It is almost TWO years later, and I am just writing about Caity's 8th birthday and her baptism. It was one of those days that was so absolutely perfect, that no matter how much I tried, I couldn't capture it in words or pictures. So I wrote, rewrote, gave up, and let it kind of nag in the back of my mind for two years. Ha Ha. Now it is getting fuzzy, and I'm kicking myself I don't have a post to go back and read. I'll do my best to do it all justice without making it too cheesy and sappy- bear with me!
I've earnestly tried to find an adjective describe Caity's countenance and face expression through out her eighth birthday, but all I have is: the "Best Day Ever" face. She just radiated from the love she felt.
The day started at 5:30 am. Caity wanted enough time to not feel rushed. She got in the shower and we painted her nails. She cuddled on the couch while I finished ironing her baptism dress her Grandma Partridge made for her. While I ironed, she asked a few more questions about baptism and the Holy Ghost. I sat next to her on the couch and gave her one last lesson about the covenant that accompanies the ordinance of baptism, and what it meant to take upon us the name of Christ. We also discussed the Holy Ghost, and the significance and responsibility of that gift.
The boys were all still asleep, so her and I snuck out to the Rexburg Temple to watch the sunrise. As we walked around the grounds, I told her memories about my baptism and bore my testimony of the power of covenants. I looked down at her in her tiara with damp hair, I couldn't help but feel blessed to know that Caity-girl. She told me why she was ready and excited to get baptized.
We hurried home to have breakfast monkey bread with our little family. We sang her Happy Birthday. William got a little jealous it wasn't his birthday, but that seemed to add to the moment for Caity, ha ha.
Her Birthday Table
Her Birthday cake!
She then got in her dress. As I am writing this two years later, I can't believe how much she has grown since these pictures! At the time I was so bummed they didn't look more professional, but now I think they are just perfect. She looked so sweet.
Oh and here's me doing her hair while she is telling me something that I can't remember, but gosh, I love her. We always have the most interesting conversations during "hair time."
Caity felt pretty darn special to be able to ride a motorcycle with Dad to the baptism.
It was such a busy, full, happy day I didn't take any pictures of our family or us with Caity. I didn't realize it until that night. Then I got a text from a friend with the above picture! I was so grateful she thought to get a picture of the two of them. It is probably one of my favorites.
At the baptism, both sets of grandparents were there. Plus: Rebecca and Tyler, Matt and Melissa, Brittany, Spencer and (surprise!) Shaylee and Eden. The Jensens (from Boise) also surprised and walked through the door- one of the best surprises ever.
Caity just walked in my room just now and asked me to include blurry pictures because memories are more important than good pictures- so there you have it! Sister Patterson gave a little talk about her interview with Caity. It was so sweet hearing Caity's favorite scripture stories and favorite things.
Then I gave a talk (eh.)
Then she got baptized!
I remember my baptism. I remember feeling loved and special. It was interesting watching the whole thing now as an adult, but in a very personal perspective as it was my child. I do feel like Heavenly Father was preparing her, and I felt such joy for her spirit as she came up from the water. When I hugged her with a warm towel, I felt that same warmth I remembered feeling twenty years prior. It was a remarkable experience.
As I helped Caity change she said, "I just feel bad for the other boy, because now he has to get baptized in dirty water."
I said, "Oh, you took a shower this morning, the water should be fine."
Caity: "No, I mean, he has to get baptized in my sins that were washed away."
That still makes me giggle.
We broke off from the bigger group for Caity's confirmation of the Holy Ghost.
Five year old Johnny.
Front row: Brit, Melissa, Johnny, William, Grandma Partridge. Second row: Tyler, Rebecca, Eden.
Brittany leading music
Caity with Sister Patterson and Sister Laderman.
Caity with her best friend Madelyn Jensen!
Cute girls. Caity was so happy, and I was so grateful she had such a good friend there supporting her.
Next, we headed to Porter Park for a party/lunch.
The kids ran around playing tag and games. We opened some gifts and sang Caity Happy Birthday (again) over brownies and I'll never forget her looking around at everyone and feeling so loved.
Then some of our crew headed home for other obligations. The Brassells stuck around for a while longer. We went to the Merry-go-Round and the splash pad. Then, Caity (by herself) went to get custard with her Brassell grandparents, aunts and uncle. She felt spoiled.
Before the Brassells headed back to Utah, we went to Caity's favorite restaurant, Pizza Pie Cafe.
After they all left to head back to Utah, Courtney and Josh VanTress showed up!
Courtney was at the hospital when I was in labor with Caity, her and Josh would babysit for us sometimes, she would curl Caity's hair when it was long enough so people would know she was a girl...I mean, whenever I talk about Caity's village- Courtney is right there at the top. She brought gifts for all the kids and spread her magic as she often does. It was so fun to see her.
We sat around the table sang Happy Birthday (the last time) to our favorite girl. She made a wish, blew out the candles, opened some presents, ate cake and ice-cream, and tuckered to bed.
I crawled up to her bunk bed and we talked about what a good day it was and all the wonderful people that showed her love that day. I told her I knew she was tired, but invited her when she said her prayers to ask Heavenly Father what the Holy Ghost felt like so she would recognize it in the future. I told her it could take a while to really recognize it, but bore testimony that the Holy Ghost was real. I kissed her on the forehead. And thought about how it was just eight years ago I became a mother. I thanked Heavenly Father for giving us Caity and prayed I could live up to such a beautiful blessing in my life.
She was so exhausted, I assumed she went straight to sleep. That wasn't the case though.
The next day was Fast and Testimony Meeting at church. She walked up to the pulpit in her white dress and said bore testimony that she knew the Holy Ghost was real because the night before she asked Heavenly Father what it felt like and she went from feeling good to feeling something even better than good and that she cried and laughed and went to sleep with a big smile on her face because she believed in the Holy Ghost before that prayer, but now she knew. It was beautiful to witness that moment as a mother. It strengthened my testimony. I know- it is kind of a personal thing to include here, but someday Caity will read this, and another day she will read it again, and so on. I want her to remember that experience, because just as Heavenly Father answered her prayer that September night, He is always with her through His spirit.
Happy 8th Birthday two years later, Caity.
You make me happy, and you bring us as a family closer to heaven. Thank you for your spunk, your bright mind, and your sincere empathy. I just love you, Caity-girl!
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