary Presidency gave him a beautiful journal, which he wrote in after his baptism.  I had shown him my journal entry from my baptism as an eight year old girl.  He'll have those feelings written down forever now about how he felt on that special day.  And, maybe he'll be able to show it to his own son one day on his baptism.

Jacob Turns 8!!!

Jacob turned eight years old this summer!  I can't believe it!  On even birthdays the kids have a family party, no friends!  But with so much family living close by and counting so many of our cousins AS our friends, family parties are just as much fun as friend parties!  In anticipation of his upcoming baptism, Jacob got some important gifts, but not necessarily fun one's.  He loved everything and continues to enjoy and use all of his presents.

Dad & Mom gave him scriptures with his name engraved on them. He pulls them out often - anytime somebody says "scriptures" because he's so happy to have a grown-up set of his own.  

Grandma made Jacob his very own Remembrance book where she started his genealogy and had copies of a lot of important information for him.  It was truly a labor of love to put together!  Thanks, Grandma!  Grandma & Grandpa also sent him a more mature looking watch, which he wears all the time and announces the time to everyone.

 Nanny & Papa's tradition is to give each of their grandchildren at age 8 a special, symbolic picture.  Nanny found this beautiful picture of the prophet Jacob from the Book of Mormon.  Unfortunately, prints are not available.  But leave it to Nanny to work her magic!  She contacted the artist himself and he released the image to her.  So Jacob has a one of a kind picture hanging on his wall!  Nanny, you're amazing . . .  and so is the picture!  Jacob loves it!

 Dad & Mom also gave Jacob a new suit!  He truly looks like a mini-Brandon!

Jacob wanted a pirate cake this year, I think mostly because there are 8 candles for cannons sticking out of the sides of the ship.

Happy Birthday, Jacob!  You are such a fun boy to be around, so full of life and enthusiasm!  You are definitely strong willed, and I hope that will serve you well in life.  I often think how if it's channeled correctly it could be one of your greatest assets.  I feel the weight of that responsibility as your mother.  You love reading, only when forced, but enjoy it when forced.  Mostly you love riding your bike, playing with friends, working with your dad outside, and playing sports.  You are very social and rarely do anything alone.  Many days your zest for life wears me out, but I love it all the same!  We love you so much!

Hangin' with the Walmartians

So what does it say about my life that one of the many late night cashiers at Walmart knows and recognizes me?  (Yes, Walmart is still a hoppin' place late at night, though a bit scary.)  It says either that my life is full of so many good things that the only time I have to do my weekly shopping is late on Saturday nights OR that I have let my life get so out-of-control crazy that the only time I have to do my weekly shopping is late on Saturday nights.

I prefer to think it's the first idea.

I Guess It's That Time . . .

. . . time for me to lose weight AGAIN!  After each baby I'm always amazed at how big I allow myself to get before I do something about it, never quit reaching my goal before the next baby comes along.  I came to terms years ago, even before bearing children, with the fact that I will never be a darling, tiny little girl in all the latest fashions.  My body's just not built that way (thanks, Dad).  My sisters got my mom's genes and ARE darling, tiny little girls.

Anyway, between now being up to baby number four and my frustrations with Jonah I have hit numbers on the scale I never thought I'd see.  So I'm taking drastic measures!  I signed up for a 36 week weight loss study!  Yep!  You read that right.  THIRTY-SIX WEEKS!!!  That's ALMOST an entire pregnancy!  I begged my sister-in-law, Kimber, to join me so someone could empathize with me  . . . oh, and work out with me too!  Our poor husbands probably sit at the office together (they're brothers and work together) eating yummy, sugary treats loaded with LOTS of carbs (oh, like those divine cinnamon and sugar breadsticks with the delicious cream cheese frosting drizzled all over it . . . mmmmm . . .) and complain about how grouchy their wives are (due to genetics our husbands will also NEVER be overweight). 

