Thursday, February 28, 2013
Moving
So, I think I have said this before, but this move has been hard on me. I have struggled to meet people that I really "click" with and that is really difficult for me. I need friends. I want people to hang out with, have girl's nights with, swap tending with etc. etc. and as of yet, there is no one here that fits that bill. What has been the toughest is the ward. As a general rule, most of my close friends in life have been from church. This ward is really interesting though. I have tried to pinpoint what it is and have come up with a few things. First, there is no energy in the ward. As far as I know, no one really ever does anything. That is so strange to me. Every ward I have ever been in there has been a strong social network, especially among the women. This ward definitely does not have that. It has made the transition even harder. I have tried to plan things, but there is no response. I think along with the energy is that the sisters in the ward are just not unified. There is no sisterhood among sisters. I am not sure how you get this to change. I am trying, I really am and I hope I can have some positive influence, but it seems to be a long running problem in the ward. I received a new calling as the enrichment leader and I am really hoping to get the sisters to come out for activities and hopefully start to improve this. It is requiring a lot of work because I feel like sisters are only going to come when they feel like something is really special and to make something seem that way requires fancy fliers, posters and enticements. So, wish me luck. I need it more than they might. Actually, that is not true, I have talked to a number of other women who feel the same.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Jackson's Baptism
This is an important enough event that I needed to get on it. It was a really special day. Leading up to it I would, on occasion, as Jackson if he was excited and I would get answers such as, "well, I want to do it because I know you want me to do it." or "no, I don't like people watching me" (yeah right). So, it was so great to wake up on Monday morning, his birthday and see him so excited. In the church, baptism at 8 is an important covenant, but also a right of passage in many ways. You become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a mom, it is a huge milestone and it seemed so far away for so long. How can I possible have an 8 year old. Where have the years gone?
My parents came in to town the week before and my mom was so helpful and generous as we got things pulled together. Everyone kept reminding me to keep it simple, yeah yeah, I know, but I am also not going to have a plain table up front. So, I planned to make a CTR banner, burlap pennant, flowers, and pictures. I went back and forth as to what to do for food, but finally decided on cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was nixed at the last minute after I made a trial run and felt like I was drinking liquid chocolate. I know that doesn't sound like a horrible thing, but it was too sweet for even my sweet tooth. We (me, my mom and DeEtte) decided at the last minute to get some milk and water and call it good. It was a good call.
George and DeEtte arrived on Saturday. It was a busy day. Douglas got called into work and had to leave as soon as he dropped his parents off at the house. He worked until four. Yuck. Luckily I had planned a sitter for the evening so the adults went out for Mexican food and Ted Drew's frozen custard. I am really lucky because our parents get along so well. They actually enjoy each other's company. Douglas and I comment often about how blessed we are that both of us like our "in-laws" so much. We laughed and laughed all evening. Good times. And the cheese dip wasn't too shabby either.
Speaking of which, I need to stop eating like a crazy woman.
Sunday was busy as well. I was running around trying to make sure I had everything checked off my list. Church was at 1pm and Bennett was in especially good form so I cut out early with my parents and DeEtte and we came home so he could nap. I knew he would be missing a nap the following three days too, so he needed it!
My mom and DeEtte set to work making the cinnamon rolls. I just sat back and watched. It was quite delightful. And, after many taste tests, I can assure you that they are both equally delicious. My mom put together a great dinner of flank steak, mango salad, asparagus and couscous. Also delicious. Not sure why I feel the need to spell out every meal, but I do. What can I say, I like food!
We watched Downton that night as well. Sad. Sad.
Monday started early. My mom so graciously ran out to get white unders (oops) and milk for the baptism. I got up and got ready and headed out to tackle everyone else. Can I say how awesome it is to have help? I could get used to having extra hands around that love my kids and want to help. I got ready and had to head out and get the programs printed. That went smoothly and we headed out to the stake center. There wasn't a whole lot to do, but I wanted to have enough time to get the things set up I had hoped for a take a few pictures. I think I was more nervous than anyone. I had made a CTR banner and and burlap pennant and hung those up front. I put some pictures of Jackson on the table and some flowers and my Christus from Jerusalem. DeEtte got all the food set up which was a big help. George kept Benny busy and my mom and dad helped me. When Jackson and Douglas arrived I helped J change into his white clothes.
I have two regrets from the baptism. First, I didn't take enough pictures and my flash wasn't firing which I knew I needed. Instead of fixing it, I just went forward. A lot of the pictures turned out blurry. Second, Jackson and my dad sang a song during the baptism and I didn't record it. That makes my heart hurt. What was I thinking. I am so bummed and mad at myself. Uggg.
