Sweety's Sprouting Testimony

Sweety will be turning eight next summer and making a decision about being baptized. In preparation for that, we want him to have at least a basic understanding of what the gospel is and what he's agreeing to try to do.

We also want him to genuinely understand what faith is and how it works. And above all, we want him to definitely feel the Holy Ghost communicating with him through thoughts and feelings. We don't expect him to have a total understanding or a ton of experience, but we want him to at least know how to go about finding and recognizing truth.

So, we've begun missionary discussions. We only do one a month, so we can have lots of time to work on the assignments and absorb the material. I hope that will give us enough material to amply prepare Sweety to make a decision.

This last month, the discussion was all about the Joseph Smith story. The assignment was to learn about it, ponder on it, then pray about it. So we spent the next Family Home Evening on it and then pondered it for two weeks. Over that time, we continually brought the story up and talked about various parts of it. We also studied about what a testimony is and how to get one.

Yesterday, we went over the Joseph Smith story again. Then we all knelt as Sweety prayed and told Heavenly Father what he thought about it and asked Heavenly Father to help him know if it was a true story or not. When Sweety finished his prayer, we waited for stirrings and feelings.

At first, nothing much happened. Sweety said he felt good feelings in his heart, but it was pretty clear that he was only responding out of obligation. So we waited and talked some more, and pretty soon, the spirit was abundant. We were all feeling it. I could see it written on my boys' faces as they smiled and laughed.

Smarty said, "I feel like I'm being tickled, but I'm not being tickled." Which I thought was a perfect way to describe the bubbly happiness that was welling up in him.

At that point, Sweety identified that the Holy Ghost was sending happy, peaceful feelings to his heart. It was so fun to witness this beginning of a testimony in him. I asked him, "What happened to your swelling testimony seed?" He made a fist by his chest and popped one finger up to indicate that his testimony seed was sprouting.

I hope he never forgets that experience or the feeling that came with it. I promised him he could have that great feeling always once he was baptized and received the Holy Ghost.

Chew On This

For the sake of medical history, here's what's been happening--teeth-wise--at our house lately:

1-  Sweety lost his first tooth on Sunday, June 2, 2013. We were in singing time in primary. We were literally on our last song and in the last five minutes of church. When I looked down at my Sweety, he had a totally-freaked-out-but-trying-to-be-brave look on his face. So I finished up the song and grabbed him right after the closing prayer.

As all the other primary kids bolted, Sweety threw his little arms around my neck and began to sob about his "wiggly" tooth. Apparently he thought his whole mouth was coming undone! Poor kid. After a fair amount of reassuring, we took him home and Dad set to work with the pliers.

It actually did take a fair amount of work for Dad and the pliers. Sweety has a teeny-tiny sized mouth. Like teeny. Like a stick and a half of gum completely fill his bird jaws up.

The tooth in question was not attached at all, but it was jammed in place by all the other teeth crowded into that little space. It did not want to wiggle free! But a wedged anything has never been a problem for Handy-Man Bardwell! Sweety's tears dried, the tooth fairy left a kickback, and Ben's fingers recovered. Another day saved and all turned out well at the Bardwell household.

2-  In August 2013, Sweety lost his other front bottom tooth while we were in Panguitch. Somehow the tooth fairy was able to find us there too.

3-  Later that fall, the dentist pulled one of the bottom teeth next to the missing middles. Luckily the tooth fairy apparently accepts pre-term teeth as well.

4-  Then in April of 2014, the last of the bottom front four came out all on it's own. Do you think teeth can sense when they are next up on the dentist's hit list?

5-  The two top front teeth started to wiggle in August of 2014. Ben, bracing for a fight, pulled with all of his might. Unfortunately, that was less than awesome for Sweety. He got a full $5 that day. I think the tooth fairy felt a little guilty. ;)

6-  Smarty has lost several molars over the summer. The last two came out just last month. And because of the August incident, the tooth fairy has had to up the ante for him too. Super fun! Goin' broke on used teeth. Gotta' love it.

Smarty's First "Real" Concert

For Smarty's birthday, we took him to the Piano Guys concert last Saturday. 

