Grandma and Grandpa in the mountains

We were lucky enough to pay a visit to "the mountains" while my in-laws were here.  For those of you who haven't heard about our hook-up - my sister-in-law's parents own a home off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia that they are gracious enough to let us use.

Just like everyone does on their first trip there, Bill and Judy fell in love with the mountains.  What's not to love?  Incredible views, fresh air, campfires, gorgeous and comfy accommodations, and lots of family time.  We spent Mother's Day there - which was just perfect, in my opinion.

See the kite?

 Remember Oliver and his plow?

Carina in her blessing dress

This was originally my blessing dress 30 years ago.  Can you tell how much I loved seeing Carina in it?

 

Baptism and Blessing

May 14, 2011

Baptism of Colin Matthew Coleman

Conducting: Brother Miller

Pianist: Sister Ballard

Leading Music: Sister Audra Jeppson

Opening Song: A Child’s Prayer

Opening Prayer: Sister Sabina Jeppson

Talk on Baptism: Brother Bob Jeppson

Baptismal Ordinance performed by Chad Coleman

Witnesses: Brother Levi Jeppson and Brother Bobby Jeppson

Video – The Good Samaritan

Talk on Holy Ghost: Sister Katie Coleman

Confirmation performed by Chad Coleman

Primary Welcome: Sister Connie Simms

Bishopric Welcome: Bishop Johnson

Closing Song: Families Can Be Together Forever

Closing Prayer: Brother Santiago Jeppson

The baby blessing of Carina Anne Coleman will take place immediately following the closing prayer.

*Shyann's pictures:

*I am a part of a little photography club. It is pretty new - just a few moms trying to figure out how to best use our cameras. We share hints and get together to practice. I asked if anyone from it would be willing to take some pictures of our family afterwards (so that I could be in them and it would be one less thing for me to worry about), and my friend Shyann stepped up. Remember Shyann? The same one that made the gorgeous dress? Anyway, I was so happy that I asked, because she did a great job. She had a huge challenge - 14 kids that weren't exactly cooperative *cough cough Gabe*, weather that couldn't make up it's mind, and an infant thrown into the mix. Thanks Shyann - the pictures you took will be treasured! I especially love the one with everyone in it. And if anyone in Charlotte wants to join us at our club, we would love to have you! Really.

The Holy Ghost

Photo by Shyann

I first gave a version of this talk at my nephew Nolan's baptism last summer. Colin really liked it, so when he asked me to give it at his baptism, I revised it a little....so here it is.

Let’s talk a little about super-heroes. They are pretty exciting, huh? They always have important missions that they need to accomplish –very important tasks that only they can complete. Every super-hero has certain strengths, or things that they are good at, that help them accomplish those missions – they might be super strong, or super smart, or super brave. However, they also have weaknesses that stand in the way, and they are often surrounded by very dangerous situations. Even though they have super strengths, it’s never really that easy for them to get their mission accomplished, is it?

But every super-hero has a sidekick to help them out. Batman has Robin. Harry Potter has Ron Weasley. Even Dora has Boots. Those sidekicks are always there, ready to fight with them, ready to protect them from danger, ready to cheer them up when things look bad, ready to warn them if trouble is coming, or ready to figure things out when the superhero doesn’t have all the answers. Those sidekicks help them through the worst times and never leave their side.

Colin, you are like a super -hero. There are important missions for you to accomplish on this earth. There are things that you need to do that no one else can do for you. You will get a good education, go on a mission, have a family, and make a difference in a lot of people’s lives. You will find ways to change the world for the better, like Harry or Batman. Like them, you have a lot of strengths that will help you accomplish your missions. You are super smart, super athletic, super caring, and super funny. These traits will help you do the things you need to do. But just like the super heroes, it won’t always be easy for you. Even you have weaknesses. You will sometimes feel discouraged. Sometimes you won’t know what to do. Sometimes you will even be surrounded by danger.

The good news is, starting today, you will have something even better than Ron Weasley. You will have the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can be with you at all times. When you are discouraged, you can pray, and the Holy Ghost will help you feel better and see things more clearly. When you don’t know what to do, the Holy Ghost will guide you and help you figure things out. When you are coming close to danger, they Holy Ghost can warn you and keep you away from it. The Holy Ghost can help you with every step of your life.

Colin, I think the most important thing I can teach you as a parent is to pray. Prayer is the answer to everything. When you are happy and grateful, pray. When you are sad and lonely, pray. When you are confused, pray. When you need help with anything, pray. I promise you, with all my heart, that you will be always be glad that you prayed. You will never regret it. Your prayers will be answered and the Holy Ghost will help you through whatever mission you need to accomplish.

