A full heart

This last weekend I had a rite of passages of sorts.

Our firstborn was baptized.

My big goal for the day was to just to be able to enjoy it and feel the Spirit and not be caught up in the hustle and bustle of having family and company.

I wanted to enjoy my pure, sweet son and all the family and friends who came to support Cade.

Achieving that goal made for a busy, busy week. 

Laundry, dishes of course as always.

Then the big closet clean-out for the girls.

{never made it through the boy clothes...this week maybe?!}

I even swept out and scrubbed down the play house which needed some serious attention. 

Yard work 

Scrubbing the grill area

Grocery shopping

Vaccuming

Dusting

and then finally just stuffing 

What? You don't know what stuffing is? Stuffing is what happens when you see something out that is where is shouldn't be, and you are so sick and tired of seeing it where it shouldn't be, but you are too lazy to put it where it belongs.

So you stuff it.

And stuffed I did.

Friday we woke up to snow. 

Boy was I glad I had finished all the yard stuff Thursday night at 11:20pm.

It was all worth it.

Saturday morning came.

Family came from near and far. 

Friends joined in on the festivities.

The sun shone.

It was a great day.

The service was beautiful.

When singing the opening song Cade leaned over to Kyle and said,

"I think I feel the Spirit."

Cade hugged me after he returned from dressing.

The talks his uncles and Brother Westfall gave were perfect.

It was so sweet.

If there were any regrets to have, it would have been to take more photos before the service of Cade with family members in his cute white baptismal outfit.

But other than that, it all went well.

Of course it's a serious time of deep reflection, realizing you have 10 more years with your child before he becomes an adult;
Before you send him off into the big, wide world to test his knowledge, belief system and values.
As parents we have such a responsibility and of course I worry and wonder--
Am I teaching enough? Am I guiding enough? Am I enough to parent this naive child?

The reality was this isn't about me.
This was about Cade.
He is only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.
His testimony is not perfect.
This is just the beginning.
And what a great beginning it was.

As for the frivolous details that always manage to find their way into special, sacred days--

The food was delicious.

and I did not prepare it.

Which made it even better.

My amazing friend Edy took care of the food and that was the best decision I ever made.

You know me and food for large but vague numbers of people.

It stresses me out.

Saturday I did not stress out.

Saturday I enjoyed the service. I smiled. Laughed. Ate. Hugged.

It was a beautiful day.

As you can see, there were many attempts at a family shot...

I think this is the best one. Oh well! Life as we know it, right?! :)

Just as my family was leaving I called for a picture. I'm glad I did. Thanks for taking the photo, Daddy!