Sara's Blessing Day

Today Sara was given a name and a blessing by Joel.  Thomas was excited to be able to be able to hold the microphone for the blessing.  The following men stood in the circle for Sara's blessing:  Bishop MacPherson (our home teacher), Brother Schneck, Brother Pack, and Brother Pflug.  In the blessing Sara was blessed to:

 

     Grow strong in body, mind, and health.

     Gain a strong testimony of the Gospel and a desire to learn, grow, and progress in the Gospel.

     Have a desire to seek the Lord throughout her life and a desire to help build the Kingdom of God.

     Be a powerful force for good in her home, the church, and her community.

     Be an advocate for the teachings of Christ to all around her.

     Be a good friend and example to her siblings and friends.

     To always follow the Savior.

 

She was able to wear the beautiful blessing dress made by her Grandma Powell.  We are so blessed that my mom has made each of our children (and all her grandchildren) a special blessing dress or suit. I am excited to be able to get a picture of my mom with Sara in her dress in a couple weeks. Sara was able to wear the cute booties that Spring loomed for her.  She was absolutely beautiful.

 

As Joel walked up with Sara Joshie and Gideon got off the pew and stood up with their hands and chins resting on the pew in front of us.  They stayed standing like that, watching intently, during the blessing.  It was priceless.  How grateful I am for this sweet spirit that Heavenly Father has entrusted in our care.  As I hold her I am reminded of our Father's love for each of us. 

Newly Ordained

He was so excited when Brother and Sister Schneck gave him this shirt for his birthday!

Our oldest reached an important milestone in his life this past week. With turning 12 he was able to be interviewed by the Bishop and found worthy to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  He has been anxiously awaiting his time to be able to hold the Aaronic Priesthood.  He loves Primary and has mixed feelings about not being able to be in Sharing Time anymore.  He was ordained last Sunday, December 23rd by Joel.  He asked Bishop, Brother Schneck, and Brother Weimer to stand in the circle for his ordination. We invited Spring and Sammy to come in for it as well.  When I went to get Sammy from Primary he excitedly told his teacher, "My brother's getting the Priesthood!"  Super cute!  Joel enjoyed having him in Deacon's Quorum with him on Sunday and he gets to go on his first temple trip on Saturday.  He also gets to speak in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday as well as give a talk in Primary opening exercises on Sunday.  He couldn't be any happier.

For his birthday, he chose potato soup in homemade bread bowls for dinner with turtle cheesecake for dessert. He invited Sue Ann to join us for dinner as well. I know it sounds cliche, but I don't know where all this time has gone. I can still remember holding him when he was first born. The joy and excitment and gratitude for having him join our family. We have learned so much from him and with him in our journey. He has a willing and obedient nature and a kind heart. He seeks for ways to serve and help those around him. He has a love of learning and trying new experiences. He has been blessed with the ability to lead and guide those around him in the paths of truth. I love watching him grow and I love the interaction we share with him. He is a joy to be around and a great blessing to us all. I don't know how I can be a mother to a Deacon already, but I pray I will be the mom he will come to when he has questions, concerns, or excitement. I look forward to the many new experiences this stage of life will bring us.

 

The Night Before School Begins Again

So, here I am once again on the evening before school starting again.  The kids have their clothes picked out for the morning, their backpacks all ready to go in the hall closet, just finished putting up 3 lunches and 4 snacks for tomorrow, and the kids are all in bed trying to fall asleep amidst the excitement for the 1st day of school.  And, now with them all in their rooms I can freely cry over the end of another summer and the time for me to once again let them out into the world to return to school.  I really dread this time of year, but try not to let my kiddos know because I want them and need them to love school.  It is just difficult to send them out when I would prefer to have them home with me.  I am grateful; however, for the life lessons that can only be learned in school and for the opportunities they have to stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ as they share and strengthen their testimonies.  I am grateful they are learning to stand in Holy Places even when their are temptations and evil around them.

