Zoe's Baptism

Zoe was baptized on August 20th, a Thursday evening in Sheep River.  Does this sound like your regular baptism?  With the Covid restrictions we were only allowed 10 people at Zoe's baptism so we requested a baptism in a river.  I thought that this would solve our restriction issues but apparently after digging deeper, it's ten people no matter an indoor or outdoor location.  So after crying some tears over not having family or primary friends allowed, Joe reminded me of something important: a baptism is about the ordinance.  Not a big party.  This is hard to explain to an 8 year old... unless your name is Zoe.  She was all kinds of understanding.  At first she was a little disappointed that her friends couldn't come but she didn't let that get her down.  She was SO excited for this day to come.

As sweet as Zoe is, she can't help but get her sillies out at some point.  She calls this her "Farmer Fitness" face.  Man this girl makes me laugh!

 

We have some friends (The Slocombes) who have property along Sheep River and they so graciously let us use their land.  We parked at the top of the hill and walked about ten minutes down to the river.  Here is Zoe with Joe before we walked down.  She was beaming like this ALL evening.

At the river bottom before the ordinance.

There is a small chance I may have taken pictures right up until the ordinance began.  Tee hee!  Zoe had a lot of excitement and fears leading up to this day.  She was mostly worried that she would have to get dunked twice and that her whole body wouldn't go under.  But Joe made sure to find a deep enough space (we came out here last week just to make sure that this area would work).  She also wasn't so sure about the chilly water, but I mean, this girl is a FISH!  Nothing stops her from swimming in a river or lake of any temp.  In fact she was swimming at a different location along Sheep River with a friend earlier that day, so she was ready for this.  Also, it was a HOT day of 28 degrees or so, so I'm guessing the water felt pretty lovely!  Zoe squealed a little as she entered---be it the chilly water or the excitement, I don't know!---but afterwards she claimed that water was actually warm.  Let's be real though, no river is truly warm no matter the outside temps!  My guess is that her big ol' heart warmed up that river!

With the new policy, Jackson and Noah were the witnesses.  Jackson is holding the phone with all the family that Zoomed in to watch.  Namely my parents.  I cried some tears over that one too because I know they wanted to be here, but the borders are still closed.  I'm just grateful the reception was good enough so that they could join us, even if virtually.  Best seat in the house right there.

And this is directly after.  How precious.  

So proud to be this girl's Mama.  One of the things that I mentally noted while she received her blessing after receiving the Holy Ghost was that she would be a source of help and service to those around her.  She would bare up people's burdens and she would care for those around her.  So, pretty much who she already is.  Big heart in this little girl of mine.

Joe's parents were able to come which was so special.   Our family plus the bishopric member (Chris Purinton) plus Joe's parents makes ten!

This was the lovely path we took to the river.  The walk bath up the hill took a liiiiiittle bit longer than the walk down!  Haha!  But I was loving every minute of it (probably because I was also wearing bug spray).  It was magical.

Although I was a little upset at first (a lot) about the Covid restrictions, it was actually quite lovely having a small baptism with the immediate people that I love in my life.  The focus was on Zoe and not on hosting or feeding people and it was just nice to have all of my attention go to her and what this day was about.  Zoe asked Joe to give a talk on Baptism and then we had a musical number after the baptism with the girls singing, "When I Am Baptized."  I felt so bad because Ellie had been practicing this song on the ukulele but it got left in the car ...at the top of the hill.  So the three of them sang it a cappella.  Then Zoe had asked Grandpa B to speak on the Holy Ghost.  And that was that.  It was lovely and simple and the weather was on our side as well.  Afterwards we got Wendy's frosties and gave Zoe her own set of scriptures with her name on them.  I think she was hoping for a gift that was a little more exciting (she was trying to hide her disappointment---Ha!) but one day she will learn that the gifts she got this day are better than any other gifts she could receive.  The gift of baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and the scriptures have been the most wonderful blessings in my life and I hope that one day she will learn that for herself as she uses them in her life!  I love you Zoe.  You are a ray of light everywhere you go.  Don't stop shining.

16 Years

I love this picture of Joe.  This was our wedding day and he couldn't look more handsome.  

Joe and I celebrated our 16th anniversary on June 4th.  Don't ask me how we got to be that old, but somehow, here we are.  We still act like kids... as you can see from the picture below.  And Joe's nasty-face has only improved over time, just like our love.  Haha!  I am glad I married my best friend.  That was the best choice I ever made.  I would date guys and never truly feel comfortable around them or be completely myself, but with Joe it was easy.  It was easy to be true to myself around him and I've never laughed more.  It was easy to fall in love and it has been easy to stay there.  Let's not pretend that we don't have our ups and downs, but the hard stuff in life has only brought us closer.  

For our Anniversary, I didn't think we would go out or do anything too crazy because Covid has basically shut down life as we know it.  But Colette offered to come to our house and watch the kids so Joe and I could have 24 hours away together (THANK YOU!).  So we booked a hotel in downtown Calgary and it was so refreshing.  Here's the reality: if you don't spend time on your marriage, you will forget that you guys are best friends.  The repercussions of Covid have really slammed Joe and as such he has been very stressed with work (and continues to be).  Up to this point from March on Joe had been working late nights (sometimes until midnight or so) and up before anyone was awake.  I have never seen him work harder to make sure his clinic could still stand after all of this was over.  Honestly, I hope we never have to go through a dark period like that again.  And honestly, I'm shocked he had 24 hours to spare.  But we took it and reminded ourselves why we chose each other 16 years ago.  We laughed.  We had no responsibilities (best part).  And we ate.  Don't let me forget that "fancy" restaurants are not my favourite.  Give me a place that has free refills and something that Joe can't already make better.  Oh well.  We got to feel fancy for brunch.  Because we had "brunch." Ha!

Afterwards we rented these electric scooters.  This is something that I wouldn't have thought to do on my own; it was Joe's idea and it was so fun!  We were cruising on these things!  It reminded me of when we rented scooters (but actual scooters) for our honeymoon and I totally wiped out trying to go up a gravelly hill.  And Joe laughed.  And then when I didn't get up he stopped laughing!  Haha!  Thankfully no accidents on these things, but boy there were a few times I did NOT feel in control of my scooter!  We survived and it was fun.  Thank you Joe.  I love you.  Thank you for thinking of me and planning this day, and for all you do for our family.  Thanks for being my best friend.