Dress Shopping

My mom wasn’t there. But she was. I’m glad I could get her puffy dress that was all her own for her special day.

Maria's Baptism

 

What a day! What a day! What a DAY!!!!!!!!!

We woke up to a SNOW STORM!! I woke up, pulled open my blinds and was horribly confused!

How could this be? But God is good. He is so very good. The roads ended up clear and clean. We got Yaya Sofia... that was the big concern... and no one slipped!!!

 

It was the same, the day Maria was born. It started off snowing and rough... but the sun shone in the end. She is that calm and peace in the world that can be found after the storm.

 

We are so proud of our sweet girl. She has been working hard and preparing a long time for her baptism. She's memorized all her articles of faith, read the Book of Mormon almost 2 times, knew all the covenants she was making.... and she was excited!

 

What a privilege to have a daddy who is worthy of the priesthood.

Who is loving, kind, supportive, strong, tender.

I adore him.

Even though he bugs me when he needs to go for a run 1.5 hours before the baptism starts.

I wouldn't trade him for anything. He's so patient with me.

Sweet anorexic Armando.

 

 

We had a wonderful turnout from family and friends. It is always so humbling to see all the love and support people give us. We are so blessed.

Maria was baptized with one other boy, Doug.

It was nice and short.

 

N. Miller gave a talk on baptism. You could tell he was nervous, but you gotta love him. He would always ask me and Ramya to dance at Stake dances. Good guy.

 

JoAnn Dalton gave a talk on the Holy Ghost that was just perfect and amazing. She did a demonstration with coins in a jar. When we are clean we can hear the Holy Ghost nice and clear. When we make mistakes, she added rice, we can't. It was an excellent visual and reminder of the importance of repentance. She is an angel. I love her more than words can say. She is such a classy woman and has the heart of a saint. I feel like we were friends before we came to earth and it's just such a joy to serve with her and learn from her example.

 

She also sewed the most beautiful towels for all our 8 year olds in primary- 18???? It was perfect!!

 

Maria was confirmed by Joe. Also in the circle were Papa, Fred Dalton, Buzz Southam, Ty Tolman, Bishop Kahumoku, President Sommers.

We had invited Brother Seavey but he wasn't feeling too good! We'll catch him in 5 years when Eli is ready!

 

In Maria's blessing it stood out to me that she would study and learn much from the scriptures but that the Holy Ghost would teach her things beyond that learning found through obedience. It was repeated that God loves her. That she would continue to be a blessing to those around her. It was beautiful.

 

Bishop Kahumoku gave an inspired talk. He talked about how life wasn't a competition and how we're here to help each other along the road. The reason it was inspired is because Maria has that streak of ambition. She wants to be the best. Never at the expense of anyone else, but all the same it was a good reminder that it's not about being the best, but doing our best.

 

We headed home for ice cream sundaes!!!!! It was awesome. We had a great group of friends and family over.

 

The Daltons gave Maria a silver dollar and a beautiful note.

Yaya gave Maria a beautiful gold necklace.

SO GREEK!!!!!!!

The children ran wild and had a blast playing together.

It just makes me smile. Such a wonderful night.

 

Maria's friend Jaden came from school. I was glad to get rid of some Harry Potter leftovers. He has been reading the books with Maria at school.

 

Charlie came.

Maria's night was complete.

 

Oh. My. Goodness. This child had 8 bowls of who knows what!!!!!!!!! Everyone kept squirting whip cream for him.

He woke up with a sugar hangover the next morning.

 

Tobi was there too!!! My cousin Alexis brought his girlfriend Christina. Another Christina!!! She'll fit in perfectly. It was just so nice of him to come.

 

We started goodbyes at 9:30.... everyone was gone by 10:30.

 

Thank you Heavenly Father. What a blessed life we live.

Getting Ready!!!

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Getting Ready for Maria's Baptism

 

I am one blessed mama!

There is nothing more beautiful than to watch your children help and care for one another. It's like the spinning world stops and eternity fills your moment. I'm so grateful to have 2 little girls that are the best of friends.

 

Christina played the part of fashion assistant while Maria tried on several different baptism dresses.

 

Yaya came up with the (generous... understatement) tradition and the girls love being able to do so!

 

Prettier than the brides trying on their dresses!!

 

Her dress she picked was perfect!! I hope I can get some good shots later that capture the pure and kind Maria that I love so much.

She has been wonderful in preparing for her special day. She's read the Book of Mormon, memorized all her articles of faith, knows the covenants and promises of baptism....

I've always told her that this is her choice. That we would love her no matter what.

She said, "I'm very excited to be baptized. I know it will be the best choice I can make!"

 

Yaya and Papa ordered her the scriptures she liked and had them embossed with her name.

 

We ate a delicious lunch at Whole Foods and then watched Paddington Bear together!!

 

We are so blessed to have the love and support of my parents. They do so much for us and our children. I am beyond grateful to have my children know my parents so well and to be able to have such beautiful and cherished memories with them.

Christina's Baptism Day

 

What a wonderful day! Christina was baptized Saturday, September 29, 2012.

2:00 PM at the Rock Blvd Stake Center

I was baptized in the same font 23 years ago!

