What a fabulous weekend! We had the babies baptized on Sunday during services. It was the day our church celebrates the baptism of Jesus. My family came in from up north and my in-laws came in to town as well. Plus, some good friends arrived and we had a total of seven godparents. So we had a pretty big group.

I had the kids dressat the church in their beautiful outfits. I figured trying to keep them pristine for a whole car ride might be a feat too difficult to manage. Tadd's stepmom and our dear friend MJ helped me get them dressed while Tadd greeted the godparents and our guests. Thank goodness I spent the extra money for the matching bibs since they both started to drool almost immediately. And just inc ase they weren't sweet enough, we added the final touch...the silver crosses we bought in Ethiopia. We bought a cross for each of us to wear as a family that day. We wanted something very, very special for the children to wear for their baptism and the silver crosses seemed like a perfect way to honor their heritage.

The ceremony went very well. Peanut went first and he handled the sprinkling very well. Words can barely describe how sweet he looked with his damp hair releasing all of those perfect little curls. He didn't cry but snuggled up very close to our associate rector when she anointed him with the oil. I don't think she wanted to let him go too quickly, but when she brought him back he looked up at me with those wide eyes and reached out his little arms for me to pick him up.  

Then it was Pumpkin's turn. Our rector picked her up and Tadd and I held our breath. We knew she would do something, but we weren't sure what. And my dear child did not disappoint. As the priest lowered her down to sprinkle her with holy water, Pumpkin proceeded to wiggle herself around in order to reach down and splash her hands in the font! The whole congregation started cracking up. The priest told me later that he really thought for a minute that we were going to have an immersion instead of a sprinkling! Then, when he tried to anoint her forehead, she kept moving her head around and trying to grab the vial of oil. It was fabulous!! Yes, Miss Pumpkin has quite a spirit. My dad whispered to me afterward, "Yup, that girl is going to be a mess..." (For those that don't know, that is a term of endearment!)

Afterward, we hosted a party back at our house. It was so much fun! The babies played for a bit and had lunch, but they decided to withdraw for nap instead of mingling. (Ok, Mommy decided they needed to nap.) And as we ate and drank and laughed, I took a moment to look around at the scene. (This was a tip I got during our wedding...during important events, just stop what you are doing for a minute to just look around and take it all in.) All those people there to celebrate our children. To honor our faith. To show their love for our family. I felt very blessed. There really is no other way to explain it. While I was standing there, Tadd eased up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and just held me there in a loving hug. It was all just perfect. I realized that we have been so blessed by God with everything we have and everyone we know. I said a prayer for my children's other parents who created them. I promised again, like I do a thousand times every day, to continue to love and cherish the sweet babies we share and honor where they came from. 

Thank you to all of Peanut and Pumpkin's godparents, our friends and family for sharing our special day! Thanks be to God!



P.S: Do you all see how BIG my hair was?? Ok, I'm thinking there will be a post later this week on hair. Families new to kinky hair will be entertained and enlightened.