Rowan had a big birthday this year. He turned 8. We celebrated by going out to the movies on his actual birthday. Sam took the older boys to see the movie Sing 2. Which turned out to be an even bigger expenditure than the just the cost of the movie at the theatre. They loved it so much we rented it, and then we rented it again when the cousins were visiting. 
Rowan is enjoying school. He has a good teacher, and has made friends. He looks up to Josh so much, and luckily Josh has some good buddies that are always nice to him. Rowan is still great with numbers, and is strong in math. Rowan does not like to practice reading, and does not necessarily want any help. He just wants to be older. He wants to know how to do things before he actually know how. I can appreciate the confidence.
Rowan's baptism was so special. In preparing the program I would name for him the people I knew were for sure coming the time, and then ask who he would like to speak. He would then ask for Uncle Sam. I would remind I didn't know yet if he was coming. We would go through it again and he would do the same thing. He would ask for my brother. I decided to tell my brother that he may just have to buckle down and come because Rowan keeps asking for him. Well, Sam then said "I am 95% sure that I can make it. How long do the talks have to be?"
Well, my brother came. And then, we learned that Caitlin and her family could come. So, we were so lucky that everyone on my side of the family came- we did miss Emily and Alan. But, everyone else was able to come. We had so many cousins and so many people. It was a very fun weekend.
We pulled off some kind of miracle and the night that everyone arrived the ward was having a ski night. After a lot of back and forth with whether or not to bring snow clothes we decided no- there wouldn't be enough snow. So, with the help of friends who were kind enough to let us borrow on a whim we were able to clothe everyone. We had the best time skiing with cousins at Hoodoo. It was very unforgettable.
Rowan's baptism was great. He was the sweetest boy all dressed in white. The water was full enough and Sam did a great job and no extremities popped up. My brother gave such an amazing talk. He was teary eyed and sincere and bore a great testimony of the Savior. It filled the room. All the sisters and my mom were all crying. We put together a song with my dad and I, and the nieces that wanted to sing, and it turned out lovely. Rowan had support from family and friends that showed up and it could not have been more perfect.
We continued to have a great trip with everyone. I am so thankful for everyone who came and made us feel so loved I couldn't be more grateful.
As for Rowan- he really is awesome. There is no one I know more honest and truthful with what is on his mind. There are times I just hold my breath and hope that he hasn't offended anyone. 😂 Usually he hasn't. Because you can also always tell that it comes from such an innocent place that it is so obvious he would never mean to offend.
Even when lately he has been talking a lot about bodies. Skinny bodies, and fat bodies, and healthy bodies. He says that he wants a healthy body. 💁🏼♀️ One day he was talking to Sam and he would ask "Do you have to be big when you are in your 40s?" No. "Cause I don't want to be fat when I am in my 40s.. Yeah I am just going to be healthy when I am in my 40s." Certain conversations recycle back around even in the moment you are having them and that was the case for this one on this day. Sam finally said, "Rowan. You have called me fat like 3 times in this conversation." And Rowan said: "No-I called you big. Like 'come here big guy'" as he put his arm around Sam's shoulders. And we laughed and we laughed.
Another example is when we were hanging out with some friends. Rowan kept talking to our friend Tommy- the dad- and he kept asking him if he ever had hair, and if he liked being bald. Of course, Tommy was funny and great about it. But again, Rowan wanted to have this same conversation a lot. So finally, I turned to Sam and said we should start a SNL skit called "Conversations with Rowan" and you start out sitting up and happy and by the end up you are slumped over in your chair looking entirely sheepish and defeated. 😂 Oh heavens! It's so funny.
We LOVE having Rowan in our family. I can't imagine my life without him.
