Eight

Yesterday, November 17, my Landon turned eight years old.  I think I've been in denial of this big event.  After all, he's NOT supposed to get older.  So last Saturday as I was driving home from the drug store with cough syrup for Sam I realized that we only had a few days left to plan and get everything together before leaving Moscow for Salt Lake, and I started to hyperventilate  We left Moscow Thursday night and arrived in Salt Lake late on Friday after spending a few hours in Pocatello with Chris' brother, while Chris had a job interview.  The party started around 1:00 on Saturday, with the arrival of most of Chris' family.  My parents were so great to feed everyone sandwiches and mom made a fantastic cake for Landon.  He got so many presents, Christmas might be a disappointment this year.

Landon is lucky enough to have a cousin that is only five days older than he is, so my brother suggested that we make it a special event and Baptize them on the same day.  I was a little nervous because this would make everything so much bigger and we just wanted something simple, but I was also excited about it because I want Landon to be friends with his cousins.  We don't get to see my brother's family very often and sharing a baptism would hopefully give Landon good memories with Aaron.  It turned out to be the best idea ever, especially since I was in so much denial of this event ever happening.   My brother and his wonderful wife were so great!  They've done this type of event two times before and I had no idea where to even start.  So I'm afraid they did most of the planning and I mostly just tried to keep myself together and hang on for the ride.  The program was great.  It was so nice to see so many people I know, come to share this special day with us.

Norma and Kraig sang a song about baptism and then my brother-in-law, Spencer, talked about why we get baptized.  Then Chris and I said a few words.  Whenever I get up to talk I get really nervous and so by the time I sit down I usually don't say everything I originally wanted to and I feel a little dumb, but oh well.  The baptisms went well.  Both boys went under the water completely and no one had to be dunked a second time.  I was so proud of Landon, especially since he really doesn't like to get his ears wet. Chris asked Landon how he felt after he was baptized and Landon said "I feel cleaner than I thought I would."  Hopefully that means he feels cleaner spiritually but it could have something to do with Daniel telling him that the water would be black with all of Aaron's sins when it was Landon's turn to get into the font.  My family just loves to tease!  While waiting for them to get dry and dressed all of the cousins and siblings sang primary songs and then Laurelin's father spoke about the blessing of the Holy Ghost and how He can teach us wonderful things.  Daniel and Laurelin then said a few words and they said everything that I had wanted to say so it all turned out right in the end.  Then both boys were confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost and a special fathers blessing as well.  By this time Seth was really tired and so it was hard for me to hear everything that was said, but I could feel the spirit as the men stood in a circle and laid their hands on my little boy's head.   At the end my dad said some very nice things to the boys about how we should treat everyone the way Christ would treat people and then it was all over.



Sam was so tired that he passed out while sitting in his chair and my great brother-in -law moved in to help him so he didn't fall to the floor.   Poor Chad was rewarded with a drool stain on his nice pants.

I didn't get a picture of Landon in his white clothes.  I was so busy trying to handle everything with Seth and Sam and other clothes that it just slipped my mind so I'm very grateful to my sister, Nicole for taking pictures for me after everything was over.  Seth finally fell asleep for the last five minutes of the program and so I didn't have any hands free to take pictures.

Later that evening I took the boys over to Daniel and Laurelin's beautiful home to eat dinner and blow out more candles.  Landon played Halo with his older cousins and  Sam watched most of the movie Brave.  I was able to have some adult time and I actually relaxed for the first time in over a week.  

Despite my frequent tears and hyperventilating the day actually came and went.  The program was wonderful mostly because I have a wonderful family, who always steps in to help me and make things go smoothly when I'm freaking out.  And so THAT is what I am most Thankful for this year.  I am thankful for parents and brothers and sisters(that means in-laws too) who are near and far.  They cheer me up when I am down and celebrate with me when life is good.  They pick up my slack and make me feel younger than I really am.  And we never, ever miss a chance to laugh and tease to lighten any mood.  I don't think there is a better family out there for me.  The Lord gave me everything when he gave these wonderful people who share their lives with me.