Date: February 1, 2014
Patrick, today we got sealed in the temple. It was amazing! Of course, I couldn't sleep again because so many things were going through my mind. So, after you went to bed I went over to Nana and Papa A's hotel to spend time with them. It was nice to visit. I really miss having them live only 30 minutes away. Nana didn't even look that bad from her accident the other day. She fell a few hours after your adoption on the 28th and cut her face badly on some picture frames. I thought she was going to have lots of stitch-filled cuts around her face, but she only had 2 large cuts on her nose and two black eyes. I was relieved to see that she wasn't looking like Frankenstein. She still may have to get surgery, but I'm grateful she is okay.
Nana brought your sealing and blessing outfit that Aunt RonNell bought for you. It's true what all of those Utah Valley women said to RonNell, "It is so cute." It is a two-piece, white, satin suit. The top had a tie and vest and the bottom pants were ironed with cuffs. I couldn't wait to see you in it.
Afterward I came home to hopefully go to bed, but then I forgot to get something so then I went to Walmart to get 3 things. Because I was so tired I ended up wandering around FOREVER! I should have been in and out, but my brain wasn't working. I finally got the things we needed for the next day and went home. Ahhh! It was so nice to come home and to have the house quiet. Everyone was asleep and I got to do some writing about placement. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep while writing, but it was a great way to fall asleep.
The next morning I woke up at 5:00 and decided to hop in the shower, get ready and feed you when you woke up at 6. Usually you sleep until 8:00 I think you must have been excited as well. We let Daddy sleep in and we tried on your new outfit. Guess what.... it barely fit. the pants were perfect size, but the top was tight around your tummy and a little too short. Curse that growth spurt. But you still looked dashing in it.
Then Aunt Mele and Uncle Justin came down with cousin Channing to eat breakfast and visit. You were tired, so we put you down for a nap. I ate some breakfast and then, too calm some nerves, took Charlie dog on a walk. It was freezing! But definitely worth it. The morning was so calm and serene. I wondered why I don't take Charlie on walks every morning. Then I remembered that I would have been at school by that time so obviously I couldn't.
Well we got ready and as we were about to leave Aunt Holly showed up to babysit cousin Channing, Ryan and Makayla. Your Aunt Julia, Uncle Cameron, Great Aunt Leanne and Great Papa K came by too. So, getting out the door was a little crazy. Our house has a small living room. It wasn't a surpirse that right as we pulled out of the drive way I realized we left something and needed to run back in. It was your white sealing outfit. We definitely needed that.
As we drove to the temple, I said a prayer with you and Daddy. And, yes, I did cry. I was just sooo HAPPY! This is what I was waiting for. I had so much anxiety about not being sealed. Not having you sealed to someone. I wanted that for you so badly. It was the perfect drive. You cooed in your car seat and Daddy and I held hands. LOVED IT!
We got to the temple and felt a little weird carrying a baby into the temple doors. Usually only adults go inside, but this was a special occasion. When we got there, the temple workers treated us like royalty. We checked in and took you to the baby room. That is where the children go to be looked after while their parents get ready for the ceremony. You were so happy to go. There were two sweet women excited to play with you.
I got ready in the bridal room. It has 8 small vanities with beautiful mirrors all around so the brides can prepare themselves for their special day. I was the only women getting ready. They had many other women there to help me out. They made me feel like it was my wedding day all over again. I guess it kind of is like that. Temple weddings are for a husband and wife to get married for time and all eternity. If they have children biologically, then those children are automatically sealed to the parents, like the mom and dad are sealed to each other. Daddy and I already got married in a temple, but since Daddy and I couldn't create you with our bodies, we wanted to have you sealed to us. We wanted to be a family forever! Eternity.
As I Daddy and I walked through the halls of the temple going to our changing rooms, I looked at Daddy and was so in love with him. He is an honest, kind and loving person. At that moment, everything felt right. Everything was absolutely perfect. He is the love of my life, and I want you to know that we love each other as much as we love you. Love grows and grows. I'm one lucky girl.
Patrick, everyone that could be there, was there. So many more people wanted to. When I saw your Papa Andersen I loved on his face about as much as I loved on yours! Papa A is my dad and he has made me who I am today. It was hard to see him in a wheelchair, but it was kinda fun pushing him around in it. Oh, he loves you soo much! Papa A and Papa C were the witnesses to your sealing. Nana A sat next to me and held my hand and who while the sealer was talking to us. CeeCee got to hold you at the alter when the ceremony took place.
We got sealed in a very special room called the sealing room. There are many rooms like this in the temple. It is where families are sealed together, so they are used often. In each of these rooms are mirrors on both sides of the wall. They are there to symbolize eternity. If you look into one, you can see the other and the image of you goes on forever. There is also a soft cushioned alter where we got to kneel to promise to Heavenly Father that we would take care of each other. Well, that Daddy and I would take care of you and be your forever family.
Patch, the sealing was so beautiful. You were beyond happy and quiet. Aunt RonNell said that she has never witnessed a sealing with a baby that was that good! I of course sobbed. I couldn't help it! It reminded me of when I married your father, and how in love I am with him. It reminded me of my own family and that my siblings, whether they were biological or adopted are sealed to me forever. It reminded me of Mama B and that she would one day be sealed to her love and that we would be connected to her forever. AND, It reminded me mostly of how much I had dreamed of you, wrote to you and loved you from even before you were a thought in Mama B's tummy. I had cuddled with one of your baby blankets month before I knew you were a possibility. Nana had made it and I begged her to give it to me. She first said no, that I would have to wait until I had kids. I convinced her to give it to me anyway. (She knew how sad I was that my babies weren't on their way yet.) So I chose one. She tried to convince me to wait because some were for girls and some for boys, and she said I needed to wait until I knew what kind of baby would be coming before taking a blanket. I told her I knew that one day I would have a little boy and that the blanket would be his. So I chose your blanket, having no idea that you would be coming to us so soon. Something in me knew that you were coming and that you were somehow part of me, even though I couldn't grow you.
The ceremony took less than a minute, but it is by far the most important ceremony in all the world. You have an eternal family because the gospel has been restored and the blessings of the temple are on the earth again. Oh, how I hope that you can understand that when you get older. The spirit was so incredibly strong. In no way could I forget that moment of our lives. I wish every family could witness that.
The temple was beautiful. Not just for how it looks, but for how it makes you feel and for what it does for families. Everything that is done in the temple is to bless families. To help families be together forever and to get closer to our Father in Heaven. I wish I could tell you every detail of what happened, but many things are very special and sacred. I hope that one day you will be able to return to the temple and go back often. I hope that you will have the desire to make good promises with God and try to be more like him. That really is all the temple does. It gets us closer to our Daddy upstairs.
Baby boy, I could write to you all night. I could kiss you all day, but I should go to bed. I will write more later.
No comments:
Post a Comment