Little blessed one

We thought about doing the blessing at the same time as the sealing but Brant said the natural order was sealing then blessing (I guess that is what we’ve done with the other two).  We also felt like we received so much support from our ward that we wanted them to be a part of it.  We are so overwelmed with how much love and support we have recieved from everyone!

Bennett actually means little blessed one and Osborn means divine warrior.  After an intimate and spiritual sealing and the feeling of the potential of this amazing boy it was time to give him his name. 

 I thought, "What will he need most?  If I could bless him with one thing what would it be?"  I wanted him to feel secure in knowing who he is, that he is supposed to be in our family and he is very loved. 

Brant did an amazing job and it was beautiful and I hope he remembers to always put the gospel first.  I thought about the events surrounding his birth.  The first and most important thing for his birth mother was to have him placed in an LDS home. 

 His blessing was another great event.  So grateful for all those who shared in it!  His little outfit was made by Natalie and her sister.  I love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The feeling of security seems to be happening, before the sealing Bennett had to be in whatever room I was in, since we’ve been back he doesn’t even seem to notice whether I’m in the room or not.  He is getting more busy with crawling and this proves he still likes to be where I am he just doesn’t HAVE to be there.  I guess he is even more content.  I love these pics of kisses from the kids!

 

After the blessing we had a little dinner with friends and we also celebrated Grandpa Brown’s birthday. 

Then Bennett hit 8 months, he is one cute cabbage patch kid (my mom sent us with some garden goodness after the sealing). 

We feel blessed to have this little blessed one.  8 months and crawling.

 

Signed, sealed, delivered...

He is ours!  On a Thursday we got the call that a birth mom had selected us, then on Saturday he was delivered to us. 

 

7 months later, we finalized Bennett’s adoption on Thursday, August 30^th.  It was a quiet little ceremony, which we were grateful for.

 

Bennett was super happy that day too! 

 

Then the perfect start to our sealing day was witnessing Priesthood power at Ison's blessing.

I'm sure these two will be buddies!  It was awesome and a perfect lead in to Bennett’s sealing.  I am so grateful for the Priesthood. 

 

Then on that Saturday, September 1^st We went to the Draper Temple to have him sealed to us.  We chose the Draper temple for a few reasons Rianne and Heath attended the open house before it was dedicated.  It has a very large sealing room and we wanted anyone who wanted to be there to have a place. 

Also the Brown’s have ties to the Draper area from Joseph Gurnsey Brown who was part of the Rescue party of the Willie/Martin handcart companies.  He rescued Esther who would later become his wife, and Brant comes through this line which was changed because of her courage and faith, and a strong man willing to brave the elements to bring her home.  I thought of people in dire circumstances not knowing what to do and waiting for those willing to brave the storms to come to their aide.  I thought of the symbolism of Bennett’s birth mom in similar dire circumstances scared, alone and even cold.  She put her faith in us.  How Bennett’s lines have been changed brought to his new home, because of her courage and He was rescued and brought home.  What a blessing these women of courage and faith have become to us.  I am grateful she gave him life and am honored that I have been trusted to teach him how to live.         

I don’t know how to put the feelings of the sealing into words.  This really was a different experience it was really all about Bennett.  We got a little advice about this great thing we were doing for him.  When they brought the kids in I felt like time froze, what a powerful moment.  Bennett put his little hand in and never moved it.  When the sealer said his name he looked up with such intent, like he knew exactly what was going on.  It through the sealer off, he lost his place and then continued.  It was so peaceful and I was so happy.  Rianne and Heath were beaming too!  I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people who came.  Afterwards the sealer shifted his focus to Bennett and the incredible spirit he was and the great things in store for him. 

The women in the bridal room afterwards talked how they had never seen the sealer be that way.  He was just smitten with Bennett and drawn to him.  How he saw and felt his potential.  It reminded me of Simeon holding the Savior at the temple.  It was a powerful reassurance which I felt all those months ago when I held him and thought how can I raise him, with all the miracles that surrounded him being perfectly placed with us and those reassuring words that he is a child of God and was sent here to us.  God has much in store for this boy.  I'm honored to raise him. So grateful I don't have to do it alone. 

          When we came out it was windy, how awesome it was to have our little family in the temple and look forward to the day when they aren't so little, but are still worthy to be in the temple together again.   

We had a little windy luncheon and enjoyed visiting with family.  We love his smile it lights up his face and melts our hearts.  It was a wonderful weekend surrounded by friends & family enjoying the celebration of this amazing event.

