Mr. Graduate

Travis will be writing (directing words)  this post:

We singed on the stage.  I'm looking at mom while singing.  It was the real day of school.  It was exciting.

 We said our parts in front of the parents.  My part was "we still have far to go."  (only 12 more years + :))  When we said our parts we went back down.  We singed a song.  The song was 1 song was take care of my body.  Another song was I like being me.  I'm done.

 This is my classroom.  I'm holding my graduation picture and things.  A mom made me a candy necklace.

 This is me and Mrs. Hyer.  She's my teacher.  She likes to have peace.  That's it.

 Here's me and my dad

 This is my friends.  Two of my friends are in here.  One of my school friends is in here.  They are Logan, Brady, and Bowen.

 This is my mom and me.

Kindergarten is the very beginning.  It is start of school.  After kindergarten you go to 1st grade.  You learn a lot.  You learn new things.  You have fun doing things.  That's it.

Mom's turn:  Travis is to cute.  So many times I watch him and just feel so lucky to be his mom.  He is fun, social, smart, and seriously fast (which helped him score every soccer game...multiple times!)  He loves friends.  He is so ready for 1st grade and so am I.  I will miss our afternoons together but he is soooo ready for more time at school with friends.  And I'm ready to not have to worry about another trip to school 2 hours after they start!  As ready as we both are for the next step a part of my heart cringes watching him get older.  He is just a cute kid at every stage...one that wins your heart over and you just want to freeze and keep him like that forever!  Here is proof that he is a good kid at school to.  Which makes me VERY happy to see.  He only got his card pulled once, and was so embarrassed about the whole situation I couldn't even get the whole story out of him :)  Love you travis.  Here's his student of the month award:

Big news

This chick is FINALLY walking (on her own) :)

She has been capable of walking since her 1st birthday but refused for 2 whole months!  That meant 2 months of her wanting my finger EVERYWHERE she went.  It has been SO nice to have both of my hands, and some ablity to roam, back!

Whitney's Baptism

I knew baptisms were special.  I looked forward to this big occasion and have tried to prepare Whitney, especially over this last year.  But this day really was an amazing reminder to me of the power of the atonement and the spirit!  Maybe it was because Whitney is my first child to get baptized, maybe it's because she's my sidekick and "glue" to this family functioning.  Really I think it's because she is an amazing daughter of God.  The spirit was so strong for me all day.  She radiated happiness and peace.  It was honestly perfect.  Just like she was.

 The morning was easy going getting ready.  Just enough time for set up, getting the whole clan ready, and of course pictures.

 I held myself mostly together.  I loved the one on one moments we were able to share behind the scenes talking about the big event.  The before and after in the dressing room.  She was the only girl, so we had it all to ourselves.  I'm already a little jealous that Aaron gets to do all that with Travis :)  While Whitney got baptized I watched from the side....in my own private cubby.  It was a little sacred spot for me in that second to be alone witnessing my Husband, my WORTHY husband, baptize our oldest child.  Tears quickly filled my eyes and by the time I got Whitney wrapped in a towel I just hugged her while I bawled.  I told her how proud I was of her and those few seconds of embrace where close to heaven for me.  She just smiled and was obviously proud of herself also.  100% clean!

Uncle Neal gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I loved how he emphasized that they say "receive" the Holy Ghost.  It's our job to receive him, to be worthy of the gift.  The spirit is always willing if we live right.  I hope Whitney will understand how amazing this gift really is.  It has guided and directed my life and led me towards happiness.  It has given me comfort when I feel alone, strength when I'm unsure, and direction and light when needed.  The spirit I felt during the meeting and all day was amazing.  I'm so grateful for the atonement to give us hope and the ability to have peace through the knowledge of what the atonement brings!  It was a little bit of heaven in our home that day.

It was so nice to have family and neighbors there to support also.  I think sometimes the big occasions make you appreciate those around you that much more.  The special effort family and neighbors took to show support is priceless.  The Murdocks came all the way from Idaho and it just made the weekend a party.  They are awesome. 

 Bethany and Neal lost precious studying time before finals to join us :)

 Jeff and Selly and Marcus braved the long drive with an infant to come!

 And Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen came with all their love and support.

What an amazing memorable day!