Eight, Eight, Eight is GREAT!

Julianna turned 8 this year.  She wanted a rabbit, her very own bike (since she's been riding a hand me down), and to be baptized.  

Eight.

I can't believe she's 8.  I still refer to her as 5.  I don't know why but I can't let her grow up. Eight is such an amazing age to be.  So precious.  So lovely.  So important in our faith.  8 is the age of accountability and the time where you can choose to be baptized.  Julianna decided to enter the waters of baptism and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  To make this important day even more special she was baptized on her actual birthday.  She could hardly wait to be baptized, she was so excited! I took some photos and we also had photos taken.  She shared her baptism day with one of her good friends so we had photos are both of the girls taken as well.  It was a beautiful day for a beautiful girl.  (The first two photos of Julianna in her dress and the one above were taken by me, the next 5 were taken by April Kentner, my friend and real photographer)

 

 

Oh...and she got the bike she asked for.  She didn't get the bunny.  

 

A Family Outing to KC....

A couple of weeks ago we took a quick trip up to Kansas City for one of Brinton's medical appointments. We decided to take the whole family up for the day and check out the progress on the Kansas City Temple....it's so beautiful, I seriously CAN'T WAIT to have a temple so close and not have to drive 4-5 hours!

(It was incredibly bright...squinting, squinting)(Julianna and Aidan fell asleep in the car)(Poor Julianna...she talked about it the whole way up and we couldn't wake her)(Well actually we woke her up but she just looked out the window, said it was so pretty, and fell back asleep)

After the temple we went to the dollar theater in Kansas City and saw the movie "Dolphin Tale" it was so cute and everyone but Aidan sat through the whole thing. There was only one other mom and her son there so it was nice to have the theater virtually to ourselves.


We then decided to go to the LDS Visitors Center in Independence, MO where we stayed for several hours watching movies, taking the tour, looking at Books of Mormon in every language imaginable and playing in the little Log Cabin area. We had so much fun that I forgot to take any pictures until just as we were leaving I made the kids stand over by the Christus so I could snap a shot with my iphone.

Guest Writer at The More the Merrier...

Today I'm a guest writer over at The More the Merrier.

Diane is a wonderful, homeschooling mommy to 8, and she has been hosting a Week of Faith on her blog all week, with a new contributor each day. The stories and experiences shared so far have been wonderfully uplifting. You can read my post "Trust in the Lord" by clicking right there....where it says Trust in the Lord in purple (it's my favorite color....well that and green).

When you get done reading my post today feel free to check out what Julie, Becca, Tristan, Leann, and Monserrat had to say. Following are direct links to their posts on this WEEK OF FAITH:

Sunday - Julie from Hesses Madhouse
Monday - Becca from Confessions of a SAHM
Tuesday - Tristan from Our Busy Homeschool
Wednesday - Leann from Living Waters
Thursday - Monserrat from Chocolate on My Cranium
Friday - Me, Alida from Living Somewhere over the Rainbow

A Week on Faith...

Diane, an amazing mother of 8, who writes at "The More the Merrier" is hosting a Week on Faith on her blog this week. She has asked several guest writers to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with faith which she in turn will be posting every day this week. I think this is a fantastic idea and I'm really excited that I was asked to be a part of it. I'll be contributing this Friday but I didn't want you to miss any of the other wonderful writers and stories this week.

Click on the button below to head to The More the Merrier for a "Week on Faith"

Friday Foto #6: Kansas City Temple

My husband took this beautiful photo of the Kansas City Missouri LDS Temple. It's still under construction and should be done by spring of next year. We are so excited to finally get a temple close by. It'll be a little over 2 hours to drive there BUT that beats the 4 hours to Oklahoma City Temple...right?!

Friday Foto #5: Sunday Battles

This is how Liam spent his time at church on Sunday crawling under the bench. He wasn't harming anyone so I decided to pick my battle and let him just lay there. Now I know I shouldn't have had my cell phone out at church....during sacrament meeting....BUT I kinda had to document it for myself so when I get old I don't forget and try and tell my daughters or daughter in laws that my kids were perfect during church and I can't understand why their children are not. I promise I WILL NEVER DO THAT.

