January was a big month for the Bailly family. We started New Year's Day with Porter receiving the Aaronic Priesthood in our home. Over the past sixth months or so I have watched as Porter has been prepared. There has been a change that has come over him and it has been sweet to witness. He is less frustrated, he more freely says I love you. He has tender moments with his younger brothers encouraging and supporting them. He is more aware of the kind of friends he wants to have. Porter has been thrilled to start young men's and to go to the temple.
After he received the Aaronic Priesthood, he had a temple recommend interview with the Bishop. Then on Friday, January 3rd, David and I took Porter to the temple for baptisms. Getting to be in the temple with Porter was so tender. He was able to be a witness and then David was able to baptize Porter and myself. I love that this is where he wants to be. Since then he has gone two more times in the early morning before school. And we have another appt scheduled this month. May the temple always be the place he wants to be. May he always make it a priority in his life. Watching him has created an excitement in Jonas to get to go next year.
Then on Saturday, January 4th, Mason was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mason is so earnest. We watch his desire to choose the right and are inspired to be better. His good buddies Winston Bickmore and Benny Hale came to support him and I could not love watching these 3 boys together more. They are best of buddies and get along so well.
Mason stands out wherever he goes and it's not because he draws attention to himself. He does just the opposite, but he is smart, kind, athletic and a helper. He always wants to be involved and loves to learn and try new things.
Just yesterday I had Tony Bickmore (Winston's dad) say, "Mason is going to be the best athlete to go through Highland 2 years ahead and 2 years behind." He said he tells everyone this so he can be the first one to say it. Mason is completely unassuming. He's a skinny, white kid with glasses. But is is so bright and he is naturally incredibly athletic. He is fun to watch at whatever sport he plays and he works hard to improve himself. Because he is in the middle, doesn't demand a lot of attention, and is easy going we can think he's okay and accidentally focus our attention other places, but we remind ourselves that he needs our attention also. And quite frankly, we LOVE to spend time with him. And even though he's 8 now, he is still the best snuggler and sometimes at night he still asks us to lay by him.
The other day I was telling the boys I don't want them to grow up. I will miss when the don't crawl up on my lap anymore or crawl in our bed. As of now, all of them will still crawl in our bed. Most of them will still crawl up on our laps (Porter is basically bigger than me now, so he doesn't). Time is going fast and I feel like I have been failing lately at showing up as their mom. Spending meaningful time with them doing things that are fun, not just the stuff we have to get done.
David turned 49! His last year in his 40's. He has been spending time taking the boys to the gym to work on basketball. He is a great teacher. He will study and learn things himself so that he can then teach them.
CamBam turned 3! Luckily he's still a little peanut, but I can't believe our baby is 3. I love him to pieces. He loves to read books, listen to music. Every night at bedtime he wants to listen to "Peace in Christ". He has some sweet dance moves. Whatever job I am going around the house, he is right there eager and willing to help. He puts laundry in the washing machine, switches it to the dryer, takes it out of the dryer and sorts it! He knows what items belong to which person. He loads and unloads the dishwasher. He knows where everything goes and will correct anyone that puts things in the wrong place. Whenever anyone is going anywhere, he wants to go. Doesn't matter what you are doing, he just likes to be on the move. Sometimes he appears shy, but once he gets to know you, you are his best friend. He gives love so freely. He always wants to call, Mimi and Ash. If they can't answer, he will go down the list of other people to call. When he calls Ash he says, "You comin over?"
He does have a few bad traits :). When we are driving now, he will slip is arms out of the top part of his buckle because he likes to unroll his window no matter how cold it is or who he's freezing out in the backseat. Then if I ask him if he slipped his arms out he'll quickly put them back in and tell me no.
Unfortunately he also sleeps in our bed almost everyone night. And at some point Brooks ends up joining us too.
Brooks is Brooks. We love him so much and he challenges us so much. This boy has the sweetest heart. This weekend I was sick and on his own he came into the bedroom where I was lying to say a prayer for me. He often thinks of others. Our friend Sister McBride was having back problems and when she came to our house to visit, the first thing he asked was how her back was doing.
He is sensitive and tender, so he doesn't like to be teased or when people are mean to him. He reacts in aggressive outbursts, but I think it's a way to hide his embarassment.
We are still trying to figure out how to parent Brooks. At least I am. In 6 months he will be going to kindergarten and my special time with him will be gone. He does maddening, destructive stuff that makes all of us frustrated, but he is so lovable and funny. He also has the best dance moves and is learning to read so well. Sometimes I think he gives up with reading because he doesn't think he can, but he is really good when he slows down and sounds things out. He likes "showtime" a bit too much and really I should take it away for at least week, so I have to be willing to give up my quiet during the day to focus on being present with him when he is so mad to not get show time. Brooks also does not love attention on himself. He is fine if we are at home with everyone he is familiar with, but he doesn't love to get up in front of people at church or when he was in preschool. He is the best singer and will sing with all his heart, but he will not go up with the primary to sing in front of everyone.
I'll update again soon. There is so much more going on.
