Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Cyrena is baptized

It's interesting when there are moments in your life where you think something is going to turn out one way and then it completely surprises you and turns out even better.  






I had the expectation that Cyrena's baptism day was not going to run perfectly smoothly, maybe be a little stressful and that her siblings would distract me.  


 In the end, everything wasn't totally smooth, the kids were a little distracting, and David and I did stay up until 1 in the morning the night before finishing preparations. 



However, I was amazed at the spirit I felt, how much my heart was bursting with  love, and how completely content and happy I was.  


 It was a day that ranked right up there with the day we were married 

I had notecards in a basket so everyone could write down their thoughts, feelings and testimonies to share with Cyrena.  I had those loved ones far away do so through email then put all the cards into a photo album for Cyrena to keep.

After she was confirmed Cyrena bore a sweet testimony. She was prepared for this day.  She had been taught by primary teachers, her family and the missionaries.
 




Afterward we had a tasty brunch and enjoyed visiting and watching a slideshow David had made for Cyrena's first 8 years.



Cyrena opened up a few presents.  We gave her some scriptures and a journal, Grandma and Grandpa Lemmert made her a scripture bag, Grandma and Grandpa Taylor gave her a hymn book, and aunts and uncles gave her some jewelry and books. 


 He's a ladykiller


That night after things had settled down and we were all just hanging around the house I made this comment, "I guess staying up until 1 in the morning was worth everything turning out so well!"  

Cyrena sat quietly absorbing this and then came over to me with tears in her eyes and said "Thank you for staying up so late to make everything so special for me, I know you really really love me" 

It was my first real glimpse of my grown-up girl feeling the spirit and the joy that comes from knowing who you are and following the Savior. 

I can't wait to see more




After Christmas hoopla

After Christmas the fun continued!  We met up with the Rutkowskis again for pictures, a picnic and kickball!













Then the girls got to use some Christmas money and go to Build a Bear Workshop for the FIRST TIME ever!  Very exciting. 


Christmas 2013

Beware-long post with lots of pictures!

After Cyrena's birthday party we opened the front door to find this:
HOORAY!
We were so excited for grandma and grandpa to come for Christmas.   They brought Christmas hats for the kids and birthday presents for Cyrena and Anna.


During the holiday week we had a get together with the Rutkowskis who were in town also!  We love cousin and family time-don't get enough of it!


Two cute grandmas

We played the stocking stuffer game (tradition)

Nina was crawling circles around Evan-attack!

 We got to see the temple Christmas lights with grandma and grandpa.  

Before we went we dropped off some donations to the NICU where Evan lived the first 19 days of his life.  It was a great experience to walk those halls and remember our time there. Because of our time there, we are blessed everyday with this:





 Always my favorite setup

 Nativities around the world


 Christmas Sunday



CHRISTMAS EVE:

 Christmas Eve was wonderful.  We ate a full mexican dinner.  Stacked enchiladas, rice, beans, quacamole, YUM!

We had a great lesson about the birth of the savior and watched a little video

 Then we dressed up for the nativity

 The narrator and the wiseman

 Joseph leading Mary on her donkey--with an angel on the side


 Here comes the shepherd with her sheep

 Oh the irony...




 Mary took her job very seriously, even through the next morning



CHRISTMAS DAY:
 
 Waiting for the descent to see if Santa came!

 Scooters for the girls.
We still had Cyrena's party decorations up....





 Anna's favorite gift was sparkly chapstick!

 And I was totally surprised by a new bike!

 Grandma and grandpa Lemmert came over for presents and breakfast.  The rest of the day we played, dug into this chocolates box, rested, and played some more. 

 I think she sums it up well...










The Deans

My photo
Life as we know it is full of laughter, fun, stress, love, faith and surprises. What more could we ask for?