My Rebel Girl

With Tanner and Justin in New Harmony for the weekend with just the boys, Madisen and I were left behind in the super hot desert to find our own fun. She played in her first soccer game of the season and then we had lunch with Grandma DeMille. I had a special treat planned for her that evening...a UNLV football game. She had a blast!!! She cheered, clapped, and sang. The highlight of her night, however, was taking a picture with "Reb"!!!

A very special day!!!

Last week we scheduled Tanner's baptism interview with the bishop. He asked all the standard questions and Tanner gave all the standard answers until Bishop asked him about the word of wisdom. When asked if her knew what is was he answer no, so the Bishop explained and he then remembered we had talked about it. Their dialog on this subject went like this

Bishop: "So are you suppose to take harmful drugs, or smoke or drink alcohol?"

Tanner: "No"

Bishop: "Why not?"

Tanner: "Because I'm only a child!!"

a few days later...

It is Saturday morning and the kids woke up super early full of excitement. Tanner came into my room and jumped up on the bed, gave me a huge hug, and with a grin as wide as he could get it said, "Mom it's my baptism day." We readied the house for the lunch we were having after the baptism, showered and dressed. Tanner teased his little sister and kicked her in the process to which he had this to say "it's okay that will be washed away in a couple of hours." All I could do was laugh. A few minutes before we left Tanner received the special gift he had been asking about all week...his very own scriptures!!

Off to the church we went to pick out his clothes and get prepared for the big event.
Tanner with Mom before changing into his white clothes.
Here he is all dressed in white and looking angelic. He sat quietly and listened to the talks and the music. He was the first to head to the font where he was at last baptized. While I was helping him straighten his tie I asked how he felt he grinned and said "great, but dad bonked my head on the bottom of the baptism tub." That's right folks we were only doing it once.

We had all our family over for lunch and cake and ice cream. The kids ran around and the grown ups talked. Tanner blew out his candles like a pro with no spit. Thanks to my friend Leslie who made the cake which Tanner loved. And a special thanks to all of you who came near and far to be with us on Tanner's special day!!! He felt so loved and supported.

Where were you 8 years ago today?

It was 6:45am September 11. 2001 and we were in the waiting room of St. Rose Hospital watching the news as we waited to be taken back to the delivery room. Breaking News flashed across the screen at the same time they called "Jenessa we are ready to take you back now." I was scared and shaking as I lay in the hospital bed hooked up to a fetal monitor and IV's in preparation for the c-section that was scheduled for 8:00am. The nurse busied themselves with all the usual stuff while all the time whispering to each other. I asked several times if everything was okay with the baby and was assured that he looked great. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me some meds to calm my nerves and walked me into the delivery room to place my spinal block and a few minutes later Tanner graced us with his presence. He didn't cry and I immediately began to panic and ask if he was all right and my mom responded "He's here and he's perfect!" through her tears.

Here it is 8 years later and I feel so blessed to have this special angel in my home. He brings light to every dark day with his sense of humor and very charming smile. My heart breaks if he is sad and soars when he is happy!!! He will be baptized in a week and we are so excited for him to feel that sweet spirit on his special day. During his baptism interview that bishop asked his about the word of wisdom and specifically asked, Should you drink or smoke or take harmful drugs?" Tanner responded "No." When the bishop asked why he said, " because I'm only a child." I love this kid and he keeps me laughing all the time. I pray as he gets older he will keep his child like faith and grow strong in the gospel with an unwavering testimony of who he is and where he came from. Happy 8th Birthday Tanner!!!