Our little Mary will begin Kindergarten tomorrow and she couldn't be more excited.  Her face beams and her smile is so wide you think her face will split in half whenever you ask her about school.  She is excited to meet new friends, learn lots of new things, have a new backpack, ride the bus, and be a "big kid" like her older brothers and sisters.  It will be so quiet in the mornings without her around.  I know she will thrive in school and maybe she will talk so much at school that she will run out of things to say when she gets home!   Just kidding...I know I will pick her up from school and she will have unending stories to tell me.  Bittersweet is the feeling of sending our 4th off to school for the first time...so grateful it is only for a half day.

Sammy is a "big first grader" this year.  He gets to stay all day and thinks that is pretty neat for four specific reasons:  (1)  He gets to ride the bus to and from school, (2) He gets more recesses, (3) He gets to each lunch at school, and (4) He gets his own desk at school.  He wanted to be sure I packed green grapes in his lunch because those are his very favorite.  I can't believe he is old enough to be at school all day this year.  I will miss his jokes and his silly antics that make me smile and remind me of all the simple pleasures of life that surround me if I will just take the time to look for them.  I know he will grow so much this year in school and will continue to bless so many people with his love and enthusiasm for life.

Spring will be the oldest in her school this year as a 4th grader.  She, too, is excited for school though she is sad that Ava and Brady are not in her class this year.  Ava has been in her class both years since we moved here and she is having a hard time knowing she won't be in her class.  She is very excited that this year she gets to have her own pencils and doesn't have to use class pencils that other kids chew on!  She has been so cute and nurturing with Mary this past week as they have been preparing for their first day of school.  I hear them talking at night and in their room during the day as Spring tries to give Mary the "low down" on school.  She has been sure to help her know the rules of the bus and the school to be sure Mary will be ready.  This will be her last year at Echo Hills and the last year of only having kids in 2 schools.  She will do so amazing this year and I am excited to hear all her stories and her impressions of school.

And, Thomas, somehow will be in 6th grade this year...big man on his campus as well before he heads off to Junior High next year.  He can't wait for Band and Orchestra to start up again next week.  He is excited for Accelerated Reader and for Science Camp that the 6th graders get to go on during the year.  He has planned out his schedule to be sure he can accomodate his music practicing, scripture reading, scouting responsibilities, home responsibilities, homework, 2 paying jobs, and of course lots of reading.  He is so meticulous that he has no problem getting everything done that he wants to do.  We are so grateful for the example he is to all of his siblings and for the love and watchful eye he keeps out for his siblings.

Last night, prior to Joel giving the kids each a Father's blessing, we talked to the kids a little about the importance of being an example to those around them at school.  We talked about how this takes an extra effort on their part.  We read Doctrine and Covenants 115:5 that teaches us to Arise and Shine forth that our light may be a standard to the nations.  We emphasized the action that is required to "arise."  Then we watched the music video for this scripture.  It was amazing to feel the Spirit teach our family.  Then the much anticipated Father's blessings were given beginning with Gideon because he and Joshie needed a blessing too.  We smiled as Joel mentioned that he had to bend over less and less as each child took their turn. Tears flowed freely from our eyes as Joel blessed each of our children and the Spirit filled our home.

Gideon's Blessing Day

Our sweet little boy, Gideon, was given a name and a blessing today at church. He had an adorable blessing outfit made by my mom. My mom has made each of her grandchildren their very own blessing outfit. I love that she does this for our children as they will be treasured heirlooms to them as they are older. She also made adorable jumpers for the girls and found red sweaters for the boys so they would all have something new for church today. Our good friend, Leo, who we met and were blessed to have him take the missionary lessons in our home before being baptized while we lived in Lemoore came for the blessing. Leo recently moved to Virginia for a new job and made the drive to our home for the weekend. Leo recently was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood so he was able to stand in the circle for the blessing. It was great to see him again and have him be part of this with us. We are also grateful that my mom was able to be there with us and witness Gideon's blessing.

