Ben turned 8 years old on April 5 - one of the big birthdays. We had quite a bit of family that had come into town for his baptism (which was the next day), so we had some fun celebrating. Dad and bunch of the family went to our friends, the Edward's property and rode quads. Ben decided he wanted a camping cake (we looked at Hobbit cakes, Lord of the Ring cakes, Harry Potter cakes, etc, but none of them were really catching his eye). Charity and I fashioned a teddy bear camping cake, which turned out pretty cute. We had hamburgers and chips and fruit for dinner that night. Ben got some fun gifts: The Hobbit DVD, a couple books, a few Lego sets, and a bow and arrow (from Mom and Dad). He was pretty happy with the day.
Ben is our mellow, happy, good-hearted kid. He is very rarely moody. He goes with the flow. He knows what it right and even though he can be silly with his friends he always knows where the lines are for doing what's right at the right time. He has come home on several occasions telling me that so-and-so is not his friend anymore because he doesn't like another boy that Ben is hanging out with, and Ben doesn't act mean but he just tells him that he is friends with everyone...and he really is. And within a day or so the boy will be back hanging out with Ben and the other boy. Ben is a great student. He recently brought his report card home with straight A's. He does great on the standardized testing as well. He is our little reader. He asked if he could read the Lord of the Rings books one day. We told him maybe he should start with the Hobbit. Dad made a deal with him that if he read Evertaster (a book his friend from college wrote), then he would get him his own copy of the Hobbit. Ben had it read in less than a week. Then he got the Hobbit and finished that up in less than a week too. He likes to read on the bus ride home from school and also at bedtime. He is respectful and kind and obedient and helpful. He is good at saving his money. He will just accumulate it until he has enough to buy something big he wants. He was so excited to start Cub Scouts - his first meeting was the Tuesday after his birthday, and he has already done all the things required to earn his Bobcat. He loves hamburgers, cereal and fruit. He will choose a bowl of cereal for his snack probably 80% of the time. His best buds are Nick, Aaron and Nate, and he also really enjoys playing with his own brothers and sisters. He has a soft spot in his heart for babies - he loves them and always has. He takes after his Mom and has a special name for all his siblings: Caelan is "Sinska," Megan is "Gainy," Nathan is "Capsason," and Austin is "Nin." We love Ben. He is our peacemaker. He is tender and good and kind. We can't imagine what our home or family would be without his influence.
The Baptism of Kenneth Benjamin Dick
Pianist: Charity Brooks (aunt)
Chorister: Tera Dick
Conducting: Bishop Foutz
Opening Song: If the Savior Stood Beside Me
Opening Prayer: Rick Sorensen (Grandpa)
Talk on Baptism: Mike Dick (Grandpa)
Musical Number: "When I am Baptized" sung by Caelan and Megan Dick
Baptism of Ben by Sean Dick
Talk on the Holy Ghost: Lindsay Dick (aunt)
Confirmation of Ben by Sean Dick
Remarks by Primary: Sis. Hilbun
Welcome to the Ward: Bishop Foutz
Closing Song: I am a Child of God
Closing Prayer: Preston Frey (uncle)
Refreshments served
I'm not sure why the formatting is so strange on this post. Anyway, Ben's baptism day was very special. What a great date for a baptism: the Savior's birthday, the anniversary of the organization of the church and this year it also happened to fall on General Conference. Sean went over to the church about an hour early to make sure the font was being filled up. Nope - he actually couldn't even get in the church for over a half an hour. Luckily the water comes out pretty fast, so when he finally turned it on it only took about 25 min to get full. It was a nice simple program - mostly family was there with a few other friends. Grandpa Dick talked about baptism and making a covenant. He made a deal with Ben that if Ben reads from the Book of Mormon every day until Grandpa sees him again at the end of June, then Grandpa will take him to Bricks and Minifigs to pick out something fun. Lindsay talked about the Holy Ghost and how He is like a light that helps us see in the dark. She gave Ben his own CTR ring that can also help him to remember to Choose the Right so that he can always have the Holy Ghost with him. We had plenty of cookies for refreshments and then headed home for the afternoon session of Conference. What a special day!
