8-31-08 - A Blessed Day

The day of Chelsea's blessing was an extra special day for our family. For one thing we had the majority of our family members here with us, including Chad and his family, who we REALLY didn't expect to be able to make it because they were suppose to be living in South Carolina. But Katie and the kids just happened to be in town and Chad made special arrangements to be in town as well, which meant the world to Brad. In addition to my parents being here, my sister traveled up from California, my brother Jeff and sister-in-law Mandy made the journey from Arizona to be with us, and my brother Greg joined us from St. George. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by our families!

The Petersen Clan

The Stearman Clan

In addition to having our families surrounding us, the day was made extra special because we not only had one priesthood ordinance performed that day but TWO. Just before we blessed Chelsea, Greg was ordained an Elder by my Dad. Both my brother Jeff and Brad we able to be in the circle to ordain him and then Greg was able to be in the circle to bless Chelsea. It was truly beautiful! Greg has grown into such a smart, funny, righteous, fun, young man. He is now enjoying his freshman year at Dixie College. We are all so proud of him! I am so grateful that he was worthy and able to be in the circle to help bless his niece.

Jeff, Greg, my Dad and Brad

After the ordination a few more family and friends joined us and Brad gave Chelsea a beautiful blessing. The blessing had to be done in our home since I was still hooked up to an IV and was in a lot of pain and couldn't be at church. But it made the occasion a little bit more intimate and special. Chelsea looked so pretty in her white blessing dress and it was so neat to have all those priesthood holders all gathered around in our home. Some of the men that made the day a little extra special just by being there were: Brad's grandpa Roy who struggles with his health and getting to our home was a huge challenge for him, one of my best friend's dad, Dave Hansen (Who was like a second father to me growing up), who was leaving to go on a mission with his wife the very next day but took the time to come and be part of that special day with us, and I already mentioned Brad's brother Chad who had to travel across the country to be there and Greg who used his Melchizedek Priesthood for the first time. What a truly blessed day! I am so grateful to have such worthy priesthood holders in my life, to have a husband who was able to bless to Chelsea and for Brad and I to have fathers and brothers who could take part in that special blessing as well.

I think August 31, 2008 will always be a special day for our family!

Brad, Chelsea and Me (complete with my lovely IV pole)

Grandma Ruthe & Grandpa Roy

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mandy Aunt Charity
Chelsea...beautiful in White!