This is Joshua's favorite thing to do.
This is my favorite 8 year old.
This is my favorite candid picture of his cute face.
Our Dancing Queen
2 months ago
Joshua made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized on April 10, 2010. We were all looking forward to this day! We had grandmas and granddads, and an auntie come into town... and finally the day came!
Joshua's big day!
As usual for us, things do not go as planned. Right when we were about to start the baptism, a lady came into the room and told us that she was sorry, but we were all going to have to evacuate the building because there was smoke coming from the Stake President's office. So we left and waiting outside, watched as several fire trucks arrived.
We waited and waited for the fire fighters to find the source of the smoke and give us the OK to go back in and proceed.
Joshua's big day!
These pictures were taken just before the baptism started.
As usual for us, things do not go as planned. Right when we were about to start the baptism, a lady came into the room and told us that she was sorry, but we were all going to have to evacuate the building because there was smoke coming from the Stake President's office. So we left and waiting outside, watched as several fire trucks arrived.
We waited and waited for the fire fighters to find the source of the smoke and give us the OK to go back in and proceed.
Several people from our group, waiting...
Joshua and Brent did NOT have time to change out of their baptismal clothing...but Brent did run in and grab shoes.
Toby anxiously watching the fire fighters climb onto the roof
Joshua and boys watching and waiting...
Starting to wonder if we were going to be able to go back in...
a bunch of adorable, waiting boys...
(Some are getting bored of watching)
After waiting for an hour and they still hadn't found the source of the smoke, the bishop gave us the option of having Joshua's baptism later that evening in another church building (in a town 20 miles south), or to wait until the next day...Sunday. We chose to have it later that evening since everyone was already out and ready for a baptism. And just when we were about to leave...the fire fighters FOUND the source of the smoke! It was a broken fan belt in the furnace.
So...we were able to go back in and proceed with the baptism. And it was LOVELY. And Joshua was SO happy as he said he was 'filled with joy'. He also said that he just knew Elsa was there watching...and I'm sure she was! This was so special because it is the beginning step for us to get our whole family together...so that after this life there will be "no empty chairs at our table".
Joshua, we are so proud of you! You have studied this decision and have chosen by yourself to take this step and follow Jesus.
President Ezra Taft Benson said "God intended the family to be eternal. With all my soul, I testify to the truth of that declaration. May he bless us to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family member so that in due time we can report to our Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all there--father, mother, sister, brother, all who hold each other dear. Each chair is filled. We are all back home."
President Ezra Taft Benson said "God intended the family to be eternal. With all my soul, I testify to the truth of that declaration. May he bless us to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family member so that in due time we can report to our Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all there--father, mother, sister, brother, all who hold each other dear. Each chair is filled. We are all back home."
Just a few pictures from our Utah trip that I missed:
from Little Mountain
we can't help missing these brown, snowy mountains
SNOWBALL FIGHT!
a simple pleasure...
We had fun doing these together on Saturday night.
Brent made an egg by many names...that is all the many names that Brent calls an egg by.
I made an Elsa egg-baby and an official Easter egg.
We didn't have much going on Sunday...the Easter Bunny brought some snacks for the boys to eat during General Conference...no candy, as they had enough from the Harry Potter Party. It was great. It really was the best, most simple Easter ever. Never in my life has Easter meant so much to me.
HOPE
LIFE
A new beginning
tears of JOY
Elsa
General Conference (our church broadcasts instruction from our leaders twice a year): It seemed like every. single. talk. was meant just for me. Talk after talk were about death, the resurrection, parenting, children, love. I have uploaded the podcasts to my ipod, and I can't wait to listen to them all over and over.
The culmination of conference for me, was the Sunday morning talk by President Thomas S. Monson. For days and weeks before this, I have been greatly troubled by my feelings of missing Elsa...and looking for peace, comfort and answers to some personal questions through prayer. Hearing this talk did not help me to NOT miss Elsa less...BUT, if I ever had a doubt in my mind in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Plan of Salvation, and my church...more specifically the prophetic abilities of our Prophet. especially pertaining to me. little. old. me. Just one person out of billions in this earth. Each of us suffering our own trials to one extent or another. There is no doubt to me now. And I am willing to let you all know. That even though it is hard, I am willing to trust. I have to trust. All of this is so real. I just HAVE to let you know.
This scripture keeps coming to my mind over and over:
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
I know it is for me now...but it takes work. Daily work...to feel that peace and have that trust.
We had a little party with some of his closest buddies. It was a Harry Potter party.
First, we brought all the boys into "Honeydukes Sweet Shoppe" to sample some treats:
The next thing we did was a potions class. 'Professor Snape' came and helped the boys mix up a potion with petrified dinosaur bones (sugar), cobra venom (lemon juice) and Himalayan Dragon Scales (fizzy fruit drink tablets). It was a delicious fruit punch with a fizz!
"Professor Snape"
Next professor snape mixed up some "slug slime" for the boys to play with:
We used the recipe for 'flubber,' which is elmer's glue mixed with water and borax mixed with water. When you pour it together, it instantly gels and makes this wiggly gross substance that young boys love to play with. Caution: the borax is toxic, so it is not recommended for younger children.
Next we had a 'dragon egg' hunt in the front yard...the grounds keep Hagrid needed the boys to help clean up a bunch of dragon eggs that were laid on school grounds. They were golden chocolate eggs. (Yeah, we realized that we did a little too much candy!!!)
Finally after cake, ice cream and presents, we award each young wizard their own light up Harry Potter wand. Fun was had by all!
Joshua's 'cake" was a giant chocolate chip cookie...as requested by the birthday boy. It was a 'giant' success...hahaha!
Happy, fun day!
