A Birthday, a Baptism, and a Blessing...

Garrett had his 8th birthday recently and this was a super exciting one for our firstborn.  First off, how did my little man grow up so fast???  (sniff, sniff)  Months in advance he would sit next to me and ask me to look up birthday cake ideas and such.  After changing his mind many, MANY times, he finally settled on a Star Wars Lego theme and decided to have the party at the arcade.  I was more than happy to have the party of 7- 7 and 8 year old boys anywhere other than my home!  We loaded up the car (left the girls at Grandma C's house!) and headed for the arcade.  I have to say listening to the conversations happening in the back of my car was quite entertaining!  The boys had a great time playing arcade games and picking out prizes to get with the tickets they'd won.  We finally rounded them up for pizza, then rounded them up again for cake.  It was kind of nice not having to be the entertainer!  The birthday boy was very spoiled with gifts of Legos, a Nerf gun, a basketball hoop (the kind that hangs on a door), and all kinds of fun 8 year old things.  Garrett was a very happy birthday boy!

The next weekend was Garrett's Baptism.  It was such a very special day for our family, especially because we also decided to have Preston's Baby Blessing at the same time.  So many people came to spend the evening with us, it was literally a full room.  So many others told me they had planned to come but were unable for one reason or another.  It makes me feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my family's lives to want to share this day with us.  There was such a beautiful spirit with us that night as Garrett was baptized and confirmed, then as Preston was given a name and a blessing.  Todd told me that as he was blessing him, he opened his eyes a bit and Preston was looking at him and smiling.  In so many ways knowing that brings me peace, and strength, knowing that our Heavenly Father has entrusted us with this sweet spirit.  I know that little boy is meant to be a part a part of our family, and I can't wait to see how he grows and finds his place in it.  Because it was such a whirlwind of a night it was hard for me to really feel the emotion of it, but looking back on it now brings me to tears.  I truly am blessed.  We have 4 beautiful children who have such amazing examples in their lives.  I hope that Garrett always remembers that night and the spirit that was there.  I hope that as his mother I can help him grow into the man his Father in Heaven would have him to be.  I am so very grateful for the Gospel in our lives to give us strength, direction, and comfort when there are so many things pulling us in the opposite direction. 

The family all headed to Time Out Pizza afterward and as crazy and hectic as it all was, I again found myself sort of at peace.  Knowing what a special night it was and just trying to take it all in and enjoy our time together.  We had pizza and cake (of course! ;)) and all the kids headed straight for the arcade games while we talked and laughed.  I really didn't want the night to end.  When we got home we gave Garrett his new scriptures, complete with his name on the front.  Since then we've caught him reading them before bed (oh the joy in my heart!) and he always keeps them close on his bunk bed.  I hope he takes very good care of them, but also wears them out by reading them so much.

As much as I don't want my children to grow too fast, I am already looking forward to that next special moment in our family.  Those times that bring us closer to each other and closer to our Heavenly Father.