Bear's Baptism

Our Quinton Bear turned eight on January 12th and was baptized on January 25th with his cousin Clark and Clark's cousin Evan.  It was a baptism-cousin-trifecta!  I am so proud of Bear. He is truly a great kid.  

The baptism was bittersweet for me.  Brady is struggling with the church and this is something that I don't talk about that much but Brady is fine with people knowing (so that is why I feel comfortable blogging about it).  Brady still goes to church, holds a calling, and lives a clean honest life so it is hard for me to remember that he does not feel comfortable getting a temple recommend or baptizing his son.  Brady's Dad baptized Quinton and my Dad confirmed him.  It was not my ideal of how my son's baptism would go but I am coming to the realization that life is not picture perfect.  I was also a little sad because no one from our ward attended.  We did his baptism in another stake so the boys could all do it on the same day.  To be fair we didn't really invite anyone.  Quinton is very shy and didn't have any specific people he wanted to come.  But...the bishopric, primary presidency and our home teacher knew we were doing it and no one came.  I don't think any of this phased Quinton, and if it did he did not let on.  

It was a happy day overall.  My Mom gave a great talk on baptism and Diana's Dad gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost.  Lysa and Jared came with John and Kitty.  It was fun to watch Kitty and Sophia singing primary songs with other primary children while the boys got changed.  I think Quinton was relieved when it was over.  He had been pretty nervous and had never witnessed a baptism before so it must have seemed a little scary.  Afterward he had a great time hanging out with cousins and eating yummy refreshments.  I am very proud of him and know he will continue to make right decisions.  He probably doesn't realize the weight of the decision he made to be baptized.  

I think it is great when people list special things about their children.   I will try my best but I'm sure I will forget some.  

• Quinton does a great robot dance.
• Quinton is very good a math.  I think he honed this skill by playing sports video games from the age of 2.  He could always figure out the difference in scores!
• Speaking of sports, Quinton is a natural athlete like his Dad.  He may not be perfect but I can tell that he has natural ability.  I had an inkling when he was obsessed with hockey sticks at the age of 18 months.
  
• Quinton is an amazing speller.
• Quinton is a rule-following perfectionist.  I have no idea where that came from! (insert sarcasm here)
  
• Quinton looks like Smiegol (spelling?) with his clothes off.  Seriously.
  
• Quinton is a great big brother to Sophia and Penn.  He told me that Penn was the best Christmas present ever.  He makes sure to sit by his sister on the bus.  He is very sweet.
  
• Quinton's best friend is his Dad.  This is not an exaggeration.  His BSAF (best same-age friend) is Cameron but his Dad will always be #1.
  
• Quinton loves meat.
• Last but not least, Quinton is a great snuggler.  He taught Brady how to love snuggling. Brady jokes that when Quinton goes to college Brady will have to go with him so they can snuggle before bed.

About 9 months old (no this is not Penn!)

About 18 months old

3 Years old with Clark and Luke at Uncle Nattie's wedding

5 Years old 

7 Years old with Penn

Fall 2008