The one about Halle's baptism

My baby girl turned eight!!

I've been meaning to blog about it for almost 6 months now but "better late than never" is gonna have to work here.  It was just way too special to forget about.

 

The day before Halle's birthday, we threw her a friends party.  The girls watched Halle's fave movie "Soul Surfer" while they each got a pedicure.  Then they all decorated and ate their own pizzas. Halle's idol, her first grade teacher, came and helped us out.  How amazing of a teacher, right?  I know it meant a LOT to Hall.  Thanks so much, Audrey!!

Halle and her very-loved teacher

decorating pizzas

opening gifts

the birthday girl and friends

After the party I took Halle on a surprise date with 2 of her favorite people in the world; her cousin Bailee and aunt Emilee.

We told her we were going shopping, but once we got there we let her in on the REAL surprise...that we were GETTING HER EAR'S PIERCED!

"Reeeeeallly!?!?!!?"

"This is going to hurt, huh?"

This is a little girl who has been asking for her ear's pierced since she could talk.

However, after the initial thrill, she became terrified.  It took a LONG time for all of us to coax her into that chair... 

finally made it to the chair

 Bribery, lots of encouragement and tears later...she finally DID IT!!

 I loved it because after she recovered she was so happy. She just kept looking in mirrors with a huge smile. I could tell she felt really pretty.  Awesome.

Team Halle

 Finally, the big day arrived.  Halle had decided that she wanted to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

 Halle and I searched online for a year, looking for that perfect white baptism dress. As it turned out, I was happy we never found one.  Instead Halle helped me design a dress.  It was only in my head  and drawn on a little paper, and there was no pattern. Halle was so patient with me as I pinned and repinned the fabric on her, drawing the seams.  She had to try it on over and over. Many times I stitched by hand with her IN it.  :)  Hopefully it will always be an important thing to her.  I think it turned out perfect and was happy I was able to do that for her.

As she got ready the morning of the baptism I got out her baby blessing dressand my wedding dress. I then gave her the following poem by Linda Gay Perry Nelson:

My mom bought me a white dress,
Not red or pink or blue.
She said it was a special dress
Like very other few,

There has been just one before,
A dress now put away,
That I wore some time ago
Upon my blessing day.

As a little baby clothed 

In my first white dress,
My dad held me in his arms,
There to name and bless.

So pure and clean was I just then,
With time to grow and learn
About the Father's plan for me.
My glory I must earn.

Now I've reached the age to judge
The wrong road from the right,
And I am here to be baptized
In this dress of white.

So once again I'm free from sin.
The path is clear to me.
  I'll grasp the rod and hold on tight,             I vow with certainty.

Just as mud would stain my dress,
Sin would stain my soul.
The key is to repent or bleach,
For whiteness is my goal.

And if I try my very best,
Then richly blessed I'll be,
Wearing inside God's holy house
White dress number three,

So today I make this pledge:
I'll strive to choose the right,
Through this sacred baptism ordinance
In my second dress of white. 

 I swear it was yesterday

 It was a very special morning to me.  It feels like I dressed her in her "1st white dress" such a short time ago.  My heart was very, very full as I helped her into that dress.  My lovely daughter was grown up and was making such an important decision.  I am so proud of her.















After we were all ready, we left for the church.  I helped Halle into her baptism suit and then left her with her Daddy to finish getting ready. He looked so proud of his little girl and was so tender with her.

 

We had tons of friends and family show up to support Halle.  My brother John even came!  He had been training with the military and made a special trip!  

Uncle John!!

My aunt Jana made it as well, and just barely in time.  I guess she had heard wrong and thought the baptism was going to take place in another town.  When she realized where we were, she rushed as quickly as possible.  She told me it was like "the parting of the red sea."  She hit absolutely no traffic (unheard of with all the construction) and only green lights. If she had been even one minute later, she would have missed it. Apparently Heavenly Father wanted Halle's day to be perfect as well :)

Halle wanted to be baptised by her Daddy.  Her uncles John and Tucker were the witnesses.

After the baptism Halle was so happy.  "It's over already!  I want to do that again!"  She was giddy and so fun to be around.  Right away Ora, Jessica and I started drying, curling and pinning up her hair.  Halle and I had been practicing this part for weeks.  We nailed it.

 We came out of the dressing room together and found Kevin there waiting for us.  He scooped up Halle into a big Daddy hug.  I got teary eyed watching, knowing there wasn't another person in the world I'd rather be my daughter's father. We are two lucky girls.

As Halle walked into the room where everyone was waiting for the confirmation, I heard gasps.  I certainly already though she looked beautiful, but when I heard that I knew I wasn't just being a biased mother.  She was stunning.  

 

   

 

Halle was confirmed by her Dad as well.  In the circle was Grandpas Dave, Kevin Sr, and Don; Uncles John, Damon, Patrick, Justin, and Tucker; friends Micah, Leo and Bishop Kemp.

Afterward we went outside for a group pictures.

See how many people love my Halle?

Nicole

Emmy

the Taylors

Bailee+Halle=BFF

Gma &Gpa "Suzette"

The Johnson's

the Willmore's

J

Gma & Gpa Farr

Great Gma Farr

Stacy

Jana!!

Grandma Joy

4 generations

Gma D'anne

the Rigg's

the Argyle's

Aummie

the Campbell's

the other mother ;)

John aka "Buzz"

daddy

Gma &Gpa B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our girl

our pride & joy

The Farr 5!

me & my Hall

We then went out to lunch at Halle's fave place to eat- Golden Corral.  Halle then went and played at Bailee's and Kevin and I ran home to work on her birthday surprise gift from us- HER VERY OWN ROOM!!!

She was sooo happy when she came home.  Check out the reaction :)

the boys in their new room

I thought the weekend ended up perfectly.  I hope that Halle felt like a million dollars and knows how very much she is loved by her friends and family.  

LOVE YOU SO MUCH, 

BABY GIRL!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO