6 months

6 months old. 

15.7 lbs

Rolling over.

Trying to crawl.  (Oh boy!) 

Sleeps good (most of the time)

Loves pears and rice cereal.

Constantly constipated. 

And yes, he's that cute.

Photo blog

The love of armpit farts

Things only boys say: 

Logan: 'dad, can I fall on my face?'

Dad: 'I wouldn't recommend it, but if you want to...'

Logan: 'ok.  But watch me in case my eye pops out or something.'

The look he gives me when I give him green beans and he was expecting peaches: 

This jailbird is practicing his escape...it takes tongue concentration: 

First swing:

The kids are playing chicken with the sprinkler today...trying to see who can last the longest standing still in front of it. 

8 is Great

My Maxwell Scott is 8 - and baptized!  It was a great day.  It involved haircuts (the night before), a new suit, cousins, food, and the most important part...covenants.  I was so proud of my boy.  He's been so excited for this day for a long time.  He's been planning the event since Lucy was baptized and knew right away that he would want his cousin Cy to baptize him.  Cy turned 16 in November and was ordained a priest, so it worked out by just a matter of months.  

Cy even texted that morning to find out what Max was going to wear so they could match.  He's a good cousin.  

Max's baptism was combined with 2 other kids in the primary: Brooklyn Purnell and Deakon Gerrie.  He has known Deakon since nursery and Brooklyn is a new friend since we moved back to Cochrane.  We decided to make the baptismal service really focused on the kids, so they filled the program.  Deakon gave the opening prayer, Lucy gave a talk, Brooklyn and her brother Graham sang a song, Deakon's mom gave a talk, and Max gave the closing prayer.  It was really fantastic.  

In Lucy's talk she shared this story:

The Three Bears of Baptism

I’m going to tell the story of the three bears ... the three bears of baptism.  These bears can help us remember the covenants, or promises,  we make with Heavenly Father when we are baptized. 

• The first BEAR of baptism is to bear HIS name. You bear your father’s name. Your name shows others you belong to your father, to your family. By being  baptized, you take on the name of Christ and become an official member of his church. You will try to do things that Jesus would do.
• The second BEAR of baptism is to bear testimony, or to bear witness and share with others that we know Jesus is the Son of God. That we know he is our Savior and we know His gospel is true. Always remember him in your thoughts, actions and the example you  set.
• The third BEAR of baptism is that we bear one another's burdens, that they may be light. That means we help each other with the work that needs to be done and also we help others when they have trouble and sorrow so they won't suffer alone. This is one way we can  follow the Savior's commandment to love one another, the same way He loves us.

You are only baptized one time. Today is your special day. But Heavenly Father has given us all a chance to renew our Baptismal Covenant every week when we take the sacrament. Listen to the priests as they bless the sacrament and remember your bears ....

You bear his name.

You bear your testimony.

You bear one another's burdens.

And remember what Heavenly Father promises YOU ... that He will pour out His spirit upon us.  I can think of nothing better than to always have his spirit with us.  

She did a really excellent job speaking in the chapel in front of a really large group.  I was so proud of her.  Because there were 3 baptisms, there were a lot of guests and she managed it remarkably.  Everyone commented on how great she did.  I heard later from Dixie Robertson that Cade (their oldest son who is 6) was so impressed he was SURE that Lucy must be a short adult...

As we did with Lucy's baptism, we had people write special notes or their testimony on a card for Max.  It's a great treasure to have (at least I think so) and I hope he enjoys looking back and reading them.  I've decided to include the messages here because 8-year-old boys are not well known for their sentimentality...and I found the cards mixed in with Pokemon, so I'm not sure they'll survive to the point that he'll get a chance to reread them.  

Max: Today is a great day for you.  make sure you write down your thoughts and feelings from today so you can be reminded of them in the future.  I'm proud of you Buddy.  You're a good example to your siblings and cousins.  I know you will continue to do so.

I know what you did was right.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church.  I love you!  

Love Uncle Tyson

Max: Congratulations!  You made a very important and a very good decision today! Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are so pleased, and so are we!

