The 8th was CRAZY!!! We were invited to the baptism of one of Samantha's friends. Brett and Duncan had a soccer game later that day so they stayed home to get some things ready. I'll tell you, Jason was on one!!! I finally gave up and took him to the nursery. This is what he did for about 15 minutes.
Brett and Duncan took the van to the soccer game so me and the other three walked down to the Stake activity. It was our Stakes 10th anniversary so they had a big blow up planned.
The kids had a lot of fun! I just kind of let the older kids run around and enjoy themselves. Brett and Duncan showed up not long after we did so they were able to enjoy Pulled Pork Sandwiches for dinner as well. All in all a very fun Saturday.
I can't believe that Duncan is in Young Men. Sigh!
Last week they went to the temple and did Baptisms for the Dead. He said he felt so peaceful and it was such a good experience. If I ever get him to settle down I'll have him do a blog post on it.
Then of course yesterday was the first time he passed the sacrament. He was so nervous and excited at the same time! I wanted to get there early, and get the full experience of being a Deacon. The whole time he was biting his cheeks as if to keep himself from smiling. When it was all finished he sat down next to his Dad, and whispered, "I passed the Sacrament." Brett smiled gave him five and that was that. =)
My sweet baby boy was given the Aaronic Priesthood today. I can't believe he's twelve. He was called up in front of the ward to let everyone know that he would get the priesthood today and then they had him sit down. Brett sent him back up to ask the Bishop if he should have been sustained. The Bishop shook his head no so we thought maybe protocol had changed. However in Relief Society and Priesthood the Bishop and his Counselors ran around to all the classes and asked for a sustaining vote. Someone stopped Duncan in the hall and told him the whole ward would remember the day he received the Priesthood because it was a little unusual.
Brett gave the blessing, and there was a whole crew of men to support my baby. Grandpa Child, Grandpa Siddoway, Gary Sharp (Brett's Cousin), Bishop Robertson, Scott Cline, Keith West, and John Peterson. I love these men and am grateful for the example they are in my sons life.
Brett blessed Duncan with the ability to remain a good kid, (not exactly his words). I'm grateful for my husband and his worthiness to use his Priesthood. It sure makes this Mom feel a lot better.
After the blessing Duncan turned around to give his Dad a hug, and my sweet boy had tears streaming down his face. He is such a GREAT KID!
I had to take pictures!!! Grandma and Grandpa Child, Duncan, Grandma and Grandpa Siddoway. They are such a HUGE support.
Had to get pictures of my sweet family. Duncan's best friend who was able to be there because he is the Deacons Quorum President. Bishop Robertson. He's such a sweet guy, and put up with a crazy Mom who needed to take pictures of everything. Then we celebrated Birthday's at Grandma and Grandpa Siddoways. Duncan, Grandpa, and Alaric. Alaric wasn't as excited to blow out the candles as these two were. Then we celebrated Duncan's Birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Child's house. Brett made the cake from scratch and it was absolutely divine!!! All in all a pretty good day!
Tonight was the visiting teaching workshop. We had a lovely dinner, of soup and rolls. I could have gone back for seconds and thirds, but decided that would be a bad idea.
The talks were given by Vinnie Feller, and Brenda Stephenson. Vinnie is the Visiting Teaching Coordinator. She talked on using the Attributes of Christ in our Visiting Teaching. 1. Christ knows me=we need to get to know our sisters. 2. Christ loves me=we need to love our sisters. 3. He allowed himself to be sacrificed for me.=We need to serve, and sacrifice to help our sisters. 4. He helps me learn the gospel, through the spirit=We need to teach with the spirit, so that our sisters can learn more of the gospel 5. He fortifies me and my home=We need to help protect and fortify our sisters and their homes. She also stated multiple times, that His hands are our hands. We always need to remember to be the Lords instruments.
Brenda is the Relief Society President and she talked on Visiting Teaching on Five Fingers. 1. Partner=you need to have a good partner and be a good partner. 2. Prepare=make sure you are prepared to visit your sisters every month. 3. Pray=Pray with your partner when you visit your sisters. Pray to know what they need, and to bring the spirit into their home. 4. Present=Present the lesson in the Ensign. Be quick and to the point, so they will want you to come back. =) 5. Plan=Always remember to plan your future visits when you are finished for the month. She also stated that we need to listen more and talk less. Be upbeat and happy, try not to drop your burdens on the sisters you visit. Help carry theirs instead.
I was asked to sing with some wonderful ladies, the song In My Sisters Hands by Sally De Ford. You can listen to the real recording HERE. I believe you will need to actually download it. I don't think you can just click on it and here it through the web.
We've practiced a little bit, and I think we did ok. The ending was muddled a little bit, but it was fun.
I put it to some pictures of me my, sisters, and mom; my sweet girls; and a picture of Christ. I know it's supposed to be about our Visiting Teaching Sisters, but you work with what you've got. Besides, my girls are WAY CUTE!!!
Yesterday was actually a pretty good day. I've begun to feel pretty good about our life, and the help that we are getting with the kids. However, our ward caught wind of the stuff that we have been dealing with so yesterday afternoon there was a knock on my door.
The sweet Relief Society President brought over a lasagna and wanted to talk and see how we were doing. We had a good chat about what my family is going through. She wanted to know everything about the girls eyes, and Jason hearing and Autism questions. She asked me how I was feeling, and if they could help.
I told her that I was overwhelmed but that I think that we have a good plan of attack. It just might be a few weeks before we get everything figured out.
Before she left she gave me a hug. She is such a sweet lady, and is so concerned for the ladies in the ward. I don't think that I would have any problems calling her if we needed help.
Then in the evening we had Pack Meeting, so we were over at the church house. Jason was being his normal self and wandering around. He went down by the Bishop's office, and the Elders Quorum Presidency was in the Clerks Office.
Mike is a good guy! He's the new President. In the midst of his discussion he said, "Melanie, I heard their was a new diagnosis in your family." I explained that he hasn't been actually diagnosed but we are pretty convinced that he's Autistic. He has a daughter with some similar issues and was asking about his sleep, and all sorts of things. Before they left he asked if we needed any help. I told him we were doing fine. He then asked, "Would you actually tell me if you needed help?" Again, I really think I would. He has had similar concerns, and again he is such a nice guy! We are lucky to be where we are!!!
The kids had a lot of fun! I just kind of let the older kids run around and enjoy themselves. Brett and Duncan showed up not long after we did so they were able to enjoy Pulled Pork Sandwiches for dinner as well.
All in all a very fun Saturday.
