Michael Scott Hess baby blessing & Jacob's priesthood ordination to Deacon

Michael's Baby Blessing, Friday, January 3rd, 2025 followed by Jacob's ordination to the office of Teacher. Sarah, Julie, Laura, and Great Grandparents attended via zoom. G&G Hess, Grandma King, and Uncle Stephen's family attended in person. 

Michael's Baby Blessing: 

By the power of the Melchizedek. priesthood. We hold this baby in our arms and do so give him a name and a blessing. The name he will be know by in the records of the church is Michael Scott Hess. 

Michael, you are a beloved son of our Heavenly Father. A beloved child. You are a stalwart example of his love and his mercy in this life. Your Heavenly Father loves you very much. That is why he sent you to loving parents. So they can help you to grow and nurture you and assist you in navigating the toils and troubles of this life. Michael, we bless you that you will be a sweet spirit. That your heart and and mind will be constantly opened to Heavenly Father and your parents. That you will continue to grow and love and learn efficiently and quickly. That you will show your love and Heavenly Father's love to all those you meet. That you will be a bright shining light to everyone around you. They can see the joy and love in your eyes and in your actions. 

Michael, your Heavenly Father loves you. He knows that life may not be always the easiest but he wants you to know he will always be with you and will always love you just like your parents will always love you.  We bless you with an intellect and strength to grow strong in a physical sense and emotional and intellectual (?) sense ... that you will become a great leader and always look to you for truth and righteousness and answers to hard questions. Heavenly Father loves you and your parents love you. And we close this blessing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Jacob's priesthood ordination: 

Jacob Aaron Hess, we give you all the privileges and rights of that come with the priesthood are being confirmed upon you. Your Heavenly Father wants you to know that he loves you and you will perform these duties well, extremely well. That you will follow the example of those around you and always grow in the ways of righteousness and truth. Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to know that everything you do, He watches and is with you and He loves you. He wants you to open your heart and be open that you can perform your duties effectively, efficiently and with proper motivation (?). And we say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Michael Scott Hess born! December 2024

 Michael Scott Hess was born on Monday, December 16th at 12:18 pm at Sky Ridge Hospital. He was 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 20.5 inches long. His due date was December 18th, but had an induction scheduled for that day. We went in at 5 am to get things started. There were no complications with Michael. Only issue was my blood pressure dropped pretty low and they had a hard time finding his heart rate through my stomach, so they inserted a heart rate monitor inside me, attached to his head for delivery. 

We came home the next afternoon. He has been nursing well and gained about a pound by his 2 week appointment.

The kids finished their last week of school and started Christmas break. We had a great first week with our new baby! 

After Christmas, Stephen's family came to visit for a week. The kids had a blast with their cousins. They went to a movie, Jacob got to go to the zoo with them while the girls went to a dance camp. Lots of playing and cousin time. 

They even got to do some fireworks for New Year's and lots of D&D. 

We left the Christmas party at church early because it started 30 minutes after Charlotte's bed time. Santa was Grandma's friend, Br. Walker and Sis Walker called on the way home to see if Santa could stop by since he missed us at the party. It made Charlotte's night! Marie went home early from the party because she didn't feel well, so she was already asleep. Charlotte got to be a little late, but was so happy!

Christmas advent calendars

G&G Hess gave us money for the kids for Christmas. They all got to build ginger bread houses and loved doing it!

Our neighbors, the Stotts, brought us this a few days before Michael was born!

Sunday morning, after coming home from the hospital, Devin got himself dressed and ready for church. He was a little disappointed that he had to stay home from church. 

Grandma brought the 3 older kids to meet Michael on Monday after school. Devin didn't want to come, but he had just come home from the hospital, so he was just happy to be at home. 

Devin had a fever of 10-105 F for a few days. It has been happening every month or so and started a few days before Michael was born. Spencer took him to the doctor on Friday before Michael was born and Saturday morning when they got the blood work back - they told us to take him to Children's Hospital for testing. They left around 10:30 am and got home at 3 am Sunday morning. Spencer still made it to church. We don't have answers, but after several hours of ultrasounds, it is not inflammation of the heart or other major organs. Next step is to meet with the infectious disease doctor team. 

Spencer's friend, Rob - Rob's dad gave the kids some models. All 3 older kids made a model. Jacob's primary teacher asked to see it when done. 

Devin was so tired, he fell asleep at the table after eating most of his dinner

Marie's school project on the state of Nebraska

Charlotte also had an appointment with a sleep specialist doctor. The day after Michael was born, she did an at home oxygen test. She wore my watch for a couple of weeks to see what her oxygen levels looked like and since they dropped to 81% each night, this was the next step. We don't have the results or next steps yet, though. She is also on an iron supplement to see if that helps. So far, not seeing anything. 

Devin on the way home from the hospital. Br. Foust, the EQ pres, took a bag to them and gave them blessings. I sent Devin his Pikachu and he was so happy. When doing the ultrasound, after an hour or so, Spencer called me and I talked to crying Devin for over an hour until he fell asleep around 1130 pm