Peter's Baptism Day

Nothing about this day was taken for granted by Mom. Inwardly I had been dreading this day for months and months. Since Brandon is no longer interested in participating in church, I knew Peter would need to have someone else preform this special ordinance. As the months drew closer to his 8th birthday I knew he would need to make a decision. The decision got ever harder when my parents moved to Missouri unexpectedly. For weeks and weeks Peter debated over the list of names we had written out together. Finally, he asked me if we could email Grandpa Thomas a note. This is what it said:

Hi Grandpa,

Would you be willing to baptize me? It's Dec 3rd at 9am.  Come at 8:30am to get ready.

Love Peter 

 
Peter was so excited to get it sent off, and he was determined to write it all out himself. It took us almost an hour to get it perfect. I notified Mom T. that an email was coming to Dad at his work account so he could check it. A few hours later Peter checked his email and he had this response back from Grandpa:

Peter,

Yes, it would be my honor to baptize you. Thank you for asking me.

Love grandpa,

Peter was so thrilled. The day of his baptism was an early one. He needed to be at the church at 8:30 and we all needed to be there with him. Before we left the house I managed to get a few pictures of us. 

Shortly after arriving at the church building Grandpa and Grandma T. joined us. We took more pictures, and then the meeting started.

Luke was a little pill through the meeting part, but when it came to Peter's turn to get into the font he was memorized. No doubt he will remember this day too when his special day comes in two years. Peter was especially lucky to have his best friend Blake baptised with him on the same day. Kimball and Ella were also baptised on the same day too. November was a good month to have babies that year.

After the baptism Grandpa gave him a wonderful blessing. Grandpa was truly inspired from above.

Peter you are one of your Heavenly Father’s chosen sons. He loves you as your family loves you. We bless you that you will be an example to your family that you will fight for faith and stand up for what is right. We bless you that through your example others will be strengthened. Peter I bless you with discernment that you might know clearly right from wrong. That you will stay clear from that which is wrong with the understanding that Satan desires to have you. We bless you with, not only the desire, but with the strength to stay clear of his temptations that you may remain worthy that you are right now as clean and pure as you ever will be. I bless you with a desire to remain that way. Peter I also bless you that you may continue to foster your talent for music that you will be able to use it in the service of our Father in Heaven. I promise you that it will bring great joy to your life……

Sadly, Luke was being crazy at the end of the blessing so I wasn't able to get all of the words he said, but what we did get was a treasure. We love Grandpa and are so glad he was willing to baptize Peter. We also had other family members join us for the morning.

Great-Grandma Mary Thomas

Grandpa & Grandma Thomas

Uncle Morgan & Aunt Amy Heath

Uncle Shawn,Aunt Alicia, Cousin Morgan & Lucy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly, our house was in the middle of a Living Room redo so we didn't invite anyone over afterwards. It was a great day anyway and we are so happy for Peter. He is growing up to be such an amazing kid.

Conquering Fears

I pretty much have two fears. The first is heights - hate them, always will. The second is driving in Salt Lake County. I even hate driving up there when Brandon is driving the car. But, I finally decided it was time to go up and meet all the people that work with Brandon. I had heard so many funny stories about them, or things that happened to them that I wanted to know what they all looked like. So, the boys and I took a day and went up.

Admittedly, it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. We also made it up there in just under an hour. The boys loved eating at Papa's little table and I just enjoyed being up there with him. He is my favorite person to be with. The people we met were so, very nice (but it still made me miss our UVU coworker friends) and they crowded around the boys like they had never seen children before. It was hilarious.

We made many promises to come back for another visit soon. The boys also really enjoyed their chips there, so Peter got vacuum duty. Then we went on a little walk outside before leaving. The boys were thrilled that they had the sprinklers on. The grounds crew were preparing the sprinklers for winter. Both boys got a bit wet, laughed a whole lot, and had lots of student gawking at them. But, it made for a great memory and I can't wait to go back. Picnics with Papa are one of my favorite things to do.

Battlecreek Falls

Home school Field trips are the best. I would never know about how many awesome things there are to do if I wasn't part of so many home school Facebook groups. On this day we went up to Pleasant Grove and hiked up to Battlecreek Falls. Brandon and I lived in PG for 5 years and I never even heard about this place.

We had such a wonderful time going, even though it was a super cold day. I was blown away by how large the falls were. And, even though the water was freezing the boys were all about getting in and soaking themselves. After we finished our hike we met Grandpa & Grandma T for lunch at McDonalds in PG.  It was a fun day all around.

Cub Scouts

Despite my inward pleadings, Peter has now joined the ranks of cub scouts.I never really understood the appeal for the scouting program. But, Peter has LOVED his new adventure. He thinks his uniform is the greatest and if I suggest that a scout wouldn't act disrespectful he is quick to change his attitude.

Peter got very lucky and he was able to go to an Adventure Camp before he even had his first Den Meeting. It was also pretty adorable seeing Brandon help Peter figure out how to put on his neckerchief. I feel like the tide is turning and he will no longer my little boy anymore. While I am excited for the future, I also look back 

to the past with sadness. I do feel blessed that I've had such an active part in his educational life though. I hope he will look back and have many good childhood memories.

Celebrating Veterans Day

Brandon's grandfather served in World War II in some very big battle. After his death, the family discovered his journals and it really is amazing that he even survived the war when the vast majority of men that served with him didn't.

As a tribute to him, and many other soldiers who gave their life for our country, I am teaching my boys to be patriotic. This year for Veterans Day we didn't get a flag in our yard from the scout groups in our neighborhood. It was sad because we typically recite the Pledge of Alliance outside on the days they bring it to our yard. Since we didn't, we made a trip to our city cemetary and visited the Veterans Monument they have there. It is a touching memorial and I shed a few tears as I pondered on the sacrifice so many young men and woman give/gave.

Before leaving we made sure to do the Pledge of Alligence with the flag they luckily had waving proudly there. I will be forever grateful for the blessing I have to live in the USA and those who serve to keep wickedness and destruction from consuming our nation.

Homeschool fieldtrip

In November one of the homeschool groups we are a part of went to the Bean Museum. We needed something to do that week so we went along. Every time we go the boys have to take a picture of them howling with the wolf. It is so hilarious. I'm pretty sure this statue is going to be part of their favorite childhood memories. I've never gotten in trouble for letting them climb all over it, so I hope it was built for that purpose.

The best way to lose a tooth

It's a bit difficult to tell what this pile of brown yuck is, but it is the remnants of a chocolate frog and a tooth. Peter was enjoying a frog the day after his birthday. He suddenly started gagging. This pile of yuck landed on the counter and we all got so excited. I think it was such fun way to lose a tooth. Hurray for chocolate frogs.