Liam is kind of a terror and church (especially sacrament meeting) can be pretty crazy. On a given Sunday #1 and #2 are giggling, #3 is poking #4, I scooch my way inbetween #1 and #2, #4 asks for crayons to color, I HAVE NONE. I give her a Friend to read (she can't read) I hush #3 who is chitter chattering about something, #6 wants to get off my lap, #5 is crawling under the church benches chasing a toy car I told him not to bring into the chapel and it goes round and round in circles until the closing prayer is said and they bound off like nothing happened. MY GOODNESS I HAVE A LOT OF KIDS! That's a typical Sunday for us though (I may or may not be over exaggerating...depends on the week) For the most part #1 and #2 are awesome and super quiet, #3 can usually occupy herself as long as I don't make the mistake of sitting her next to #4 who likes to sit on my lap and make the baby crawl on the floor. Liam on the other hand is always up to something....see above pictures!

Talk of the Week Club....

I'm writing over {here} today.
<3 Alida

Day 3: Perfect Date...aka Elise's Baptism

30 Day Blog Challenge

Your Idea of the Perfect First Date

AKA: This idea is dumb so let's talk about Elise's Baptism

Today was the "perfect date" for a baptism. Elise turned 8 years old on December 10 and this morning she was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a very special day for her and for our family. One of the neatest things that happened today was that Elise's school teacher, who is not a member of our church, came to the baptism. Elise had been talking about inviting her teacher for weeks and she was so excited when she saw her come through the door. She adores her teacher and it was a wonderful expereince to have her join in celebration with us on this day.

Ashlynne wrote a beautiful talk on baptism and told Elise not to be scared because daddy would be holding her the whole time. It was such a sweet experience between sisters because it was a real fear that Elise had and Ashlynne's calm words soothed her. We went to the baptismal font and gathered around to see Elise be baptized by immersion by her father. As soon as she had been baptized I met her at the side of the font with a towel. I wrapped her tight and she said, with the biggest grin and the brightest eyes, I GOT BAPTIZED! It was so wonderful and she just kept smiling and smiling.

I'm a little sad that we didnt get a picture of the whole family but we have some wonderful memories. Unfortunately, the only camera we have requires a special battery and I failed to charge it prior to the Baptism. I took a couple pictures with my iphone plus we did have GrandMarie take Baptism photos when she visited during Thanksgiving. It was an absolutely beautiful baptism with lots of friends and family.

{{Check out some photos from her Baptism photo shoot here}}

Knowing Who You Are and Who You Have Always Been....

Each morning, as I headed off to school, my mom would tell me “Remember who you are.” I would always smile and nod and say I know mom, but deep down I was a little annoyed that she couldn’t come up with anything better to say. Of course I knew who I was...duh......

It's the 4th week of the month which means it is my turn to add some spiritual inspiration on the "Talk of the Week Club" blog. Click on the picture below to read about an awesome lesson I learned from my mother when I was younger and a great talk by Sheri Dew entitled "Remembering Who You Are and Who You Have Always Been." I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)

Have you checked out the Talk of the Week yet??

Yep it's that time again!!! The 4th week of the month which means it is my turn to add some spiritual inspiration on the "Talk of the Week Club" blog.

Check out my thoughts and a great talk by President Eyring by clicking on the picture below (this will take you right to it.) Enjoy!

It's great to be 8...

On May 2nd Brinton had his 8th birthday. Over the last 8 years there have been many times when I wondered what the future held for our little boy. Would he have a "normal" life? Would the effects of his Lymphangioma and subsequent surgeries be so great that he would be unable to function in this world? Would he walk, talk, hear? Would he live?

As you can imagine watching him enter the waters of baptism and then be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was such a great faith and testimony builder for me. The Lord does answer prayers...Brinton walks, talks, hears....lives...and he was able to make the choice to be baptized. I was so filled with joy for him. I just wanted to highlight some wonderful things about my son.

He is so funny. He has perfect comedic timing.

He is a wonderful artist and he would really like to be an art teacher.

He loves basketball and running.

He loves to read Captain Underpants books and the occasional comic book.

He is a very loving big brother towards Liam and enjoys playing with him. (ie. dragging him around and making believe he can play Rescue Heroes)

He is a very loyal friend.

He is very musical, he has a good voice (when he chooses to sing loudly) He is a little shy.

