Layla's Blessing Day

Sunday was a special day. Robert blessed Layla in church. We were grateful to have so many of our close friends and family come and be there with us to celebrate her coming into our family.
Robert, his father, his brother Raymond, the bishopric, and a good friend of our family, Jonathon were the preisthood holders that surrounded Layla during her blessing. My mother and father were not able to attend. It is always sad to live so far away during events like this. I miss them terribly and wished so badly that my father could have been there to help bless my daughter.
The blessing, I was told, was beautiful. We were sitting midway to the back of the chapel, and when Robert started talking, I could tell the microphone was not working. I could barely hear him. Then Bella starting crawling all over me, and I think I heard about 3 sentances of the blessing. I was really sad that they didn't stop and start over once they could tell the microphone wasn't working. My mother-in-law wrote down all the things that Robert was saying, so at least I can type those up and put them in Layla's baby book to remember it.


The dress is an old family dress. My grandmother Busteed had it handmade for one of her daughter's blessing. She wasn't sure if my mother actually wore it, but I like to think she did. I came across it when I was at her house when I was pregnant with Alyssa. I asked if I could clean it up and use it for her blessing. It is so thin and fragile, so we soaked it in gentle wash and steamed it. All of my girls have worn this dress, and it is very special to me. The beautiful bow was given to me by my sister, Necia. It went perfect with her dress, and everyone gave me a lot of compliments on it. Thank you Necia!

The Mason family came to support us once again. Donn was there too, but had to leave early for another meeting. This family has meant a lot to me and my kids. They really have been great to us. Don't her boys look so handsome in their suits?

The Wallace family. Grandpa Jim and Grandma Lee were out of town visting family in California. We were sad he wasn't able to be there to help bless Layla. But we couldn't wait until the next month because I was afraid she wouldn't fit in her dress.

My good friend, Lynn and her husband Pat. Lynn is the first friend I made when I moved to Tulsa 10 years ago. She and I worked together for 3 years. We have stayed good friends ever since. She is not a member of our church, but she comes to support me, and that means a lot to me. She loves my little girls.

(Too bad Bella is wrapping herself in my skirt in this picture. That looks flattering. Also, don't pay attention to the black bags under my eyes in all the pictures. I haven't got much sleep in the past 3 months.)