A Perfect Day

     Carson was baptized on July 13 and it really was a perfect day.  Of course, there was fighting and whining in the morning as we cleaned the house and got ready (we were having an open house afterwards) and we may have resorted to flat out bribery to get Mason into the van so we could get there on time, but none of those little daily parenting challenges could take away from the sweetness and joy that were present throughout the day. 

     I sometimes wonder how much (if anything sometimes) of what we are trying to teach our children is sinking in.  As we talked about Carson's baptism in the months and weeks preceding the big day, however, I felt like the kids were actually listening.  We are so proud of Carson and his decision to be baptized and take this step.  I am so grateful for the good example he is for his younger brothers and sister. 

      

Carson and Mike.  

 How do we have an eight year old?

Looking at this picture, I wish we would have woken Elliot up, but at the time leaving him sleeping and happy in his carrier seemed like the wisest choice.  

This blurry picture is the best shot we got of the entire family.  

Carson with Great Grandpa and Grandma D.

        We had many family and friends attend the baptism which made it even more of a special day.  I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives that are such good examples to and love my children.  

        Each of the children being baptized was spotlighted.  Below are the answers to the three questions they asked me about Carson. 

1.  Five things about your child that you love and that make them unique

      1.  Carson has a tender heart and wants to do what right.  He doesn't like to see other people sad or hurting and will try to help them feel better.

      2.  He loves anything related to sports.  Playing them, watching them, and sports trivia.  He has a Best of 2011 sports trivia book that he sleeps with and the cover has completely fallen off of it because it has been so used.  He makes his own brackets and conducts make believe tournaments in the backyard.  

        3. He has an amazing imagination and is often imagining games for he and his younger siblings to play together.  He and his sister Abby have an entire world for their stuffed animals.  They all have names and are divided into families.  They set up school for them, create holiday celebrations, and take them on pretend vacations.   

       4.  He is the oldest of four children.  He has two younger brothers, Mason and Elliot, and one younger sister, Abby.  He loves his siblings and is good at including and playing with  them.  

        *He likes to collect things.  He has a collection of college football helmets.

2.  What does your child like to do in their free time?

He likes to play sports, play outside, play Mario Kart, and play board games.

3.  

Favorite scripture: 1 Nephi 3:7

Scripture story:  Jesus's birth

Primary song:  Book of Mormon stories