Welcome to the family baby girl

This past weekend our sweet Elizabeth was baptized and became a full member of the Catholic Church. It’s one of the most fantastic moments as a faithful parent to witness your child’s infusion with such profound grace. It’s a great parental gift to be able to choose that for your child. This time, I was so struck by the fact that we have had the privilege of choosing this FOUR times! It was made all the more clear, when Deacon recited all four names during the ceremony. Amazing to give life and to choose Sacramental life also!

Deacon Leo: Is it your will that Elizabeth Edna should be baptized in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you?
YES!

I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Welcome little sis to the Church!

God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.

I have been such a brat for all the children’s baptism and have begged the celebrant to generously anoint my little one’s head with the chrism oil. I then refuse to bathe their little heads until I can no longer smell that heavenly scent. I’m convinced that’s the scent of grace. Every time I snuggle my little ones over the course of that next week, I’m reminded and transported just a bit to a supernatural place. Deacon Leo did not disappoint!

Elizabeth Edna, you have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.

Receive the light of Christ. Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He (she) is to walk always as a child of the light. May he (she) keep the flame of faith alive in his (her) heart. When the Lord comes, may he (she) go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

God the Father, through his Son, the Virgin Mary’s child, has brought joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal life shine on their children. May he bless the mother of this child. She now thanks God for the gift of her child. May she be one with him (her) in thanking him for ever in heaven, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

God is the giver of all life, human and divine. May he bless the father of this child. He and his wife will be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith. May they be also the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

By God’s gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn to everlasting life. In his goodness, may he continue to pour out his blessings upon these sons and daughters of his. May he make them always, wherever they may be, faithful members of his holy people. May he send his peace upon all who are gathered here, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

May almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless you.

After the ceremony, just before leaving, Nate & I have always snuck over to the Blessed Mother to present our baby to her care. It’s a private spontaneous prayer Nate leads and together we present to Mary. In this case, we presented her as a cousin on behalf of her patron, St. Elizabeth, Mary’s older cousin. May Elizabeth always be held in the loving hands of Mary, our Mother giving her a motherly heart of grace and love.

Thank you family and friends for celebrating with us and welcoming our little girl!

My parents were here from Wyoming!

Longtime family friends.

My sisters. (We do sort of look alike.)

Our neighbor and dear friend.

And the beloved God-family! Nick and Dolores are Godparents to both Clare & Elizabeth and the girls are honorary Godsisters. (Our children are thrilled as it officially makes everyone family.) Thanks for loving all of us so dearly and being great role models too! Pray for these girls constantly PLEASE! (Thanks Gramma Lissa for the matching outfits.)

Just an aside: Deacon Leo is a bit of a superstar. Michael adored him this past summer at Vacation Bible School assembly & rally. Everytime Deacon is at Mass, Michael sneaks in a hug…even if he happens to be talking to other people. Thankfully, Deacon has children and grandchildren of his own and loves the hugs of the little ones that can sneak in under the gaze of the adults for a hug.

Feeling just a little overwhelmed still, I (we) opted to keep the guest list intimate which allowed a lunch back at our home very manageable.

Medals for St. Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist) are much harder to acquire than I anticipated so our party favors are a bit more simple and creative than originally planned. Thanks mom for helping me put them together. Gotta love that Martha Stewart scoring board.

Why serve alcohol (to a crowd of mostly non-drinkers) when you can serve ice cold IBC Root Beer? However, thank you Stacey for making me a fantastic strawberry pina colada. They are my favorite!!

What a beautiful day! Papa & Michael crafted designs for several marshmallow shooters over the course of the week.

After laying down the babies and cleaning up just a bit, a war was in order!

He had truly waited all week for this moment! You think it was worth the wait?!

NCAA basketball games rounded out the day! Bummer that the Wichita Shockers just couldn’t score those few extra points in the end to advance them another round. What a game though!

Photo Credits to myself, Jessica Satriano and my dad. Thank you!! I love seeing the day through your eyes!!