James' ceremony was very unique. What I like about having the children baptized at our home is that we get to decide how the ceremony will go. We get to choose our pastor, choose our verses, choose our time, choose our clothing, and have it be very intimate. In this case, it was family only. (Except we were missing a few important people due to my laryngitis...I mean who really wants that as a party favor?! Not my 94 year old grandma nor my 12 week old niece.)
James is wearing a baptismal gown that my grandfather, his great grandfather, sent home during WWII. My uncle, my grandparents first child, was born during the war. I believe he was two years old before he met his father. Grandpa mimi sent this to grandma while he was in Italy. All of my aunts and uncles have worn it, many of their children, all of my siblings, and now both of my children. Needless to say it is very special to me.
I spent weeks thinking about how I could transform our backyard into an "altar" for his baptism. Again God delivered with a very beautiful backdrop of Autumn and all I had to do was add the finishing touches!
The photo on the left is before and the one on the right is after I had set it all up.
Poor James was woken up for the special occasion, as you can see he is thrilled about it.
Grandma Karen did a beautiful job of baptizing both of our children. Three years ago she did Keira's and yesterday she followed that up with another stellar performance! It is so special to have someone so close to us perform the ceremony.
Auntie Kara and Auntie Katie are James' godmothers. The photo at the left shows Katie holding him during his blessing, I LOVE this photo, it brings tears to my eyes. My sisters are more important to me than anything in the world. I don't know where I would be without them.
Likewise, Auntie Kara is equally important to us. She is Matt's older sister and one of his very best friends. I often look at Keira and James and hope I can raise them to be just like Kara and Matt. So far, in my opinion, we are doing pretty darn good. See exhibit A just below this. See exhibit B here.
She genuinely loves her little brother, it always amazes me how much she does. I didn't realize that sibling love was innate-I thought it had to be taught. You see, I am the youngest so I never had to accept a sibling, I was born into it. Thank you for loving me Krissy and Katie.
And finally-Grandparent love. I know that you love my kids more than you love me but I still don't understand that love. I know someday I will learn what it feels like to be a grandmother, if I am blessed, but until then I will just take it all in.
What I can understand it what it feels like to be a mother. I never knew how much you loved me mom and dad, not until Keira and James entered our lives. Wow. Just Wow. Now I appreciate it, I am sorry-but a child never loves their parents like their parents love them. If you disagree with me fine, but I know for a fact that Keira and James will NEVER love me like I love them, and that does not make me sad. It makes me excited for them to feel the love someday, and then in turn, I get to feel that grandparent love that I don't quite yet understand.
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| I had to include a picture of James Thomas and his twin-Thomas. |
James Thomas Anderle
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
