We have all been looking forward to Caitlyn's baptism. She has been so excited she could hardly stand it. She had her interview with the bishop a few weeks before and he was so impressed with her knowledge and testimony. She has always been a very spiritual girl. It was a little crazy with the baptism being the same week as Jen's funeral, but it was nice to have extra family here for the baptism.
I nearly lost it (actually I think I did lose it) when we found out on Friday afternoon (the day before the baptism) that the baptism time and place had been changed. They were refinishing the floors in the stake center and thought it would still be okay to have the baptism, but I guess it wasn't. They were going to move the baptism an hour later which would eliminate some of our friends and family from the baptism or lunch after and really just make the whole event very stressful. Luckily Keith and my family stayed calm and helped come up with options while I cried! Keith called someone in the stake presidency and he was so nice and called the other stake where we would be having our baptism and asked if we could come in on the early baptism with them. Everyone was nice and accommodating and it all ended up working out, minus my melt down! We spent the evening calling everyone to tell them about the changes.
Matt and Keith set up for the lunch the night before and Katie picked up the food and finished off the decorating for us Saturday morning. She has been a lifesaver! Saturday morning Mel came over and braided Caitlyn's hair and kept the boys while Keith and I headed to the church with the girls. Caitlyn ended up getting baptized in our old stake that we lived in when we lived in the town homes. Everyone was so nice and it was so great to spend the morning with Caitlyn and see her excitement.
Jenna made her this towel. I think I loved it as much as Caitlyn! The baptism was a wonderful, spiritual experience. It was so personal. We all met together first and they had a speaker and beautiful music. While we were waiting to take our turn we sang primary songs. My family was glad we weren't last so we didn't end up having a family sing-a-long. When it was Caitlyn's turn we went back to the font and there was a man from the high council who talked to Caitlyn and told her to look around and see all the people who loved her and could help her in her life. I got to go back to the font with Caitlyn. Keith was waiting in the water for her and I watched from the stairs. It was so amazing. Caitlyn was glowing! I helped Caitlyn get dressed after and we headed to a room for her confirmation. Matt gave me great advice the night before and told me to just relax and enjoy the moment. He said don't worry about hurrying or who is waiting for you just slow down and enjoy it. He knows me so well, I took his advise and it made the day so much better. Our ward mission leader conducted and the primary president and bishop both spoke to Caitlyn. I loved this part where we were just focusing on Caitlyn! When I got baptized it was just me and my cousin so the stake baptisms where they are all together are very different to me. I love having it so personal. Keith gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost and a beautiful blessing. You could really feel the spirit. I'm so proud of my little girl!
After we headed to our church for lunch. Everyone was so great and did so much that I really just got to sit back and enjoy the day. I am so grateful for this. Everything was perfect. We did the same lunch that I did for Keith's graduation party. I was going to make all of the salads because I didn't want anyone to bring anything, but with the funeral and all of our family stuff going on I was so grateful that all of my friends and family offered to help.
Caitlyn looked so beautiful. The kids were all good and even though Hallee wouldn't take a nap she was really good. I'm so grateful for my family!
It was such a special day for all of us.
Caitlyn loves her grandparents.
She is lucky to have two wonderful sets of grandparents!
Lori had this cute idea for the cake. It says, "I like to look for rainbows." That is a line from the baptism song. I couldn't believe how quickly we polished that cake off!
She was excited to get her own set of scriptures with her name on them and a new scripture case.
All of the kids had fun playing together. Jonah took advantage of eating without Keith and I around. He said he ate two sandwiches, five bags of chips and two pieces of cake!
Matt and Lori stayed in town for the baptism. It was so great to have them here. Cody and Jonah have so much fun together. It was fun to have my aunt and uncle there too.
We tried to get a shot of all of the kids. I think a few kids had left by this point. We had a big group of kids. My kids loved it!
Here are all the cousins. It was so great to have so much support from our friends and family. Caitlyn told me she was sad that aunt Jen wouldn't be there. The last time we saw her Caitlyn gave her the baptism invitation and she told her she would be there. I told Caitlyn I thought she would still be there and I think she was. It was a stressful, emotional week leading up to the baptism, but I couldn't have asked for a better day. Thank you to everyone who came and all of your help so I could sit back and enjoy the day.
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