 

What a privilege to have such a wonderful daddy. Anytime we need something, our daddy is always there for us. Joe dunked her good!

 

Yaya and Papa gave Christina a couple special gifts. They got her this beautiful dress and her own set of scriptures, engraved with her name. She was thrilled! I know that she is going to get some good use out of those scriptures. Today she came home from church and was very worried that one day the pages might get bent... quote, "Wouldn't that just be terrible."

 

It was already an incredible day and we were so blessed to have our family with us! Our family drove in from the Bay Area & Sacramento. They are always so wonderful and kind to us. It really did make the day perfect! They are always so supportive.

 

My cousin Erin just had her sweet Parker 2 months ago!! Isn't Carson just a doll?! Her kids have the cutest cheeks!! I can't wait for the boys to get into trouble together!!

 

The Greeks were there too! The chapel was full of our wonderful family who all came out of love. There were Baptists, Catholics, Greek Orthodox... we all have different beliefs but it doesn't even matter. We all love each other. We all want to celebrate the joys of life together. We want to be there for each other.

It's a beautiful thing. Family and Friends. Truly God has blessed us more than we ever deserve.

The amount of support shown was overwhelming.

 

Not to mention the very best friends in the world. It was a 5th ward reunion and it felt good! Nancy gave a beautiful talk on the Holy Ghost. It was perfect. She even printed out the talk so Christina could have it to look back on. How brilliant is that! She is just an angel. She made a beautiful blanket to help Christina remember that the Holy Ghost will always comfort her.

Nancy should know. I wish she'd write a book. I don't know how she's been able to go through all she's gone through.

 

The men in the confirmation circle were:

Joe

Papa

Lurch! Brother Quirk

Bishop Zappe

Ryan Romero

Brother Seavey

Brother Chapin

 

We love these good men! They are the absolute best.

 

Uncle George! He's such a happy guy!

We had a sundae bar to celebrate afterwards. It was festive, fun and perfect!

You never know who is going to show up. Fortunately, my dad grabbed a couple sandwich platters too! It was just right.

 

The Czerwinskys! They always have the magic touch with kids and babies. I have to say, I really love Mary. She had a son that died in a fire. She was so helpful and loving to us. One time we were at a funeral together. The woman's husband had died and her baby was fussy. It was weird, but in a chapel filled with people... Mary was the only one to go, get the baby and let the woman not worry during it all.

 

 

Everyone got along splendidly! New friendships were made.... Reno High & the Korean War were hot topics.

 

 

Yaya Sofia gave Nina a special gift. Her very first gold coin necklace. It's beautiful.

It's so Greek.

I miss Nono.

 

The kiddos played with their cousins. We emptied a couple whip cream cans.

The jars of sprinkles made me smile.

And it ended with the perfect sunset.

 

 

 

 

Christina's baptismal day was truly one of the happiest days of my life.

We are so blessed.

For My Christina.... Thoughts about Baptism

 

My Dearest Christina,

 

I have a fabulous job in life. The very best job anyone could ever have in life... and that is being your mother. I am just your earthly mother. I realize this every day, because I know that I could have never created something so divine as you. You truly are a daughter of God.

 

First off, I wanted to write down a couple things that stood out to me in your confirmation. One was when the blessing pronounced that the Holy Ghost will help you feel how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father. Love was repeated often. You must remember how much your Heavenly Father loves you. It was also pronounced that you are to remember how Christ said, "Come unto me." The blessing spoke of how Christ never turned away anyone but always received them. Most importantly, it was told how you will be able to do all things with the help of the Holy Ghost for all things are possible with God.

 

Sweetheart, there are only a few things in this life for us to do. Our Savior has done the hard work and it is up to us to be the very best we can be. One of the things asked of us is to be baptized and confirmed. How hard you have worked to prepare for your special day. How ready, how wise & how splendid you are!

 

The moment you were born my life changed drastically. My life finally had purpose and meaning. I understood quite clearly my responsibility to teach you the principles of the gospel. To teach you what the meaning of life is. The great questions of life can be answered in studying the words of God, by kneeling and humbly asking your Maker all the desires of your heart. You are so precious to Him.

You are so precious to me.

 

I look forward to the many more spiritual goals you will set and reach. I look forward to seeing you go to the temple and do proxy work. I look forward to your endowment, to your sealing of a righteous priesthood holder who will love you and treat you like your father treats me. You are a queen. Please remember, we cannot tell what the future holds. No matter in life or in death, I will be by your side. God is so merciful that nothing cannot separate us. The sealing powers bind. Listen in your mind and you will hear my voice. I promise you that I will do my very best to make sure you know all you need to know to return to Our Father.

 

Christina, I know God lives. I know He loves us. The words of the Bible and Book of Mormon are true. Holy Prophets walk the earth today. If we want to be happy, we must follow the commandments. Your greatest joys in life will be the times you follow the example of The Savior. Families are forever. The temple is truly the House of The Lord and may Holiness be to His name forever! Our time on this earth is extremely important for there is absolutely an eternity awaiting the judgement of all we have done. I know angels watch you carefully and closely. God is not cruel, God is not far away. Heavenly Father is close and Jesus Christ too. Reach up for Them and They will reach back to you always. This I bear testimony to you in The Blessed Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Love,

Mommy