Colin, you and I have often talked about what my job as your parent is. Do you remember? I always tell you that my job is to protect you, and to teach you. I can’t always be with you to do those things, and your Heavenly Father can’t be with you, but the Holy Ghost can. You will feel Heavenly Father’s love through it, and it will protect you, and it will teach you. Remember your Savior. Today you take His name upon you. Remember to try and live like Him, and treat everyone around you as He would treat them – with love and kindness. I love you so much Colin, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bill and Judy at the Garden

We took Chad's parents to the garden last week. It was a cloudy day but we didn't really expect rain.

Chad tempting the water tunnel to come on.

And Gabe jumping right in. He got drenched. It was a cool day and I couldn't believe he wasn't freezing.

Don't be fooled by his smile though. He was Mr. Grumps during the rest of the trip (before and after getting soaked). Sometimes when we have company he gets a little tense. I think Bill and Judy were probably wondering what they got themselves into - over a week more of this?!

Not long after those pictures, it started to rain. Of course we were in the middle of the garden, so we sought shelter. It didn't come down too hard though, and didn't last too long.

The upside of rain at the garden is incredible lighting and incredible color. I didn't enhance the color on these pictures at all. Aww, I love. Don't we live in a gorgeous world?

Items of Note

Well, let's start with the small stuff.

Yesterday was Cinco De Mayo. Did you celebrate? We did - but really just so we would have an excuse to have carne asada burritos. They are a Jeppson family favorite. The recipe is totally gringo, but they are muy delicioso.


We got a patio dining set last weekend at a yardsale. We have wanted one for years but they are so pricey that they haven't been on the top of our list. In fact, we had just resigned ourselves to getting a really cheap one we didn't like much at Ikea the day before and luckily hadn't assebled it. Took it back! Well, I am pretty darn excited about this new one. The cushion were pretty raunch so we needed to replace them. Found the perfect replacements at guess where? ALDI! We have used it every day since we got it.

So, now the real news:

Chad's parents are in town!!! That's my mother-in-law Judy in the above picture. They drove across the country to visit and we couldn't be more excited to have them here.

My kids adore their Grandma and Grandpa Coleman. Many more posts to come about their visit!

Good Enough

I told Chad this morning, "Let's get the kids ready early for church so I can grab some pictures of them before we leave."

And then I played this game I like to play a lot lately. I pull out my pre-maternity clothes and try on outfit after outfit, trying to find something that at least kind of fits and at least kind of looks good. You know the game. It isn't very fun, but it is good at sucking up time.

By the time I dressed myself, I realized it was going to be a rush just to get the kids ready on time - the pictures definitely weren't going to happen. So I played another game I am not so fond of. In this one I dig through the pile of clothes on my bedroom floor that I have managed to wash, but have not managed to put away, trying to pull together outfits for the kids that don't scream, "Member of a postpartum household." I only half succeeded in this game as well, and before we managed get out the door, Oliver managed to lose his tie and get red marker on his shirt. Add to that the scrape on his face and his appearance was living up to his orphan name.

Oh, and the hairbow my mom made for Carina's new dress? Where the heck did it go?

We were late for church, (which, despite my disorganized tendencies, actually isn't the norm for us) and by the time we straggled in, grumpy parents and hyper kids, there was not a single row in the sacrament room with enough room for a family of six. Sitting the foyer did wonders for the kids' reverence -taking it from straight from"barely acceptable" to "go sit outside before I strangle you here and now".

This is what is lovely about church though - even though I spent much of sacrament meeting thinking that we should just pack up and go home, when it really was time to leave a couple of hours later, I loved my kids, I felt calm and happy, and I no longer had a list in my head of everything that was wrong with each member of my family.

When we got home, the hairbow was found, some pictures were snapped (in which I look really tired and my hair is a mess), and really, everything that really needed to get done today was done (meaning the church part, not the pictures part).

And that is kind of sums things up for me right now.

One Month Old

21 3/4 inches (75th percentile)
10 lbs 2 oz (75th percentile)

Easter

Baby-In-A-Easter-Basket

When I saw this basket a couple of months ago, I snatched it up, thinking it would be just perfect for my baby girl. I did not anticipate two things: that she would be born early instead of late, and that she would be my fastest growing baby. She barely fit in the basket yesterday.

This cheesy tradition that started with a spur-of-the-moment photo shoot when Colin was 18 days old, has become much more than that for me. Every Easter when we pull out those baskets, I coo to the kids, "Ooooh, I can't believe you used to fit in that basket!!!" It makes me gooey with nostalgic love and I am reminded how precious they all are to me, and how quickly time passes.

Pictures of the other kids in their baskets here.