We love you!  Auntie tammy :)

Max: Good Job!  I can't wait to be baptized too!  We love you!  Ashley

It was a good baptism - Jacob

Max: I am so proud of you today.  You are such a great example to your younger cousins.  I am very grateful for your strength and testimony, it radiates from you.  I know we don't spend a lot of time together but I want you to know that I love you very much.  I too know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's only true church on the earth. 

Thank you for inviting me to watch you get baptized today.  It was such a special experience.  I look forward to witnessing other milestones in your life.  Love Aunty Becca

CONGRATULATIONS MAX!! - Jillian

Max - Today is a BIG important day.  Today you are making a covenant with your Heavenly Father and participate in the very first ordinance necessary to make it back to live with Him.  After today you are a member of the church you have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.  WOW!  That's a lot of really amazing things happening in just one day!

I want you to know that I have a testimony that the things you're doing today are right.  I promise that as you keep the covenants you make today Heavenly Father will bless you.  Even as a grown up (kind of) that is what I try every single day to do...keep my covenants.  It will be hard sometimes, and other times easy but always worth it.  Work towards making more covenants in the temple.  

You're amazing and I love you!  Auntie Sarah

CONGRATULATIONS MAXWELL SCOTT!

Max,

Congratulations on your baptism!  Today was an awesome day that you'll remember forever.  This is one of the best things you'll ever do, and I know as you work hard to do the right things and keep the covenants you made today, your Heavenly Father will bless you.

Sister Ovard

Max, you are now experiencing one of the most important days of your life.  Good luck!  I know you are making the right choice.  congratulations! - Lucy

Dear Max: I am so proud of you ~ you are such an amazing boy! So obedient, so happy, so smart and so strong.  Thank you for inviting me to participate in your baptism - it was so special to see Cy perform the baptismal ordinance.  He is a worthy priesthood holder.  I want you to know, that I know Heavenly Father loves you, that Jesus Christ lives, that President Monson is a Prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true, this is the Lord's Church, restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I know it is true! And I love you Max, very much.  

Love, gramma Janielee :)

Dear Max,

I am so pleased and excited with your decision to be baptized!  Stay close to your Heavenly Father so that the Holy Ghost can be your constant companion. Kari Murdock

Maxwell,

I love this gospel with all of my heart.  Living the standards are not always the most popular thing but it does bring so much true happiness in the long run.  I know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ and that being a member of this church is exactly where the Lord wants you and me to be.  The scriptures give so much direction and guidance to us.  I feel so blessed to be a member of this Church and I hope you do too.  Stay close to your family, when things get tough they will be your greatest support and help you so much.  I love you Max and I am so proud of you.  The Lord has blessed you with compassion and kindness and you can use those gifts to strengthen His kingdom! You are awesome bud!  Love you.  Janeen

To Max from Callum,

Thank you for being baptized.  You did a good job!

Max: Thanks for inviting us to witness your special day!  You are a great boy and have a great future serving the Lord and those you love.  This is your second great beginning and we couldn't be happier for you!

Uncle Mike

Dear Max:

Grandma loves you so much.  I am so pleased that you have followed through with this important choice of making covenants with your Heavenly Father.  I am also pleased to know how much you love your scriptures.  I love mine too.  They are treasures.  They will help you be strong in following Heavenly Father and the Savior.  I love Heavenly Father and Jesus.  I have a testimony of them, their plan of happiness for us, prophets, temples, the scriptures.  I am grateful that Heavenly Father guided me to His Church and gospel.  You are a choice, noble, righteous son and may you always be so.

Hugs...Grandma Bourne

To Max:)

Congratulations on your baptism day!  Thank you so much for being a great example to your siblings and cousins.  The spirit was so strong.  Always remember the spirit throughout your life.  

Love from Sister Joseph (sister missionary)

Max: Congratulations on your baptism!

