September 21, 2013
Today my Wyatt Henry was baptized. I had been busy planning and preparing this day for a couple weeks in advance. I really wanted to make a dvd of Wyatt (slideshow of pictures throughout the years with music) to play either at his baptism or at home. I organized all of his pictures and was able to finish the video this morning. Also, we wanted to have treats/ snacks at our house after the baptism, so I of course wanted to decorate and get the house ready for friends and family to come over. Jared and I hoped that the day of his baptism would be a calm and good day. We didn’t want to let anything get in the way of enjoying Wyatt and our family.
The boys all got up early and mowed the lawn with Jared. I stayed inside decorating the cake and finishing up the dvd with Levi and Penny. Once the boys were done they ate breakfast quickly and everyone got ready for Wyatt and Luke’s soccer game. Both boys did great! It was fun being outside and together. Jared then took Levi and Luke to Costco to grab last minute things while me, Penny, and Wyatt headed home. I finished preparing food, laid Penny down for a nap, and wondered where Wyatt was? He was building Legos in his room, so I wanted to take the opportunity to talk to him while I had the chance. I asked him how he was feeling? Was he nervous? He told me he wasn’t, but I knew he was. Earlier that morning he had walked into my room while I was watching the dvd slideshow and saw me crying. So, I asked him if he knew why I was crying earlier. I told him how much I loved him and how it does make me sad to see that he is growing up so much. But, I told him how exciting it was that he was growing up and taking this big step in his life today. He wanted to know why he was special? I told him all of the reasons he was special to me. I explained that he is a good example to everyone and that everyone loves being around him because he’s happy and kind. I reminded him or how much his brothers (especially Luke) look up to him and how grateful I am that he is a good boy and someone they can look up to. I am constantly impressed with Wyatt’s choices and with his love and compassion. I told him that I love how he is always happy and laughing. What a special boy Wyatt is and how grateful I am that he’s mine and a part of our family! I love him so much.
I felt like the day went well and I myself felt happy and stress free most of the time. Right before the baptism it got a little stressful trying to finish last minute things and trying to get everyone, including myself ready, but we managed to all arrive early and even took a few pictures. The baptism was beautiful. There was 1 other boy (who happened to be from our ward) that was baptized as well. We met in the RS room and it was filled. I was happy to see people from our ward, school, and neighborhood. Georgia from Jared’s office was there and Grandpa Don and Grandma Jeanne came as well. Jordan and Jessica sang, If The Savior Stood Beside Me. It was perfect. Grandma Williams talked about the Holy Ghost and did such a great job. She presented both boys with a soft blanket to represent the Holy Ghost and how he makes us feel. I loved her talk and I am so so thankful that my children have such wonderful grandparents. Jared baptized Wyatt and Grandpa Williams and Webb were witnesses. Wyatt was then confirmed. Jared, Cameron, both Grandpas, Ladd, Wade, Troy, Porter and Bishop Baird all stood in. I wasn’t able to hear much of the blessing (no microphone and noisy children), but I liked how Wyatt got up and gave everyone a hug. Such a sweet boy! I then got up and bore my testimony. I got emotional and heard Luke laugh nervously at me. I explained how I had the chance earlier to talk to Wyatt and let him know how special he was, and now I was grateful for the chance to bear my testimony of the things I know are true. I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, a living Prophet, my Savior, and eternal families.
After the baptism was over it was nice visiting with everyone. Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker weren’t planning on coming over after, so I wanted to take the time to visit with them (it had been almost a year since we last saw them!). We visited until Bishop and the primary presidency turned the lights out on us.
Mostly family came by afterward. I know Wyatt felt special when I turned on his dvd. He sat down and watched most of it (it is 35 minutes!). I thought it was really cute that Wyatt thanked me for making a cake for him (I wanted to make cupcakes because they would be easier). Jared and I planned on going out after everyone left, but we asked Wyatt if that was ok and he really wanted us to stay home and play games. So that’s what we did! Penny went to bed and we stayed up and played several games together as a family. It was a lot of fun. Right before bed Jared gave Wyatt a journal to write his feelings in. He wrote about his soccer game and how they won. He also wrote about how he felt happy after he was baptized.
Those in attendance:
Christian Godfrey (friend from school)
Gavin Goodman (friend from school)
Amy Nyman (Evan was sick/neighbors in our ward)
Phil and Brittny Tew (neighbors in our ward)
Sharon and Mackenzie Black (neighbors)
Amber Balle (primary pres)
Jenny Stephan (primary 2nd counselor)
Georgia (from Jared’s office)
Williams
Webbs
Cam and girls (Jenny was out of town)
Wade and boys
Troy and family
Ladd and family
Jordan and Jessica
Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker
Merrills
Carrie and Drake
Porter and family
