We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams . . .
yet we are the movers and shakers of the world forever, it seems

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Elliott Turned 8 and Chose to get Baptized!!

Elliott has turned 8!!!!
He had the funniest wish list for his birthday this year; all technology of course : iPod touch, kindle, computer, xbox…not going to happen!!! But, we decided a kindle was a perfect choice, he could read and play games. I think he thought so too; look at that face!!

We only do friend parties when the kids have landmark birthdays: 5, 8, 12, 16. This year, instead of choosing a destination party, he wanted a football party. FUN!!! We had cute invites, pin the football in the goal post, football themed goodie bags, build your own pennant, a football toss game, (notice Lucy's awesome lunge in this picture. Even though she isn't excited about football, she was very excited to be a great helper at the party. She was the ball-fetcher--as you can see here-- and she was the boy-rallier; I couldn't have done it without all her help and enthusiasm!!)

Football cake and decorations,


a football piñata that we threw a football at, then when that didn't work, 

we let the kids punch it! I think it was a success. Elliott's favorite part was the piñata!! MY favorite part was the piñata too, but not for the same reasons. As the boys were walking away from the piñata, one of Elliott's friends was disappointed because he only got 3 things. Here's the conversation I heard: Elliott, "I only got a few things too. Do you want some of my candy? Here, you can have it all if you want." WHAT?!?!?! It was his birthday, his party, and his special day, but he wasn't focused on himself. He did share most of his candy with his friend, and he never complained at all. I'm so proud of him.

 It's fun when a birthday doesn't end, and this year was a doozie!! Birthday party with friends on Saturday, dinner with my family on Sunday, pick up embossed scriptures on Monday, Papa and Gramma come with gifts on Friday, baptism and more gifts on Saturday!!!! He is such a happy, grateful boy.

 He has always wanted a suit with a vest for church, and I thought it was time he got one. He looks so dapper, right? He also looks so LITTLE!!!! He's my big boy, so sometimes I forget he is still a little boy!! He makes so many great, mature choices, and his faith is overwhelming to me sometimes. He understood the covenant he was making in being baptized, and he wanted to  make it. Mike said that while they were waiting to be baptized, Elliott was sitting still and ready, no fidgeting or goofing around. He understood, and he was ready!

Elliott, like Lucy, chose to have Papa Lund confirm him and give him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was such a beautiful blessing. He told him all the things Heavenly Father wanted him to know. He said that Elliott could use this Member of the God Head as his constant companion, and that He would help Elliott see and know right from wrong. He also said that in a "very distant land," Elliott would be blessed to teach on his mission. WHAT!!?!?! He's only 8 Papa, let's not get ahead of ourselves!!! :)
After the ceremony, when we got home, Elliott went straight to the TV; no surprise there. But what did surprise me is when he said he wanted to watch Book of Mormon shows on the Mormon Channel. I smiled as I told him that he was feeling the Spirit from his baptism, and he didn't want it to leave, so he was making choices to keep the Spirit with him. He is amazing.


Today, Sunday, when I went in Elliott's room to wake him up, he sat right up in bed, smiled at me and darted out of the room saying, "I'm going downstairs to read my scriptures!" Perfect way to start your first full day as a member of the Church, Elliott.



No comments: