Sydney Anderson's Baptism

A couple of weeks ago we had the Elders over for dinner. We have had an investigator coming to church now for a couple or months named Sydney. He is single, about 26 and African American. I always get excited when I see other Black people at church and so of course I went up and introduced myself. He is such an awesome guy and I could really feel his spirit. So I decided to ask him to join the Elders at our house for dinner. He accepted and we had a very nice dinner together, but what happened after dinner is the part that is so special.
We were all sitting around the table talking and answering some of his questions about the church. I told him about our conversion story and the Spirit was very strong. Elder Ausmus flat out asked him if he wanted to get baptized and he accepted!! Ausmus went and got our family calendar and we set the date right then and there. I couldn't believe how great it was and in actuality how easy it was!! I know he had been working with the elders but not for very long because he was actually supposed to be getting the lessons by the elders in the other ward. He doesn't live in our ward boundaries. But he felt very partial towards our ward because there are 2 other Black families in our ward and he really liked Elder Ausmus. Funny how it works because Elder Ausmus has avoided 3 transfers and has been here for almost 6 months now. I know that he was essential to Sydney's conversion, and now I know why he hasn't been transferred. :)
We were able to attend his Baptism on Friday night at our stake center. He was baptized by Elder Ausmus and James confirmed him on Sunday. I was asked to give a talk about the Holy Ghost....I was so nervous--I have never spoken at a baptism before and felt very intimidated, but realized that Sydney loves our family and this is a bond we will always share with him. The Spirit was so strong that night while we watched him become a member of our church.
I also realized how strong the adversary is over the last two weeks. Satan was really working on James and I. It seems like everything has been a struggle. I have been very depressed and stressed out. Feeling overwhelmed with my life and feeling sorry for myself. But on Sunday I realized why all this is happening--it's because of our hard work and focus on Sydney. During his confirmation--I just sobbed because of the pride I felt for my husband. He has grown so much over the last 9 years since his baptism and now he is a beacon and an example to so many people that share his skin coloring and that don't. I bore my testimony of the truth that I have felt so many times over the last 2 weeks and was replenished spiritually for the next few weeks. We had such an awesome fast and testimony meeting. I didn't even want to go to church that day and left feeling soooo inspired! I'm so grateful that I could witness and be a part of another child of God coming to the fold.

Benny's Home!

I can't believe it's been 2 years since Ben left on his mission to England. He was such a little boy when he left and he's really turned into a MAN!! He is so spiritual and mature--it's great to see how a mission can develop our young men. Ben didn't talk very much before he left --sometimes you forgot he was even in the room, but now he's fully conversational. It's great to hear about all his experiences on his mission--and he's really not too weird having just come home;)

Malak just fell in love with Ben. At the reception he just clung onto Ben and actually fell asleep on his shoulder. I tried to take him a few times but he wanted nothing to do with me...he only wanted Ben. Kai also has a special place for Ben--he talked about him alot while he was gone on his mission. Usually Kai is pretty shy but when he saw Ben for the first time--he just ran to him and gave him a big hug!! It melted my heart because I know how much Kai adores Ben. It's wonderful to have him home--I'm trying to get him to come spend a week or so with us in Vegas--we'll whip him into shape out here!

We weren't able to be at the airport when he got home on Thursday night before JaNae's wedding, but most of the family was there. I'm so glad they were able to recieve him and let him know how much he was missed. I know Kieth is happy to have his baby home!!

Nae Nae's Wedding

Jason and JaNae Simper (don't ya like the ring of that?)

First of all, I can't believe my baby sister is married!! I went through so many emotions over the weekend, but the one I felt the most was pride. I am so proud of who she is becoming and the wonderful mother she will be. Russel and Rylee are so blessed to have a step-mom as amazing as she is. JaNae is the kind of person that loves unconditionally. She loves my children like they were her own and I know she will be able to love her stepsons the same way. They will never know the difference. She was such a beautiful bride and was just radiant on her wedding day!!

Where's Hariella?
We left really early on Friday morning to be able to help as much as possible before the wedding and the kids had the day off school anyway for teacher development. We went to the church to help set up because the wedding, luncheon and reception were all in the same place. I felt like we lived at the church for 2 days, but it was nice and comfortable. My mom did such an awesome job at getting everything ready for the reception. I was very proud of her talents and organization to make everything run smoothly. I was also grateful for JaNae's simpleness because everything was so beautiful but easy. The reception just looked beautiful!!

While everybody set up in the cultural hall- I was doing hair out in the foyer--is that illegal?? I didn't want to be stuck at home while everyone was helping at the church--I wanted to be involved so I knocked 2 birds out with 1 stone by combining the activities! I think I cut 5 heads and colored JaNae's hair so she would look gorgeous for the wedding!!

We woke up early on Saturday to get ready for the wedding at noon. I did JaNae's hair and makeup as well as my moms. I looked a sight because I paid no attention to myself--but I told them that the wedding couldn't start until I got MY makeup on!!

