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Tonight was Nathan's baptism. I just can't believe he's 8. And baptized. It's all gone by so fast. I can't imagine how much faster it goes from here. Too fast is all I know!

We gave him scriptures before dinner and he was so excited for his own quad set. He couldn't wait head up to the church. There was mass chaos around here right before we all left but it was hilarious chaos if you will (so glad it wasn't the shut down, cry your eyes out chaos). 18 family members in this little house welcoming and hugging each other, changing into church clothes, finishing dinner, cousins wild with laughter/growling/yelling, packing bags and rushing around so we wouldn't be late. Then it was Milo and Nate leaving for the church and Kyle and Heidi heading out to pick up my grandma. And the rest of us were still running around frantic because I couldn't find my wedding ring. Just to up the drama a bit I guess (it was found after the event and the house returned to a calm state, ha).

We have stake baptisms here and I'll admit it, I'm not a huge fan of them. I think it's a harder to stay focused on the spirit as you change rooms and deal with children (mostly my 2 yr old and I have the family photos to prove it!) along the way. But when Milo and Nathan went into the water I felt the spirit so strong and I was grateful for that sweet confirmation that the gospel is true.

When my friend's daughter was baptized in May, the kid's primary teacher, went into the dressing room and took her picture soaking wet, right out of the font. I've had in my mind that I wanted a photo like that of Nathan ever since. I knew it would be too crazy if I were the one to try and take it so I asked her if I sent them to the door of the dressing room, would she take their picture. She offered to send her husband in (our old bishop) with the camera to get some of the same photos. Thanks Bishop and JoDean, I love them all.

I'm so happy I remembered to ask her, isn't this great?! I just love his soaking wet, happy, pure, innocent, freshly baptized, eight year old face. I don't want him to grow up!

She was a little bummed his face was covered up here but I love this one too. Nathan's not one to have a very natural smile and both of these seriously melt my heart because they are just perfect. I'm so happy he chose to be baptized. He has been waiting all year as he watched the rest of his class take that step. He was so ready for tonight and I feel so blessed to be his mom.

Before Milo confirmed him, the second counselor in our bishopric asked Nathan why it's important to be baptized. He said right off, 'so we can be a member of our church and so we can be like Jesus Christ'. So, so proud of this boy!

Congrats on your baptism Nathan, we love you so much! (see what I mean about the 2 yr old?)

**I have to add that for the past two mornings, I have found Nathan and Kathryn reading out of the Bible in the book of Genesis. They told me they are going to read a chapter out of the Bible every morning. Nathan loves his new scriptures. How adorable!