Brigitta's Baptism!

Okay before we get to the actual baptism, I have to share a couple of funny tidbits. We took Gita out for dinner to have the Sex and Santa talk. These are always memorable conversations but the way it went with Gita really took the cake. We had our private booth at Biaggi's and we were sharing the book Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle. We got to this page... the page before the big reveal... and Gita exclaimed, "Where did they get that huge pillow?" As it is a drawing, we said we didn't know and tried to move on. "Seriously, that pillow is as big as the bed!" Yes, yes, honey it is a large pillow. "Do they have to share it?" It felt like we were going to be stuck on this pillow thing for a while but we finally told her how a baby is made. 

It took a moment to sink in (we've even turned a page or two) when she started giggling and said, "I just think that's weird!" and gestured with her hands in a way that made me laugh. When we came home, Ireland ran up to Gita and they started whispering. Then Ireland wrapped her up in the biggest hug. A bit later, I asked Ireland about it and she said Gita was actually more upset to find out Santa doesn't come down our chimney than to learn about sex. 

The morning of her baptism I threw some rollers in Gita's hair and sent her downstairs to eat some breakfast so I could get her sisters picture perfect. Apparently Whitney found her and they snapped this cute photo with the sun coming up through the window.

Joey packed in a hurry and thought he grabbed his Sunday shoes but discovered he had one of his and one of his sons- and they were both the right shoe so he couldn't wear them. 

Brent loaned him a pair he hadn't worn in years and not only were they too big, the sole was cracked through. Ages ago, I took them to a shoe repair store and they said they were beyond repair. Typical of Brent, instead of throwing them away, he just put them back in his closet and forgot about them. Joey joked that he felt like James Brown with big, slippery shoes on. 

We arrived at the church early for pictures and to set up. It had been a while since we'd done the Sunday morning scramble and it showed. 

Although we managed to get this decent family photo:

This is actually how everyone was feeling:

Liesel was in tears, Ireland was furious, Gita was just trying to smile for the millionth time, Brent and I were breaking up fights and yeah, we were all NOT feeling like a loving, family in that moment.

Purple is Brigitta's color and normally all the girls would have worn something purple in her honor. However, these were their Easter dresses which they never got to wear due to coronavirus lockdown. Gita didn't mind one bit and her sisters were so excited to finally pull them out of their closet. 

After this photo, we released Gita's sisters from photo duty and let them go inside where their aunts gave them some love and soothed hurt feelings.

Just a few more photos with Mom and Dad:

Don't forget the individuals!

I love this one of just the two of us:

In their baptismal clothes:

Her "Comforter"

My friend Lindsey displayed her daughter's blessing dress at her baptism and I loved it so much, I straight up copied her. They seem little when they are just eight, but it's a fun reminder that they have actually grown so much!

We couldn't do refreshments afterward which was honestly a relief to me! Providing food at a function always stresses me out. We just had individual water bottles on ice...

...and individually wrapped cookies. I've already made two failed attempts at making my own CTR cookies and I decided to take the easy route and just buy some from an Etsy shop. The owner didn't read my note that the baptism wasn't for another month so she sent them right away. When I told her I wasn't sure if they would keep, she said I could have them for free and she would send them again when it was time. Needless to say, the girls were thrilled. 

They were delicious- both times!

Everyone wrote the sweetest things to Brigitta on the photo mat of her baptism picture.

My sister Katrina really went all out for the program. She and Gita share a name so she feels a special kinship with her. Check out the detail!

I kind of love that she did questions about Brigitta rather than a puzzle for the kids.

Ireland was our greeter who made sure everyone got a program, cookie and water and that they signed the mat.

Julie snapped this picture of Brigitta just sitting by herself.

The CTR towel was courtesy of Suzanne. I have to say it was so cool to have the grandmothers as witnesses for the baptism!

Whitney snapped this photo of Gita getting confirmed and I'm so glad she did. There she is surrounded by so many who love her. All of these men protecting her and blessing her. It was so special!

Whitney gifted her a watercolor and how the water is essential to make it work. 

Tim gifted her a journal and in the inscription included lyrics to a song his grandfather Neal A Maxwell wrote: Through a still small voice, the Spirit speak to me to guide me, to save me, from the evil I may see. If I try to do what's right, he will lead me through the night. Direct me, protect me, and give my soul His light. Listen, listen. The Holy Ghost will whisper. Listen, listen to the still small voice."

Bishop gifted her a Petoskey stone and talked about how the water is what makes the coral pattern visible. This was especially poignant since Gita had her baptism interview with him in Petoskey by the water.

One bonus of coronavirus is that we could invite family to join us via Zoom. As soon as the service was over, I told Brigitta to go back to the laptop and say hi to all the people who weren't there in person. There were members of our ward, Utah relatives from my side, California relatives from Brent's side and even J who's serving in the Navy joined all the way from Japan! That was pretty cool to see.

Here's the big, group photo before everyone dispersed. I was so worried her baptism would be kind of a sad, small event due to coronavirus but it ended up being just incredible. Definitely a day she won't ever forget.

Reagan snapped some pictures with Rockwell that I just have to post. Oh these two. She's so bubbly and full of love and he's just so chill. This picture really says it all!

It was just a beautiful baptism!