While waiting in the foyer for sacrament to be done we chose to entertain ourselves with taking pictures because the speakers were not working and we could not hear the talks being given (which I was super bummed about - it's my favorite part of sacrament). It helped to keep the kids entertained while we waited.
Below are the images taken by William and Ruth on the christmas present I got for William - the galaxy tab (I know he should have waited for christmas to open it but he hounds me whenever he knows he's getting a present until I give in or go crazy and I have resigned myself to the fact that I need sanity so he gets to know way ahead of time and gets then gifts when I get them.)
After sacrament I took the kids to primary (where they had a great time and got to meet some new friends) while William and I went to sunday school and then William went to his class (with just the guys) and I went to mine (with just the girls).
In between listening to the lessons in sunday school and relief society and going to feed MJ in the mother's lounge I met some really nice people in our ward. I really think this ward is going to work out just splendidly - it has the same vibe as the branch William and I met at and reminds me of my favorite wards in my life - they have an awesome vibe that will help me get back into the swing of things.
After church the missionaries came over and taught the kids the discussions (well, really just Aaron since Sam and Ruth wouldn't listen and were running back and forth from their room to the livingroom). Aaron enjoyed having them over and it's the first step to him making a decision if he wants to be baptized or not (you can read more about this topic in previous posts HERE and HERE).
I have had quite a few people look at me like a bad LDS mom because he's not baptized yet but I want him to make a good informed decision about being baptized and not just do it because everyone else is doing it or he's being forced into it. Just because he's over the age that most get baptized doesn't mean anything - it just means he's taking his time and learning why we get baptized.
I think I am being a good mom in the fact that I am not pushing him and letting him make his own choice in this matter. It is HIS choice afterall.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your thoughts on not pushing your kids into baptism. I totally agree. It actually makes me mad when I see the attitudes some families have about it. I am a convert and joined shortly after I was married. My husband was born a member but choose not to go to church after age 14. He never went back until about 6 years ago. I was careful never to pressure him because it mentions that in my Patr. Blessing, it had to be his choice. Ian wasn't baptized till he was 9 because he was nervous and scared. I did have some Primary leaders and family question us about us not fitting into the 'schedule' of baptism by 8. I think sometimes people can get wrapped up with culture of being LDS and miss out on some of the important gospel points. Children are not baptized at 8 because they have to be then,or it's then or never, it is only 8 because they are able to make informed choices at that age. Some kids aren't ready even at 8 and thats ok too, and if they are never ready...well they have agency and you can't take that away with coercion or pressure. Its a big choice and I always make sure my kiddos know the magnitude of their choice, not just "well your 8 its gotta be done."
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