Baptism Day!

Thanks to Heather Keil, Sierra had beautiful invitations that we sent to our family and friends.

Thanks Heather!!!!!

Sierra was baptized yesterday a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was such a special day. Faith Hopkins was also baptized yesterday and Sierra liked that all of the attention was not focused on her. I did her spotlight, and cried the whole time (I started to cry when I was holding her hand and walking up to the podium).:) Aunt Miriam played the piano for all the songs that were sung. Sister Ostergard from the Stake Primary Presidency gave the talk on baptism. Jake baptized her and he got a little confused. At first he was turned around and then he kept trying to put up his left hand so my dad (who was one of the witnesses) kept telling him to put up his right hand and Jake just kept thinking he was because it looked right in the mirror until finally he went, OH! He then set he and Sierra up perfectly and was able to get it done. My mom made Sierra's dress that she was actually baptized in (beautiful!) and it kept floating up so Jake was also trying to keep her dress down and was kind of holding it in between his knees. When he put her under the water he said he pushed her far down because he did not want to do it again and did not want any problems with her dress. Sierra said when she was under the water she counted to 12. :) She was completely immersed and then her toe popped up. They did not have to do it again because at one point her entire body was under the water. They all did such a great job. Jake, Sierra and Dad (with his gentle reminders). :)

Sierra told me when I asked her how she felt. "I feel good, my skin felt different when I came out of the water, I feel more than excited and happy!"

I helped Sierra get dried and changed and then the Hopkins family sang "Faith". Aunt Briana gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and then Sierra received the Holy Ghost from her Grandpa Terry. Jake's grandpa Elmo confirmed him when he was 8 and he thought that was pretty special so he wanted to carry on that tradition by having Sierra's grandpa confirm her. He did a nice job. It was a very special, spiritual and memorable day.

Sierra's friend from school, Gracie, came and Sierra loved that! Gracie is not a member of our church and it was very special to Sierra that she was there.

Sierra's good friends from church came to (they have been friends and playmates since they were 2 and 3 years old); Alison, Amanda and Sonora (Sonora is not in the picture because she had to leave). We love you, cute girlies!!!!

We concluded the memorable day with a fun party at our house. We ordered a Jump House, great idea from my husband, we never saw the kids (and there were alot of kids here) unless they were hungry or thirsty. My step-brother, Ryker, and his family came from Utah for the baptism and he is a professional chef, we were so lucky he made Grilled Vegetable Lasagna and Mac and Cheese. My mom made delicious Spaghetti and Meatballs. Janelle and Terry made Garlic Toast that disappeared very quickly. I made Caesar Salad and Chocolate Chip Cookies. My mom had made homemade croutons the night before for a Caesar Salad she made for a dinner party she went to and she had leftovers so she gave me a baggie for my salad and they were so yummy. The best croutons I've ever tasted (I don't usually eat the croutons in my salad but I had to eat these ones).

Sierra got so many great little gifts from our family and friends, I told Jake this morning how blessed we are that so many attended her baptism to show their love and support for our little girl. Thank you to all!!!