Truly a special day!

The Bread Reminds Me
By Clive Romney
The bread reminds me that Jesus died so I will live again.
The water stands for His precious blood that paid the price for sin.
Now ev’ry Sunday I thank my Heavenly Father for all He’s done By taking the sacrament rev’rently
And remembering His Son.

I bow my head and I close my eyes and listen to the prayer
And think of how I can change my life to show Him that I care.
I promise I will remember Him and obey Him faithfully.
Today I remember the cov’nant I made, And the peace He’s promised me.

Coleman had the hardest time picking who was going to talk and say prayers. He was so worried someone would feel left out and it caused many tears. After lots of hugs and reassuring him that no one was going to feel left out, he was happy with his decisions.

I love my family!

This little boy has such a special spirit, he amazes me daily!

Love seeing these men in white :)

Not only is he 8! He chose to be baptized and couldn't wait for the day to come. Today he was oh so excited but nervous too. At the end of the day he said 'it's been such a good day mom!' I have to agree!!

One of Cole's sweet friends, Leo, and his family came. Cole was so excited to see them there! I loved watching these two talk after the baptism. They get each other and are just such sweet boys!!

I love that they took a picture together before coming out after the baptism...my heart is full!!

Cole and Jack...oh these two make me laugh, smile and giggle. Such awesome boys, cousins and friends!

After we had family over for a yummy rib dinner (my husband is freaking awesome) and sadly I didn't get any pictures of it :(

The dessert table....

This was a hit with everyone :)

Coleman Ray you are absolutely amazing. You are a spiritual giant and have taught me so much. The spirit during your baptism was so strong. I know you felt it, as did everyone in that room. It was amazing and I feel grateful to have been there with you today as you took that step in being baptized. You have so much faith and it shows in all you do. Keep being you, never change who you are for anything! Your smile, your hugs, your sweet spirit and tender heart at just some of the things we all love about you! Thank you for being an example to those around you! Thank you for allowing all of us to be there with you today! Love you sweet Coleman Ray!

Thank you to all of our family and friends who where there today to support Coleman! Whether it was by being there in person or in spirit, your love and support was felt by all of us. Thank you for your kinds words, hugs and the examples you all have been to Coleman! He is truly a blessed kid!

Grant received his Bear!

On Wednesday, May 28th, Grant received his Bear badge in Cubscouts!

He also received 4 beads and 2 arrow heads! So proud of him!!

Jeff got to do the honors of painting his face :) 

Cubmaster: Do you want to wear the sign of the Bear? If you do, please say "yes".
Cubs: Yes
Cubmaster: You are well on your way along the Cub Scout Trail to reach the honor of the Arrow of Light, and eventually start the Boy Scout trail to seek the heights of the Eagle. To help you along your journey, we will give you the sign of the Bear.
The yellow on your chin stands for Sunlight from the Wolf Trail. (Draw two vertical yellow stripes on chin)
The blue on your forehead is for loyalty when you become a Webelos Scout. (Draw two vertical blue stripes on forehead)
The red on your cheeks is for courage and the hard work you and your parent did to achieve the Bear Rank. (Draw two upward slanting lines on each cheek)
Bear Cubs; remember the meaning of your Bear paint. It shows that you are ready to move along the upward trail of Scouting

He worked hard and we are looking forward to moving up to the Wolves :)

Grant wearing the sign of the bear!

Cole was also 'welcomed' into the pack by playing red rover!

Running to break through.....

And he got caught! Quick thinking on his part, he ducked under the arms to get through :)

Such a great pack meeting!!!

More birthday fun for Cole!

On Sunday, May 18th, Cole had a chance to meet with our Bishop for his Baptism interview. They do this just to make sure this is what he wants to do and a chance to explain a bit more about the step he is taking. It's really a special opportunity for him to meet with the Bishop and share what he believes!

Baptism interview for this cute boy!!

We have discussed Baptism with Cole and given him the chance to decide if he wants to be Baptized or not. He has, with a huge yes, told us he wanted to be Baptized. He is counting down!

Yesterday, Monday, May 19th, we did cake and ice cream with family. We waited because Saturday was a crazy busy day, and so Monday worked better for us. Cole didn't mind celebrating again :)

Cole informed us last year that he did no like cake. And asked if we could use brownies instead. So that is what we did!

He requested a guitar, so that is what he got - complete with music notes :)

Jeff had to work and so it was up to me to give it a go.

While singing to him, Adri and Trent kept photo bombing my pictures :)

They are hilarious! Cole had no idea :)

Sweet boy!

Making a wish!

Happy birthday Coleman Ray!!
I hope all your dreams come true and this year is your best one yet!

We have an 8 year old!!

It is hard to believe that 8 years ago this outgoing, sweet, kind, love able, energetic, funny, goofy, spiritual, thoughtful, and tender hearted little boy joined our family! Although he was a rough baby, he had made up for those months by the past years. We love him so very much! Happy 8th Birthday Coleman!!!

