Gracie's Baptism...

Well, it was a beautiful day...and I was sooo happy all day long. I am so proud of my daughter for making this decision; the decision to be baptized.

Last year, when we hadn't known about moving home, we talked about having her baptism in Canada while we were here. She was very excited about that, and about getting baptized in

Del Bonita. So when we were moving home, it was going to happen anyways, AND, we were going to do it with Rylen.

These guys are so funny! Even though they really have been apart for most of their lives, as soon as they get together, its like there has been no time past. They just jump right back in. They were blessed together, they might as well be baptized on the same day.

And of course, she wanted her Dad to baptize her. She was a little nervous about it, especially being the first one, but I told her, her Daddy would help her. After she come out of the font, I couldn't stop crying, and she asked, "Why are you sad, Mom?" I told her I wasn't sad, I was just sooo happy and proud of this day, and that I could hardly believe that she was Eight Years old already.

We had it at Del Bonita, and our Bishop, Bishop Boyes was there to conduct and preside. Both Grampas were there to be witnesses. Great Gramma Chalmers was there as well as Penny, Larsyn and Ethan. Ethan gave a great talk on Baptism for the kids. We had to ask him, the kids just love him and he is so good with them! Uncle DJ and Jeri-Lynn were there with Lauren and Levi. JL gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost and gave the kids a bag full of goodies to help them remember everything He can do for them. Aunty Annie came, and so did Rylen's Gramma and Grampa Blasco. It was nice and small and just the family, just how I wanted it...

Gracie wore a very special dress. Her Gramma Sherry had made it for her Aunty Kelsey for her baptism and the Aunty Annie wore it as well. So now its Gracie's. And she just loved it!

I cannot believe these kids are 8!! It seems like just yesterday we were planning the blessing for them. But here they are. Gracie said, "It looks like we're getting married!"

Oh, Little Girl of Mine, I can hardly believe how big you are! I am so proud of you making this decision...

We are so grateful to have you in our family. You are always so happy and having fun. You brighten any room you come into...

I hope you remember this day, and remember what it means. Your Heavenly Father loves you so much, and this Gift of the Holy Ghost, will help you make the decisions you need to to live with Him again Someday...

Remember to be "strong and courageous and to stand up for what you believe in" like your Daddy blessed you with...

It is times like this that I am soo glad you have a mind of your own, and that you don't mind going against the grain. I know you will make the right choices, even if they are hard...

Sweet Gracie Dawn. You look so beautiful in your white dress. I cannot think of it, because I don't want it to happen, but I know that all too soon I will have a picture of you in another White Dress, ready to walk through those temple doors with your husband...

I cannot think of it, but I am so glad because I know you will be strong and make the best choices for yourself to get ready for that day.

I just hope it doesn't fly by like the last few years have...