I wanna be like Dad. . .

At the beginning of January our old ward (Spring Haven) was split and the part that we belonged to became part of the South Bluff Ward. During this change Mark was called as the second counselor in the bishopric for our new ward. Mark was nervous and excited all at the same time. Since Mark became a member of the bishopric the kids have had to see a little less of their Dad. Which we know is for the best, but is still hard on Cole and Abby. A few weeks ago Cole looked up at me before church and told me he wanted to be just like Dad. I then asked him what he meant by that and he told me, "Well, Mom I need to get me a suit with a jacket and pants that match, and then I also need a bag with scriptures in them. So I can look like Dad when I go to church." I told him we would talk to Dad about getting a suit.


So for the past 3-4 weeks Cole has asked almost everyday if we had found him a suit like Dad's. A week ago Mark and I were out shopping and we found a very cute suit that would fit Cole really well, so I easily talked Mark into buying it. Then we went to Seagull book and tape and got Cole a small scripture case and one of the paper versions of the Book of Mormon. When we brought this home to Cole and gave it to him he was so excited! He told us that he can now look like Dad, and even though it was about 8pm on a Saturday night when we gave it to him he wanted to put it on immediately and wear it to bed. I luckily talked him out of wearing it to bed because I told him tomorrow was Sunday and he would be able to wear it to church.

The pants that came with the suit were actually about 6 inches too long and I needed to get Grandma Flinders to hem them, but Cole would not allow that until he had worn the suit to Church with Dad. So the first time he wore the suit we had to roll the pant legs up about 4 times so he wasn't tripping on his pants. He sure looked cute! The thought popped into my head that there was my little missionary. He is growing too fast. When we got to Church and showed Mark I could see the love in Mark's eyes for his little boy. As well as the immense love Cole has for his Dad, and his desire to make him proud. It makes Mark feel proud to know that Cole wants to be like him. Mark also said he better be more aware of everything he does with Cole being so observant and wanting to copy everything down to the letter.

I am so thankful for Mark and his willingness to serve our Heavenly Father. Mark is an amazing husband, and father. Abby and Cole are so lucky to have him. I had to capture both Cole and Mark in their suits outside of our new Church. Boy are they handsome.