He enjoys being a Boy Scout, has earned his Bobcat and is diligently working toward his Wolf. He has a goal to earn all the arrows he can before his 9th birthday
(I think thats like 100 electives he has to do...or something...ask him...lol)

The Desire to Create....

Just got my internet back today after a 2 week hiatus...aaahhhhhh! I swear I'll be back with something good really soon but for now:

Talk of the Week....

The 4th week of the month means that it's my turn to provide a little spiritual uplifting over at the Talk of the Week Club.

This week I highlighted Sister Cheryl C. Lant's talk on "PRAYER," originally given at a CES Fireside in 2007. To read/listen to it head on over to the "Talk of the Week Club" blog for some spiritual nourishment(you can go ahead and click on the icon below)

Wowzers! Family Home Evening for a whole year?!?

My good friend Traci shared this with me and I was gonna keep it all to myself but thought I better share the love because Traci's a good example like that :)

Anyway, the following is the link to a blog that has a packet of FHE lessons for an ENTIRE YEAR based on this years Primary Theme: My Eternal Family

click below

When life throws you curve balls....

The last month in the Bowles home has been filled with a bit of uncertainty as to what the new year would bring. Actually, it seems like the last year and a half has been plagued by this same uncertainty. Of course none of us can ever know what our future holds, however we can attempt to plan to the best of our knowledge...and life always throws us curve balls. It is when we are thrown these curve balls that we need to drop to our knees and ask for help. There is a saying that goes "Man never stands taller then when on his knees," and I firmly believe that HE is always listening (even when you don't get the answer you were hoping for.)

I was pondering our situation this last week and having a hard time working through some feelings..mainly the WHY ME? pity feelings people often have when faced with trials. I sat down to read the Ensign and I said a little prayer...Lord help me find something...anything...

I opened the pages of the magazine with my eyes closed(I know it sounds silly...) I landed on a page but felt the need to turn one more page before I settled and opened my eyes. There I saw my answer, an article entitled "Gather to the Temple". Of course!! That is exactly what I needed to do...go to the house of the Lord and take it up with him. Just one minor issue...the only temple close to me is in St. Louis about 4 hours away and when would I be able to get away to take a day trip like that?! As I read the article I read about this family in Brazil who traveled for nearly 7 days and over 2,000 miles by boat, bus....surely I could make quick 4 hour trip to St. Louis (which after reading that article now seemed like a 15 minute trip down the street).

We were blessed to have my parents here and they were very willing to allow us the time on Tuesday morning to head to the temple. My only worry was Liam...having a nursing baby and being away from him for so long can cause issues. I prayed that he would be good for my parents and he was....he was completely content to eat his solids and take his naps and didn't give them any trouble.

Jeremiah and I woke up at 4am and head out to St. Louis. We had a lovely and highly insightful morning in the temple. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to attend the temple (even if it is farther then I am used too). The St. Louis Temple was much smaller than I thought it would be, but then again maybe I am just used to massive west coast temples...

We stayed for lunch, checked out the St. Louis Arch and then made our way home...exhausted but spiritually uplifted and prepared for any more curve balls that may come our way.

Talk of the Week....

The 4th week of the month has come soooooo fast! I can hardly believe October is nearly over!!! Obviously, you all know what the 4th Thursday of the month is, right?! It's my turn to provide a little spiritual uplifting over at the Talk of the Week Club.

So head on over to the "Talk of the Week Club" blog for some spiritual nourishment(you can go ahead and click on the icon below)

This week I highlighted Dallin H. Oaks' talk "Good, Better, Best" from last years General Conference. It helped me put things into perspective after a crazy week of busy, busy, busy but ultimately neglecting the things that are most important. May we strive to make the right choices and not settle for GOOD when we can have BEST.

My heart is full....

Have you ever felt like you are literally walking on air? Like everything that surrounds you is just a blur... and you are the only person that exists? Has your heart ever threatened to jump out of your chest and your face felt so hot, even though the tears that threatened to betray your happiness never actually came? Have you ever been smiling so hard that your cheeks started to hurt? Have you ever looked up at the clear blue sky and said "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" and just knew that "Thank You" wasn't even close to the words that you wanted to say but the words to describe your gratitude didn't even exist?

That is exactly how I felt when I heard the announcement on Saturday October 4th of the new LDS Temple that will be built here in the Kansas City area.

Conference...in the eyes of a 3 year old...