Max! I am so proud of you!  You have made the decision to follow the Savior and you will receive so many blessings for it.  You have received on of the greatest gifts your Heavenly Father can give you on earth and that is the Holy Ghost.  I know that the Holy Ghost is real!  Do everything you can to learn how he speaks to you and you will be guided throughout your life.  Your aunt Janeen and I love you and will be here for you always!

Love Uncle Coleton

Max: My sweet boy - I love you so much.  I'm so proud of you and the person you are choosing to be.  Today is a great day.  It is one of the many great choices you have already made and will continue to make.  These decisions will bring you happiness.  I know this church is true and I am grateful for your testimony.  

love you special bud. 

Mom

Max: I am so proud of you!  I hope you can remember this day for the rest of your life.  Emma

Dear Max: It's no fair...your water was warm.  My water was freezing!! Taylor Larocque

Dear Maxwell Williamson:

You are really a handsome boy for eight, we are so proud of you, we are really glad you and your family moved back to Cochrane so grandma can see you often.  Come and see me sometimes - we have family swims every Saturday and the water in the pool is warm.  Love you very much

Grandma Maurine

I forgot to tell you, I was nine when I got baptized because we had to travel to the Cardston temple - the man that baptized me was Brother Salamba and he had a beard down to his waist, he was quite old because his beard was as white as snow - I was confirmed by my Grandma Lybbert in Glenwood that evening.  Love you - Grandma Maurine

To Max:

You are now on a brilliant path, you've done the right thing today and I hope you always look back on today and know that God has a plan for you and you are on the right path towards returning to him.  As I have always said: "Divine truth is not relative"  You are living the true gospel, and the way has been prepared by your oldest brother, Jesus Christ.  Love you Max - Uncle Trevor

My Dear Sweet Maxwell:

I am so happy for you and happy that you made this wonderful decision to be baptized.  I know that Heavenly Father is so happy with you as well.  This is an amazing and important step on the road back to our Heavenly Father.  Max, I love you, your love for the scriptures and willingness to help and serve others inspire me to be better.  You're already such an example and teacher that I know you're going to be an excellent missionary.  Love Samantha

Maxwell:

I was baptized when I was nine by my uncle Blayne Hirsche.  At that time the prophet of the church was David O McKay.  Being baptized was one of the best decisions of my life, especially since I also received the Holy Ghost.  I am very proud of the decisions you have made, and feel very blessed to be your Papa.

Max,

Attending your baptism brought back memories of when I was a boy being baptized.  The Holy Ghost was there just as he was today.  My advice to you is to always seek to do good to others, as Jesus would.  Keep the cub scout promise!

Akela (Tom Heninger)

Max we are so glad you decided to be baptized.  I know how important it is to be baptized and hope that you come to learn what a blessing this can be in your life.  Remember how you feel and write down your feelings today.  When you look back at a later time in your life it was be a  great blessing to you.

Love Uncle Jason and Auntie Ali

 Dear Max,

I am SO well pleased with the righteous choices that you have made.  Especially the choice to be BAPTIZED!  As you get older and learn more things about Jesus and his great example, you will always be grateful for your decision to be baptized and begin to follow Him TODAY. Keep on this straight course to Eternal Life.  The sweetest blessings will now begin to flow into your life.  I will always love you, and so does everyone else.  Keep your testimony bright by always remembering Jesus by reading the scriptures and prayer.

Love Bumpa

The primary president spoke to the kids and welcomed them to the ward.  She gave them each a blanket (comforter) so they could remember their special day and the Gift of the Holy Ghost they had just received

After we were done, we headed back to Grandma and Papa's for some sandwiches and salads and lots of playing.  The kids got inventive outside and created a make-shift zipline for themselves.  Boys will be boys.  

Kids say...

At dinner when Logan was asked to share 4 nice things about Lucy:

*she plays with me

*she's funny

*she's nice - sometimes she gets me ketchup!

**********************************

Logan is learning how to use air quotes:

I love 'ketchup'

Dad is the 'best'

Seth is 'cute'

Not quite buddy.  

************************************

When Lucy was required to say nice things about Max:

Dad: 'and nothing about ketchup'

Logan: 'or mustard!'

