Spencer's Special Day

Yesterday, Saturday August 18th, 2012, was a very special day for Spencer and the rest of our family.  Spencer was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  As he would tell you, he was "finally" baptized!  He has been looking forward to it since July 1st when he turned 8 years old.  

It was a beautiful day and we were so blessed that many friends and family members were able to share the day with us.  Grandpa Stephens said the opening prayer, William gave a great talk on Baptism where he used a picture of Spencer and talked about how we are clean when we are born, but as we grow we make mistakes, or sin.  He used peanut butter to put little smears on the picture that represented the sins that we all make.  He then took a paper towel that had the word baptism written on it and wiped the picture clean, showing that through baptism, Christ has given us a way to become clean from all our sins.  He then went on to explain that even after we are baptized, we sometimes sin and that we can be forgiven and "wiped clean" by repenting and partaking of the Sacrament each week.  He did a really good job with it.  Then William, Jacob, and Nathan and Kaitlyn Peterson sang a Primary Baptism song, sister Ray (the Primary President) talked for a few minutes and gave Spencer a white embossed Baptism towel.  Then Spencer was Baptized by John.  It was so cute to see all the kids gathered around the font watching as Spencer entered the water.  The baptism was beautiful and then as Spencer left the water, Annalise announced, "now I get in the water!" She was not a happy girl when I carried her away explaining that only Spencer was getting in the water now, but that she could go swimming later when we got home.  

After the baptism, Grandma Stephens spoke about the Gift of Holy Ghost.  She had many objects to help explain how the Holy Ghost can help us.  All of which she gave to Spencer after her talk.  Included in these, was his very own set of Scriptures with his name on them!  He was also super excited about the flashlight, compass, and bag of candy that was included!

Then Spencer was confirmed a member of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It was neat to  see such a big circle of friends, men who all hold the priesthood as they conferred this gift to my son.  Wonderful moment!

Then Brother Cooper and Brother Walker officially welcomed Spencer into the ward, we sang a closing song and Jacob gave the closing prayer.  It was a beautiful ceremony!

Spencer and John before the baptism. 

Jacob, Nathan, Kaitlyn, and William practicing for their song.  They did a great job!

Annalise hanging out with her favorite man...next to her dad of course.   

Annalise and Brother Layne Peterson.  I love this picture!  So sweet.

Spencer all dressed in his white clothes and ready for his baptism.  He was so excited! 

After the baptism, we had everyone over for a light lunch/party for Spencer.  Not everyone was able to make it over, but it was nice to visit with those who did.

My fresh, perfectly clean boy next to his cake! 

Shellie and Mark Patton, Layne and Becky Peterson, Eric Crandall, and John. 

A blurry, but happy Bryce.  He had a great time watching little Isaac Patton (6 months old) roll around on the floor next to him.   

Annalise, Emma Crandall, Jenn Crandall, Jacob Crandall, Anna Crandall (I think), Jeffrey Bates, and our wonderful home teacher Brother Jared Bates. 

Swimming after lunch! 

Joseph Crandall and Annalise.  They played really well together with these trains.  It was amazing to watch Joseph walk around on those casts.  They didn't slow him down a bit! 3 year olds are amazing! 

I kept trying to get a picture with them looking at me, but they were way to busy to be bothered with that! 

Congratulations Spencer!

The Fight...and...the Attitude

I came across this little story a couple of days ago and it makes me smile.  I keep thinking about it so I thought I would share.  I'm not sure who wrote it since there was no name attached to it.   Enjoy!  


   "I did not provoke the fight so I feel no remorse for what I was forced to do.  We were arguing, and seeing that I was right and he was wrong, he decided to fight to cover up his stupidity.  He swung at me first, but being in top condition, I was able to act quickly and block his punch neatly with my head.  Whereupon I jumped to the ground, knocking him down on top of me.  Then, I placed my ear in his mouth and poked his finger several times with my eye.  His teeth hurt so badly from the strength of my ear that he became irate and tried to kick me, but I cleverly blocked the onslaught with my ribs and face.  I scrambled to my feet and ran to my car in hopes that I would get away and save this man from my deadly hands.  Before I could start the engine, he pulled me from the still open door.  That was it, the last straw.  I lost all control.  There would be no mercy! Taking him in my death grip I punched him in the knee two or three times with my stomach, then hit him hard in the fist with my teeth.  He had it, I could tell after that, he didn't even try to pick me up off the ground.  He was too chicken!"


It's all about the attitude!  :)

Happy 4th of July

This morning began with a ward pancake breakfast and flag ceremony.  We were about a half hour late and missed the flag ceremony, but enjoyed a yummy pancake breakfast with everyone before we left to watch Mr. Popper's Penguins at the Summer movies.  

Annalise, Spencer, and William just finishing up with breakfast.  As soon as Annalise knows I have a camera, she will look away.  It is really hard to get a good picture of her. 

You can see Annalise's walker behind Bryce.  She still uses it, but it is getting harder and harder for her to go much distance at all in it.  I'm finding that we are needing her wheelchair much more often. 

Tonight we spent some time with our neighbors who rent our guest house and made smores and lit off a few fireworks.  

William and Spencer sporting new haircuts.  Their hair grows so fast! 

Chase and Spencer climbing in Tiffany's truck to watch the fireworks from a safe distance. 

Getting the little black snakes all lined up and ready to go. 

Camry 

We had six tanks so they set up a battle field.  The tanks didn't move or anything, just shot flames from their cannons. 

We were able to see a few fireworks that were sent off by the other neighbors.  The trees have all grown up around us, so it is a bit harder to see the big city fireworks that we used to watch from our yard.

And to finish off the night, everyone got some sparklers. 

Bryce and Annalise stayed inside most of the time.  Bryce is terrified of fireworks and Annalise didn't seem to have much interest in what we were doing.  I have finally gotten Bryce to where he will watch them on TV and not freak out, but the noise of them still bothers him.  Maybe next year he will join us.