Your Blessing Day

Dear Marianne,
Yesterday was perfect. I mean it...from sun-up to way past sun-down - it was a glorious day. I woke up while you were still sleeping and realized that you had slept all night. Now that is a wonderful way to start a day! Maybe the bath with lotion the night before did the trick...We had waffles with special syrup (buttermilk, yum), for breakfast because blessing days are special days. Bekah, Jacob, and Beau all really appreciated this, as did Uncle Tom who loved all the food this weekend almost as much as he loved your sweet chubby cheeks. (Here you are with him right before he had to leave.)

 We were ready for church on time - no small thing considering its 8am starting time - and you were lotioned and dressed in your beautiful blessing dress no more than ten minutes before it was time to leave. And oh my did you look precious! It's a good thing your arms aren't any chubbier or the sleeves would have been too tight. I just love that you were able to wear the same dress that Bekah wore. Cutesy made that dress and to this day it still doesn't have buttons on the back, but we decided it was better that way - pins work just fine. You wore adorable slippers on your feet and a bonnet on your head. (Better picture to come later...)

We got to church in time to save two big rows and we were pleasantly surprised to find that all the family arrived on time too - no small feat for them. In attendance for your special day there were: G&Nana Payne, G&G Cutesy, Uncle Jacob, Aunt DeAnn, Zaya, Russel, Aunt Carla, Uncle Doug, Libby, Emma, Ben, Spencer, Aunt Emilee, Uncle Chip, Uncle Jared, Uncle Tom, Taffy, Jeremy, Hailey, Cody, Gavin, and Jason (of Jason & Joy). It was a big, fun crew. I got to sit up on the stand watching everything because I am the chorister, and it was just so fun to see Nana, Jared, Cutesy, and Emilee all take turns holding you. You were the second baby blessed and no less than 8 men were part of the circle. Daddy is pretty funny about blessing circles - he likes them small - but there were just so many people there for you that eight hands held you while Daddy gave the blessing. Uncle Tom said you had your eyes open the whole time and you were looking at your daddy while he talked. (Tom knows because his eyes were open.) You were blessed with some really special things: to know the love of your Heavenly Father; that you were valiant and strong in the pre-existence; blessed to share your love and spirit with those around you; blessed to be like your Grandma Hansen who you are named after who is also valiant and strong and raised her family in the gospel; blessed to marry in the temple and raise up your family and that your children would be leaders; blessed with a spirit of understanding and knowledge and that you would know right from wrong and make good choices...
Phew! That's a lot of stuff for a tiny two-month old, but I swear I see everyone of those attributes and possibilities when I look in your blue eyes. You are special, Bug.
After church it was all about the food! And the good company of course! We had pulled pork sandwiches, a salad with berries and poppy see dressing, and a million veggies because Granddad raided the grocery store the night before. Cutesy held you most of the time (she just can't get enough of you), until you were just so worn out from all the noise that you were finally able to sleep. I took a nap too and it was wonderful. Later on, during another nap of yours, Granddad, Tom, Daddy and I played scrabble and Granddad won by a hair - it was a really close game. That was his second win in as many nights and I'm afraid his ego is quite inflated now.
Somehow while I was making dinner, this happened...so funny!

You even got in on the action (but didn't like how the mustache tickled your nose):

When everything finally settled down last night I laid in bed and thought about the day, and my heart was overflowing with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for such a perfect day. Our family is so blessed to have so many people who love us! I am so grateful that you came into our family to make such an occasion possible!
 
Love you lots and lots,
your Momma