We had a few families from the ward come and our next door neighbor and her girls. It was a nice turnout. DeEtte gave a really nice talk about baptism. Jackson and my dad sang, "When I Get Baptized". Jackson has a really nice voice. After the song Douglas baptized Jackson. It was a nice baptism. Douglas had practiced with J so he knew what to expect. J looked so happy. It was such a great moment for me as his mother.
I went in to help Jackson change after the baptism. When we came out my mom gave a talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost. Douglas confirmed Jackson a member of the church and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost on him. In the blessing he talked about how his intelligence is a gift from Heavenly Father and that it is a great gift and that the Holy Ghost will work with that gift and help him know right from wrong and when he is on the path back to Heavenly Father. He also talked about Christ's atonement and how he needs to use it to become more like Christ. It was a really beautiful blessing. I feel blessed to have a worthy priesthood holder as my husband.
We then sang a closing song and George said the closing prayer.
And...the cinnamon rolls were a major hit. They were delicious. In fact, Jackson ate so many that he was too sick to eat a burger at Five Guys (his choice) after. He went back to the car and laid down because he felt so yucky. Poor boy! All of the rest of us enjoyed it though!! Yum. There is nothing quite like a good burger!
Unfortunately, George and DeEtte had to leave in the afternoon, so we came home and opened gifts. We gave J some scriptures, a journal and pocket knife. His grandparents gave him some money, a scripture cover, a baseball mitt and a couple of balls, and an art kit. His sister gave him a Skylander character. He was a pretty happy boy!
I tried to talk J out of a birthday cake because we had been eating so much junk, but he was not interested in that! HA! So, I made him a smores cake...It was delicious. It had a graham cracker crust, hershey bar and marshmallow cream middle and graham cracker on top. Yum. So, we ended the day with cake and a round of Bean Boozled. Bean Boozled is a jelly belly game where there are two flavors for each color...so black is either licorice or skunk spray, reddish is either raspberry or canned dogfood. So, you spin a turner and then grab a jelly bean of that color. You have no idea whether it will be good or gross. And, the gross ones are gross!!!
So, that about sums up the day. It is still hard to believe that I have a child who is baptized. I can't wait to see where Jackson's life takes him!!
And here are a few pictures from the day:
Entry table
Table inside
Jackson and his mom (me!)
The family
The priesthood holders (or soon to be) George, Douglas, my dad and Jackson
Jackson and my dad singing
All of the family, DeEtte, George, Mom, Dad, and the rest of us.
The best grandmas with their grandkids!
The most fantastic mother in law!
Hmmm...not really sure. I think Douglas was showing Paige how to pose :).
The birthday loot!
The dog had no use for Bennett until feeding time. Bennett learned that he could lean over with a piece of food in his hand and the dog would just right up and eat it out of his hand. I don't know how much food Bennett actually ate that night.
It took two tries, but he got the candles out!
Cute kids...Jackson shared a pair of pjs with Paigie girl.
The cinnamon roll crew. Beautiful ladies!
Almost done!
Nothing like playing basketball in your Sunday best!
My parents came in to town the week before and my mom was so helpful and generous as we got things pulled together. Everyone kept reminding me to keep it simple, yeah yeah, I know, but I am also not going to have a plain table up front. So, I planned to make a CTR banner, burlap pennant, flowers, and pictures. I went back and forth as to what to do for food, but finally decided on cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was nixed at the last minute after I made a trial run and felt like I was drinking liquid chocolate. I know that doesn't sound like a horrible thing, but it was too sweet for even my sweet tooth. We (me, my mom and DeEtte) decided at the last minute to get some milk and water and call it good. It was a good call.
George and DeEtte arrived on Saturday. It was a busy day. Douglas got called into work and had to leave as soon as he dropped his parents off at the house. He worked until four. Yuck. Luckily I had planned a sitter for the evening so the adults went out for Mexican food and Ted Drew's frozen custard. I am really lucky because our parents get along so well. They actually enjoy each other's company. Douglas and I comment often about how blessed we are that both of us like our "in-laws" so much. We laughed and laughed all evening. Good times. And the cheese dip wasn't too shabby either.
Speaking of which, I need to stop eating like a crazy woman.
Sunday was busy as well. I was running around trying to make sure I had everything checked off my list. Church was at 1pm and Bennett was in especially good form so I cut out early with my parents and DeEtte and we came home so he could nap. I knew he would be missing a nap the following three days too, so he needed it!