               

 

Over the hill Birthday

Brant had his birthday on Friday it also marks 3 years working for NAU. With school starting and volleyball season celebrations sometimes get pushed to the side. I am so grateful Brant is so easy going, before practice we took Brant up a little birthday surprise.

Bennett also turned 7 months. He spends his days in the gym coaching with mom. Here he is checking out the sports section!

The next day we went over the hill actually 6 miles up a hill doing a climb for cancer. This event was really cool. Thanks Tera for putting it together and including us.  Bennett loved it, look how happy he is.

As the hike went on I’m not sure how much he loved getting his face squished but he did great.

The kids did awesome too!

The weather was perfect, scenery gorgeous and the company was great. Here's our team, where are all the kids?

Well after we got to the top the weather wasn’t so perfect. Lunch at the top we felt a few drops then it started to rain we caught the bus to the bottom of the hill and it was pouring and we had to catch one more bus to get back to our cars. We were soaked by the time we loaded the bus. Here we are in this group and the kids are looking for some protection from the elements and we see Annette gathering them under her wings.

It really cracked me up Annette is so tiny but she seemed to be the safest place.

Then Sunday we had friends over to celebrate Brant’s birthday. Brant did not want cake and told me several times not to make a cake. So I made lemon bars and he was thrilled.

But the gift he was most excited about was the matching bracelets one says best and the other says friend. Hailey and Rianne thought we were celebrating their friendship anniversary. They have BFF everything from key chains, to shirts. Jordan had to get in on that action here is the best friend fist bump

 Here is a picture of our backyard too we love living here in beautiful flagstaff.

Brant even if you feel old I don’t think you are over the hill Even though the past little while life has seemed all uphill I am glad we are making this climb together. Happy Birthday!

ready for school from head to toe

Rianne wanted to do a Family Home Evening lesson for her faith in God.

Autumn needed perfected painted toes for kindergarten, we combined the two and it was fun with a little foot soak with the Larsen’s.

Toes check.

  

We did the meet the teacher night Rianne saw the list, she was completely disappointed. Rianne is such a go with the flow kid I was surprised at her tears in response. So I debated is this a moment when it matters and I go to bat for my kid show her I respect her feelings because she rarely gets upset or is this a moment when I say tough luck you’ll survive. I said let’s pray about it and see how we feel, if you feel unsafe or not good about it I would do everything I could to fix it. The next day she said she prayed about it and wanted to try out her class that it was going to be ok. They got their father’s blessings for school.

Heads check.

 Both of them do thier own hair now, somedays are better than others
 Both have male teachers this year. So here they are 1st and 5th grade. We met Heath’s teacher Mr. McQueen (I think his first name might be lightning :) He said he requested Heath (I know I was surprised too) in kindergarten Heath went and read in his class.

Although Heath claims he wasn’t happy about school starting he sure has been up and ready to go. Hopefully his teacher won’t require too much coloring and Heath will be happy.

Head’s up Bennett is up and ready to go too, he is so close to being on the move.

Sum-more

Here is a sum up of our summer---Give me more Summer days!

I have some more projects like this to do.

Brant painted the trim of the house with some help

and I was sick and our young women came over to help.

He even painted my door red, He said having Heath help was like working with a 6 year old :)

He also has the front almost looking like a yard but there is always MORE summer projects to do some we need more money for ;). maybe we should have done a few more lemonade stands

I want some more trips to Kanab visiting family, wishing my kids saw their cousins more.
Here was a quick trip for Dalton's reception

Of course I want more of the carefree summer days of climbing trees, bike rides, building forts, taking hikes and sucking down popsicles.

double bonus climbing trees with cousins

I don’t have any pictures but Rianne and Heath did a rock wall climb and I was very impressed with Rianne’s determination she made it to the top on all but the expert path. She is strong!

Bennett's 1st swim

Wish we’d had some more trips to the pool. Heath is now a level 3 swimmer.

Also would have loved s’more camping trips.

Which include some guy time games, while mothers fight with sleepy kids

See Heath needed more sleep, he was asleep before we were even on pavement.

As always we need more time with the Udall's.

Bennett loves Jordan

Loved the summer Olympics and could have watched even more. Here are the kids watching olympics while we stayed in a hotel

Summer we made more memories and even though it goes too fast and leaves me wanting Some-more. It does remind me it’s the little things I’m grateful for; the lazy days of summer when life slows down and we just enjoy being together.