Maddie's Baptism

Maddie was baptized yesterday. It was such a beautiful and spirit filled day. My parents, Andy's parents and sister, and my friend Brenda all came out for the special day. We also had so many friends come to support Maddie (friends from church and friends not of our faith). We had dinner first then filled the RS room with 50+ people. Maddie and 7 of her friends that are 8 sang the Baptism song. Jann and my dad both gave wonderful talks about baptism and the Holy Ghost and Andy did a great job with the Baptism and gave a beautiful Cconfirmation.

In the middle of preparing programs, food, pictures, and setting up chairs and tables I could definitely see the benefit in having a Stake baptism. But I had so much help from my family and friends that everything turned out just wonderful.

I will always remember this day and how beautiful and happy Maddie looked and the spirit that was felt so strongly during those special ordinances.

It was a long day for Sophie with no nap and lots of church, and not enough attention from mom-

Some of my friends that were there-

Maddie and Bishop Druce-

cheetos and cake, anything to make her happy-

Girl Scouts at the Cemetery

I took Maddie and the Girl Scouts to the Cemetery to talk about Memorial day and to go on a little scavenger hunt to find things like a headstone with the same name as you, someone that died older than 90, or a USA flag, etc.

Maddie's Birthday

(The Pictures go from the end of our day to the beginning because I didn't want to fix them)

Maddie's birthday was also the last day of school so she had one packed day. She woke up to find her presents and birthday cereal waiting for her. Sophie was so excited till she realized the presents weren't for her-then is was complete meltdown. Maddie's big present was our weekend in Salt Lake but she also received a set of her own scriptures with her name on it, a new pilowpet, some scripture marking pencils, some pj's, shorts, shoes, and a baptism bracelet. Plus her and Sophie are getting bunkbeds. After opening presents she was off to school.

Andy, me, Garen, and Sophie went to her school after lunch and brought (at Maddie's request) chocolate and vanilla ice cream sandwiches. The kids loved Sophie and wouldn't leave her alone.

While Maddie finish at school Sophie went and got her shots at the doctor. She know tells me all the time that she doesn't like the doctor anymore. She weighed in at 29 pounds and 35 inches tall.

After Maddie got home from school she got to play outside for a bit before we headed to her softball game. She brought cupcakes to share with her team. Then we stopped and McDonald's (Maddie's choice) for dinner. We let Maddie pick a movie to stay up and watch (Nomeo and Juliet). At home we had cupcakes and ice cream and didn't end up starting the movie till 9:30. So Maddie and Garen got to stay up past 11. Maddie said it was the best birthday and last day of school ever and then zonked out!

Maddie and her BFF Kamryn-

It's Great to Be Eight!

Today my little girl turns 8! Where did the time go? She told me this morning that she does feel bigger and different than she felt yesterday.
She is such a smart and kind little girl and she cannot wait to be baptised in 3 more days.
She helps me with the house work and with Sophie all the time, she loves to tell jokes and read joke books, she plays for hours with all the neighbor boys and can beat most of them in a wrestling match, she comes home with grass stains on her knees everyday but wanted to wear a dress to school today so everyone would know it was a special day. She is one special little girl that makes my life more exciting and filled with joy!