He was up bright and early, after counting down for the past month! He could hardly wait for it to be his birthday!

He choose waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs and chocolate milk for breakfast...and that is what he got!

After breakfast he was all ready on the couch waiting for his presents :)

I love how excited the other kids are as well!
Some clothes, new flops....

some xbox games....

and this year the birthday wish was a guitar!

That is what he got, with the hopes of guitar lessons soon :)
I would love if he could learn to play it and I think it would be a great creative outlet for this spirited little boy!

I 'think' he likes it :)

Dressed in his new clothes and playing around with his guitar.

He then chose to play on the xbox. It was so fun to see our sweet peacemaker, take charge and enjoy it being his day....that is until we asked him to decide what was for lunch...he doesn't love decisions (I wonder where he gets that from, it can't be me).

Jeff spoiled the kids with surprise slurpees, we enjoyed Carls Jr. for lunch, watched Arthurs Christmas (birthday boys request), and played more xbox.

Cole was a great sport with sharing his birthday with a baseball game for Haden :)
Although I think he enjoys playing at the park!

I love the friendship these two have!

After the game it was dinner time...

Red Robin was Cole's choice!

Cole wanted but didn't want them to sing to him...he actually loved it :)

And shared 'small spoonfuls' with his siblings, while he enjoyed the rest!

He cried at bedtime because he was sad his day was over. He said it was a great day and thanked Jeff and I multiple times today.

Coleman Ray you are such an amazing boy! We are so proud of you and hope that year 8 is a great one for you! Love you!!

Excited, nervous, scared, happy....most of all, ready!

Jeff and I started feeling like a change was needed for our family. I often find it funny how we both get these feelings, but have no clue the other is feeling the same. That is until we express our thoughts and feelings, and finding out we were both on the same track. We have been renting the house we are in for over 6 years. That's a long time, for a house we haven't or didn't plan on buying! We have been casually looking for new houses to rent, but hadn't really seriously been looking. That is until last week, when Jeff and I both felt it is what we should do. We put in an application on one house, but it didn't work out. Then we saw this other house and from the moment we walked in, we could picture our family in it. It felt comfortable, it felt like where we needed to be.

- We are excited! Excited for a new place to live, new adventures, new people, new memories!

- We are nervous! Nervous for change, for new things, for a different place!

- We are scared! Scared because it's not in the same area, it's not only changing neighborhoods, but wards, church buildings!

- We are happy! Happy we found a place and it all worked out, happy to grow in a new place, happy to feel this is right!

- We are ready! Although the leaving part is going to be very hard, it is going to be so good for all of us to make this change. And the crazy thing is my kids are so excited, even when we told them it would be all new to us. Of course there are things they have said they are going to miss, but they are looking forward to moving into this house.

I know that at first we are all going to be nervous, and a little scared, but I know in the end it is what we are to be doing at this point in our lives!

We have been part of an amazing ward, and a wonderful neighborhood! We have made life long friends that we will miss seeing regularly....BUT us moving won't change anything.

We aren't moving far...just off Silverado Ranch and Decatur.
We get the keys on the 24th of May, and our last week at church with our ward will be on June 1st. (Although Cole and Grant are signed up for Cub Scout Day Camp, so they will still attend that)

It's exciting! We are nervous, scared and happy....most of all, we are ready!

Bring on the change!

Police Station Tour!

Today we had the opportunity to tour a police station, ask questions, learn LOTS and get to check out the patrol cars! To say it was fun would be an understatement. The kids can't decide if they liked the police station or the fire department better...it's pretty much a toss up!

The cars lined up on the top of that garage.

Learning techniques in case there are bad guys trying to take you.
I loved how they talked to them about there are no strangers...there are bad people and good people. Because if something were to happen, kids need to know they can get help from people other than their parents.

Using their fingers like bird beaks to poke the bad guys eyes.

Kahle was so excited to go up and then came crying to me because everyone was watching him :)
Proud he went up and did it though!

Learning the correct signaling for riding a bike.

We then split up into 2 groups to go on a tour of the police station and to check out the patrol cars.

This officer was very informative and gave lots of great information!

The kids loved getting in the front and back of the patrol car.

They also got to take turns talking into the speaker system....

telling cars to pull over, or come out with their hands up.

He also showed them the computer and what all it does. They got to see where robberies happened, murders happened and other things :)

Showing us their best Police officer pose...some eating donuts (Grant), others pulling their guns :)

After we headed inside to tour the station.

Learning what each room was, and what they did in that room.

Wall of Honor for those officers who have died.

The kids asked great questions and it was an amazing learning opportunity!

The kids pulling faces at their parents who are in the interrogation room :)

We all joked it's the only time we want to see our kids in the back of the police car, but really it is!
Haden says he is stuck between being a fireman or a police officer :)

We are so grateful to the officers who took time to teach the kids, answer their questions and give them great information!