Great To Be 8!

Kimball turned 8 June 4th. This was something he’d been looking forward to for many months. He knew he could be baptized when he turned 8 and he really wanted this. I am so happy for Kimball. He is such a kind, sweet, funny, enthusiastic, and smart boy. If anyone knows how to make me smile, it’s Kimball. Well I had spent much of May working to remodel a room for my parents to stay in when they came up for Kimball’s baptism. But so many things kept coming up that I was getting stressed and way behind. I started to realize my attitude was getting in the way of celebrating Kimball. I was stressed about getting my house fixed, and inviting people to the baptism and over for lunch after, etc. Guilt or love, I’m not sure but I decided to throw a birthday party. And with only 1 days notice, every single kid we invited came! It was the hottest day of the year so one mom called just before she dropped her son off to ask if he needed to dress for water games. I told her that would have been a great idea if I would have thought of it sooner. But once the boys arrived I realized the water games were necessary. So I got two buckets, gave each kid a paper cup and with the hose as the team boundaries said go and they began dousing each other for the next 45 minutes. It was the best party I ever threw. If only I knew it was that easy when I started hosting parties 9 years ago.

Kimball’s friends gave him “smart kid” gifts like book certificates, science experiment kits, and even a set to build inventions like a radio. He was so excited about it all, but all that got put a hold shortly, because John got him another Star Wars Lego kit, and when Kimball gets Lego sets he disappears for a few hours until it is complete.

Kimball was baptized June 13th. It was a beautiful service. Many people love Kimball and he had a great show of support at the baptism including: Grandma & Grandpa Cox, Grandma & Grandpa Jeppson, Uncle Denise, cousins- Joshua & Jonah, friends Korosh & Paul and their mothers, the Barrios, Bishop Guluka, Sisters Venn and Akin from the Primary presidency, Sister Bagley his primary teacher, and Brother Beland our home teacher. We are so grateful to his grandparents for making the extraordinary efforts to come up and attend.

After the service we came home for a little brunch attended by a few family and friends. But Kimball did not join us; he went in my room and went to sleep on my bed. He said he did not feel well, but I thought he was over exerted from the events of the day. After everyone left and the kitchen was clean John and I left the kids in my parents care and went to get Katie a birthday gift. We returned to find Kimball very ill. Good think Mom and Dad were there to care for him. Mom stayed home from Church with him the next day as he was recovering. He was nearly perfect Monday, but with the Swine Flu hysteria I kept him home and he played with his cousin all day. You’ll be happy to know no one else got sick. But I feel bad for the cute little guy.