*************************************

After papa talks about getting pigs and naming one Wilbur:

Lucy: 'but then you'll have a spider problem...'

General Conference and Easter

A picture is worth a thousand words...and I don't feel like typing a thousand words, so...here's a bunch of pictures:

Hay baling and Papa's.

Families are forever.  Even families with Hulk faces. 

Easter Hunt

Follow the Prophet

Conference Squares with Logan

Sitting!

More hunting! 

April Fools

It's the little things, right?  

Logan had backwards day at school today in honor of April Fools.  He wore his clothes backwards around the house but voted to go right ways around for school because it was uncomfortable.  The funniest part was the fact that most days he wears his shirt backwards without even realizing it...so today when it was required...?  

He is laying in wait to play a 'crank' on dad.  

And our April Fools Dinner:

We started with fake moustaches, just because:

Then had icecream for dinner (on a plate) 

Spaghetti in a cup

And juice in a bowl:

Plus we continued to have fun with moustaches long after

April Fools! 

April 2015 Ensign

The Power of Faith:

'To have faith does not mean we believe our Heavenly Father will always give us what we ask for when we ask for it...we can have faith that Christ has power to heal, that He is mindful of us, that He will strengthen us, and that if we endure well, we may qualify for eternal life.' 

My faith will not result in my baby behaving less like a baby (which is whati really want), but I can pray for strength and understanding and wisdom.  

'If Heavenly Father were to free us from our challenges simply because we asked, He would deny us the very experiences necessary for our salvation.' 

THAT is a hard lesson to learn.  

It Isn't a Sin to be Weak:

Sin: encouraged by Satan

Weakness: given to us by God

My weakness is PPD and anxiety

My Sin is giving in to anger

"As we are meek and faithful, God offers grace - not forgiveness - as the remedy for weakness.  Grace is an enabling power from God to do what we cannot do on our own - the appropriate Godly remedy by which He can 'make weak things become strong.'"

What to do:

Ponder and Pray

'Saying a weakness is a sin can result in shame, blame, despair, and giving up on God's promises.  Pondering and prayer help us make these distinctions.' 

Prioritize: 

'Because we are weak, we cannot make every needed change all at once.  God can help us know where to begin.'

Plan: 

'We need supports to help us make good choices even when we are tired or discouraged and plans for getting back on track when we slip.' 

Patience: 

'Patience is a manifestation of our faith in The Lord, gratitude for His confidence in us , and trust in His promises.'

'...limitations and inadequacy we are not sins and do not keep us from being clean and worthy of the Spirit.' 

I'm a work in progress.  And sometimes the progress seems very slow.  I needed these lessons today.  Every day .  I'm trying SO hard to do what's right in the hopes that my weakness will get stronger.  I need constant reminders.  I've been feeling good since Sunday.  Less dispairing.  And I'm grateful for that.  Monday evening was still hard.  Yesterday was a great day and then the night was terrible (as far as a sleeping baby goes), but I'm trying to maintain perspective.  It's hard.  I need to stay SO close to The Lord moment by moment or a moment can catch me off guard and my weakness comes spilling out.  

Things that help: 

Getting out of the house - seeing that there is more to my life and this world than the four walls of my house...and sometimes the four walls of my closet!  (Where Seth sleeps)

Scriptures and Prayers.  Sometimes I feel bogged down in those things and I know that's Satan trying to stop me from doing what is right.  Today is a good change up because I'm reading the Ensign and sometimes it helps to switch things up.  

Going to the temple.  I know it.  For all 3 of my other children we lived at least 3 hours away from a temple and so going just didn't happen very often.  Now there is a temple 25 minutes away...and only 9 minutes from my parents house.  And I need to prioritize and get there more often .  I always feel I can take on anything after I've been to the temple.  

This time, I felt impressed that being a mother is what I am created to be, so of course it's going to be hard. And Satan will attack me there the most.  So I have resolved to try harder. 

Prayers of gratitude - it helps me see the good.  

My most amazing husband - when he's here I can breath better.  I always worry that I rely on him too much and as a result run the risk of losing him.