Avrie's Baptism Day

I know I know I am running a little behind. At least it is only 1 week! Last Saturday Avrie was baptized. She looked so beautiful all dressed in white and was so excited for her special day. She got a little nervous when she saw all the people but she did it! She was baptized a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints.

There were also 12 other children being baptized that day and the stake center was packed! She had family and friends there to celebrate with her. Randy Baptized her (in freezing cold water) She was so quick getting dressed she even beat Randy into the high council room. I guess she was so cold she wanted dry warm clothes on. Randy then confirmed her and gave her a beautiful blessing.

After all the fun we headed to the park with family and friends for some dinner and the kdis had fun playing on the playground while the adults ad fun visiting. It was a great day and I am so proud of the choices that she is making. She is such a beautiful girl! The next day was fast Sunday and she wanted to bear her testimony. Randy asked if I was going to bear my testimony since I did for Kelsie because Avrie might feel bad if I didn't. I said I had to say the closing prayer and that he should do it because I don't think she would have remembered I did for Kelsie. Besides I hadn't heard him bear his testimony in a long time. He was a sport and did a great job speaking directly to Avrie all the truths of the gospel. I hope she remembers that!

Congratulations Avrie on making the first big step, you are on a great path!

Happy Anniversary!

I have the best boyfriend EVER!! I have also been married to him for 11 years!!! It has been wonderful. 11 years and 4 kids later I love him more and more! Randy is such an amazing man and wonderful father. He has been such a support to me over the last 11 years and especially the last 4 months while I have been going back to school. He never complains that the house isn't perfectly cleaned or that dinner isn't ready (or that i haven't even thought of what to have for dinner) while I have been busy studying or taking kids to school or running errands. He is so PATIENT!!

Randy is such a hard worker. He does so much to provide for our family. Some days are better than others at work but I know he would be willing to flip burgers if he had to to provide for us and I am so thankful for his example of hard work.

Randy is strong in the gospel. I love seeing him in the living room reading his scriptures every morning no matter how tired he is. I love seeing him kneeling to say his prayers and wondering how much longer he's going to be kneeling. (I think to myself...haven't his legs fallen asleep yet) I love that Andrew just knows dad is at church meetings on sunday and even during the week, and then wants to get in his suit and be ready to go too! What a great EXAMPLE.

Randy loves to spend time with us. Vacations are great and we enjoy the time we get together but time at home is great too. He is such a help with the kids and their homework, and going for bike rides, and taking the kids on dates. I love that he enjoys being a dad and being involved with their lives.

Thank you babe for the past 11 years and I hope for many more to follow. (too many to count actually, that would be eternity right?) I love you!

Welcome Home Uncle CLAY!!!

It was no April Fools joke. Clay came home from his mission April first and was greeted by anxious family including 14 nieces and nephews, 2 that he had never even met! I finally got the hug I had been waiting for! It was so good to have him home. I forgot he would be in a daze for a while and be wanting to go back. I was wondering why he didn't seem as excited as us to be home! maybe it was missing the mission or maybe it was seeing 14 kids and knowing they were all staying for the weekend! HAHA He did well with them and they were all so excited to have Uncle Clay home. I wish Dad and David could have been there with us it would have made it the perfect weekend for us all to be together.

The kids were out of school for Easter break so we just stayed for the weekend and since it was General Conference Randy didn't have church meetings either so it was great. Conference was wonderful. Easter was great. The kids were a little disapointed that they only got movies and some candy and the other kids got toys and no candy. I guess you just can't win. Avrie has already figured out the secret. I thought Kelsie was just playing silly saying she didn't know if it was real or not. (because we tell them if they don't believe he doesn't come)I guess I burst her bubble when she found out the truth of the "easter bunny" It was better than seeing their grumpy faces and hearing them whine. After they found out they seemed content and happy with what they got! It was a great weekend with the family and a fun Easter break!

(I will have to post more pics when I get some more time)