Baptism Day

As I laid in bed Friday night, tears came to my eyes as I thought about the past 8 years.  I was overwhelmed at the goodness that was about to come, about the choice a little boy had made and about the love that filled my heart for him.  I was excited yet anxious.  I was happy yet sad too.
I can not even begin to explain how Jonas has been ready for this moment since the day he was born.  I'm convinced that Jonas was a gift from God.  Because our pleas and cries for a child were heard and that we were doing everything possible that the Lord couldn't help but bless our lives with one of his choice sons.
Jonas is different.  His abilities and talents are more than I could have asked for.  He can do any thing he wants and he's good at it.  There is a natural ability to the things that he can do.  I know he can do great things and can't wait to see how his talents and abilities will be able to bless the lives of so many others.
As I laid there, I was so excited for him.  He was prepared for this moment.  He knows the gospel of Jesus Christ and knows that this is what is needed for him to progress spiritually.  There was no question of if he was choosing to be baptized, it was something he already knew he was going to do.  I felt so pleased for him.
And yet, I know that some of the tears I shed were tears of sadness.  My baby was growing up.  My first born was getting baptized, and ready to take upon him the name of Christ. I wanted to take back years of the time I felt like I missed.  Had I done enough for him to prepare him for this day?

To see him dressed in his whites, I could see how excited he was.  He was smiling from ear to ear. (although, this picture hardly shows it).
As I watched this little boy enter the font, I knew he knew.  The seriousness in his face and the peace he looked.  Trent told me later that Jonas told him that he didn't want to look out at every one.  I'm not entirely sure how he missed his little brother sticking his tongue out or waving his arms about like a monkey behind glass but he did.

As this moment has passed, I look forward to the next and the one after that and so on.  I'm sure in 10 years, I will be writing the same thing, saying how tears came to my eyes as he prepares to leave on his mission.

Swim team

We're enjoying the summer at our local pool and the boys are ticking away time by doing swim team. Just a gimps of how it's going:  1st day we walked in I hear "hi Finn, hi Jonas."  Aww man, they remembered them from last year. I love our local pool. Our first meet was crazy to say the least but fun. Finn did great and swam his heart out. Jonas sat this one out as he was at Cub Scout camp!  

Allstars and Apostles

They boys recently finished up their baseball season.  Thank goodness too, it was starting to get hot out there.  They boys picked baseball this year, it was this or soccer and if you asked Jonas, he said he wanted baseball because they give bigger trophies.
Lets just say that Finn's sport may not be baseball.  T-ball was an experience nonetheless.  How can one kid have boundless amounts of energy and still not know how to play the game?  He was entertaining.  The highlight of his season would have been when he was playing 1st base.  The ball was rolling right to him, he scoops it up, looks as his base (all the while everyone is telling him to touch his base), looks at the runner and throws the ball directly at the runner.  Poor little girl had no idea what hit her.  He was sorry.

Jonas on the other hand, was AMAZING.  The thing is, Jonas will be amazing at what ever he does.  He's just talented to do it.  His team had 17 little boys from our church stake.  So fun to be around so many young boys who will be in his peer group in high school and young mens.  He was definitely on the tail end of age.  He was probably 1 of 7 of the "little" boys who played on our team.  His coach was surprised when we told him he was only 7.  He was consistently playing him on the in field rather than out field where other "little" ones played. He was often found at 3rd or 1st.  It was nerve racking watching him play there, but he did it.  He was one of only a few kids who could hit of the kid pitcher, although he was highly motivated to do it.  Coach promised anyone who hit the ball of the kid pitcher was given an Orange Crush Soda.  Jonas wanted his soda.  The highlight of his season was the last game where he was playing 2nd.  He was chewing on his fingernails (he always does when he's nervous) and suddenly the ball was hit passed the pitcher and Jonas does this weird split thing, catches the ball, throws to first all in a matter of seconds. his coach was beyond amazed at the play.
On the 1st of June, the league had their closing ceremonies where they received their trophies.  Part of it was an all-star game in which Jonas was asked to play.  Only 2-3 kids per team were asked.  It was quite an honor to be asked.  Only Jonas missed the game due to other things we had planned.  Nonetheless, we are so proud of him.

Which brings me to my next bit.  We missed the all star game because we attended the adult session of our stake conference where Elder M. Russell Ballard of the 12 Apostles was speaking.  I felt strongly that our boys needed to attend.  After the conference, I grabbed Finn and headed to the door where he was exiting.  Our stake president introduced Finn to Elder Ballard and told him "this is Finn, he was on my baseball team"  Elder Ballard said "You play baseball? What position do you play?"  To which Finn replays "I play t-ball"  He was able to shake his hand.  What a neat opportunity to meet an Apostle.  Jonas didn't get to.

On Sunday Jonas had a temp of 102.  I was glad I had the impression to take my boys the night before. But Jonas was determined to meet the Apostle, so he prayed, asking Heavenly Father to make him better so he could shake Elder Ballard's hand.  What faith.  So he did, he was able to shake his hand at the end of the meeting, where Elder Ballard told him he was a good boy.

I'm thankful that we showed our boys what sacrifice means.  They understood that they were giving up their chance to get their trophies and play in an all star game.  They knew it was important to listen to one of God's chosen servants.

Ruler

Just added this wonder to the upstairs hall. Love that my boys can see where the measure up. 

When all else fails, hike

We planned to go to the zoo but when we arrived we found a 30 minute wait just to get to the admission desk. Heck no, I'm not waiting. So we made do and went hiking at Papago Park and found ourselves at Hole in the Rock.
What a perfect way to spend mud morning, have a picnic and explore. We climbed, we skid down rocks, we got all dirty. I loved it when my oldest exclaimed this was the best day of spring break. (Everyday has been the best day of spring break!)