People wait for years to be baptized. Others until we are baptized for them. Our sweet little Bailee had to wait 4 very long months after turning 8 to be baptized. Torture for her, but it was great to see just how badly she wanted it and how much it meant to her. Finally, on October 9TH 2010, Bailee was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her dad baptized and confirmed her, grandpa Argyle and uncle John were witnesses, and several family members and friends were there to support her and to celebrate.
The whole baptism process is quite fun for mom and daughter. I seriously LOVE having a daughter! It was torture for me to force myself to not look at baptism dresses until spring. I knew if I looked any earlier I would buy something then change my mind depending on the new styles that came out for the summer. Good call. Sure, I was devastated when I couldn't get the dress I wanted for her in Spain. Sniff Sniff. But I found the next best thing. I wanted something unique but elegant for her, but I also wanted it to be her choice (with my approval of course.) We narrowed it down to 2 dresses, Bailee finally made up her mind, then I ordered it just in time to get it for her birthday. We chose an ivory dress which I was crazy about. It was beautiful! When I got the dress I was discouraged with the width because I knew it would be way too wide for her tiny waist. And it came with this top piece that would've seriously fit me...and it had the biggest sleeves EVER! Thank goodness I have a sister who is a genius seamstress! Mari took in the dress on both sides, took off the ugly bow in the back, and literally created a new top piece. Perfection. The next challenge was finding an ivory hairpiece. I went from store to store finding some random items in the perfect color and made a hairpiece that looked amazing. The shoes were a challenge. Silver didn't look good, I didn't like the ivory shoes I found, and luckily, probably a day or two before the baptism, I found some pewter Mary Jane's. This may all seem a little extreme to some, but I wanted her to feel like the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out, and shopping is just so much fun together...it's always nice to have an excuse.
When Bailee was younger she always told me she didn't want to get baptized because she didn't want to be put under water. Over time she changed her mind and didn't want to step out of the water once she was in it. Her first comment after she was baptized. "I want to do it again!" One of her best friends, Gracey Johansen, was baptized the same day which the girls were pretty excited about. After spending forever combing out Bailee's long wet hair and changing her into her dress, she received the Holy Ghost. While waiting for Bailee and Gracey to change, all the friends and family wrote notes to the girls. A favorite moment for me was seeing my grandpa there. I remember my grandpa Garretson being there at my baptism and having him there for Bailee's meant so much to me. My grandma had the flu and couldn't make it, but my grandpa was a trooper and came without her. There's only a handful of times my grandpa's ever gone anywhere without my grandma, but I'm so glad he did that day.
After the baptism we took some pictures, ran home and changed, then met up with everyone at Golden Corral for lunch.
I am so blessed to have a husband who is a worthy priesthood holder. It makes me love him even more when I am reminded that he is worthy to use the powers of the priesthood for our family. I'm so blessed to have a beautiful, compassionate, amazing daughter like Bailee. She really could've worn any dress and been the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out. It was important to me that Bailee made the decision on her own to be baptized, and we are such proud parents seeing that Bailee has made such a mature and good choice. I'm so blessed to have a son who loves his sister more than anything in the world and keeps me smiling all day. I'm so blessed to have the gospel in my life and I truly believe we can be together forever if we are worthy. Nothing means more to me than that.
Bailee and her cuz, Halle.
In all white, waiting with her daddy.
Proud brother.
Bailee and her uncle John at Golden Corral.
Congratulations, princess Bailee. We're so proud of you for all the good decisions you've made, and we look forward to the experiences we get to share together for eternity. Love you forever!
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