Easton's Blessing: Part 2

I know it has been nearly 2 MONTHS! (Yikes!) But finally here is "Part 2" to Easton's blessing. I've had these pictures uploaded for quite some time now, but haven't taken time to write things down.

Easton had to get back in his cute blessing outfit a day or two after so I could take some time to get some good pictures. So here he is, as cute as can be!

We have a lot of amazing family that love and support us. We have been counseled to keep the blessing circle small. With each child's blessing we worry about offending our much loved family by not including them in the circle. Here's the email I send to everyone as an invite:

Hello family!

We wanted to send a special invitation to each of you to attend Easton's baby blessing next week, Sunday, September 18th. Nic's brother, Aaron, will be in town and possibly brother-in-law, Drew, too.  We are going to do a brunch before our meeting at 11:00 am, then our sacrament meeting is at 1:00 . We invite anyone who would like to stay for the rest of our 3 hour church meetings to do so. We'd love to have you!

We'll have the brunch here at our house, hopefully in the backyard. I'll make cinnamon rolls. Then I'd like to have egg casseroles, fruit, juice, and milk. Let me know if you are able to make it for the brunch and/or blessing. I'd love to give out food assignments. :)

We love the support and love of each and everyone of you. And we want all of you to feel loved and included. Nic and I both have a lot of family and we have been counseled to keep the blessing circle small. We have decided just to have dads, grandpas, and brothers in the circle. So although all you wonderful men aren't invited to participate in the circle, please know that we still want you there and we love you very much!

There's a quote about that counsel for anyone interested:
"The support of family and friends is greatly appreciated. However, the number of men who stand in the circle should be limited to a few. Those who perform the ordinance or preside are the only ones required. All others merely provide support and sustain the spokesman. It is cumbersome and a burden if too many men participate. The practice of inviting large numbers of family, friends, and leaders to assist in an ordination or setting apart is discouraged. " Elder Boyd K. Packer (WLT, June 2003 p.3)

We are sure happy to have our new little guy, Easton, as part of our family and are excited for his blessing. Again we love you all and sure appreciate your support. Hope you can make it next week. Let me know.

Thanks,
Natalie and Nic family

I think everyone was very understanding. We hope everyone felt loved and included even if they weren't in the circle. We sure felt loved! We had a large circle even just with grandpas, dads, and brothers. Those in the circle were Easton's Great Grandpa Baird, Grandpa Allen (my dad), Grandpa Roach (Nic's dad), and three uncles: my brother Todd, Nic's brother's Aaron and Shae, then of course Easton's dad Nic and Bishop Robins.

Easton did the opposite of what Bryson did for his blessing... Easton was quiet and happy until it was blessing time. I think he was a bit overwhelmed by all the men surrounding him and hands on him. He screamed, his pacifier fell out... and he screamed louder! Fortunately Nic remained steady and seemingly unaffected by the screaming. However he was emotional. Nic was sweet and loving. Once the blessing was over and Nic handed Easton to me, Easton stopped crying. He felt more secure and not so out of him element. Luckily, I was still able to hear the blessing Nic gave to Easton.

We had a lady from our ward slip us some notes from the blessing! Here are some of the highlights from her:

• Blessed to know happy to have, brought joy to us
• Blessed to grow up knowing the Savoir, desire to grow closer to Him, know His life, knowledgeable
• Blessed to grow up in righteousness, seek good, desire good people, seek out Heavenly Father
• Blessed to receive Priesthood, serve mission,attend temple, find companion
• Blessed to learn about Grandpa Allen (named after) and his example
• Blessed to know family, extended family love you, support you

 

Easton, we do love you so much. We are excited to see you learn, grow and develop physically and spiritually! You have brought us so much joy already! love you xox