Ok. So I admit that I had the typical feelings that most people do when they see their oldest child getting baptized. "Has it really been 8 years since I held her as a sweet little newborn?! Has 8 years really gone by that quickly?! Am I really old enough to have one of my children getting baptized?! Have I taught her enough about the Holy Ghost to have her make the right choices?! Is it really only going to be another 8 years until she can date?!?!?!?!" Like I said, typical feelings. I was prepared for those feelings. I will tell you what I wasn't prepared for.....my emotions.
Holy cow!!!!! Blame it on hormones, blame it on lack of sleep, blame it on whatever but where in the world did the emotions come from?! All my sister in law, Molly had to do was look at me before the Baptism service started and I started losing it. Like to the point where I couldn't even sing the songs or hide my emotions. RED PUFFY EYES, here they come! Tissues, I had...Composure, I did not. I even heard my brother in law, Matt say something to his 3 year old daughter about "look at Aunt Angie...she is crying." And he was on the side pew. Not even sitting next to us. ARG!
It was a great baptismal service. Talks were fabulous, songs were sung with spirit and a special excitment was in the air.
I loved the fact that it was just me and Addie in the dressing room. I was able to watch from the side of the font and see her grinning ear to ear. She couldn't stop smiling. It was great! As I was getting her dressed, I realized the next time I help her into a white dress will be her wedding dress (in 20 years). It was a moment that both Addie and I just looked at each other and hugged. It was a very sweet moment. A tender mercy moment.
Thank you to everyone who came and supported Addie on her special day. Especially her Gma and Gpa Llewellyn who flew from AZ to be a part of it!