Baby Blessing

Harper hanging out with her Uncle PJ

Last month, on February 5, Harper received her baby blessing.  While many churches perform infant baptisms, our faith does not do baptisms until the age of eight.  Instead, a baby blessing is a wonderful opportunity to welcome a baby into the church and present him or her with special blessings.  For Harper's big day, we were lucky enough to have some of our favorite out-of-town relatives join us for the weekend, including: Harper's Grandma Annette, Uncle PJ, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Travis, Grandpa, Aunt Erin, Uncle Ben, and baby cousin Riley.  There were a LOT of new faces and even more snuggles for Harper to enjoy over the weekend.  What a lucky girl!  On Saturday night, we all went out to dinner to celebrate; another "first" for our little baby!

Lounging on Saturday morning with Aunt Kelly

Then on Sunday, Harper's baby blessing occurred during our church service.  In addition to all our fun visitors and our church congregation, Harper's Grammy Sue, Aunt Annie, Uncle Ben (Harper has TWO uncles named Ben!), Great Gramzy, and cousin Emily joined us for this special occasion as well.  Harper is VERY popular!

All dressed up for church--
wearing her very special dress and sweater from Auntie Roz
and monogrammed bracelet from Aunt Kelly, Uncle PJ, and her cousins!

With the help of family and friends, Harper received a blessing from her very own Daddy, which was thoughtfully recorded by her Aunt Kelly:

Momma, Daddy, and Baby

Harper was blessed to grow, develop, and mature so that she may perform the functions she needs to and to accomplish those things that she sets out to do.  She was urged to always remember to treat her body like a temple.  Harper was also blessed to have a quick and inquisitive mind, and to search out knowledge and take her studies seriously.  She was blessed to have a sweet spirit, so that she may search out opportunities to serve others.  She was urged to have empathy for others and to be an example to those around her, especially her family--that she may inspire them to follow the teachings of Christ by the way she lives her life.  As she grows older, Harper was blessed to live in such a way that she will be worthy to enter the temple and into a temple marriage so that she can enjoy the blessings of an eternal family--and to always know that her Heavenly Father and her family love her very much.

A sleepy baby at the end of an exciting weekend!

Harper's blessing was a truly special experience for Dallin and me, and we were so grateful to have so many family and friends there with us.  After church, we were able to enjoy a last brunch together with Dallin's family before most of our out-of-town guests had to leave for the airport.  Her Grandpa, Uncle Ben, Aunt Erin, and cousin Riley stayed on Sunday night though so we got to watch the Superbowl together, but Harper slept through most of it.  The weekend passed much too quickly, but Harper was tuckered out after all the excitement!