{It's GREAT to be EIGHT}

To say this week has been busy for us, well that would be an understatement! Don't get me wrong, everything we had going on was good, it just made for a crazy week. But, the week definitely ended on a high note with Kaleb's birthday and baptism! Yep, I'm a proud mama! Kaleb is such a fun boy, full of life and personality, and I feel lucky to be his mom.

We are blessed here, we don't have a font in our building, but the neighboring town does and we get the opportunity to use it for personal baptisms. So, Kaleb was lucky enough to be baptized on his birthday! Kaleb planned out his own baptism program, he knew exactly who he wanted to do what.

Opening Song- When Jesus Christ was Baptized
Opening Prayer- Sheri Dearden (Grandmother)
Talk on Baptism- Lisa Teeples (Aunt)
Baptism Ordinance
Performed by Shad Beckstrand (Uncle)
Witnesses Harold & Robert Beckstrand (Grandfathers)
Spotlight- Derrick & Monica Dearden (Parents)
Talk on the Holy Ghost- Carlene Beckstrand (Grandma)
Confirmation Ordinance
Performed by Kyle Beckstrand (Uncle)
Closing Song- I Know My Savior Loves Me
Sung by-Brock, Kaleb & Carlie Dearden, Carson, Bryson &

Tylie Teeples, Addison Beckstrand, & Sydney Dearden (Cousins & Aunt)
Closing Prayer- Brock Dearden (Brother)

He had lots of family and friends there to support him and we felt blessed. Of course, me being me, I cried..... isn't that my job as his mom? I have to tell you it may have ended up being one of the most entertaining baptisms I've been to in a while......... I mean, how often do you see a fist fight during the closing song between the cousins?!? Yep, that would be the baptism boy and his cousin Bryson, and yes, they were performing the song in front of everyone! I was trying to drag them apart, lead the song, and keep the other kids singing too?!? In the end I pretty much ended up singing a solo and wasn't a happy mama right then. Now, looking back, it really was pretty funny and will be one of those stories that is told again and again!

~The Dearden Clan~

I also had to laugh at Miss Carlie.... after the baptism while we were waiting for Kaleb to get dressed, she whispered to me, well, in a Carlie whisper, which is still quite loud, saying "I know who I want to splash me under!" HA! Splash me under?!? When I stopped laughing enough to finally ask her who, she said her Papa, she's always been her Papa's girl!
After the baptism we went back to our ward building for a little birthday celebration! Kaleb was excited with his new skin for his DS..... it was Lego's of course, what else!?! He had lots of help opening his presents from his cousins.
We are so thankful for all our family that was there to support him..... it just wouldn't have been the same without any of them! It all was a lot of work..... but it turned out to be a good day and it was definitely worth it!