Bella's Baptism

Yesterday was Bella's baptism day. It was a beautiful day. We were so blessed because the day before, two of my sisters arrived with their families: Brenda, (from Japan!) with her 5 kids, Joshua, Brandon, Zak, Summer and Elijah, and Cindy and her husband Doug, (from Utah!) with their 3 boys, Josiah, Ezra and Zeke. My sisters were wonderful because they helped me with all that I needed to get ready. It felt so good to have them here! I had spent the entire day buying groceries and running LOTS of errands and I still had lots to do and they helped me do it. (Lots of fruit and veggie chopping!) My other sister, Yvonne, was helping us by picking up some things that we needed from the LDS bookstore-- we wanted to give Bella her own set of scriptures and needed some other things.

Bella's special day started with our regular church meetings. It was exciting for her to have so many of her cousins with her in primary. After church, we went home for a quick lunch. We needed to get quickly back to church because we were attending another baptism first-- the baptism of our very dear friend George Ramirez, the husband of my very dear friend Amanda. It was a VERY SPECIAL baptism! It was truly a dream come true to see George take this wonderful step!

There were about 30 minutes until Bella's baptism. I got her ready in her white dress so that I could take a picture of her in it with Craig in his white clothes. I also snuck in a picture of our family and one of her and I. (If you look at Ceci in the family picture, this will give you an idea of how she acted the whole baptism.) Then I slipped Bella into the dress she would actually be baptized in!

Now there is a reason why she had two dresses-- one was to be baptized in, and then one was to wear when she dried off, and got confirmed. The dress I made her was not to get wet in, but to wear to be confirmed in. Most kids are usually baptized in a little white jumpsuit. But I had a beautiful dress given to us by my sister Brenda and there is a nice, (but long) story to it! When my oldest sister, Brenda, was baptized, my mother made her a beautiful white dress. She was baptized in it on a Saturday and then it was washed and dried and then the next day, she wore it again to church to be confirmed in. Then when I turned eight and was baptized, I wore the same dress the same way. Then my younger sisters, Yvonne and Cindy also wore the same dress in the same way! So it was a very special dress. SO . . . when Brenda's daughter, Summer, was baptized, my brother's mother-in-law, who is an excellent seamstress, made a replica of this very special dress. (Our original dress became too old and yellow) So now all our girls can be baptized in this second gorgeous dress!! And nowadays, children are baptized and confirmed on the same day rather than a Saturday and Sunday. So you need to have something to get wet in, and then dry clothes for afterwards. So this is why Bella has two dresses!

We were blessed to have many very dear friends attend. Almost my entire family was there. Yvonne and her family came--Daniel, Sophia, Hyrum and Amelia. (My sweet nephew Aaron was not able to come because he was feeling very sick and so Hector had actually taken him to the ER-- he was very missed-- and I'll explain later what happened to him!) My brother Harold and his family-- Sandra, Yazandra, Arianna and little Harold all came. It was wonderful. We were also blessed to have my cousin Lisa and her family, our dear friends, the Frasers, my dear friend Lori and her daughter Natalie, and my dear friend Lisa Busch and her family!! Of course, Brieanne and Eric Rice were there. We also had two families from our home schooling group come! We were also blessed that many of our beloved ward friends attended-- many of Bella's classmates and long time friends from primary--Luke, James, Logan, Forrest and Riley and their families.

Amanda made Bella a GORGEOUS book for people to sign for Bella. I can't get over how beautiful it is!! Bella got some wonderful messages in it. I wanted it for her so that she would be able to remember this special day and who came forever.



And here is the program-- the front, inside and back. Bella drew the cover!!






























We planned a very special program. We began by singing the song, "Baptism," one of our very favorite songs.

Baptism
Jesus came to John the Baptist, In Judea long ago,
And was baptized by immersion In the River Jordan’s flow.

‘To fulfill the law,’ said Jesus, when the Baptist questioned why,
‘And to enter with my Father In the kingdom up on high.

Now we know that we must also Witness faith in Jesus’ word,
Be baptized to show obedience, As was Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Then Sophia gave a very sweet opening prayer.

Then my dad gave a wonderful talk on baptism. He told Bella some special stories of his own childhood and baptism.

Then Bella and Olivia got up to sing "When I am Baptized"

Olivia was going to sing the first verse and then Bella, the second verse. We had practiced a lot, and Lala never seemed nervous before. But sweet Lala got cold feet. When it was time to start, she shook her head and said "No." So some of us just started singing for her from the audience. Then Bella just took over and sang the whole song, beautifully in the microphone. It was really nice.