The men that stood in the circle for Gideon's blessing were Joel, Leo, Bishop MacPherson, Brother Weimer, and Brother Garrison. After Joel said, "And the name that he shall be known by in the records of the church...." he just paused. At first I didn't think much of it and then the pause continued. I thought maybe he was choking up for a moment, then the pause continued and continued for a good 30 seconds or more. I was getting really nervous and wondering if he was going to change his name. However, after the delay he did give him the name of Gideon Joel and continued on with the blessing. When the blessing was over Joel sat down by me and asked if he had made me nervous and I said, "Yes. Did you do that on purpose?" He told me that he just drew a total blank and could not remember his name. He said he even opened his eyes and kept looking at him thinking, "Come on Buddy, tell me your name." I thought it was cute and we have teased him just a little bit about forgetting Gideon's name.

Joel gave him such a sweet blessing. He blessed Gideon with:

*health and strength throughout his life so he could serve faithfully in the church;

*the ability to grow strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ;

*discernment;

*humility to allow the Spirit to touch his life as he is young and as he continues to grow up;

*the desire to make the right choices in his life;

*choose to be baptized and to continue to stay strong in the church;

*the knowledge that his family loves him and that he is a choice son of his Father in Heaven;

*all the blessings that his Father in Heaven wants for him.

I am grateful for the Priesthood in our lives and for a husband that honors and magnifies the Priesthood to bless the lives of our children.

Hodge Podge Pictures

Here are a couple more pictures from Joshua's blessing.

We were able to travel to Ontario, CA this weekend so we could listen to Allison's farewell talk. Allison is Joel's cousin. She leaves to serve her mission in New Jersey next week. Our kids love her and her family and we all had such a wonderful time this weekend. She is going to make a wonderful missionary.

I love Joshua's smile. He is quick to smile yet sometimes it is difficult to get on camera. The other morning Spring was holding him before school and he was smiling so much. She wanted me to be sure to get a picture of her with him! Then she told me I needed to be sure to put it on the blog.

Joshua's Baby Blessing

Joel had the opportunity to bless our little Joshua at church today. Our dear friends, the Herrins, from our ward in Manteca came this morning to attend the blessing and visit with us after church. We had over 40 people visiting with us. People joked with us that our group made up half the congregation in Sacrament Meeting. It was wonderful and we are so grateful for them to be able to come and share that time with us. It was especially wonderful to visit with our wonderful friends again. The kids loved having their kids with them in primary again!

The following men stood in the circle for the blessing offered by Joel:

Grandpa Biggs, Great-Grandpa Miller, Uncle Carl, Uncle Ty, Steve Herrin, Bishop Ball, Brother Millet, and President Evans. Joel offered a beautiful blessing for our son. I am so grateful for the power of the Priesthood in our lives.

This is Lisa Herrin...my dear friend. I miss her so much. Today was the best day I have had at church since we moved here because of having our wonderful friends and family with us. It was so great to feel like I had a close friend with me at church again.

We did not get a picture of the whole group on our camera, somehow. I am anxiously awaiting this picture to be emailed to me so I can add it to this post. I have put off posting about this hoping the picture would come but decided I didn't want to wait any longer. So, stay tuned for that picture!

Father's Blessings

Tomorrow is Thomas' first day of 2nd grade and Spring's first day of Kindergarten. This evening Joel gave each of them a Father's Blessing, as is tradition for him to do. This is something my dad always did for us and Joel's dad did for him. The kids have been talking about Daddy giving them a blessing for about a week now and were so excited when the time came tonight. I am so grateful they look forward to this special time with their Dad. With all the changes and things that have happened in the last 3 weeks since we have moved I really haven't had time for it to sink in that Spring is starting school.

Tonight as Joel was giving her a blessing I was overcome with emotions and tears began to stream down my face. It really hit hard that Spring, our little girl, will be starting school tomorrow. I am not ready for her to take this next step in her life yet I know it is an important step and I know it is right. I guess you can say it has been a very emotional 36 hours. I am exhausted and I don't feel like I am ready for tomorrow but I know it is going to come regardless. I am grateful Joel finds it important to do this for our children.