So if you see me soon with a scowl on my face, that's because I can't eat my comfort food and I'm grouchy.  I wouldn't recommend dropping by my house from 4 until 6 p.m. when it's crunch time with the kids, and I'm at my hungriest and grouchiest time.  You might hear a little yelling.  And if I'm walking funny or can't lift up my arms, that's because I'm sore from my workouts.  But hopefully if you see me in a couple of months I'll be thinner and happier!  I don't know what this group is studying for the weight loss study, but I'll let you know if it works!  Wish me good luck and bring on the veggies!!!

My Busy Little Body

My name is Nathan and I am one busy little guy!  Mom has to keep all the doors shut so I don't get into stuff  . . . but stuff is SO fun to get into!  I'm walking pretty fast now.  I love to climb up the stairs when Mom isn't looking (but I can't come back down yet), play in the toilets, unroll the toilet paper, turn the computer off and on (that beeping sound is so fun to make), chew on books, pull out all the pots and pans, empty the boxes of baggies one by one, chew and pull on cords, empty the trash, empty the bathroom cabinets, and climb inside of drawers, boxes and other small containers.  These are among SOME of my favorite things to do.  Sometimes Mom gets frustrated, but with my winning smile and a little snuggling, I'm quickly forgiven.  Yep!  There are definite advantages to being the youngest!

Back to School Again

Well, it's that time of year again . . . SCHOOL!!!  We had a busy, fun summer and now it's back to routines and a different kind of busy.  I have to say, school is a beautiful thing!  I think my kids were ready to have a break from me as much as I was ready to have a break from them!  Sarah has a wonderful teacher this year, and Jacob  . . . well, the verdict is still out on that one . . . we'll see.  Sarah was pretty worried about leaving Mom on that first day, but her teacher was so wonderful that the problem was quickly solved.

Even Jonah started preschool this year!  It's a year earlier than we've started the other kids, but we're trying to get some extra help for him and felt this would be a start.  (More on that later.)  Jonah loves preschool and is so stinkin' cute wearing his little Cat in the Hat backpack to class.  He could use Jacob's old blue one, but he loves the Cat in the Hat!  AND it's been a much needed break for me!  Alleluia!  It may be terrible to say, but it's just true!  Having only happy little Nathan with me for several hours a week is like heaven!

Sarah Turns 6!

Sarah turned 6 years old last month!  Why do they grow up so fast?  (I guess sometimes I wonder why does it take so long for them to grow up :)?)  Brittany and her family were here for the event!  It was so fun to celebrate with them.   

 Sarah wanted this flower cake.  Making the kids' cakes is a complete stress to me.  It was SO wonderful to have Brittany here to help me.  She decorated all of the flowers and rolled out the leaves.  And it was fun making it together!

 Grandma & Grandpa gave Sarah some new doll clothes.  Luckily she had a similar ballet outfit so they could match.  She could hardly wait to change her clothes  . . . which actually happens about 20 times a day.  It's a girl thing, right?

Nanny & Papa gave her this fun cupcake set that she can decorate and a "Sarah" key chain.  She loves them!

Anson, Aaron, Rachel & Andrew gave her a jump rope and hula hoop!  She's been asking for those all summer!  And her brothers gave her the movie Tangled.

Sarah has been sharing a room with Jacob for 4 years, so we decided to give her a girl room for her birthday!  Brandon worked so hard on repairs in the room and painting it just perfect!  And, because I'm decoratively impaired Donna & Shauna helped me shop and make decisions on Sarah's room.  Thank you so much for your help!  Sarah loves her room and having her own space.  Brandon was worried his old furniture was too masculine for his little princess, but with the right accessories it works great! 

I contributed my old fancy dolls that my grandma had given me as a girl for the desk hutch.  She knows they're not to play with, but I know it's pretty hard for her to resist sometimes.  It's fun to see them out again.

We're so happy to have our little Sarah in our family.  She brings so much joy to us.  She is friends to everyone and an absolute delight.  She is quick to share and sacrifice for others.  She can be heard singing in our home at all times of the day and loves to dance.  Sarah loves to play with her friends and her baby brother Nathan.  She very affectionate and loves to snuggle with her daddy.  We love you Sarah!!!