"A Baptism and Birthday"....

The celebrating continued through the weekend as we had a family birthday celebration for Elijah Brooks following the Baptism of Ellison this morning. God had His mighty hand on our sweet girl all morning long. She turned a corner over the weekend and was feeling so much better by this morning, and the many details of getting a nap before church, getting to church/dressed/fed/pictures/ etc....., just couldn't have been smoother. She just did great and it really helped me to be able to relax and enjoy the moment. It was such a beautiful moment watching our precious daughter receive the sacrament of infant baptism this morning, but it was so painful looking out into the congregation and not seeing my beautiful sister's face sitting with our family. I was really fighting back the tears.  When our pastor asked us what the Christian name of our chid was, I envisioned Elliot in my mind as Jay said her name, "Ellison Anne Joye" out loud - that is her namesake afterall.  Elliot would have loved this morning, and I believe she was watching all of it. A sweet moment that I want to remember was when our pastor handed her back to Jay because she was getting alittle restless he said, "Jay, she really loves you and wants you back" - Elijah Brooks piped up and said, "yeah, and she REALLY loves me too"!   He did so great standing up in front of the congregation too.  I was very proud of him.  This morning when he woke up, he came bounding down the stairs like it was Christmas morning shouting, "It's Ellison's baptism today"!  He was very excited.   Jay was preaching today on the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, so it was fitting to have her baptized on this particular Sunday. It was a beautiful service from start to finish.  After the service we had a family lunch at our house in honor of Ellison and Elijah Brooks. THANK YOU MOM for all that you did to help make lunch possible.  It was perfect in every way.  

Nothing like a little scooter ride before church.  I was so praying he didn't fall and rip a hole in his pants right before church! 

Ellison was wearing my pearl necklace that I wore as a baby and little girl -  both Elliot and I also wore them in our weddings. 

I adore this picture. All 4 cousins. 

I took Bradford and Ellison with me on the way home from church, and Chris took the boys.  Bradford noticed these "cloud crosses" in the sky and quickly said, "Look Aunt, my mommy painted us crosses!  1 for you, 1 for Ellison, and 1 for me".  And sure enough, there were 3 cloud crosses in the sky as we were driving away from the church (the baby one for Ellison was beginning to fade alittle, but it was still there).  I know Elliot was there with us. 

The double cake!  One side said, "Happy 4th Birthday Elijah Brooks" and the other side said, "God bless you Ellison"!  Wonder what the cake decorating lady thought when she saw my order? 

Some money for his piggy bank 

We all LOVE "Mrs. Kathi"!  She was sitting in the floor having reading time with them.  

I still can't get used to seeing this one on her feet 

I am glad I didn't throw away the cake box - makes for a great toy! 

And no photo session is complete without silly faces from this big kid!