When I am Baptized
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Then we went into the room with the font where Bella was baptized by Craig. It's a small room, so it was very crowded! Ceci was being super fussy because she had not napped. She made me hold her and was crabby and wiggly. I wish I could have enjoyed the moment a little more! Bella only had to go under the water once. In our church, we baptize by full immersion and if a toe or a hair goes up, it's needs to be done again! Bella was so happy when she came out of the water!!

We went to get her dried off and dressed while everybody went back into the chapel. We showed an animated video about Jesus being baptized to everybody while they waited. Bella's cousins, Summer and Sophia helped her get ready and brushed her hair.

When Craig and Bella were ready, we went back into the chapel. Grandma Ginny then gave a sweet talk about the Holy Ghost. She shared some very special experiences about how the Holy Ghost has guided her in her own life.

I then sang one of our very favorite songs, "If the Savior stood beside me." We try to sing this song almost daily in our home, especially when we get grumpy!

If the Savior Stood Beside Me
If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

Then Bella came up to be confirmed. Confirmation means to be given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Because Craig holds the priesthood, he has the authority to confer the Holy Ghost. Bella sat in a chair and Craig placed his hands on her head and told her to receive the Holy Spirit. He was assisted by my brother Harold, my brother-in-law, Doug, our Bishop, Bishop Halverson, my cousin Lisa's husband, Todd Sowell, Craig's second cousin, Morris Bird, and our home teachers, Shaun Jorgensen and Ben Willardson. Craig then gave Bella a very beautiful blessing.

After the confirmation, all of the cousins sang "When Jesus Christ was Baptized." They did a fantastic job.

When Jesus Christ was Baptized
When Jesus Christ was baptized
Down in the River Jordan,
Three members of the Godhead
Were present there in love.
The Father spoke from heaven
When Jesus Christ was baptized;
The Holy Ghost descended
As gently as a dove.

And now when I am baptized,
I’ll follow his example—
Be baptized by immersion
Through sacred priesthood power.
Then I will be a member
Of Heav’nly Father’s kingdom
And have the Holy Spirit
To guide me every hour.

Then Bella was welcomed by the Primary as a new member and then by the bishop.
We ended by all of us singing one of our family's very favorites, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me."

My Heavenly Father Loves Me
Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him reverently.
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.


Then Arianna gave the closing prayer. It was a beautiful service. Bella was so happy and we felt so loved and supported by friends and family.

We were blessed to even take a big group picture at the end, thanks to Brenda's awesome suggestion!













Bella with the brethren who stood in her confirmation circle.

Bella with our Bishop, Bishop Halverson.

Bella with all her cousins on the Phelps side!






Our family with Grandma Ginny.

















Back at home, we were blessed to have family and friends over for dinner. We had taco salad and fruit salad. Bella LOVED being surrounded by her cousins and beloved friends. This was when we found out that poor Aaron's (Yvonne's son who went to the ER) appendix burst and was literally in emergency surgery. It was mind-blowing! Of course, Yvonne was very upset and we were worried. Thankfully, we also all felt that everything would be fine. Today we know his surgery went well, and he's in recovery. I surprised Bella with a cake with her picture on it. She loved it!! We had a great night relaxing with all our family and Bella received some wonderful gifts.

More Chickies!!

Yesterday my dear friend Brieanne came to visit us with her sweet children. My girls were soooooooo happy to see them!! She brought us two wonderful treats: 12 new baby chicks, and a beautiful felted birthday gift for me. Brieanne designed it with the artist and it is supposed to be me!!! I LOVE it! She looks like a nature goddess. She says the spiral around the belly is to signify fertility-- I am hoping to become pregnant before the year ends. I love my gift and we love the new chicks. We are keeping the chicks only temporarily until they get a little bigger, the goats have harmed some of the them back at the farm.
I hope we can keep them safe!! I'm going to have a lot of extra little kids here next week!! It was so wonderful to see my Brieanne!

The Funny Little Women

So Yesterday Bella and Olivia were in their Armory art class play. It was called "The Funny Little Women" and Bella and Olivia were two of the funny little women along with their friend, Oona. The story was adapted from a Japanese myth about three ladies who make yummy dumplings. When one of their dumplings rolls away, they go looking for it in an unsafe area where the wicked Oni live. They are warned by the goddess of nature and the goddess of the stars, but they don't listen. They are then kidnapped by the wicked Oni and forced to make dumplings all day, every day with a magic wooden spoon. It is exhausting for them because the work is non-stop, so they finally escape when the wicked Oni are sleeping. They are almost caught, but they get away--with the magic wooden spoon. At the end they start a dumpling business where people come from all over to buy their delicious dumplings--including the wicked Oni!