My mom and DeEtte set to work making the cinnamon rolls. I just sat back and watched. It was quite delightful. And, after many taste tests, I can assure you that they are both equally delicious. My mom put together a great dinner of flank steak, mango salad, asparagus and couscous. Also delicious. Not sure why I feel the need to spell out every meal, but I do. What can I say, I like food!
We watched Downton that night as well. Sad. Sad.
Monday started early. My mom so graciously ran out to get white unders (oops) and milk for the baptism. I got up and got ready and headed out to tackle everyone else. Can I say how awesome it is to have help? I could get used to having extra hands around that love my kids and want to help. I got ready and had to head out and get the programs printed. That went smoothly and we headed out to the stake center. There wasn't a whole lot to do, but I wanted to have enough time to get the things set up I had hoped for a take a few pictures. I think I was more nervous than anyone. I had made a CTR banner and and burlap pennant and hung those up front. I put some pictures of Jackson on the table and some flowers and my Christus from Jerusalem. DeEtte got all the food set up which was a big help. George kept Benny busy and my mom and dad helped me. When Jackson and Douglas arrived I helped J change into his white clothes.
I have two regrets from the baptism. First, I didn't take enough pictures and my flash wasn't firing which I knew I needed. Instead of fixing it, I just went forward. A lot of the pictures turned out blurry. Second, Jackson and my dad sang a song during the baptism and I didn't record it. That makes my heart hurt. What was I thinking. I am so bummed and mad at myself. Uggg.
We had a few families from the ward come and our next door neighbor and her girls. It was a nice turnout. DeEtte gave a really nice talk about baptism. Jackson and my dad sang, "When I Get Baptized". Jackson has a really nice voice. After the song Douglas baptized Jackson. It was a nice baptism. Douglas had practiced with J so he knew what to expect. J looked so happy. It was such a great moment for me as his mother.
I went in to help Jackson change after the baptism. When we came out my mom gave a talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost. Douglas confirmed Jackson a member of the church and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost on him. In the blessing he talked about how his intelligence is a gift from Heavenly Father and that it is a great gift and that the Holy Ghost will work with that gift and help him know right from wrong and when he is on the path back to Heavenly Father. He also talked about Christ's atonement and how he needs to use it to become more like Christ. It was a really beautiful blessing. I feel blessed to have a worthy priesthood holder as my husband.
We then sang a closing song and George said the closing prayer.
And...the cinnamon rolls were a major hit. They were delicious. In fact, Jackson ate so many that he was too sick to eat a burger at Five Guys (his choice) after. He went back to the car and laid down because he felt so yucky. Poor boy! All of the rest of us enjoyed it though!! Yum. There is nothing quite like a good burger!
Unfortunately, George and DeEtte had to leave in the afternoon, so we came home and opened gifts. We gave J some scriptures, a journal and pocket knife. His grandparents gave him some money, a scripture cover, a baseball mitt and a couple of balls, and an art kit. His sister gave him a Skylander character. He was a pretty happy boy!
I tried to talk J out of a birthday cake because we had been eating so much junk, but he was not interested in that! HA! So, I made him a smores cake...It was delicious. It had a graham cracker crust, hershey bar and marshmallow cream middle and graham cracker on top. Yum. So, we ended the day with cake and a round of Bean Boozled. Bean Boozled is a jelly belly game where there are two flavors for each color...so black is either licorice or skunk spray, reddish is either raspberry or canned dogfood. So, you spin a turner and then grab a jelly bean of that color. You have no idea whether it will be good or gross. And, the gross ones are gross!!!
So, that about sums up the day. It is still hard to believe that I have a child who is baptized. I can't wait to see where Jackson's life takes him!!
And here are a few pictures from the day:
Entry table
Table inside
Jackson and his mom (me!)
The family
The priesthood holders (or soon to be) George, Douglas, my dad and Jackson
Jackson and my dad singing
All of the family, DeEtte, George, Mom, Dad, and the rest of us.
The best grandmas with their grandkids!
The most fantastic mother in law!
Hmmm...not really sure. I think Douglas was showing Paige how to pose :).
The birthday loot!
The dog had no use for Bennett until feeding time. Bennett learned that he could lean over with a piece of food in his hand and the dog would just right up and eat it out of his hand. I don't know how much food Bennett actually ate that night.
It took two tries, but he got the candles out!
Cute kids...Jackson shared a pair of pjs with Paigie girl.
The cinnamon roll crew. Beautiful ladies!
Almost done!
Nothing like playing basketball in your Sunday best!
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