A Cowboy's Sweetheart

I was sitting outside the other day and Belle came and sat infront of me on this old rocking horse with a cowboy hat on. I got some great pictures for a layout. This is my favorite.

ENJOY!!

Belle's Baptism

Ysabelle was baptized on Saturday.

We got to the building at 12:30 pm. It was a little early, but we would have the opportunity to take pictures (I am all about the scrapbook moment). Belle was already in her jumper and Steve changed into his once we got there. My mom and dad came up for the occasion. Bro. Duve, who is on the bishopric, arrived only to find that his key could not open the doors that enclosed the baptismal font. I began to freak out, but tried to stay calm. I knew eventually he would get the correct key. People began to arrive and take their seats.

Finally Bro. Duve got the key and opened the doors only to find that the font had been drained since the baptism a few hours before our own. YIKES!!!! He came to me at 1:00 pm, the time that the programs was suppose to start and informed me of our predicament and that it would take about 25 minutes to fill the font enough for Belle to baptized in. Everyone was quite patient as we waited and listened to the water fill the font. Finally about 1:20 we began the program. Zachary read a scripture, my father presented a talk about baptism and then Zachary, Katie and Becky sang, "I Am A Child of God" to Belle. The she and Steve entered the baptismal waters. Even with only a little water in the font, it only took one dunk. She got out and I assisted her in getting into her pure white dress and helped dry out her hair. Then came back into the Relief Society Room and listened to my mom's talk on the Holy Ghost and then Steve confirmed her and said a sweet blessing.


This was such a beautiful baptism. I don't think I have ever felt the spirit as strongly at a baptism as I did at Belle's. It was quite incredible. It was kind of funny...Later in the day, when I looked at her she even looked a little different to me. More confident, mature, she was beautiful.

Belle's Ear Piercing

As I was planning for this crazy weekend last week, Belle came to me and said, "I can't wait until Saturday, I get to have my ears pierced."

HOLY HANNAH!!!!

I had forgotten I had told her when she turned 8 she could get her ears pierced. But we had planned a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt for the morning, I needed to pick up the birthday cake, go and get the pictures developed from the Primary Activity the day before, clean up my house, get the kids washed and dressed for the baptism and actually get over to the church. When was I gonna do this or even have the energy.

I told told my friend Wendy about my predicament and she reminded me that our neighbor Lindsi pierces ears and that Wendy actually had a set of studs we could borrow.

So Saturday morning I was on the phone with Lindsi and determined I had a half hour window to come over and have this done. Wendy, bless her heart, could not find the studs and remembered that she had lent them to her sister in law, who lives in the next town over. So she drove over there and met me at Lindsi's for "THE PIERCING". Belle had no idea what we were doing. We pulled up in front of Lindsi's and I said, "okay Belle...Let's get those ears pierced." She was a ball of excitement and nervousness all rolled in one. We had a good audience: Lindsi's daughter's Bailey and Emily, a neighbor Mackenzie and Wendy and her daughter Kayla.

Lindsi got the first earring in without much resistance, but Belle was a little hesitant to have it done again. Everyone in the group reassured her it would be okay and that she was being so brave. I worried about the time. We still had so much to do. Finally Lindsi said, "Do you want your mom to hold your hand?" I did and she seemed to relax a little.

She does look really pretty with the new earrings and has shown everyone that she now has pierced ears. I can't believe how mature she looks.

Madam Crane's Wax Museum

Friday Morning the D Track 4th Grade put on a Wax Museum. The kids had to read a biography, write a 1 page report, make a poster with pictures and facts, BUT the best part was that they got to dress up as the person the read about. Zachary had read a book about Abraham Lincoln. We had fun coming up with his costume. Steve went to a party store and found he top hat and then went to DI (a thrift store) and found a black bow tie. Then using a piece of felt Steve made a beard that attached to his glasses. He did not have a black suit jacket, but wore ablack one of mine that had been hanging in my closet. He looked so cute. We arrived at Mrs. Crane's room at 10:00 am to find all sorts of great characters: John Muir, a few Helen Kellers, Frida Kahlo, a couple of Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth, Mia Hamm. On the cout of 3 all the students had to hold their poses as the parents proceeded to walk through. We also visited the other 4th grade class rooms. Some of our friend's were in those classrooms and were George Washington, Venus Williams and Albert Einstein.