8 really is great

i can't think of a more momentous weekend than the one we just had. reagan was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on saturday afternoon. thomas was able to baptize him and it was a really incredible moment for our family. the Spirit was strong, scarlett sang, "i am a child of God" and i laughed and cried at the wonderment of my special son that Lord has entrusted to me. 

and it was especially fun because reagan was WIRED before the baptism and then decided as soon as he and thomas were in the water that he actually wasn't convinced immersion was the way to go and he DIDN'T want his head to go under water. so, reagan's baptism was of the more acrobatic variety. but, it was a success. 

 my special 8 cookies. i think my luck ran out after reagan's birthday cupcake spectacular. these don't look very inspirational, but they tasted fantastic. thank you emily! 

afterward we went to dinner at reagan's choice. of course it was pizza and all the way downtown i tried to convince him that mexican food was actually the baptismal food of choice but he held to his guns. 

we really did have a good time though this picture suggests otherwise.

easter sunday was a delight. we were nearly on time for 10am church and it was only slightly awkward when i walked in late to the front of the chapel because i was actually one of the speakers. 

and this was as good as it was going to get. everyone but me in this family has a camera aversion. thomas didn't even make an appearance for easter morning pictures.

scarlett set up this cadbury egg vingette and then she was suddenly on board with easter photography. 

for the record, i purchased those flowers and glue gunned them on the headband and clip myself. big deal for easter. 

and in closing, i was lucky enough to be able to speak on easter sunday about the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and specifically the garden of gethsemane. preparing a talk for church is always such an uplifting a refreshing experience for me. i truly love it. 

one of my favorite quotes i used in my talk was from elder kent f. richards. 

"The Savior is not a silent observer. He Himself knows personally and infinitely the pain we face.

“He suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children.”5

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”6

Sometimes in the depth of pain, we are tempted to ask, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?”7 I testify the answer is yes, there is a physician. The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all these conditions and purposes of mortality."

it was a great weekend indeed.