Great to Be 8

Baby Kaj

I seriously still can't believe it! My baby-my first baby turned 8 years old. I knew the day would come, I never really imagined what it would look or feel like, but it sure does feel an awful lot like time playing tricks. This one was a sneaky little trick. Wasn't he just barely carrying bunny with him everywhere? and making just the duck noises when we would go feed the ducks? and going on Ralph's Italian ice dates with just me and him?? He is growing up and fast now. I remember going to some of my friends children's baptisms and thinking how much their child had grown up in just a couple years, and how 8 just seemed so old, and now Kaj is there..amongst those oh so grown up kids.

It was a great birthday. We celebrated with the family. We kept it relatively low key with presents, cake, and taking the family bowling for the first time. It was actually a really fun time. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much Rowan enjoyed it. The boys would help him with the ball and get so excited for him and the pins he would knock down. On Kaj's actual birthday I had decided I would get him out of school to get his haircut, and then take him to lunch. I had friends who would do this with their kids on their birthday and I wanted to try out to see if it was a tradition worth keeping. I even treated myself in my own special way by getting pulled over by a copper and getting an enormous ticket when I was calling the school to get Kaj checked out for the day. I tried not to let that taint my mood the rest of the day--but it kinda did. But, Kaj didn't seem to notice. We went to Red Robin with Jonah and had lunch together and talked. I find myself looking at his face, and wondering if he grew even more over night. I am starting to picture him grown. It's strange.

Kaj got baptized on May 5th at 11:00. We had our own, so we put together the program. We were joined by some of the family. Whit and Justin's family came into town and Mom and Dad. It was so great to have them. Everyone stayed at our house which worked out perfectly. In my own opinion, I would not have had it any other way it was really fun having all that time together. The program went off without a hitch. My mom led the music, Whitney said the prayer, my Dad gave the talk on baptism. Kaj was attentive and reverent and seemed to really know the importance of the day. I was so proud watching him. He was then baptized. Twice. His toe popped up. Which only a mom thinks, "oh, how cute!" His toe popping up. 😍 😂 Then, the boys went to dry off. And whoops! We forgot to bring towels. 😳😂 So, when I went to go check and see how everything was going they needed to be handed many a paper towel to dry off. Mental note: do not forget to bring towels to your child's baptism. Neither of them complained at all. Kaj came out--looking a little damp still, but handsome. I then sang, "The Voice of the Spirit." I must say no matter how it sounded I will always remember looking at Kaj while I sang, and we smiled at each other, and his sweet eyes while he watched me. People commented on how sweet that moment was. I hope the song was done nicely, but I am glad I decided to sing. Kaj shared with me later, "Mom, your song was so beautiful, it almost made me cry."
Then, Justin gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, and Kaj once again, answering his questions, nodding, and listening so wonderfully. He received that Holy Ghost which is such an amazing moment that I hope he remembers. Sam did a great job.

We went out to RedRobin afterwards with the family. Everyone seemed super hungry, and ate really well. We decided to hike the butte later and then play at the park. We loved having cousins there, and the support and love was definitely felt. Honestly, I told Sam as we were wrapping up the day-I would not have changed one thing. It was such a great and special day.

I will also share that the following day it was fast Sunday. I whispered over to Kaj that he could share his testimony if he wanted. I don't think he ever realized he could go up and do that. He decided that, yes, he would. Me, being me, got nervous for him, and thought, wait, really? He asked if he could talk about anything, and I explained, just things about the gospel, and things that he knows to be true. He asked if he could share his goal. He leaned over to me, and said he was going up "after this guy." And again, I was thinking, are you sure? I mean you could wait till after the next person too?! He literally stomped up to the pulpit. It was a long walk too. He was very determined walking up there. He said, "Ever since I was baptized I made a goal to not make any mistakes. I wanted to be an example to my brothers." Then, he was done. (we had a FHE the next day on bearing testimonies) But, it really was sweet, and he had people following him saying things like they wanted to be like him, and Sister Tsang, who I believe to be the sweetest, kindest little lady in all the land, said how special his baptism was, and how attentive he was. I was bawling at many points during this meeting. I don't know--a combination of being overwhelmed with the kindness of others, and also the spirit was egging me on to go up--I have done this semi recently, and then I wait too long, and of course, they close the meeting, cause they are not going to wait for me, and then I ended up crying even more. I had to actually excuse myself from church the rest of the day because of how disastrous I was. What I learned though was a lesson from my 8 year old that day was if I feel the spirit and get the impression that I should go bear my testimony I need to go up with that same kind of determination.

mom pretending to sleep with Odi 

So, I just wanted to circle back to the family weekend we were able to have. We packed it in full of fun times. We had a really great time with all the kids, and more importantly, they had a great time with each other. It is really fun to see how well they get a long, and how much they really love each other even when they don't live close by. They don't skip a beat with really making good use of the time they have. Elsa was hilarious with Odi. She was genuinely scared of him at first. Then, 30 minutes later I would say she was following him around, pulling toys away from him and calling him, "Big fella."  😂
We went to the river, they played with beyblades 🤨 (I don't know) my boys are really into them right now. We did some bike riding and walked to the park. We went to Old Mill and to the candy shop, and even when we thought we had made a big day of things they wanted to go to another park. We had fun with the adults when the kids went to sleep and it was simply a really enjoyable weekend. I will reiterate how thankful I was for the effort that was made on their part for making the trip. I realize it was time they took out of their work and lives to drive to come to this event, but it was not overlooked. We were so grateful, and will always remember this day and I am thankful they were a part of it.

deflating the mattress

beyblades

😍

Jonah loved Addi and Addi loved him