The girls were fantastic! I was especially impressed with Lala because this was her first drama class. She had no problem memorizing her lines and her teacher said she memorized everybody else's too! She was so cute! All the performers were great. The wicked Oni were especially cute because they didn't seem wicked at all!
I was so proud of both of my girls. Craig brought them flowers and we also had some flowers for their teacher, Grace. This was Bella's third semester with her, so we've grown pretty attached to her.
They made her these adorable cards.

In this class, they made their own scenery and costumes. I love this little part of the scenery where Lala painted a bird!!

It was a really fun night. I know the girls felt very accomplished. It will also be nice to have the summer off!

Up!

For a little more celebrating, we took the girls to see this last night. (Although Ceci changed her mind so sweet Craig took her to the mall playground) My older girls and I LOVED it. It was really really cute and had a very good message. I'm glad Ceci didn't stay though, her intuition was right-- it's got some scary dogs!

But what a sweet movie, very entertaining, funny, and uplifting! We highly recommend it!

My Birthday!!

Today was my birthday. There were not a lot of options for partying because it was a Sunday! But I had a WONDERFUL birthday. By the way, I turned FORTY!! Can it be true?

My sweet and kind husband and sweet little girls made me breakfast in bed. The girls literally squeezed me fresh orange juice! They wre so excited to help and surprise me. Craig made me bacon and quiche!! ( I LOVE quiche!) Also, yogurt with blueberries and blackberries. The best part was the cute delivery by my girls! (Look at Ceci with the orange juice!) And the roses! The breakfast was DELICIOUS!

We then went to a very nice church meeting.


After church, Craig told me I could relax while he made lunch. It was a little while, but I was surprised with THIS!! A beatuiful tea party!!






There were egg-salad sandwiches, salmon sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, olive-cream cheese sandwiches, and lots of veggies. YUM!! And we had raspberry tea with honey. We then had blueberry scones with cream and jam. YUM!










Here I am with the sweet man who worked so hard to do all this! He is sooooooooo thoughtful. I mean, how many men are capable of this?









Later, everybody sang to me and I blew out four candles representing FOUR DECADES! It was REALLY REALLY nice.

(P.S. I'm still hoping for a karaoke party somewhere down the line when all my sisters come to visit! I need to do something crazy to make me still feel young!) But what a perfect birthday I had. I am so thankful for my precious husband and children!

Bella's Jewelry & Photo Shoot!

So now that the dress was finished, I just needed to make Bella some matching jewelry. We had already gone to (the dreaded!) mall earlier this week and found her the perfect little ballet flats and a beautiful pearl headband and earrings, but I wanted to make her a special matching baptism necklace and bracelet that she can wear when she is baptized. I have a pretty nice bead collection because once upon a time I made jewelry to sell at Christmas boutiques. So this morning I made her this necklace and bracelet. I wanted to keep them really simple. For the necklace, I used tiny pearls and then put an aquamarine drop in the middle with a few aquamarine beads in between the pearls. I chose pearls because they represent purity and preciousness and the aquamarine to symbolize the waters of baptism. :) I then made a bracelet with larger pearls, the aquamarine beads and a heart clasp. I am very happy with how they turned out! Once she was all put together, I thought she looked STUNNING! (I am a mother in love with my children!)





































So this afternoon I took these wonderful pictures of my baby. We borrowed the gorgeous backgrounds of a couple of our neighbors. I especially love these daisies!! I am so happy with how they turned out! Once I got my favorite one printed, I spent the rest of the evening making invitations. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I really wanted to celebrate today, (my dream would have been lunch at the Inn of the 7th Ray and maybe Karaoke in the evening?) but I knew I couldn't have fun until I got these things done! It's the best present for me to have these things accomplished! I am really happy.

I finished it!!!!!!

I am soooooooooooooooooooooo happy! I finally finished Bella's dress. It was really hard! I can't believe I was able to finish it after torturing myself by going to Disneyland instead of sleeping! But I HAD to finish today (Friday night) so that I could take pictures of her in it and then make an invitation. So tonight I worked and worked and finished what was left-- the sleeves, the underarm seams and then the neckline. I prayed sooooo hard!! I feel I was very blessed. It's not perfect, but I truly am so glad that I made it. I put my blood, sweat and tears into this dress (literally-- it made me do all those things!) But more than anything, I put my LOVE into it!! I am so glad I made this dress. To accomplish something hard is truly exhilarating! :)

We are CRAZY!!

