Fred Gets Baptized

Yesterday was my sister Fred's (aka: Marie's) baptism. It was a busy and wonderful day!

Mom had a class, Dad took Val to get dance pictures, and Jord was on a walk with a friend. That left me and Freddy to get ourselves ready for her big day. Bishop Jenkins, the new bishop of the family's new ward, brought Marie a white towell with her name sewn in pink along the edge, along with a poem. It was so cute. Marie read the poem to me and was all grins. She was jumping up and down and wanting to show everyone her awesome special towell. :)

I fell asleep on the couch watching tv, but Marie wasn't going to let anything stop her. Dad had asked me to help Marie start getting ready by 3:00, and she wasn't going to forget it. She kept asking me how much longer it was until 3:00. I told her 15 minutes and she came and laid with me on the couch. FINALLY 3:00 came around and we went into her room and put on her baptism dress - which also happens to be the dress that Valerie wore, which I wore, which Ariel wore, which somebody else probably wore as well. ;) She looked so pretty! Then she put on her tights and her new sparkly "high-heel" shoes. The combination of tights and new shoes was tricky business walking around because it was slippery. But Fred was a master. I still can't walk in heels. ;) She also had a sparkly headband studded with "pearls and diamonds," which I was informed from the get-go, that weren't real. If they were, it would be a "super, super, super, SUPER expensive headband" - and "it was cheap." What a princess. :)

Finally everyone came home and we were off to the baptism! Me and Dallon (my seven year-old cousin) sat next to one another. We couldn't even see Marie because she was "so short." But then Bro. Crowell asked all the candidates to stand up in front - and Marie was head and shoulders above them all! Dang - those high-heels were definitely working for her. ;)

After Marie's friend Jade was baptized, it was our family's turn to go to the baptismal room. I couldn't really see her as she was immersed by the water, but I could feel her excitement and the Spirit in the room. :) I sure am proud of her! And my Pops - for being worthy to baptize her.

Freddy and Pops

She walked into the "Family History Room" glowing like a princess - princess dress included. :) And then she was confirmed! With all of our family shoved in there, I realized how many people were there that loved Marie. Over and over and over the speakers had all told the kids how much everyone loved them, but it finally sunk in when I saw everyone there. :) I love my family!

Our family! 

We went back to the house to eat dinner and my, my - it was delish! It got a little bit nippy as the evening went on, but nothing a jacket couldn't fix.

Dallon had permission to use Gramp's mini-video recorder. I told him we should make a super-hero movie and jump on the tramp and pretend like we were flying - and he wouldn't let me forget that all night. I didn't really want to make a movie, but I did want to jump on the tramp. It had been ages! So I got on with Erin and we jumped and jumped, and pretty soon Dallon and Marie got on, then Phoenix, then Val, and Kaleb near the end. It was so fun! I love jumping on the tramp! We played Marco Polo, Dead Man, Motor Boat, and Shark Attack. To keep everyone entertained we had to constantly switch back and forth between games, but it was a total blast!

The evening came to a delightful end and I had to go back up to Logan. I said good-bye to all mi familia --multiple times because I kept forgetting things: my shoes, a cd, a drill and saw, questions for dad, questions for mom-- and I said "I love you! Good-bye!" At least a dozen times before I ever actually left. :)

I hugged Freddy good-bye and choked up a little bit inside. I love her so much, and that was such a special day for her. I hope she always remembers it! I'm pretty sure I will...especially now that I have it written down. ;)