Annie's baptism was such a special day. Aaron and I (and I think Annie too) just felt especially calm and happy and good. There was truly a sweet spirit with us the whole day. I was kind of surprised by this. I know baptism is an essential ordinance, but I was really grateful to feel that during the day.
Annie got baptized in the Georgetown, TX building which is officially our stake center. It was a stake baptism, and there were six or seven kids getting baptized that day. Three from our ward including Annie. We got to the church early, and Brother Knab the high counselor showed everyone how to get immersed. He brought his little three year old daughter to help show the dads and kids what to do. Then we all went back to the chapel and heard some talks and a musical number.
In our stake, they have the youth and young adults give talks at stake baptisms. I swear that one of the girls who spoke was a missionary in my parents' ward in Idaho. I didn't get a chance to talk to her and see for sure, but she looked familiar. She's the one I talked to when we visited one last time before moving to Austin. Because she was from Austin.
Anyway, I've been to lots of stake baptisms this year, and the youth/young adults always do a great job. Our ward was the first one to move to the gym/baptismal font. And Annie was the first one in the ward to get baptized. I helped her get to the font, and when I watched her go down the steps into the water, I just had this surreal feeling--I'm a mom, and I'm watching my daughter get baptized. It was crazy! And great! I can't believe I'm the parent now!
Aaron was confused by the mirror in the font and thought he was facing the congregation. I had to tell him to turn around. He did everything correctly, and Annie only had to be dunked one time. She'd been thinking a lot about keeping all of her body parts under the water because her primary leader told her she'd had to be baptized three times.
After all three girls from our ward were baptized, we went to the primary room and did the confirmations. It was wonderful and beautiful and sweet. So many people came to support Annie. Grandma and Grandpa Dennis, Joe and Anya and their kids, Amanda and Brad and co., and our home teacher and his wife (Annie's sewing teacher) with their kids. It was great!
Afterward, we had a lunch at our house with everyone. We'd gone to Costco with Grandma Dennis earlier in the week especially to get their rolls. So we had sandwiches and fruit and veggies and chips and soda and pumpkin cake. It tasted good. And the company was even better. There was lots of chatting and everyone seemed comfortable and like they were having a good time. And we'd gotten actual couches and chairs for our upstairs living room the week before. The partying happened downstairs and upstairs, and we really used our space! It was exciting!
It was just such a happy day! We're so grateful that Annie chose to be baptized. She really did choose it. She knew we wouldn't force her to do it. I feel like she was truly ready and that she truly wanted to do it. I'm grateful to be her mother. She is good to her core, and I love her so much.