So last night, or I should say early this morning, Craig and I went to Grad night at Disneyland. Craig was asked by his work to be a chaperone and he came home all excited one day a couple weeks ago saying we could go to Disneyland for free! That sounded GREAT!! We LOVE Disneyland! We had passes from about 2003 to about 2007 and went A LOT. But we sort of burnt out going so often so we hadn't been for the past two years. (We also really can't afford it!) So the thought of going sounded wonderful, especially with my birthday coming this Sunday, it felt like an early birthday present! We thought it went from around 9pm to early morning and I planned to leave around midnight or 1am.

In reality, we got to Craig's school around 9pm and we left around 10pm. When they gave us the tickets, they said 11:30pm to 6:30am!! And there didn't seem to be a way that I could leave early. Uh oh! We took a bus over with SCREAMING crazy students. It was wild!! And LOUD!! And we were their chaperones!

After the crazy bus ride, we had to go through a whole bunch of security but finally we were in the park! The place was NUTS! It was like they turned Disneyland into a giant techno/hiphop/house dance club! It was totally surreal. I thought it was kinda cool (at first.) "All the single ladies" by Beyonce was playing and I kinda like that song. Here we are with the castle-turned-danceclub behind us.

We headed to Space Mountain right away. I guess that was everybody's idea because next thing we knew, we were in a crazy crowd that was so tight, it was scary. I kept thinking of my kids and decided to just get out of the line. I went under a rope where there was space for breathing room and Craig followed. It turned out we had just totally cut to very close to the front of the line! No one noticed or cared. So we stayed in line and got on the ride pretty shortly after!

Of course, Space Mountain was awesome. Craig and I planned to kiss for the picture, but I had no idea when it was going to happen! So Craig was doing what we planned! :)



























We then went on some of our favorite rides. We also got to eat at the Plaza Inn where they gave us a complementary dinner and breakfast. (Which was nice, but not yummy.)





As the night went on, things started to get weird. As it got later, and we got more tired, all we wanted was to go home and go to bed. We were so tired, we kinda didn't know what we were doing anymore. And we had to stay as chaperones! I kept feeling so old! But it was comforting to see 18 year-olds falling asleep too. The techno/hip hop stuff started to become grating and it started to feel like we were in a a really bad dream! From like 3 to 4:30am we rode the train around the park over and over again and just slept. I think I can safely say I will never go to another grad night again! It was weird to see the sun coming up at Disneyland. The next time we go, it will be in the daytime and with our three sweet girls!

Sewing a Baptism dress for Bella

My precious, first-born baby is getting baptized!! I can't believe she is eight and that she will be taking the important step of baptism. Normally, a child is baptized very soon after their eighth birthday, but Bella wanted to wait until the summer so that her Utah and Japan cousins could come.

And because I like to torture myself, I decided I just had to make Bella a special baptism dress (as my mom made for me and my sisters.) The thing is though, is that I'm really not a very good seamstress! I usually am miserable the whole time I'm sewing something because it feels like a really hard math problem.

BUT I decided to do it because I have three daughters and I wanted to make a very special dress that they could all wear when it comes time for their baptisms. When Bella was born, I made her a special blessing gown ( I almost had a breakdown making it!) and then Olivia and Cecilia both got to wear it for their blessings. It made things so easy that I already had a special dress for them.

So I had to make this special baptism dress. I even had the chance to borrow a beautiful one from my sister-in-law, that my niece Yazi had worn, but I just couldn't allow myself to take the easy way out. :)

So a couple months ago Bella and I went to look at patterns. We found this adorable Burda pattern. It didn't look too hard and I think it is very elegant. We are doing dress A, and I don't think I'll need to do the underskirt part. I bought a GORGEOUS hemp silk fabric. It is stunning. I also bought an organic cotton sateen fabric for the lining and some silk thread. The fabric sat for almost a month because I was afraid to cut it!!

Finally, last week I started the dress. I cut the pieces and started the sewing. I was very nervous because I felt intimidated by such beautiful (and expensive) fabric. I also was intimidated that it was such a "special dress!" But finally I started because otherwise it wasn't going to be ready in time.

So I've been working on the dress for almost a week. As I said before, sewing for me is much like a really hard math problem. Sometimes I have to read a sentence over and over again before the information sinks in. I have really prayed a lot for help and thankfully, my prayers have been answered. The truth is, I started making the dress wrong and I had to undo everything that I did and start over last Monday. Picking out a whole dress is not fun! But I was so grateful because I felt that the Spirit helped me realize what I was doing wrong. After I realized, the pattern made much more sense to me and everything I needed to do is now very clear. (Except for a couple of parts still!) Hopefully, it will all come to me! Wish me luck!