Snippets of January

We got back from our trip to Utah and before school started and I took the kids to see the newest Star Wars, Rise of Skywalker. Dad stayed with Mae and I kinda kicked myself because taking my 5-year old to a PG-13 movie--well, wasn't my smartest decision. She didn't lose any sleep, but Emperor Palpatine was not meant to be seen by 5-year old eyes...or 7-year old eyes for that matter.

 Oh well, we had fun anyways!

Brian took a quick trip to Connecticut for a conference and visited a few of our fave places-

Valencia's

The Farrs

Stew Leonard's

 So many memories!

I got to stay home with these cuties and play games and fly with Mae-

She does this so much and it's SO FUNNY!! Love you, Mae Mae!

Just some fun moments around the house:

Sunday nap...while praying?? 

 Sunday morning study sesh with Dad.

 Guess who?!

 Mildly Mad Mae

 This girl has loved spending time in the high chair!

Dad took the three big kids to the DRE spirit night at the ice rink and they had such a blast skating for the first time this winter-

The kids have been loving the trampoline they got for Christmas--rain, shine or snow!

Wes got this awesome towel from the Primary presidency for his baptism-

Wes is almost done with his first season of basketball and has really enjoyed playing in this intro league with a small team and his friend, Filip, from school.

I left for Texas with the girls on January 30 for a fun visit (more details to come)-

And Dad took the boys to get haircuts while I was gone and I praised him all the hallelujahs because that meant I wouldn't have to do it when I got back!

 

Handsome fellas!

Wes' Baptism

Wes was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, January, 25, 2020 in Dublin, Ohio by his father, Brian Monsen.

Sweet Wes had this huge smile on his face all morning! We are all so blessed we got to feel his sweet spirit that morning.

These five people surrounding that sweet boy were so proud to be by his side as he made this decision to follow the Savior.

Mae was the cutest audience member there-

Wes was so excited to finally get started, but waited patiently as we went through the program-

Thad gave such a wonderful talk on baptism and his grandmas were lucky enough to witness this wonderful event.
 I gave a short talk on the Holy Ghost using the song “Let the Holy Spirit Guide” as my outline and encouraged Wes to allow the spirit to take on these roles in his life: guide, teach, testify. I reminded him that the spirit is much more often a feeling than a voice and if he will listen to that feeling, he won’t be led astray. He looked straight at me the whole time and it was just the sweetest!

Afterwards, a group of wonderful men from our ward circled around him as Brian confirmed him and gave him the sweetest blessing. The thing I remember from that is Brian blessing him to use his unique talents to bless his life and the lives of others. Listen to the Spirit, Wes, he will guide you as strive to be a tool in the Lord’s hands.

 Chris Wernli - Derek Von Cannon - Denton Whitney - Mark Slavens

Dad - Bishop Johnson - Eric Robertson

We enjoyed a wonderful brunch at our home following the baptism that I didn’t get nearly enough pictures of —We were too busy celebrating that wonderful boy!

We had so many ward members join us and are so grateful for the wonderful people that surround us here in Dublin, Ohio.

I am so thankful for this boy and his love and willingness to follow the Savior. He is a curious soul and I know it's going to serve him well in his mortal journey.

 This is such an exciting first step on your path to eternal life, Mr. Wes. I hope you exercise the faith and humility you did on this wonderful day throughout your life, it will take you places you could never imagine.

And last, but certainly not least, we are SO THANKFUL for these Grandmas and their undying love and support-

Their visit was short, but so so sweet.

Lots of love and thank yous to these wonderful women in our lives.  

Wes Turns E-I-G-H-T!

Wes got to start his birthday out opening presents first thing and was so darling about every present he opened! I love his excitement!

 

Giving Wes this gift was so exciting for me—it is two binders full of memories and pictures of him over the last eight years. I printed out all my blog posts about him and many other pictures. It was a labor of love and he loved it! I think he will appreciate it even more as time goes on, but it was a good reminder for me to keep on being diligent with memory keeping, it is so worth it!

 

He enjoyed the rest of the morning with his favorite people before heading to school

Wes invited four of his good friends to a birthday party at Dave & Busters. They all met here after school, gave him some great gifts and then piled in the van before heading to D&B for dinner and arcades.

 

 

Filip.Quinn.Wes.Parker.Cohen

Dave & Busters was a little crazy, but exactly what Wes wanted and lived up to all his hopes and dreams. I’m so glad this cute boy got a fun party that he loved!

 

We finished this boy’s night off with some delicious raspberry jello pretzel salad that I surprised him with! He sure made it easy on me!

 

Happy birthday to my red-headed, baby whispering, video gaming, dragon taming, Pokémon training, monster trucking, optimistic, book worming, freckle faced middle child-- You make every day a better one, Wes Monsen, we’re so glad you were born!