The ceremony was beautiful--but my favorite part was when Jamie played a song by Josh Gracin called "Unbelieveable". He put his own take on it and remade it beautifully!! I admire his awesome talent. JaNae hadn't told him what she wanted until Wednesday before the wedding and the music isn't in print so Jamie just downloaded it from Itunes and figured it out himself...what a talented musician! The ceremony and reception were just amazing and it was a great day to spend with family. I've been up to Utah 3 times in the last month and have really enjoyed the time spent with my family. I wish I lived closer to them so I could see them regularly.

Pet Day at Preschool

On Wednesday Kai had preschool. He normally goes to Miss Kathy’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays but she was going out of town skiing and rescheduled school for Wednesday. I was really excited because I got to participate in their Pet Day. It’s always scheduled on a day that I have to work, so I was happy to take the 7th member of our family to visit Kai at school. Max is such a great dog and our family just loves him so much. Kai just kept asking me to remember to come to his school and to not forget!
I showed up with Malak and Max in tow 30 minutes before school got over and Miss Kathy ushered us to the back yard while Max dragged us along. He was so excited to have all these kids paying attention to him! He ran wild as soon as I let him off his leash and all his training went out the window—I couldn’t control him. But nevertheless everybody had a ball! Other moms showed up with their dogs too and everybody played nicely. Max was way bigger than the other 2 dogs and I was scared he was going to eat them alive! Ben brought his brand new puppy named Lucy. She is a beagle and the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. (Although she wouldn’t hold still long enough to get a good photo of her) And Danny brought his big beagle that was named Chopper. All the dogs got along nicely but Max did a little damage to some of the kids with his tail—oops! That thing never stopped swinging and it’s pretty lethal when it hits…so you can imagine the kids complaining about it. Blake brought his turtles and they were both lucky to survive that outing. All the kids wanted to touch them and one got dropped—so we decided to just look at them in their water instead of hold them…
We had a great day enjoying and learning about pets and what a wonderful effect they have on children. I am convinced every young boy should grow up with a doggy, especially one like Max!

He's Posing

Malak is posing for pictures now! He even says "cheese"! I was taking those pics of him and Elmo last night and he was holding his pose until after I took the picture and was hammin' it up for the camera! He wanted to have his picture taken with his big brother in their matching Batman pajamas...he says Batman, too. They love to wear the same clothes and I've turned into one of those mothers I used to make fun of. I love it when my little boys wear matching clothes!!

Elbow...

Malak is trying so hard to talk--he can say all of our names at least so we can understand them. His favorite word right now is Elbow...which is Elmo. He used to be quite scared of Elmo but now he takes his little doll everywhere with him. It's actually been good because since we took away his pacifier, he clings to his Elmo doll. Some other words he is saying right now are:
Jesus, ball, bike, light, Max, NO, Yes, hot dog and a few others. It's so fun to see him trying to mimic the older kids. I know I won't be able to keep him quiet one day! He also loves to growl at you!

Whiner Whiner Whiner

Malak has to be my biggest whiner! I know he doesn't know how to talk very well yet, but I can't understand the whining any better!!! All of my kids to some extent have been annoying when they whine, but I think I'm less tolerant of Malak..why is that?? I've almost decided to give him one more nap in the late evenings because from 4-6 pm we are all miserable!! He thinks he has to be held during the busiest part of the day and then whines when I can't lug his 35 pounds around because my shoulder is pulling away from its' socket!! :) He is such a cutie pie and actually tries to stop when I tell him to..it lasts for a few minutes but always starts up again!! Oh, how I love him, though!!! I know one day I will miss all these things about him.

Inspired...

I was watching the Inauguration this morning and felt such a sense of Patriotism. Even though I didn't vote for Barack I really felt inspired by the things he said today. Putting my issues with him aside I hope for all of us he can do the things he's promising. He is very inspirational and gives me a lot of hope that change can happen. Even more than being inspired by him, I felt so proud to be an American. The Celebration was so grandeur and so many things were said of the struggle that brought us here today. I am very proud of the Pioneers and the people that sacrificed so much so that we today can have our freedom. I hope that we all will try to focus on the positive that this change brings and realize that our country has grown alot in the last 60 years. I hope that all of our children regardless of the color of their skin will have the same opportunities in their future and that our world will stop seeing race. We have an amazing country to be proud of! But maybe they didn't need to spend 350 million dollars on this event.....seems like we could spend it somewhere better??

Smarty Pants!

At Preschool last Tuesday, Kai's teacher, Miss Kathy came out to tell me how great my son was. She was so proud of him because he was the only one that could count to 100 all by himself with no help! He earned this huge candy bar and thought it was pretty cool. He wanted to eat the whole thing in one sitting but somehow I convinced him to save some for later. He is quite the smart kid...I think it's because Maddy's always playing school with him and cracking the whip! She loves to teach him and torture him, but I guess it's paying off. He's learning something!