Annie Kate's Baptism and my 500th Post

I have not gone this long of not blogging and been in town, ever! It has been really busy and I am making myself sit down today to get this done, or I am afraid that I will let it pass by.

Saturday, December 2nd was Annie Kate's baptism into our church. It was a wonderful day. Both sets of Grandparents were there. (which I think is so amazing with us living so far away, Big thanks to them for coming) My brother Bevan and his family from North Carolina came. His wife made the food for the baptism and brought it with her, so I didn't have to worry about it. It was wonderful. She made these Pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting that were amazing.
It was sunny outside but really cold. It is so hard to find the time to take photos when you have so much going on, so I feel bad I didn't get many photos of the day. Seriously, the next time I am paying someone to walk around with my camera and just take photos. I was lucky that I took this photo of Annie Kate and I before we left. Notice I am already crying and we have not even left the house. Such a sign of things to come.That morning before the baptism I whipped up the silk, white chair cover for Annie Kate's chair at the baptism. This could be a great idea if you are in the primary for you to use for the child's baptism or to put on their chair the Sunday after they are baptized. I didn't have enough fabric or I would have had it cover the whole way down and not time for monogramming either.
I made this special bag for her with the silhouette from her invitation with the date of her baptism. She packed her items in it to change into and then can use it as a scripture bag. I had thought of having people sign the bag that came to the baptism, but was afraid it might look too messy. I liked having it all white. The bag I bought at Michaels craft store and then just used the iron on transfer paper. Then sewed ribbon around the top.
I had wanted to decorate the bathroom that she would change into or at least have some white roses in there that I would give to her, but it was too late in the game and my wonderful friend and sister in law, looked at me at 10:00 pm the night before and said, "Kristi go to bed!" So if you think ahead I think this would make a nice little fluff for the child too. I had also wanted to get a nice white flower, tasteful not prom like corsage, for the grandma's and her primary teacher to wear, but again too many ideas, not enough time.
In our Church we don't take photos of ordinaces and so I don't have an actual photo of the baptism but thought this was a great photo of her before. I love that you can see the reflection of her in the water.
I love this photo of her and Jeff. It was so cold outside when we took this. People were coming in and sitting down and I ran our family outside the building to take photos. Oh I am so glad I did. Or we would not have had one of us.I had all of her sister wear white the day of the baptism and the next day at church and think this will be a nice tradition to start. Annie Kate asked me why I was no wearing white and I told her it is because it was after labor day... and I don't own an all white dress.Thanks to Cristin who gave me the idea of taking a photo of Annie Kate right after she was baptized, I got this photo. After Annie Kate was all done she was all smiles and giggly. And surprising I was too. Jeff gave her the biggest Dad hug! I could not stop kissing her freckled little face. She was fast to change and even beat her dad back out.

Annie Kate with her Grandparents

Grammy and Papa.

With Mimi and Grandpy.

The amazing part of the day and what got me really crying was how many people came. I had set up about 25 chairs. I had many people tell me that they were not going to be able to come so I didn't think there would be many people. Because we had just moved here I was not sure. Right before we started I turned my head around and I saw my college roommate's brother and I started crying like a baby. (and am crying as I am typing) I had invited his family so I don't know why I am so surprised they came, but it was almost like having Emily there! My friend from high school who lives in VA, Mark, came with his family and it meant so much to me. The room kept filling up and they had to double up on chairs. Thanks to my visiting teacher who stood in the back keeping the room filled with chairs, handing hymn books to our neighbors who came, getting forks and a ladle. She truly saved the day. She had come early to set up and stayed late to clean up. I was truly blessed by so many people today. This is a photo of Annie Kate and her primary teacher. ( I feel so bad that I didn't take a few photos because her eyes are closed on this one) She gave AK a brand new set of leather scriptures with her name on them. They are beautiful. She wrote in the front of the Bible and Book of Mormon the sweetest notes. If you don't remember reading about this incredible teacher check out this great story from when we first moved here.

We had yummy treats and I was thrilled it was Christmas time because it was so easy to decorate for. White table cloths and trimmings from my neighborhood. You have got to love those magnolia trees.
This was the front table with the programs. The silhouette that I had made of Annie Kate was framed, the number 8 that I got at TJMAXX for $3.00 and more trimmings from the trees in my neighborhood. We had Annie Kate write her testimony and put it on the back of the program. We were thrilled to have all her Grandparents participate and her primary teacher. Her Grammy read this awesome poem by Boyd K. Packer right after she was baptized. We had two youth play and lead the music. And they did a wonderful job! Her Bishop is so wonderful and gave her the biggest hug after receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. (Annie Kate did ask if her Bishop from Nashville was going to be coming, so sweet. ) Annie Kate sang the song "When I am baptized" with her friend and distant cousin Elizabeth H. Her primary president did a wonderful and energetic presentation and welcome to the primary. (All photos I wish I would have taken)

I must not forget one of the big parts of this weekend that will always remain in AK's memory was that she woke up so sick on Saturday. She left to go home right after the baptism and has stayed in bed pretty much up to today (Tuesday) It has been really sad for her but I guess she will never forget this weekend because of that.

I just must say that of all my posts and things, events, traditions, family outings I have written about this past year, none will affect Annie Kate's life more than the event of this day. As much as I love making, creating and gluing and cutting, nothing is more important than when I pray with my children and teach the principles of Jesus Christ. No craft, advent, purse, monogrammed pillow is more important than the long lasting affects of teaching my children the purpose of life. For those of who may read this but not know what a baptism is about I typed up this last part just for you.

Today, as in the days of Jesus Christ, there are certain principles and ordinances of the gospel that people must learn to obey. A principle is a belief, a fundamental rule of conduct or law, and an ordinance is a rite or ceremony.

The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are:

• First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Second, repentance.
• Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
• Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

...and I can't believe my 500th post, there would be no better subject to write about! Yea. I hope the next 500 are just as fun to do!