We had the best time! Smarty thinks these guys are rockstars, and often points out--most emphatically--that Jon Schmidt "knows all the keys!" (On the piano, that is...unless he's a locksmith on the side, and I just don't know it) Smarty ate up all of their silly banter and fabulous music. Ben spoiled him with treats and a poster and CD, which Smarty loved. 

About halfway through the concert, Smarty was getting tired and asked about how long the concert had left. I told him we had while yet, and he repiled, "Then I'm seriously going to need another soda and treat!" Haha. What a nut! He knows how to milk it! Luckily his favorite songs were in the second half, and they soon drew him back into the show.

Sweety spent the night at Grandma R's, and a trip to McDonalds for dinner has him convinced he got the upper end of the stick. ;) I'm glad he didn't miss us!

If you aren't already in love with these guys, you must go find them on YouTube. Just recently they were signed with some big-name label and have been appearing on Jay Leno, Katie Couric, and lots of other fancy-schmancy talk shows since. I'm just happy they've been having some success. They are the nicest guys and totally deserve it!

We LOVE just about everything they've done, but you really must see: Code Name Vivaldi, Peponi, and Rockelbel's Canon if you haven't already (Click on the name).

Sweety Turns Five!

Thanks, Amy, for letting me shamelessly steal photos off you and immediately re-post them here. You make my life easy. (Click here to see her original post)

On his birthday we celebrated with family.

He LOVED the work gloves from Grandpa B. He didn't take them off until bedtime!

Smarty's doing his best to look tough here. ;)

A few days later, we hosted a party for all of Sweety's friends. I couldn't figure out what activity to do, at Sweety's party, that wouldn't turn into a dirty mess in our backyard. Finally Ben suggested that we just embrace the mud that is our yard, so we did. We had a BLAST!

 Ben is brilliant at cake decor. Sweety loved the trucks.

After presents and cake, we gave everyone a bucket, started the hose, and turned them loose on our dirt pile out back. We had mud holes, a slip 'n slide, a splash pool, and after a while, Ben turned a hose on our slide for good measure. It seems like there was something for everyone, and I think we all had a fantastic time!

Sweety's Preschool Graduations

Sweety recently celebrated a milestone by graduating from his preschool groups. It freaks me out! I cannot believe my baby is moving on to regular school!

We started out by celebrating with out little co-op preschool, put on by me and the other moms. In these pics, we are missing our one little girl who moved a short time ago, but here are the fellas:

The other mothers. I am deeply indebted to these women, and those from other years, for taking my boys into their homes to love and teach. They have truly become some of my best friends. I already miss visiting with them each week!

The boys were thrilled to wave flags while they sang, "Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue"

Sweety's cheering section (Ben is behind the camera). My boys are lucky to have a great
support structure of family around them.

 

A few days later, we celebrated Sweety's graduation from Midland preschool. 

 

Sweety's last day of class.

 

They also put on a little performance and ceremony. He was so cute doing his actions and laughing with his neighbor. Is there anything as charming as a children's program?

The entire Midland preschool graduating class:

The much beloved "Shoe Song," which comes from the story, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.

While singing about Pete's blue shoes, Sweety realizes he's wearing blue shoes that he loves too! This was such a cute moment to watch!

Here's Sweety receiving his diploma from Teacher Krystine. She's an amazing woman, who put up with endless conversations about trucks and cars, and loved my baby as her own. I pray that Sweety's school years will be filled with teachers as compassionate and accepting as she is.

I asked Sweety what he liked about her, and he basically said, 'I give her big, big hugs. She likes them. She makes me feel important.'

We will also miss Teacher Jodi who changed diapers, cleaned boo-boos and dirty faces, and made sure our Sweety was well cared for and comfortable during his experience. She's just an angel.

When I asked about her, Sweety basically said, 'Jodi tells me to sit down sometimes. I listen. I like that she tells me she loves me. I love her big too.'

Thanks also to Teacher Valissa and Teacher Paula (not shown) who helped advance Sweety's ability to form words and phrases. We are thrilled to watch him progress and grow in this essential area.

Sweety said of Paula, 'I like games with Paula. She made me feel happy. I like Paula. She makes me feel special.'