Roger's Baptism

Roger's baptism was such a sweet experience.

This kid has been awaiting his baptism for a long time. He was excited to take this step, and his special day proved to not disappoint.

I was so impressed, touched, and humbled with the help I received from friends and church members. Leading up to the baptism, I had several people offer to bring some sort of food or treat to the baptism. Though I was planning on buying most of the food and desserts (right now I don't have a lot of time or energy to make everything), I didn't turn down help and offers. I was stunned when I walked into the kitchen at the church to see the food that people had brought. Their contributions made the food spread perfect.
But the service that we received did not stop there. People helped set the food up, people set up the tables and chairs that we were going to be eating at. Up to the moment the baptism started, there were people (men and women) bringing chairs into where we were meeting to ensure there were enough seats.  I was amazed and touched at the help that we received. We are so very fortunate to be in such an awesome ward. The members of our church have helped us so much, and honestly, if I were them I would avoid me (pregnant woman, 5 kids, 1 Special Needs) like the plague. But instead of avoiding me, or even being critical of our family planning choices, they have been nothing but supportive and loving.
The meeting started out with my boys, and Roger's favorite cousin - Jackson, singing "I Feel My Savior's Love". It was so cute and sweet.

My mom gave a talk on Baptism. She told me that she was taking a different approach, which can be a little scary, but I trusted her. It turned out really good. She talked (and cited scriptures) about how baptism involves water, blood, and the Spirit and compared it to when we are born physically.
It was time for Roger to get baptized. Todd and Roger went into the font, Todd said the Baptismal prayer, and Roger willingly went under the water. Roger didn't plug his nose, but with his experience of swimming so much, I don't think he minded. When Roger came out of the water, he gave Todd a big hug before getting out.

Someone had wisely decided that instead of everyone returning to the Relief Society room where we were all cramped for space and over-heating, that we should go to the chapel for the rest of the meeting.

In the chapel, we had more room and the AC was a welcomed relief. One of Roger's favorite past Primary teachers, Erica, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. The decision to have Erica speak was a divine one, that was carefully directed.
In preparing for Roger's baptism, I had felt impressed to focus on Christ, and on His ministry in Jerusalem. Without expressing this to Erica, she had put her focus on the same thing. She quoted biblical scriptures that pointed to the need of the Holy Ghost. She also spoke of when she was recently baptized and how she was able to feel the Holy Ghost.

Then went the Confirmation of the Holy Ghost on Roger. Todd performed the ordinance, with his dad, the Bishop, and the Stake President in the circle.  One day I was telling the boys who they were named after. Each of the boys have a name after a prophet of the church, except Roger. As we were discussing their names, I pulled out my phone and googled for an LDS church leader with the name of either Roger or Patrick. To my dismay, nothing came up. Our Stake President's middle name is Roger, so I told Roger that. Since then, he has felt that he has a special bond with the SP.

After the Confirmation, our dear Bishop spoke, officially welcoming Roger into the church. He also bore his testimony. He is such a great man who loves God and loves to serve His children.

After that, we had closing prayer and we went into the Primary room for food.
The food was perfect. We had sandwiches, veggies, fruit, chips, cake and other desserts. The company was even better. I have such wonderful friends, we really are so blessed.

I was grateful for how well everything had gone and for all of the help and support that was given. I felt such love and peace and still am very grateful for such a wonderful day. I am so grateful for Roger being the boy he is. He was very excited about his baptism and he really pondered about the importance of it.

Grandma's Example

At my grandma's funeral last week, I was reminded of something my grandma did when my dad was growing up.
Every day, around the same time, my grandma would escape (for she did have 13 kids) to the bathroom for a few minutes. During this time, my grandma would put on make-up and "freshen up" in anticipation for my grandpa coming home from work.
This really impressed me, especially now being a mother and wife. When Todd and I were dating, I did my hair and make-up 90 percent of the time (minus the time we went camping with the Microbiology club, ya, we're nerds). But it seems that almost immediately after taking my wedding make-up off and putting away my wedding dress, I started only really doing my hair and make-up on Sundays. My family would tease me that Todd must really look forward to church for that is when I looked good.

Went from this

To this

Now that we've been married a little longer, I do put on make-up and do my hair more than once a week, but not by much. I've never been one that puts a lot of emphasis on that, and when you have several kids to take care of and a household to manage, it's amazing how low of a priority looking good becomes.
But upon hearing of my grandma's devotion, I've been very impressed to try to emulate her example. To me, it makes sense. How much more would my husband enjoy coming home to his beautiful wife, versus the woman in t-shirt and ponytail that looks like she just woke up, but in reality she's only gotten a few hours of precious sleep? But it's more than about how a wife looks physically, it's about the message the wife is sending to her husband.
I loved that my grandma saw my grandpa's homecoming each day as a special time. She made an effort to be excited about it, rather than just relived. And how encouraging were her efforts to my grandpa? Regardless of whatever stress and grief he got at work, he came home to someone that said, by word and deed, "Welcome Home! You are important to us!" Would not this promote a happier marriage?
I decided to challenge myself to follow my grandma's example. I have always tried to make the house cleaner (or seem that way) whenever Todd gets home from work, but that is not always what happens, and I can definitely make a greater effort. I am trying to look more desirable for when Todd gets home. My grandma didn't have humidity that frizzed out her hair, but that doesn't mean I can't try to tame it. I tried it for the first time yesterday, and even though my hair ended up in a bun for there was no controlling the fly-aways, I did put on make-up.
When Todd got home from work, one of the first things he said was that he liked my make-up. Then he asked what was going on. Yes, I wear it that infrequently.
I told him what I was striving to do, and it did help that he noticed. Most of all, I hope he notices the effort I am putting forth to make him more happy.
Todd is an incredible husband. He does so much for me and the kids. He works so hard at work, and he works as equally hard at home. He has been noticing my lack of energy and has been trying to take on even more.
The other day I got home from running errands with all the kids. The task of just carrying Evelyn and all of her bags inside was about enough to just overtake me. I was so grateful to see Todd's car in the drive-way. When I pulled up, I honked the horn to let him know we were home, hoping he would get the clue to come out and help us into the house.
Instead of being upset at being honked at, Todd came out and teased me. He said that my honk interrupted his prayer. When I honked he was in the middle of praying that I would be able to have more energy and that he would know how to help me more. I was so touched that he had not only been aware of my needs, but turned to God to help both me and him.
That is a man worth spending a few minutes putting on make-up so that I can tell him by my actions that he is important to me.

4th of July

Our 4th of July celebration started with Evelyn having Speech Therapy. Yes, I am a mean mom, making my girl do therapy on a holiday, but I did let her skip it the week before for her birthday. 

Once Evee's therapist left, we got loaded up on our bikes and biked to watch the local parade.
We had to show off how cute Evee looked. (I love having a girl)

Then we went for a BBQ at my friend, Bonnie's house. My five kids played with her five kids.

Actually, my youngest just leaned on her youngest. I don't think her daughter appreciated it much.

After lunch/dinner Todd had to go to work. I dropped Evelyn off with her awesome nurse Cheryl, then the kids and I went to the beach with Bonnie's family to play and watch the fireworks there.

This is just Bonnie and my kids. The best part is Bonnie looks like she is about 20 years-old

And of course, the fireworks