Primary Program

Once a year, the primary(the children of the church) get to present the music and the talks during the sacrament meeting. The kids did a great job and it was even nice since there were so many people present, the overflow was opened and Oliver and I could push Evan inside the room instead of in the hallway.
Ryan's portion was actually a talk he had given in Primary in August so it was from him and wasn't a phrase assigned to him to memorize.
Here it is:
    Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to have loving families. The prophets tell us if we have fun together, our families will get stronger. I like when my family plays together, goes camping, goes on road trips, goes on walks and has family home evening. I love my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
He read it clearly and smoothly (not too fast like some of the other kids & not nervously). He wasn't overly content sitting there for the entire program or to sing all the songs out to the back, but for our energetic 6 year old, he did fantastic.

14 on the 14th

Fourteen pictures to document the fourteenth day of November.

Happy morning face. Extra happy since he got to see Daddy before he went to work.

Sad boy because I told him he didn't need to wear the snow boots.

I felt cute and pregnant today.

I made this and finally delivered it to the intended recipient who had her baby girl a few weeks ago.

In the process of delivering the baby hat, Jamie & Nathan gave me their car seat since they'd purchased a new one for their newborn. I was shocked but am so thankful!

Oliver hasn't been feeling well. While at the school earlier in the morning to work on swim team stuff, I asked Oliver if he wanted anything and all he wanted was a large hot chocolate. So I got that for him and a small smoothie for me.

Doing the swim practice day car switch.

Rainy day! Can't see the mountains.

Swim practice. Had the whole pool and not as many swimmers as normal, so we played a little more than normal.

On the way home from swim practice. Saw a little bit of color on those clouds. 

Dark in the house when I came home. Its sometimes hard to remember to turn the lights on so early in the day.

Rocking out to the dancing game.

Another view of boys during the dancing game.

And ending with an embarrassing dancing photo of me. Baby moved awkwardly at times while I attempted to dance.

Baptism

Eight years.
Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (via lds.org)

Eight years.
 46 But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;

 47 Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me; (D&C 29:46-47)

Eight years.

25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

 26 For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

 27 And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. (D&C 86:25-27)

Eight years.

With all of this information above being a part of my belief system and having my first born turn 8 years old, this was a milestone that I knew would pass without being commemorated. With Evan's spiritual & mental capabilities being at a level that I don't completely understand, I completely feel that he is not yet accountable. He is unable to show his desire to be baptized, nor agree to make a commitment such is required by this ordinance.

Here in Utah, they have these children's baptisms set up on a regular basis. Once a month, those who have turned 8, decided to  be baptized and been prepared for the commitment are brought together for these baptisms. I've never attended a baptism in Utah before and so I wanted to attend to honor this mark of life even though Evan wouldn't be participating. Oliver, Evan, Ryan & I went the Saturday after Evan's birthday to the stake baptisms. Beth came as well. There were 6 children receiving the ordinance that day, one girl from our own ward. There was a member of the stake presidency conducting the meeting at the beginning. Then everyone sang I am a Child of God before the opening prayer was given. Then one of the fathers of a set of twins getting baptized gave a talk about baptism. After that, each of the children getting baptized were introduced by the bishop of his or her ward. Then each child & the family & friends present for that child were sent to the baptistry for the actual ordinance to be performed and then assigned a room to complete the services.

I always feel a calming and strong reassurance during the performance of the baptism. The Holy Ghost testifies to me how right this ordinance is. Speaking of the Holy Ghost, after Alie (the young girl from our ward) was baptized, her grandmother gave a talk directly for her about the Holy Ghost. Then she was confirmed to receive the Holy Ghost as her constant companion. 

This year, I've seen four different views of the baptismal covenant. 1st, I saw all of these 8 year olds choosing to get baptized because they'd been raised with the knowledge up to this part of their life. 2nd, in March, I saw two teenagers and an adult (my beautiful family members) make the decision to be baptized after not being raised with the gospel in their lives, but after having it introduced to them later in life and taught to them by missionaries. 3rd, I witnessed family members who have passed away, be given the chance to accept the covenants when the ordinances were performed by proxy in the temple-the house of God. 4th, I saw my beautiful 8 year old not be baptized because he is unable to choose for himself. I don't know what the future will bring, but right now, his communication level isn't high enough nor do I believe is his accountability level high enough to choose this for himself.

Eight years. 

Halloween's a Great Day!

Our day was a good one with lots of fun, especially for Ryan who declared that Halloween is a great day even before we left to go trick or treating. We slept in (a little bit), ate orange and yellow eggs(yay for food coloring and cheese), relaxed, played, and ran an errand or two. Then Ryan helped me make mummy hot dogs for lunch and we watched Casper while I cleaned the kitchen. 

Dinner was a multi colored extravaganza (thanks again to food coloring) and then it was off to trick or treating. 

"And that must be BLOOD! AAHH!"

Red Super Mega Force Power Ranger

My attempt at a cheap mummy costume: eyes meant to be my little baby boy.

Superman!

Knocking at one of the cooler doors of the night-spiderwebs & smoke machine.

The first few houses, Evan decided it was awesome to just walk right into. He then got tired and I ended up pushing him for the rest of the streets. After we had knocked on enough doors(Ryan declared we were done, because his bag was getting too heavy to carry), we came back home, started watching Hotel Transylvania, and I let the boys dig into their treasures. I loved that in the giant bag of candy to choose from, the first treat they decided on was a bag of Cheetos. 

Ryan also decided to pop the "magic" popcorn given us by Grammy for Evan's birthday. 

Then we snuggled and colored until Daddy came home from the state band trip. It was a happy day for everyone. Easy, low-key, and fun.