THE ROMNEYS: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Parker's Baptism Day

April 13th was such an amazing day! Parker was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was such a beautiful program and ordinance. The spirit was so strong as we were all a part of Parker's great decision. We are so grateful that our sweet parents and Ezra were there to make it extra special. We were shocked as the room filled to overflowing with friends, ward members and neighbors who came to be part of Parker's special day. It was a night to remember.

We just love Parker so much. He is a good to the core kind of kid who was so ready and prepared to be baptized. We had had so many sweet conversations leading up to the date about what it means to be baptized, what covenants he would be making and what it means to repent. He is a thinker and I could tell he was internalizing so much of it. He is so smart and understands the gospel so well already, it shocks me. A week or so before his baptism he was especially concerned about remembering to repent for EVERYTHING so that he can still live with Jesus. We chatted about it and he felt better. He is just the greatest and we are so happy he is part of our family.

My parents brought a little baptism book for him with letters from our loved ones who were not able to be with us, then we had the people who came to his baptism write little notes to him too; he loved reading it! It is a great keepsake so he can remember the special day and the testimonies of those who matter most to him.

He also got the traditional white baptism towel from my mom. It's huge and fluffy and he loved it. Such a fun way to remember the day on a regular basis.

With our packed day, getting ready for the baptism was a big feat. I am so grateful I had help from my parents and Mike's parents. We could not have made it without them!

Cutest 8 year old I know.

Mike performed the baptism and the confirmation. The confirmation was beautiful and thoughtful and powerful. I will never tire of seeing him use his priesthood righteously. I am so grateful my boys have this kind of man to look up to.

I was able to share my testimony at the end of the baptismal service. I didn't want to let the opportunity pass without Parker knowing how important the gospel is to me and that all the good in my life has come from my decision to be a part of it.

Twins?

Family picture + Ezra. We love him like our own!

Jace and James keeping things light, as usual. I am so grateful that these 4 boys have each other.

Couldn't ask for a better cousin.

Mimi and Papa

Mom and dad

Grandpa and Grandma

We wanted to keep things light, colorful and fun afterward. We did yummy desserts, rootbeer and sherbet floats (Parker's favorite) and a few gumballs to brighten the table.

Mimi and Pierce

Parker really had so many people come out to support him! We only got photos of a few. Our ward is so incredibly support of everyone too; it;s inspirational. A few standouts were some buddies from school and their families. I am so glad that Sam and Dominik are part of Parker's circle of friends.
Fun boys: Nate Nobis, Jace, Sam, Ethan, Cade, Parker, Ezra and James

Brother Ormsby and Katie

Sister Bird who welcomed Parker to Primary

The girls: Megan Hanks, Lanie, Ashley, Heather, Kate, Cooper and Addie

The Barnes boys

Mom and Pierce

The Osbornes!

Sister Harris, Parker's Piano Teacher

Parker and Cade Tousa

Dad's friends from school. They were so awesome to come and support us!

Cousin Elaine who brought a darling quilt to commemorate the occasion

Bishop Soderberg

The Bullards

The Kramers

Audrey and Lydia Duckworth and Ella Nobis

The Millers: Sam's mom and Sister

The baptism program:

Monday, April 22, 2013

Baptism Week Part 2

Sky Zone
On Friday we had big plans to go to Greenfield Village, but the weather was horrid, so we decided to hit lunch and play all afternoon at Sky Zone. It was a really awesome afternoon and the boys were probably so glad our Plan B was something so fun! What an incredible spot for the whole family to play. We ended up with some very sweaty boys ;).

Pierce was killing us all weekend with his pose. He would do it all the time and we would just crack up and look for a camera.

Parker loves bagels at Panera and the mac and cheese, so it was a good baptism lunch choice.

Lots of time trying to dunk.

foam pit fun

James won this on his first try at the arcade game. He was over the moon about it.

36 years old and still got it. Michael Jordan anyone?

Papa was a great player too.

Pierce was in heaven and so happy here. He just jumped and jumped and jumped. The only problem was that there were so many rules he could hardly ever play with the big boys. Oh well. He is such a funny kid...he bounced right through his nap with a smile.

Dodgeball!

Ezzie!

After almost 2 hours of non-stop jumping, these boys were exhausted! Such a fun, fun day.

Blue and Gold

Since our parents don't seem to get to Michigan too often, it was fun to have them a part of our regular life too. On Friday night it was the Blue and Gold banquet for scouts and Parker got his Bobcat, so it was fun to have a cheering section. Jace was there too, but came late from baseball practice. They love being in scouts together. We also loved having them meet the people in our ward and some of our great friends. We honestly just feel so blessed to be here with such incredible people and both sets of parents noticed it too. Saline is just one of those places that feels so right.

Parker getting his bobcat

Is this the cutest face you have ever seen?

Andrew, Ben and Parker

Devor and James best buds

It was a really nice night. the leaders kept things especially interesting with full samaurai costumes, border patrol uniforms, army fatigues, plus the weapons and strategies they use for protection. The boys were in awe. They brought things around spiritually about how we need to have our spiritual armor. It was one of the best blue and golds I have been too. Of course, there was lots of basketball afterwards and we were dragging the kids home...as always.

Ezra will be a scout this week!

Swimming/Blue and Maize Scrimmage/Lunch/Soccer

Since we didn't have enough to do, we decided to continue the party. On Saturday morning the boys had breakfast and swam at my parents hotel, a tradition they love. Afterward, the boys all braved the freezing cold and headed the to University of Michigan Scrimmage...Ezra's first experience at the "Big House." After the scrimmage we met for a quick lunch at Sava's, then all watched Parker at his indoor soccer game.

All the fun made the 1.5 hours before the baptism really hectic and crazy, but it all worked out and the climax of the weekend was the amazing baptism! What a weekend!