Baptism Day

Zuri is our firecracker.  She is outgoing, vivacious, full of life and love and energy.  She says exactly what is on her mind--oftentimes leading with a statement to get your attention.  If you don't know her and what's been going on in her life you can be left confused on what she is talking about.  Context, I tell her, is important.  She just turned eight, and to her, everyone should understand what she is talking about.

She is smart.  She lights up when she grasps a new concept and can't wait to share it with everyone.  She proudly tells everyone what level she is on in reading, and the current topic they are working on in math.  She loves nature and the earth and doesn't understand why people don't want to take care of it.  She often tells me that it's not good to drive too much because driving hurts the earth.  She will pick up litter anytime she sees it.  She knows all about sharks and many other animals.  

She wears her heart on her sleeve.  She loves fiercely and unconditionally.  She is prone to dramatics. I am more analytical and have a hard time understanding how to relate to her at times, which can lead to tug-of-war between us.  I don't want to curb her zest for life in any way, but when she cries--literally cries tears of joy--because I let her stay up five minutes after normal bedtime, I am completely flummoxed.  I just don't get it, and yet, it's that same unadulterated joy in life that I love about her.

She's been excited about her baptism.  There was a period of time where nerves got to her.  She thought she would have to bend backwards and she kept saying her back doesn't bend like that, so J showed her what she would be doing.  After that she was all excitement.  Whenever anyone asks how her baptism went, she says, "warm [meaning the water]!  I want to get baptized every day!"

Zuri shared her baptism day with one of her good friends.  They are two weeks apart in age, and are in the same primary class.  They have also been in the same class at school for the last two years.  It's been fun to watch them grow together.

Before their baptism we took the girls out to the temple and took pictures of them all dressed up in their baptism dresses.

 Individual pics of Zuri:

This one was her idea :-)