Eight year olds and accountability

Last month, my eight year old G was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a special day for him. He was baptized by immersion in a font at our church. Then several family members (who have priesthood authority) layed hands upon his head while my husband confirmed him a member of the church and gave him a sweet blessing.

Here's the pictures:



As a mother, it is awesome to see my little boy take this step. It is interesting that as his brain begins to understand the meaning of choice and consequences that he would be given the opportunity to make a choice of this magnitude and be held accountable by his Father in Heaven for his actions. I hope he understands that he is NOT perfect and will make mistakes, but he can learn to make good choices and will be guided by the spirit to make such choices.

Look Who's Eight!

January is a busy month for us. We have another birthday to celebrate. Our third oldest is turning eight years old! We are so pleased with his to decision to be baptized at the end of this month.

This little guy had a rough start in life. He came 29 days early and weighed in at a whopping 6 pounds 12 ounzes (big for a preemie). His lungs were underdeveloped and required a ventilator to keep him breathing. He had more wires and tubing sticking out of him than I could bare. It was sobering to see him laying there in his tiny isolette with all that medical equipment keeping him alive. The ventilator was only needed for about 24 hours. He made small improvements over the next three days, and then he really started thriving. There were many trips back and forth to the hospital to nurse and hold my baby. 6 days later, he was ready to come home. We had to keep him on oxygen for another week, but I was so happy to be able to bring him home, I didn't care what he needed.

This picture was taken just before they whisked him off to put him on the ventilator.This picture was taken probably about 3 weeks after he was born.
He didn't stay little for long. He is probably only 5 weeks old in this picture. He was getting downright chunky!

At Rocky Mountain National Park - This is our family's favorite place to play. What a cutie!

This is G with his big brother at his uncle's wedding. Doesn't he look cute in that tuxedo? His last day of kindergarten with his friend (who's also getting baptized on the same day)Last summer at Bryce Canyon -
His loves to earn money and spend it on frivolous things. (Last week he spent $5 on rocks!) He is playing Junior Jazz Basketball right now and having a blast. He loves to spend time outdoors. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter. He just loves to be hiking or sledding or biking. I think he will love skiing when we get around to teaching him.

We love you kiddo!